Pregnant and Doctor won't sign forms...help!

[dorisis]

It seem so me the doctor is only trying to prevent from being sued. Maybe the OP could sign a waiver and the doc could sign.

 

But remember there is always the danger of a mishap while on board.

 

~Doris~

[boulders]

I'm going to take the Dr's side here. If my calculations are correct, the op is only about 11 weeks along, still in the first trimester. Depending on the wording of the form, I wouldn't want to sign it either. Does it say something about being fit to travel? If so, there's no guarantee that the OP WILL be fit to travel in 5 weeks.

[PennyAgain]

Why did you give the cruise line more information than they needed to know?

 

Never give a bureaucrat a chance to do more!

 

I would visit a walk-in clinic and start over on the whole subject.

 

Good luck with your cruise!

[DanJ]

 

Why don't you just pay cash to a regular doctor and not someone in some sort of clinic and have them sign off?

 

After reading your post, it confirms to me why I don't want socialized medicine in our country. Good luck!

 

Yes because a system where you go pay another doctor to get what you want is such a better system. As long as you have money that is. Healthcare isn't something that should be accessible only to those with money, like a good restaurant, or cruising.

[sail7seas]

It seem so me the doctor is only trying to prevent from being sued. Maybe the OP could sign a waiver and the doc could sign.

 

But remember there is always the danger of a mishap while on board.

 

~Doris~

 

 

And Maybe the cruise line is trying to prevent being sued?

 

[Grumpy100]

I would just forge it at this time. The check in agent at the terminal will never check it out because there will be too many people checking in. Or I would cancel this cruise if it is before final,payment and rebook and just never tell them. There are a lot of overweight people in the world just wear loose. Clothing and no one will ever know.

[Mom2B&Z]

Wow, I didn't expect so many replies in such a short time!!

 

Thanks so much to everyone for weighing in. My husband and I have decided on a two part approach:

 

Go back to walk-in doctor and hopefully have him sign the paperwork. It's a small clinic and I have seen this doctor several times over the past year or so.

 

Also find a new OBGYN. I don't want to see my old one again! It was my second appointment and sure we don't have a history together, but you should still be willing to sign your name to my health, especially when you are telling me everything is proceeding fine and my tests are good.

 

The form questions are pretty simple: Will I be more than 25 weeks at sailing? (No) In your(doctors) opinion no obstetrical related contraindictions currently exist nor are expected to develope for this patient to sail? (None that he has told me of)

 

Very frustrating! I will update as I progress.

 

Thanks again everyone!!

There are a lot of posts here that don't take into account the fact that you are Canadian and living in Ontario. I work in health care in Ontario...here's what I would do. Go back to the walk in clinic. Explain to the MD what happened with the OBGYN and ask them to fill out the cruiseline's form. At this point you may have trouble getting assigned to a new OB, but it isn't impossible. You may have to make a few calls yourself, but it will likely be worth your effort.

The form the cruise line wants filled out is one of those impossible forms: no one has a crystal ball and knows what will happen while you cruise. The questions are very straightforward and factual. Stating how many weeks pg you are and whether there are any complications currently or expected to exist are facts, which will be backed up by the tests and clinical notes they have on file for you already. MDs are asked to fill out these types of forms all the time, and they do it because they can only make educated guesses, nothing is certain, and their rationale is documented.

Good luck, and enjoy your trip!

[SadieN]

There are a lot of posts here that don't take into account the fact that you are Canadian and living in Ontario. I work in health care in Ontario...here's what I would do. Go back to the walk in clinic. Explain to the MD what happened with the OBGYN and ask them to fill out the cruiseline's form. At this point you may have trouble getting assigned to a new OB' date=' but it isn't impossible. You may have to make a few calls yourself, but it will likely be worth your effort.

The form the cruise line wants filled out is one of those impossible forms: no one has a crystal ball and knows what will happen while you cruise. The questions are very straightforward and factual. Stating how many weeks pg you are and whether there are any complications currently or expected to exist are facts, which will be backed up by the tests and clinical notes they have on file for you already. MDs are asked to fill out these types of forms all the time, and they do it because they can only make educated guesses, nothing is certain, and their rationale is documented.

