Can You Change Obstetricians During Pregnancy? What Melbourne Parents Need to Know
Choosing an obstetrician is an important decision, but sometimes the person or model of care that felt right at the beginning of pregnancy may not feel right as your pregnancy progresses.
If you are already 12, 20, 28 or even more weeks pregnant and wondering, “Can I change obstetricians during pregnancy?”, the answer is: yes, in many circumstances you can.
Changing obstetricians part-way through pregnancy is more common than many people realise. You are not necessarily committed to staying with the same obstetrician simply because you have already started your pregnancy care with them.
The most important thing is that you feel confident, comfortable and well supported by the team caring for you and your baby.
Why might someone want to change obstetricians?
There are many reasons you may start considering a change, and it does not necessarily mean that anything has gone wrong.
You may feel that you are not being heard or that appointments feel rushed. You may have questions about your birth preferences and want more time to discuss your options. Perhaps your pregnancy has become more complicated and you would feel more comfortable with an obstetrician experienced in managing high-risk pregnancy.
Sometimes circumstances simply change.
You may decide you would prefer to give birth at a different hospital, want a different approach to caesarean or vaginal birth, or realise that you would like more support throughout pregnancy and after your baby arrives.
For some women, it is simply a matter of fit. Pregnancy is a very personal experience, and feeling comfortable enough to ask questions and discuss concerns openly with your obstetrician matters.
Is it too late to change obstetricians?
There isn't one particular week of pregnancy when changing obstetricians suddenly becomes impossible.
Whether another obstetrician can take over your care will depend on several factors, including:
- how many weeks pregnant you are
- your medical and pregnancy history
- whether your pregnancy is considered low or high risk
- where you are planning to give birth
- hospital booking and availability
- the obstetrician's availability around your expected delivery date.
Even if you are well into your second or third trimester, it can still be worth asking.
Don't assume you have left it too late without speaking to the obstetrician's rooms first.
What if my pregnancy has become high risk?
Sometimes the reason for considering a change is that pregnancy hasn't progressed quite as expected.
You may have developed a complication, received an unexpected ultrasound result, be expecting twins or multiples, or simply want another opinion about the recommended management of your pregnancy.
Dr Stephen Cole is a Melbourne obstetrician and Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist with extensive experience caring for both routine and complex pregnancies, including multiple pregnancy.
If your pregnancy has become more complicated, our team can review your individual circumstances and advise whether transferring your care to Dr Cole is appropriate.
Can I get a second opinion without changing obstetricians?
Yes.
Seeking another opinion does not automatically mean that you need to transfer your care.
If you are uncertain about a diagnosis, recommendation, birth plan or aspect of your pregnancy management, a second opinion can give you additional information before you decide what you want to do.
Sometimes a second opinion provides reassurance that your existing plan is appropriate. At other times, it may help you understand that there are alternative options available.
Good obstetric care should involve informed discussion. You should understand what is being recommended, why it is being recommended and what reasonable alternatives may exist.
What happens if I decide to change obstetricians?
The process is usually much less complicated than people expect.
If Dr Cole is able to accept your care, our team can explain what information and medical records are required. This may include previous consultation notes, pathology results, ultrasound reports and other relevant pregnancy records.
Your history and pregnancy can then be reviewed so that your ongoing care can be planned appropriately.
You don't need to have everything organised before contacting us. If you're considering changing obstetricians, you can start by simply calling our rooms and explaining where you are in your pregnancy and why you are considering a transfer.
Choosing the right obstetrician for the rest of your pregnancy
Your relationship with your obstetrician is about more than the day your baby is born.
Over the course of pregnancy there will be decisions, questions and sometimes unexpected developments. You should feel able to ask questions, understand your options and participate in decisions about your care.
In my practice, I want my patients to understand what is happening and why. My role is not simply to tell you what to do, but to explain the medical information, discuss the options available and help you make informed decisions about your pregnancy and birth.
Our Melbourne obstetric team also includes midwifery, lactation and pelvic floor physiotherapy support, with ongoing support during pregnancy and after your baby arrives.
I care for patients giving birth at Epworth Freemasons, Frances Perry House and St Vincent's Private Hospital Melbourne.
Thinking about changing obstetricians in Melbourne?
If something doesn't feel right about your current pregnancy care, you don't have to make a decision before asking what your options are.
Whether you're early in pregnancy, halfway through, approaching your third trimester or dealing with a pregnancy that has become more complicated, contact our rooms.
Tell us how many weeks pregnant you are, your expected due date, where you are currently booked to deliver and any particular concerns you have.
We can then determine whether I am able to take over your obstetric care and talk you through what happens next.
Considering changing obstetricians during pregnancy? Contact Dr Stephen Cole's Melbourne rooms to discuss your pregnancy and whether transferring your care may be possible.