My miscarriage story with Dr. Jones:…read more
Early January (I miscarried in November and HCG hadn't dropped fully so I headed to Dr. Jones for a second opinion, to be extra safe, on what to do after being told it looked like my body was doing what it needed, just slowly) - Dr. Jones' nurse or tech (not sure of her title) did my scan, and said it looked like the gestational sac was still there but moving towards my cervix which was a great sign.
She had Dr. Jones come in to check the scan. He DIDN'T introduce himself to me, sat down, took literally two seconds to look at the image, looks at me and says "I think you'll need a D&C. The sac may stay attached if not."
I said absolutely not. I don't have insurance and I know there's another option to try first. He said, "Oh well, yeah, ok we could try the pill first but with how long this is taking my concern is the sac is attached to your uterus and won't come out." I told him, "Ok, that's fine but let's try this other thing first...I don't have insurance." I asked him if there was any harm to trying the pill first...and he said no. So I told him again, absolutely...pill first. He then must have completely forgotten the TWO times I told him I don't have insurance and continues to say, "Well you can try to negotiate the price with the hospital..." and he starts explaining the procedure to me and I told him again...no...I don't have insurance.
He didn't address anything else with me, not even my thyroid. He only told me how to take the pills.
To add another annoyance, I ended up paying $187 (no insurance) to have a TECH do my scan, talk with the doctor for a literal 1 minute, and basically be ignored and given terrible medical advice. (The desk ran my card for $150, then says OOPS, cancel...$115...then OOPS...$187, this is 2 different codes. ) Yes, the D&C would have worked. But it is expensive and more invasive. It comes with its own risks. So why did this doctor immediately resort to a D&C when I clearly stated it was not an option for me?! The pill cost me $10 and he admitted it was not harmful to try first. I'm absolutely missing his reasoning here.
**update after the office visit**
He ended up Rx me Misoprostol. I felt something was off when I researched several forums and ladies had shared their doctors advised them to take it much differently than this man did. He had me take 2 tabs every 4 hours, 4 times. Most others, I had read they were advised to take 4 tabs at once, then follow up with others hours after etc. I just felt right away I was set to fail with this method. And I did. I took it as instructed and nothing happened. It should work within a few hours. I finally started bleeding 2 days later but nothing like I was told I would.
I was worried I didn't pass what he so confidently told me was implanted in my uterus so I called around for quotes for a D&C to try to find a more affordable option begrudgingly accepting it as my fate. He quoted me $750 for himself, the medical facility quoted me an additional $2950-$5170 depending on how long I needed care, each day an extra $1000. These costs did NOT include the costs for anesthesia. I was told I would not be able to get a quote for that. So when all was said and done, I was looking at anywhere from $4-7k dollars for this "simple" and "needed" procedure.
I updated Dr. Jones' office and the nurse said, yes, you'll need the D&C. Well I got another opinion 2 weeks later. This doctor assured me and laughed when doing my scan, "You absolutely do NOT need a D&C. Who told you that?" She was surprised and said my body was doing exactly what it needed to do, just slowly. She even cared enough to educate me on several other things I had asked about as well as going over my bloodwork WITH ME. She asked how Dr. Jones prescribed the Misoprostol. I told her and she then said, "Let me guess, he's an older man." YES. He is. She said his methods were out dated and explained a lot in why he said I must have the D&C. He was basically choosing the doctor-first route, not patient-first. Which was my guess.
She sent me home and 2 weeks later I got my cycle, re-checked...ALL is well. Bloodwork, scans, everything. NO D&C NEEDED.
I know D&C's are many times medically necessary. But I've had 2 situations now where the doctor basically forced it on me, when my body did NOT need it and only because I refused, did I save myself THOUSANDS of dollars and allow my body to work as it naturally needed to. And in case you do not know, a D&C comes with its own risks, it can build up scar tissue which can affect future pregnancies. Both doctors, DR. JONES included...DID NOT tell me this. Thank you, Google and the hundreds of forums I read of others sharing their experiences.
Save yourself the headache/heartache and find another doctor who is responsible and puts the PATIENT first. Not himself. And one who is up to date with current medical practices. ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF!