What do you want to see at your ob/gyn office?

[Octobermommy]

I am going to be the office manager at an ob/gyn office. What do you want to see in the office? Any suggestions are helpful. Do you want to see ob posters/charts or just a decorative picture? Would you rather sit in chairs or have a couch to sit on? Water or tea or nothing? Comment cards in the waiting area or bathroom? What colors would appeal to you? Paper gowns or cloth? Cotton sheets or paper sheets? Would you rather wait longer in the exam room or the waiting room? Do you like to be reminded of appts via phone, email or receive a card in the mail?

Thanks! Any other input would be greatly appreciated.

[Sillygirl]

I don't care much about decor, but I do judge a doctor's office based on how much drug company junk they have on display. Posters from drug companies, pamphlets, supplements for sale - all are big red flags for me. They warn me that the doctor may have some conficts of interest and is more focused on the bottom line.

[kijip]

First and foremost? Not having the doctor think the stirrups were strictly necessary. Luckily, I have a nurse practitioner, a nurse-midwife and a family doctor that all get this.

I like comfortable chairs more than couches. I like art only if it is actually nice and not the sort of stuff you would find above the bed in a cheap roadside motel.

Having water available is nice.

Calls AND emails instead of reminder postcards.

I prefer cotton gowns to paper. I feel ridiculous enough in any gown, but a paper one makes me feel like the queen of the kingdom of ridiculous. Come to think of it my favorite is the cotton drape they give you, which lets me keep my own shirt on.

[poppy]

Lots and lots of fun magazines to read while waiting.
That shouldn't be too hard a request given that the mag co. usually give businesses free magazines.

[lilycat88]

Cloth gowns and/or sheets. Chairs, not couches. Magazines IN the exam rooms. The RE office I quit going to... more couches than chairs and almost always a wait where I had to sit next to someone I didn't know on a little loveseat or stand and once I got to the exam/procedure room, I got the pleasure of sitting there with nothing to read (unless I took something) while sitting in a chilly room covered with a paper sheet.

[Mayme714]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would rather sit in chairs than on a couch next to someone I dont know.

no double or triple booking appts to reduce wait times and if that can't be helped have current issues of various magazines.

water is always nice!

definitely cotton gown or robe.

I like a phone call reminder.

[MommyofAmaya]

Decorative pictures in the waiting room and exam room. A pamphlet area can be available w/medical literature. I think it would be more relaxing that way.

I personally don't want to have to share a couch with a stranger, so chairs would be more appropriate in the waiting room IMO.

Cotton gowns---paper gowns seem to make everything even more awkward than it already is. I don't mind paper sheets though.

I reminder calls. I might not check my email the evening before, but I will likely check my messages.

A commerical Keurig coffee maker would be ideal!

And :yeahthat: to the "lots of magazines" suggestion. I actually picked up my first copy of Mothering at my OBs office (which must have been left by a patient b/c the office was as mainstream as they get). I ended up switching to midwife care shortly afterward.

[cono0507]

My current OB-Gyn's office is wonderful. Spacious waiting room with comfortable chairs, plenty of reading material, but as above PP said, not with plastered with drug rep paraphernalia. Also available is coffee and water and a restroom in the waiting room as well as a little bookshelf of children's books and toys. They also provide child care between about 8a-3p or so - just call ahead to let them know you are bringing kids. This is an amazing perk. Cotton gowns are wonderful and much appreciated as is reading material in the exam rooms. And please, not just Parents or Pregnant magazines! :) Cotton sheets would be wonderful, but paper sheets aren't as bad as paper gowns.

It would be nice to be weighed in the exam room rather on a large standard scale in the hallway in front of everyone.

My old OB office would have us hold onto our urine sample until we were called back to the room. Yuck. Please provide the little cabinet/window in the bathroom that we can put the specimen in.

I prefer phone call reminders.

[cvanbrunt]

I'll tell you what I don't want to see. Television. I love my primary care doc because they got rid of the damn thing. I'm tired of being assaulted by the tv in almost every waiting room on earth. Those things that loop CNN "talk shows" are just as awful. Some peace and quiet (or at least avoiding Oprah) while I wait is worth the 30 minute drive to my primary care doc.

