Most of you girls know what's been going on with me and the preterm labor. I am almost 32 weeks now. I had been contemplating getting a second opinion since this all started last week. I'm really torn on this issue right now so I need some help making this decision. I have been seeing my current ob for four years but this is my first pregnancy and the first time that I've really had a reason to doubt this doctor. All I saw him for before were my yearly pap smears. The first time I went in with contractions I was given two shots of terbutaline and then sent home without any meds or directions for bedrest or staying out of work. They just said to rest and drink water. The contractions started back up that same day but we didn't go back in until the next day. They tried stopping the contractions that day with procardia and it did nothing. I was given three shots of terbutaline after that and then sent home on the same medication (procardia) that did nothing for the contractions while we were there. There was still no mention of bedrest that night. I had the nurse that night call the doctor and tell him I wanted the steroid shots for the baby's lungs just in case but he told her he didn't want to give it. I called the doctor's office the next day because I felt really bad and needed to know what to do. The nurse told me that I needed to understand that I was going to feel bad with preterm labor and that I was just going to have to get through it. I told her I was still having contractions that were 3-5 minutes apart and that's when she said I needed to be on bedrest while having contractions and that if they were that close to go in to L&D. She also told me that if I ever had more than 8 contractions in an hour to go in to L&D. I did go in to L&D that night but by the time we got in the back the contractions slowed down and quit.

I called a new office today inquiring about either switching doctor's or getting a second opinion. They let me speak to the office manager. I told her about everything that happened. She was even confused as to why they hadn't given me the steroid shots and why they sent me on home on a medication that didn't work while I was at the hospital. She even said with me being 50% effaced and the nurse being able to feel the baby's head that it sounds like our little girl could be here by Christmas. She made me feel really at ease. Another thing I liked was that you don't get an automated phone system when you call this office. You reach a live person. The office manager suggested that I go in to my next appointment with my current doctor on Thursday and address all the questions I have with him. She gave me some tips on how to word them so as not to offend him. She said if I still didn't feel comfortable after actually talking with him to go ahead and call her back and she would help me get an appointment with their doctor next week.

I talked to my husband and he said he would support me if I wanted to get a second opinion. He also said though that he trusts our current doctor and doesn't think he is going to do anything to put our baby or myself in jeopardy. He thinks that since I do have a medical background and know a more than most patients that I'm freaking out a little too much and not allowing myself to trust my doctor. Sure, if I had no medical experience I might accept what the doctor says but I don't know if I would even be okay with being told that it was okay for me to have 8 contractions in an hour.

I'm sorry this was so long but I would appreciate everyone's advice. I would like to know what you would do. I'm considering calling the new office back and asking them to go ahead and make me an appointment. I can still go to the other office Thursday but a second opinion would still be nice.