Good luck, and enjoy your trip![/quote']

 

 

To the question of 'Are you fit to travel?' There OB simply needs to state that as of this (your appointment) date that you are fit. CYA's the MD and completely takes away the crystal ball of what the future might hold.

[tulsacubfan]

Wow, I didn't expect so many replies in such a short time!!

 

Thanks so much to everyone for weighing in. My husband and I have decided on a two part approach:

 

Go back to walk-in doctor and hopefully have him sign the paperwork. It's a small clinic and I have seen this doctor several times over the past year or so.

 

Also find a new OBGYN. I don't want to see my old one again! It was my second appointment and sure we don't have a history together, but you should still be willing to sign your name to my health, especially when you are telling me everything is proceeding fine and my tests are good.

 

The form questions are pretty simple: Will I be more than 25 weeks at sailing? (No) In your(doctors) opinion no obstetrical related contraindictions currently exist nor are expected to develope for this patient to sail? (None that he has told me of)

 

Very frustrating! I will update as I progress.

 

Thanks again everyone!!

 

I think this is probably where he has the issue.....he doesn't have a crystal ball and can't say that in a few weeks some contraindication won't develop. If he signs off on this, saying there will be no contraindications, then you do end up (God forbid) with some issue, you could (not saying you will) sue him as he told you there were no issues, but in fact there were. I can't say that I blame him. If it said there are no contraindications at this time for this patient to sail, he might be more inclined to sign it.

[jnc411]

After reading some of the responses I can see different opinions. Personally I would think that no Dr. would sign a form like that unless the Dr. had done a work up on the patient to determine the overall health of the patient , especially an OB Dr. , I would suggest that you go to an OB, explain your problem get estabilished with that Dr. and be sure that you are healthy enough to travel, your health and your babys health is an important thing, not just a form that needs signing. . I hope you get everything done in time for your cruise and that you have a great cruise and a safe and healthy preganancy , Congratulations.

Cori

[Foxinspace]

Just an update:

 

My DH spent some time phoning around to some OBGYN's in the city and he found me a new one. I have an appointment 1 week before the cruise. He asked about the travel form and was told it wouldn't be a problem at all. I just need to bring test results from my previous ultrasounds and blood work with me.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice.

[Langley Cruisers]

Just an update...

 

...

 

So good! Now you can enjoy your cruise! Have fun, and blessings on your impending arrival.

.

[Cactuscruise]

Ask your Ob for a copy of your prenatal record. This is the info that is always recorded on a specific document that is given to the hospital close to your delivery. It includes test info, weight, gestation ( in weeks) and other stuff. It should satisfy the cruise line. And he can NOT refuse you that information as it is a part of your chart.

 

Hope this helps

 

Laurel

 

That information is private and not something I would want to share with strangers. I don't understand why a medical release for is needed for woman who is 16 weeks along. My neice cruised at five months, she was asked the usual when are you due, how are you feeling questions at check-in and that was it.

[Langley Cruisers]

I don't understand why a medical release for is needed for woman who is 16 weeks along...

 

 

Because anything can happen at any time during a pregnancy, and the physician and equipment onboard are not necessarily conducive to treating a pregnancy complication, or delivering or sustaining a premature baby. Simply, it's not something the cruise line wants to be "responsible for".

.

[Gathina]

Well, you know it should be accessible to all. Health care isn't a right though in my OPINION.

 

But you know, I guess I assumed if the OP could afford a cruise, they could afford to pay for an office visit to get whatever she needs to be signed.

 

I don't think the doctor is in the wrong at all. Any smart businessman or health care provider should protect themselves. I don't think the OP is wrong either by being honest. It's a catch 22 situation.

 

 

Yes because a system where you go pay another doctor to get what you want is such a better system. As long as you have money that is. Healthcare isn't something that should be accessible only to those with money, like a good restaurant, or cruising.

[LHT28]

Well, you know it should be accessible to all. Health care isn't a right though in my OPINION.

 

But you know, I guess I assumed if the OP could afford a cruise, they could afford to pay for an office visit to get whatever she needs to be signed.