Reminder calls are nifty, too.

[mommylamb]

I would like nice art work rather than posters
Water or keurig coffee would be nice
cloth gown, but paper sheet on the bed (I want to know it has been changed).

My OBGYN's office has an email address that you can send questions in and one of the docs will email you back. I like that a lot because I hate calling and having a doc call me back, especially if I am at work. I also feel like I'm being less intrusive on the doc's time if they can just send a quick email rather than calling.

[Corie]

Lots and lots of current magazines to read. In the waiting room and in the
exam room. I hate sitting there naked with nothing to do. :)

I don't like the formal charts of the body or reproductive organs. I do like
nice art pieces. Or better yet, my OB/GYN in Texas, had framed pictures
of all the doctor's kids on all the walls. I loved it! I loved seeing their kids.
I liked seeing them as a parent.

For seating, I prefer very comfy chairs. But I'm not adamantly opposed
to a sofa/loveseat.

I like to be offered a water. Although, I never take one when offered.
I just think it's a nice gesture.

I would put the comment cards in the waiting area. Easier to fill out while
waiting.

Not sure about the interior color scheme. Just something homey.
I don't like the bare stark-white walls. And I'm not a fan of the pastel colors.

I prefer cloth gowns and cloth sheets.

Personally, I would rather wait longer in the waiting room. I used to get
so excited to be moved into an exam room but it's so anti-climatic. You've
got another 20 min. wait once you get there!

I like the postcard in the mail for reminders. And also a phone call.

**I saw this in a Dallas magazine when I was living in Texas. I thought it
was nice and even suggested it to my OB/GYN office. There is an OB/GYN
office in Texas that gives each new baby born a little gift. I think it might have been
a baby blanket. The blanket needs to be free of office advertising. You could
always have specialized sewing tags made (on Etsy!) and those could be sewn
onto the blanket. Something like, "Especially for your new baby from Dr. Lastname"
on a little sewing tag sewn to a corner of the blanket.

[Moneypenny]

And please, not just Parents or Pregnant magazines! :)

That is my big one. Some variety in the literature available that isn't focused solely on pregnancy and parenting.

Also, chairs and couches (or at least some chairs without arms so larger folks can sit comfortably in them), cotton gowns and sheets, and I'd rather wait longer in the waiting room so I don't get cold sitting in the exam room with just a cotton gown.

[sariana]

I guess I am in the minority, but I would have liked to have a couch in the waiting room. I was on bed rest for 2 1/2 months with DD. I had weekly appointments because I was high risk. There was no place for me to lie down in the waiting room! I was supposed to be on bed rest, yet I had to sit for over an hour sometimes (my Ob/Gyn was head of the department and was always running late). One couch reserved for those who were supposed to be lying down would have been appreciated.

Otherwise I didn't care. I always took my own reading material.

[specialp]

* Lots of magazines, including health related magazines; And it'd be nice if there's one or two in the exam room or secondary waiting rooms; not just the large room.

* If I had to choose, I'd rather wait in the waiting room fully clothed than in the exam room naked. With that said, I feel an efficient office shouldn't make you wait too, too long absent a delivery/emergency.

*Cloth gowns are better; as for sheets I prefer paper. I like knowing those are thrown away and not reused.

*Water is good; tea is nice but not necessary. As for coffee, I wouldn't do it. My RE has coffee in his waiting room which I don't get since he tells you to quit drinking coffee. That's like putting a bag of candy in the bedrooms at fat camp.

* Beige/Tan walls I like best; blue is too clinical and makes me sleepy.

* Artwork/posters - could take it or leave it, but I don't want to be inundated with drug company ads. Best to have magazines. As for a funny note, the first OB/GYN I went to back in high school has a picture on the ceiling above the exam table for you to look at while he was examining you. I never got that.

ETA: CHAIRS, not couch or loveseat.

