"Feeling Overwhelmed with Prenatal Care"

As a first time Mom, who has watched many friends and family members go through being pregnant and lose the baby - I have been very anxious to share the news before knowing the baby was okay and I was through the first trimester. This possibly increased some of the anxiety of feeling that I was doing this very alone. My husband, while very supportive is equally as clueless as I am. 

I recently found out I was pregnant and had to basically tell my Doctor's Office admin staff that I was pretty sure I needed a lab requisition to confirm the pregnancy. The lab was very kind in helping me book the two blood work appointments, but they weren't sure how important the 36-72 hour window was and neither was I (given the stat holidays that fell during this time). 

Finding your way

It took me a few weeks to get a phone appointment with my Doctor. At this time, I was told about a number of exams she was going to be sending to me. Some we had discussed, some we did not. In the end, I had 6 requisitions and it was not clear I needed to reuse my original Complete OB Series requisition for my First Trimester Screening - nor was it clear to me the timeframe these had to be booked. Calling into Precision Labs, EFW Radiology and Beam Radiology was giving me similar information, but a little more detail with each conversation to piece things together (namely that I needed to book the First Trimester Screening appointment within the 11w2d and 13w6d range and make sure that my blood work was scheduled between 10w5d and 3 business days before my scheduled ultrasound). 

Things to do

I was also told during the phone appointment that I needed to schedule my 12 week appointment. When I called the clinic back, they told me their first availability was 14 weeks. I then told them that my doctor had instructed me that I needed the appointment at 12 weeks. Days later they called me back with an appointment within the necessary timeframe. The number of times I've tried to call my doctor's office and after listening to an automated message for what feels like forever is incessantly frustrating. 

Appointments

I was also given a requisition for a Complete Breast Imaging Assessment which neither EFW Radiology or Beam Radiology was comfortable booking without additional information. I didn't have additional information. I asked them to contact my doctor's office but actually it was up to me, the patient, to go back to the doctor's office.

I feel that every time I call my doctor's office, the front desk staff is as uninformed as I am but much less motivated to try get to the accurate answers. 

Staff skills

I was getting audibly frustrated and while trying to remain polite, I was very honest about my frustration and struggles. After spending over an hour and a half trying to get all my screening appointments sorted, I called the doctor's office back to discuss the Breast Screening appointment, apologize for how frustrated I was earlier and that I had sorted the initial requisition situation out. 

Explanations

At this time, I also recommended that there be clear information of what to expect and what is required at which timelines. It was recommended that I come here to provide feedback.

Reception