 

It is a different system in Canada ..it is accessible to ALL Canadian residents regardless of how much they earn

[LHT28]

Just an update:

 

My DH spent some time phoning around to some OBGYN's in the city and he found me a new one. I have an appointment 1 week before the cruise. He asked about the travel form and was told it wouldn't be a problem at all. I just need to bring test results from my previous ultrasounds and blood work with me.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Glad you were able find someone so quickly that will take you on

Now if only we could find GP's as easily ;)

[grand isle joe]

Glad you were able find someone so quickly that will take you on

Now if only we could find GP's as easily ;)

You may be getting them back if the institute this crazy health care program.A large number of your fellow countrymen (and women) are practicing in the U.S. I know my doctor already told me he will either retire (early) on set up a "botique" practice......

[Waterloomarc]

Glad it seems to be working out for you. This is why I left Canada after I graduated university. Unfortunately we seem to barreling in the wrong direction (IMO of course) at breakneck speed down here.

 

Frankly I'm shocked you were able to get a new doc do quickly. I spent 5 years in Waterloo and wasn't able to get a family doctor in all that time. Walk-ins only. Good luck and enjoy your cruise!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[LHT28]

You may be getting them back if the institute this crazy health care program.A large number of your fellow countrymen (and women) are practicing in the U.S. I know my doctor already told me he will either retire (early) on set up a "botique" practice......

That is because GP's salaries are capped here but not specialists ...so they go to the USA to make their fortunes ;)

Even the nurses are leaving for part south of the border

 

Lyn

[grand isle joe]

That is because GP's salaries are capped here but not specialists ...so they go to the USA to make their fortunes ;)

Even the nurses are leaving for part south of the border

 

Lyn

 

 

Yes we employ alot here in Vermont. Thanks for some great workers.:)

[Mom2B&Z]

To the OP, glad you found someone who can take care of all your needs. Perseverance does pay off, and I love that it was your husband who did th calling!

To everyone else, yes we have a different system in Canada, one where money doesn't always get you to the front of the line. In some cases you can pay for a service, but these situations are few and far between and OB isn't one of them.

I for one work in the health care system and thank my lucky stars I work here :). I've had a family doctor thank my team (which in this case was a geriatric psychiatrist, me the OT and our RN) for our time, as he said a meeting with a specialist teams meeting in person with a family doc and the patient's family never happened in his over 20 yrs of practice in the US. we don't do this every day, but it was a challenging case and the best way to address the issues efficiently.

I'm not saying one system is better than the other, as they both have their challenges, just that this is the system I want for my family and the one in which I choose to work.

[lady_cruiser]

I am with everyone else. I am glad that you will be able to go on your cruise after all.

[sail7seas]

Hope all goes smoothly for you and your baby.

 

Best wishes.

[Foxinspace]

Visited my OBGYN today and mentioned I would be cruising next month and asked him to sign the obligatory cruise line forms and he refused!

 

He didn't refuse because I will be too far along... only 16 weeks at cruise time

He didn't refuse because of a health reason... all of my tests have been fine

He didn't say we'll check you out at your next visit and if no issues I 'll sign then.

 

He said he absolutely wouldn't sign anything because he didn't want the liability on him. He said "Just don't tell them." Meaning don't tell the cruise line I'm pregnant. Well thanks, too late cause I already did. I had to get the forms from them in the first place.

 

So now what?! I don't have a family doctor, I was referred to him by a walk in clinic.

 

Anyone have any thoughts to help me out!!

 

Thanks!

 

PS... Incase it matters I live in Ontario

 

 

 

******************

 

 

****UPDATE****

I just wanted to give everyone an update on my situation. I have since been to another Doctor who had no problem signing my form. She even laughed and asked if there was room for her to come along in our cabin.

ALSO…

She is sending me for testing that my old Doctor should have sent me for and never did.

There was questions like:

“Did he do such and such blood test” – NO

“Did he do a pap which tests for X,Y & Z?” – NO

“Did he let you listen to the babies heart beat yet?” – NO

She answered all of my questions and I spent 3 times as long with her as I did in both of my old Doctors visits combined!

I received a pile of pamphlets about pregnancy and a whole package about the hospital I will be delivering at. She gave me a complete list of all the various test I needed to take and a schedule of appointments. I got nothing like that from my old Doctor.

So to my old Doctor I say: “Thanks so much for being an @$$. Otherwise I wouldn’t have found such a wonderful alternative!”

And thanks again to everyone who chimed in with advice.

:D:D:D:D