[infomama]

Well if I have to wait I would prefer to be in the waiting room. I hate being cooped up half naked but that's just me. My old OB had 2 waiting rooms (yes you were moved from the front to the back waiting room)...that totally sucked.
-I like framed photographs of nature. My dentist has beautiful photos of fall foliage in the waiting room and they are just entrancing.
-I would never fill out a comment card at my OB's office. If I have something to say I will just say it or write a letter at a later time.
-Cotton gowns and paper liners are fine.
-NO TV
-Phone call reminders are my preference.
-I don't really pay attention to all the medical posters and whatnot but I suppose it may be useful to some.
-Chairs, not sofas
-Don't take this literally but try to make the waiting room as 'spa like' as possible. This can be done by making fresh water available, warm wall colors, carefully chosen (not too loud) music (think new age, perhaps), large fish tank (this is sometimes better than toys for kids), real plants..you get the idea.
-I think you should have medical literature available in the waiting room and a variety of magazines.

[Andi98989]

My OB/GYN moved into a new building and built their offices from scratch. I LOVE their new space. It's very much un-doctors-office. The waiting room is huge and brightly colored. The walls are kind of an ivory but they've got some sort of iridescent material embedded in it. Very cool. There are hot pink (and other colors) chairs and couches with plenty of tables and magazine selections. There's even a chandelier. :) It's very girly, which seems to make sense.

The exam rooms are brightly colored, have a "locker" that you can hang your clothes up in, 2 extra side chairs for if you bring someone to an appointment with you, and magazines. Many also have an exterior window.

Cloth gowns are the best - and my office gives me a blanket to drape over my lap/legs while I wait for the doctor to come in.

My office also has warming drawers in the exam tables so that you get a warm speculum, ultrasound gel, etc...

I did go to a specialist office for a while with this pregnancy and my DH came along to an appointment with me. He really disliked their waiting room - very outdated, all sorts of little wooden plaques on the wall about HIPPA and things like that (those just didn't look good at all)

[BabyMine]

- less than 1 hour waits
- a place for children to play
- Room for strollers
- def waiting in a room is better
- I like paper gowns
- water in the exam rooms
- call ahead check in. That way they can tell you how late the Dr is going to be. You check in on the phone and come in 10-15 minutes before the time quoted. I'd rather wait at home.


Here is a link to my ob/gyns' website. They allow you to shedule appointments and do really neat things.
http://www.thewomansgrouptampa.com/home1.html

Their office is a nice burnt yellow color with brown comfy chairs. They also have a nice calming waterfall in the lobby

[pinkmomagain]

Cloth gowns, paper sheets.
Water would be great, especially if I have to give a urine sample!
Mags in the waiting room AND the exam room.
Longer wait in the waiting room than exam room.
Reminder phone calls.
Chairs.
Don't care much about color/decor.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I absolutely loved my midwife's office.

We did our own urine dips (back in the day that they were still routine...new studies say they aren't necessary so they were phased out mid-pg with ds2) and weighed ourselves in the bathroom. I liked that. They also had a baby changing station in the bathroom in case you had your LO along with you.

On the angle of having your LO along with you, they had toys, books, and movies available in the waiting room. They also had small stools in the exam rooms so siblings to be could "help."

The waiting room was a mix of couches and chairs. There were a ton of great pregnancy, birth and parenting books on the bookshelves for you to read while you waited. Thumbs up to that!

The exam rooms all had couches as well (love seats, normally). They also all had screens so you could change behind them.

Cloth gowns. Probably cloth table cover but not too picky there.

Longer wait in waiting room (at least there is someone to talk to there!).

Magazines and books in exam rooms in case of a wait there.

Reminder emails would be great for me.

My midwives' office was just very homey. The medical stuff was not front and center. It helped that it was in a renovated brownstone like building. :) There was no real color scheme or style, each midwife was aloud to do up her room however she wanted.

