Forget gynecologists, I'm going back to midwives!

[yasmina27]

I just CANNOT get over my experience this morning. I went to see a new gyne. Prior to this, for the last 10 yrs., I had been seeing a midwife group, who delivered both of my daughters.

I decided it was time to go see an MD, as I am now in my 40's & figured with my "advancing age" I should see someone with a medical degree (yeah I know, my brain was out to lunch!).

So this a$$hole comes in, does his conference before the exam, with me sitting on the table covered in nothing but this measely paper gown. Finally, as he indicates for me to lay down, he discovers on my chart that I smoke. Horror of horrors! Based on the 10 minute lecture he gave me, I guess I am the most horrible, wretched sinner on the face of this planet. Finally he looked at me and said I looked stressed! I told him I hate this & would he please just get the exam done?!

On top of all this, it was freezing in the office. I was cold as soon as I walked in wearing my street clothes, and I was an ice cube by the time I finally got dressed. There was no post-exam conference, just him giving me the script for the mammogram in the hallway at the check-out desk, and telling me that "everything looked good".

I stormed out of the office, flipped him the bird (too bad he couldn't see it!), and lit a cigarette. I came home and told my husband. His grand sympathetic response? "Yeah, but it's for your health. At least everything's OK." EXCUSE ME?! All he cares about is whether his playground is fit for enjoyment.

Whew! Thanks for letting me spew. I feel better already. I am still thinking of sending him a letter letting him know why he's lost a new patient, or a letter to the AMA or whoever!

I don't care if I have to drive an hour or more. No more male doctors for me - PERIOD!

[Samurai_Writer]

1. I haven't been to a male gynecologist in 24 years...

that was the one who delivered my son. He was head of obstetrics at the hospital my mom worked at (she was a surgical RN). Women doctors are SO much better, on average, especially when it comes to OB/Gyn.

As for the mammogram? I'm 44 and haven't had one yet. There is absolutely NO risk of breast cancer in my family, so I'm putting it off until I'm 50. Why go through unnecessary medical tests when there is no need?

[yasmina27]

2. Mammogram

I don't blame you. I wouldn't go through with it either except that I have a very strong family history of it, including my mother (2x's) and a first cousin who died in 2000 at the age of 48.

[cally]

3. Please don't put it off

I'm 47, no history of breast cancer, not a high risk at all and I found breast cancer through a mamogram. It was caught very early because of the mamogram. Also, it helps to have the initial one so in the future it's easier to spot changes in the breast that may be cancer. Just do it!

[yasmina27]

6. My mother

was 34 the first time she had BC. My father found it :) Go Dad! Any way, it was diagnosed the 2nd time this past fall, and removed last Jan.

I had my first mammo when I turned 30. Am now 42 & will have another one as soon as I make the appt.

BTW, my mom is going for genetic testing. If she is found positive for the BD gene, I will have the testing. If I am positive, I don't know...

[jmm]

4. I didn't have a risk of breast cancer in my family either

until one of my aunts died when she was only 34 from it. I've read that as many as 70% of women with breast cancer have no known risk factors.

[Hello_Kitty]

5. My doctor asked me if I was a lesbian!

Seriously. It was actually kind of funny. He's my regular GP but was doing an annual pap smear and exam. We were discussing my sexual history and I informed him that I'm unmarried and don't have a partner. Well - not a regular one anyway but I wasn't about to get into my personal life with him and the nurse. So he asked me that. I stifled a laugh and said no. I really didn't get the sense that the question had anything to do with my medical care. I think he was being nosy.

I also smoke and I've gotten to the point where I don't tell them I do anymore. Yeah, I know smoking's terrible but doctors try to blame everything that's wrong with you on it and some are actually refusing to treat smokers. Why don't they also refuse to see drinkers, motorcyclists, and people who participate in dangerous hobbies such as rock-climbing - all of whom also risk death?

[spooky3]

8. I had the same experience, except that the OB/GYN

didn't ask if I were lesbian but asked other questions about why exactly I was not in a relationship. Since I had not brought this up as a matter that I wanted help about, I thought it was highly inappropriate, along with his yawning and other unprofessional behavior. I had just moved to this area and this jerk was highly recommended by the nurses at my regular GP's office. I probably should have filed some sort of complaint but took the easy way out and found a better (and female) OB/GYN. Sadly, because of high malpractice premiums (although she's never been sued) she told me that she's thinking of retiring.

[WildClarySage]

7. I wish there was a midwife practice locally.

I'm pregnant with my 2nd, and where we lived when my son was born, I had a great midwife to provide my prenatal care. When we moved here, though, there's none. The best I can hope for is a doula present at birth. MD's treat pregnancy as if it's a disease instead of an event, and I'm tired already, at only 4.5 months, of being 'managed'.