to demand that I have an out-of-hours number for my OB/Gyn

[kittyonthebeam]

I need to vent... We live abroad and any pregnancy here is consultant-led. I pay over 100 Pound per visit to my OB/Gyn nd the clinic, even if I only see the nurse or midwife.

I had a quston today re medication and if it was safe in pregnancy. I called the clinic yet got told by recepton that there was no one in, not the doctor her nurse, any of the assistants or midwives. Literally no one to answer my questions for 2 bloody days!!

This is the second time thi has hppened and when I asked whatto do in an emergencI was told to 'jut call the hospital, they'll ring the doctor'...

In my last pregnancy I had spotted bleeding and I'd just feel safer hin a line into someone who can help me.

Am I expecting too much??

Sorry about the wonky spelling, my keyboard misses out letters and spaces at times.

Can you google/Farlex the medication and check to reassure yourself? Sorry you can't get hold of your Obs/Gynae easily where you are.

Farlex

but this is not an emergency is it. You can presumably ask a pharmacist whether the medication is safe in pregnancy. Or google it! If it was a genuine emergency the hospital would contact the consultant. Or do you not think that he/she is entitled to have any time away from work? Can you imagine what it would be like if they gave an out of hours number to all their patients? they would never get any peace.
Sorry, but I do think you ABU.

Why are you not doing as they are telling you to do, rather than insisting they do it the way YOU want?

FWIW, when in London, if I needed to speak to somebody out of hours, I called the hospital, they relayed a message to the midwife on duty, who would then call me, anytime.

Well you could insist I suppose, but if you're wanting a doctor to be on call for you at all hours of the day and night I suspect they'll be charging you a hell of a lot more than £100.

I would agree but Monday is a work day in our country. THIS was not an emergency, but there is no number for any questions at all. Who knows how long this woman will take to get to the hospital...

I googled the meds, it was rated a B. Wasn't sure as differing reports, then called my old OB/Gyn and he advised not to take it.

FWIW, I asked the girl in the pharmacy but she was a helper and didn't know and the pharmacist himself said I should consult my doctor.

Quintessential, that's what I would love to have. I'm just disappointed that I have the privilege to pay thousands of pounds for no service at all.

Shona, for night calls or holidays I would call the hospital, but for an OB/Gyn clinic to have NO ONE to answer questions is a bit rich.

kitty, where are you, if you dont mind me asking? It seems that maternity care is not really a priority....

I'm in Dubai, Quint. I selected my doctor because she is a great surgeon and very experienced, commanding the best staff in the hospital she delivers in, but I might have to re-evaluate this. TBH, I am toying with the idea of going back home for the birth (Germany in my case). The private health care is a gamble but the local care is in a right old state. No way would I deliver in a government hospital. They often ban the men from being with yu at the birth because of their muslim values, etc.

I suüppose I am just moaning because I can't stand the place anyway and am frightened of giving birth there. 2 friends had very bad experiences there and I'm nervous.