Beth

[MaiseyDog]

I agree with most everyone else's suggestions. I would like to add that in addition to nonparenting magazines, don't forget about the men that come with their wives/girlfriends/sisters/whatever. My husband hated to go with me to appointments because there was never anything for him to look at in the waiting room and exam rooms. Also, I went with me SIL to one of her appointments when she was pregnant and really liked that her MD had a small area in the exam room that could be curtained off. It was nice to be part of the visit, but not able to see things I didn't want to see. Lastly, I would like to see a nice room designed for doing NST and such. My MD just rolls the machine into the exam room and hooks you up there. It was uncomfortable to lay on the exam table. My SIL's MD had a separate room that had a recliner- I thought that was nice.

[AnnieW625]

I have Kaiser HMO insurance so I don't have fancy exam rooms or waiting rooms. Just some outdated art, and the closed circuit tvs. Boring if you ask me. However the doctors and most of the LVNs, midwives, and RNs are very nice and accomodating.

I like nice art or frames with b/w photos of babies (not the Anne Geddes kind though), a nice smelling candle, some light music, and something just really relaxing. My dentists office is like this and I am always soo relaxed when I go in there. A magazine rack with a nice variety of current magazine is also a plus. I say a nice variety of mags because I remember being 20 years old and being completely embarrassed to want to even read the pregnancy related mags they had.

In the exam room I'd actually like cotton table covers, because the paper always makes too much noise and is cold. Pamphlets on different birth control methods would be nice for the counter instead of on every possible open wall space. I love all of the bullitin boards with babies and kids pics that patients send in though.

[elephantmeg]

**I saw this in a Dallas magazine when I was living in Texas. I thought it
was nice and even suggested it to my OB/GYN office. There is an OB/GYN
office in Texas that gives each new baby born a little gift. I think it might have been
a baby blanket. The blanket needs to be free of office advertising. You could
always have specialized sewing tags made (on Etsy!) and those could be sewn
onto the blanket. Something like, "Especially for your new baby from Dr. Lastname"
on a little sewing tag sewn to a corner of the blanket.

our OB gives tiny t-shirts for the babies. They are printed with the office name and a stork maybe? And with DD I got a hat too (not just the hospital one). The blanket would have been more useful since it was feb/march and the t-shirt was well outgrown until it was warm enough to wear just a T! I do have their T's in their keepsake boxes though

back on topic:
cloth gowns, paper sheet-pillow under the sheet :)
chairs
a water cooler with the tiny cups.
our office has great soaps (B+BW) in the bathrooms
I agree with the no add stuff
good magazines
no TV
kid play area
phone call/e-mail reminders
nice artwork-ours has some neat 3D pics of babies on some of their walls (which made me think about doing a 3D u/s but I didn't!)

[JTsMom]

ITA with the no drug company junk and no TV suggestions, and also with the no pastels. I would have loved to have been offered water too. The last office I went to was decorated so beautifully, but I can't remember too many details. I do remember the bathrooms were incredible though! Gorgeous granite sinks, pretty soap dispenser, nice light fixtures, etc.

The also had a couple of nice wooden hangers in each exam room, and offered new slipper socks for the exam. My current PCP's office does the family pics on the walls thing, and I like that as well.

[Momof3Labs]

I can live with lots of things when it comes to decor, but can't stand when I walk in on time, they *know* that they are running hours behind, and they didn't call me to tell me to either come in later or reschedule. I've left two practices over that issue. Just as you expect me to respect your (the dr's) time, please respect my time. Especially OB patients who are there every couple of weeks!

[ThreeofUs]

Good for you - congratulations on your new job!

I like to see clean - like really clean carpets and bathrooms - and touches that prove the office values practical accessibility and comfort for their target customers.

For me, it's a gestalt from good, serene wall art to nice chairs to access/assistance for people in wheelchairs or with low vision. A game corner for kids, with kid-friendly offices and exam rooms, is also helpful.

[DrSally]

I like a water cooler in the waiting room. It was nice when I was pregnant b/c I needed water all the time. To be honest, the doctors are the most important thing. The last office I went to was pretty old and the waits were long, but the doctors were the best!

[gatorsmom]

Cloth gowns
Paper sheets
magazines in waiting AND exam rooms
water in waiting room
phone in waiting room
Only current magazines- old ones taken out.
Classical music in waiting room. My OB has this now and it's very calming. This is the first group of doctors Ive been to that has had classical (vs. the radio or musak (ick).
Signs up saying please no fragrances.

[KrisM]

I liked my office that had a bench in the bathroom near the toilet. When I had to bring a toddler with me, it was great to have a place to put him/her while I peed in a cup :). And, it kept them from opening the door and leaving. Seriously, I'd also love a hook and eye to keep the door closed in the bathroom!

Toys for kids is good. My 2nd OB had none and was always running very late. Apparently, they only wanted 1st time moms there :).

I like chairs to sit on, not couches.

A water cooler would be great for me, but I worry the kids would turn it into the toy.

My most recent OB has a small closet on the wall, so I could hang up my clothes. In the door of the closet is a full length mirror, which was great!

[DebbieJ]

I could care less about decor. I want doctors/nurses/staff who are human and kind.

I will not be going back to my last OB/Gyn practice because the nurse was worse than Hitler. I was bleeding, came in PER THE DOCTORS ORDERS before her office hours began, and I still had to first be screened by the nurse with the question "why are you here today." I burst into tears. WHY THE HELL DO YOU THINK I'M HERE??? I left the office via wheelchair directly to the hospital (her office was attached) to go have a D&C. I couldn't even look at the nurse as I left.

[Rainbows&Roses]

Oh how fun to be able to have a role in creating a space for an OB.

Personally I have left several practices, but it had mostly due to the OBs themselves.

Things I have liked about the various practices:
- reminder calls (e-mails would be great - haven't had that yet)
- my current office has postcards and pictures above the exam table so when you are getting checked you have something to look at
- definitely cloth gowns and booties
- paper on the table is fine
- thoughtful artwork
- magazines in the exam room
- processes and procedures are organized; everyone knows their role
- one office had a switch that you flipped when you were disrobed and ready for the Dr. to come in; I guess there was some kind of hallway light or signal
- a water cooler would be great


other thoughts:
- the bulletin boards with pics of babies are nice when you are pregnant, but very distressing when you are going through a loss
- I don't mind drug info
- I don't mind the TV
- I would not stay with a practice I had to wait more than a half hour for in the waiting room, though I do prefer more time in the waiting room than the exam room

[srhs]

Haven't had a chance to read all the other replies, but here I go...


If I'm expected to wait more than 20 mins, I'd like to know upfront and be checked in with. I hate wondering if they've totally forgotten about me or if my chart fell off the stack.
Kids play area/stuff is great.
Chairs are better because strangers don't like to share couches.
I notice and appreciate when receptionists and staff are attentive to confidentiality (pull window closed when on phone, etc.)
Clear instructions for urine sample (maybe posted on wall in bathroom). I hate not knowing what I am supposed to label, where I am supposed to leave it, etc!
Cotton sheets, gowns, drapes

[wellyes]

The practice I go to has patient events like "Meet the Midwives" night and new mom groups as well as classes - Bradley, Infant CPR, Newborn Essentials, stuff like that. There are always flyers available to take at the reception desk with dates and locations. I always appreciated feeling like I was part of a full service clinic, not just seeing a doctor.

There's also a poster with pictures of all the doctors and midwives on staff listing their education, specialties, languages, personal background and interests. I read it casually in the waiting room but it ended up being really handy, because once or twice I did have to see a different doctor. Including delivery day - my own midwife did the delivery but someone else came in to give me some stitches. She introduced herself and I remembered her bio and she felt less like a stranger.

And I can't emphasize enough how important it is to have a pleasant, professional, competent office staff. Irritating staff habits:
- front desk groups who just gossip among themselves and act like the patients are an annoying distraction.
- receptionists who look bored and irritated if you ask them to explain a form or why they need to see your license / insurance card.
- offices have signs up in the patient rooms about how much they charge for no-shows or patient records IF the signs outnumber patient-focused info like health tips and hotlines.

[DebbieJ]

oh, another thing. Please have a voicemail if someone needs to cancel/reschedule.

My last office also had really horrible hours and if they weren't there, you got the answering service. You could not leave a message, the answering service was for emergencies only, but then you could NEVER get through during office hours. I tried for days to cancel an appointment and finally got through the DAY OF. I'm sure they were pissed, but they gave me no other option for communicating with them.

[marie]

The things that I loved about my OB/GYN's office:
-comfy chair with nursing stool in waiting room
-little bookshelf with great books about pregnancy, menopause, etc. also had pamphlets on local support groups, classes, etc.
-wooden toys/puzzles and lots of kids books
-pictures on the wall in the waiting room are of my OB as a young girl holding a baby and a picture of her mother. exam rooms have b+w photos of big, beautiful pregnant bellies and funky, bright color "crunchy" art, cycle beads hung on the wall
-OB's husband was the billing person so it felt very homey/family-centered
-everytime i called in (even after 1 year), they knew who i was (it is a small, solo-practice so i realize this isn't probably realistic in most offices)
-not a ton of drug company stuff
-the door between the waiting room and exam rooms is covered in patient's birth announcements (or holiday cards around the holidays)

other things that i liked:
-water cooler
-windows in exam rooms
-fun, silly socks on the stirrups

good luck with your new job!

marie
mama to
DD1 9/03
DD2 12/07

[maestramommy]

I LOVE my OB's office. They have an automated call two days before your appt to remind you. You press 1 to confirm, 2 to cancel. They have a variety of magazines, but I never get to finish the articles because my wait is so short! I don't know if it's because they don't overbook or because I schedule my appt for 7am, but it's fantastic. I'm in and out in less than 30 minutes, even if the OB chats for a while. I usually sit in a loveseat type thing. I think. I'm in the waiting room for such a short time most of the furnishings haven't really penetrated my consciousness.

Now this is a group practice, so they have a lot of staff. I've seen every OB once, and 3 of them twice now. Whoever is on call is whoever will deliver my baby. But one thing that is great is that the philosophy of practice seems to be consistent among all the docs. I was told this by the NP, who is also wonderful, though she looks young enough to be one of my former students! :p

[Corie]

-the door between the waiting room and exam rooms is covered in patient's birth announcements (or holiday cards around the holidays)





My kids pediatrician does this and I like it. The kids like seeing their Christmas
card up on the wall and we always look at the other children pictured.

[Corie]

other things that i liked:

-fun, silly socks on the stirrups





My old OB/GYN in Texas did this too! There were crazy colored, stripes, designs, etc.
crocheted or knitted socks on all the stirrups.

[DrSally]

My old OB had a Xmas tree in the waiting room COVERED in family Xmas cards from patients. It was so them b/c everyone loved them (the practice was a father and his daughter and son--all OB's).

[Macy]

HAND SANITIZER

NO postcards -- not private

Water is great.

Mostly chairs, but depending on how big the office is maybe a sofa or two

My Ob office had an aquarium. This was great for all ages and sexes!

I agree with a pp that it would be nice to be weighed in a more private area!

The cabinet/window in the bathroom to place your specimens is great.

I'd rather wait longer in waiting room than the exam room. (An exception may be if I was experiencing a loss and wouldn't want to be around all the happy people.)

Office staff attentive to confidentiality is a MUST! I don't like them speaking so loud that everyone in the waiting room can hear your name, address, phone number, etc. Why bother having a HIPPA policy when that goes on!

THANKS FOR ASKING!!!

[alexsmommy]

I haven't read any other replies, but as a therapist who works with perinatal issues, here's my lists of PLEASE DON'T's:
Please don't put big posters of pregnant women on the walls
Please don't put "What to Expect When You Are Expecting" type poster up (you know, here's what a 6 week old fetus looks like, here's what a 4 month fetus looks like etc)
Please don't only have pregnancy magazines out. Have an equal number of neutral topic or infertility related magazing (I like "Conceive") with all the free pregnancy magazines.
Please don't EVER, EVER, EVER for any reason send a woman who just had a bad ultrasound back out to the main waiting room tto wait to speak to her OB/midwife if there are no exam rooms open. Put her in ANY available room in back (office, storage room, heck a bathroom), but don't make her sit with all the big pregnant bellies trying not to fall apart
Please don't forget many women with infertility problems are still being followed by their OB's until they hit 2 or 3 losses or more than a year of failed attempts.
Please don't ignore someone falling apart in the waiting room. Tell the staff - please ask them to come back and try to get them seen asap - they will spread the word about kind and emotionally competent the practice is. They will be even more vocal about it if the practice is not.
Yeah, all of these are horror stories coming from various clients. One client called me from the waiting room of her OB - and OB I know very well and work with a fair amount, because she had no HB at 9 wks and they were booked solid and they put her back out in the main waiting room until her OB was available. Luckily I just happened to be at my desk and got the call (she stepped outside in the street on the verge of sobbing to call me) and I was able to call back and get the office manager to come get her and take her to her office. This is usually a great office but they were slammed and not thinking but this is the kind of thing that someone should have noticed at some point. She was falling apart. She only went back there as a patient in the future because her OB apologized profusely and asked her when she was feeling better to write a letter to the staff reflecting on what that was like for her so the OB could read it to the entire staff as a reminder to be aware of what is going on.

[Octobermommy]

Thanks everyone! Keep the suggestions coming. I might have some more questions later.

[Carrots]

I like to see clean - like really clean bathrooms



I completely agree with really clean bathrooms.

Congrats on your new job!

[lovin2shop]

I haven't read any other replies, but as a therapist who works with perinatal issues, here's my lists of PLEASE DON'T's:
Please don't put big posters of pregnant women on the walls
Please don't put "What to Expect When You Are Expecting" type poster up (you know, here's what a 6 week old fetus looks like, here's what a 4 month fetus looks like etc)
Please don't only have pregnancy magazines out. Have an equal number of neutral topic or infertility related magazing (I like "Conceive") with all the free pregnancy magazines.
Please don't EVER, EVER, EVER for any reason send a woman who just had a bad ultrasound back out to the main waiting room tto wait to speak to her OB/midwife if there are no exam rooms open. Put her in ANY available room in back (office, storage room, heck a bathroom), but don't make her sit with all the big pregnant bellies trying not to fall apart
Please don't forget many women with infertility problems are still being followed by their OB's until they hit 2 or 3 losses or more than a year of failed attempts.
Please don't ignore someone falling apart in the waiting room. Tell the staff - please ask them to come back and try to get them seen asap - they will spread the word about kind and emotionally competent the practice is. They will be even more vocal about it if the practice is not.
Yeah, all of these are horror stories coming from various clients. One client called me from the waiting room of her OB - and OB I know very well and work with a fair amount, because she had no HB at 9 wks and they were booked solid and they put her back out in the main waiting room until her OB was available. Luckily I just happened to be at my desk and got the call (she stepped outside in the street on the verge of sobbing to call me) and I was able to call back and get the office manager to come get her and take her to her office. This is usually a great office but they were slammed and not thinking but this is the kind of thing that someone should have noticed at some point. She was falling apart. She only went back there as a patient in the future because her OB apologized profusely and asked her when she was feeling better to write a letter to the staff reflecting on what that was like for her so the OB could read it to the entire staff as a reminder to be aware of what is going on.

Yes, to all of this! I love the cute baby pics and watching women come in with their big happy bellies now; but it was excruciating when going through a period of infertility and multiple losses. And, I've never been to my OB's office more often than in that time, so it was repetitively torturous.

[Octobermommy]

As someone who has had 4 losses, gone through years of infertility treatments I am trying to figure out how to decorate for everyone. Even though I am pregnant my infertility/losses are still very painful to me. I am thinking of doing two exam rooms with baby pictures/pregnancy pictures and 1 without any of those. Is that enough? I certainly don't want to add to anyones pain but I also need to think of the other patients.

Thoughts?

[mousemom]

As someone who has had 4 losses, gone through years of infertility treatments I am trying to figure out how to decorate for everyone. Even though I am pregnant my infertility/losses are still very painful to me. I am thinking of doing two exam rooms with baby pictures/pregnancy pictures and 1 without any of those. Is that enough? I certainly don't want to add to anyones pain but I also need to think of the other patients.

Thoughts?

Personally, I would just do generic nice artwork of some sort in the exam rooms rather than baby pictures or something like that which might be painful for some patients to look at. That's what my ob's office has, which always seemed fine to me. They do have some collages with baby pictures in the hallways, but they are fairly unobtrusive since you are just walking past them.

One suggestion to add: I used to go to a practice that provided a soft, clean towel and wash cloth at each exam so that you could clean yourself up afterwards. I always thought that was a really nice touch. (And if you have these or cloth gowns, I also like to know which bin to put them in when I'm done. I hate just leaving my used stuff on the exam table.)

[Corie]

I am thinking of doing two exam rooms with baby pictures/pregnancy pictures and 1 without any of those. Is that enough? I certainly don't want to add to anyones pain but I also need to think of the other patients.

Thoughts?



I would decorate all of the exam rooms in tasteful art. No baby pictures
or pregnancy pictures in any of the exam rooms. Just some cool artwork.
You could get some gorgeous landscapes, etc. Check out Etsy. There
are some seriously awesome artists. I've purchased over 6 pieces of artwork
on Etsy and I am extremely happy with everything.

You could even do an Alchemy request and artists will put in bids to design
the artwork. That way, you'll get exactly what you want.

[jren]

I agree with not just focusing on the OB part of OB/GYN. I dealt with years of IF before adopting, as well as cancer scares, and I always felt that the docs sometimes forgot their GYN duties. Didn't make me feel confident in their ability to handle my medical issues. A lot of people, even older women, are there for paps, cancer scares, etc. So I agree with having a variety of mags available and artwork on the walls versus pics of babies or PG bellies. PG magazines and parenting mags are fine, as long as there are other options.

I like a big cloth sheet to cover up with in addition to the gown. The gowns never seem to cover everything anyway.

[jent]

I haven't had time to read all the replies but here's one I didn't see--

My OB's office has a mobile on the ceiling that you can stare at while you are lying back on the exam table. Better than counting the holes in the tiles!

[MamaMolly]

I just got home from my annual and I gotta say paper gowns are the WORST. I'd rather paper sheets and cloth gowns. This office was the affiliate of the one I regularly go to, about 20 minutes from my house. I can walk to my regular OB's office but couldn't get an appointment when I wanted it. THis other office was SO much cleaner and nicer than the old one I'm strongly considering changing permanently. Cleanliness over convenience is THAT big a deal.

First thing, please work with the front desk staff to help them remember that there is a line between friendly and obnoxious. At my former OB, the first time I went DD was about 14 months old and the first thing THE FIRST thing the woman at the counter said to me was 'I hope you are here because you are pregnant!' What she meant was that DD was cute, and in her opinion it would be wonderful if we were expecting another. But it was SUCH an inappropriate comment! We struggled with IF for years. DD is our miracle baby. I don't need the OB's receptionist making stupid comments.

Please take patients comments to heart. It takes courage to bring something up, and in my case it it has to be a pretty glaring issue. I had a terrible experience with my OB's billing office (over billed, refund check not signed, nasty CS rep, etc), which I know the doctor and the front desk can't really fix but it was so bad that I felt it necessary to bring it up with both of them. And they both brushed my comments aside. It was bad enough that I've given thought to switching OBs and if I'd gotten pregnant I probably would have. But since I only go in for an annual it wasn't pressing.

I also like a sparkly, crazy clean bathroom, including dusting.

Today they had glittery feather butterflies stuck on the ceiling tiles above the exam table. I actually said, oh those are pretty! :)

If you do the crazy sock thing on the stirrups just make sure they are clean. I think this gets over looked. At my former OBs office they were kind of gray and sad. And disgusting.

My new OB had a small basket with children's toys in the waiting room. A big plastic truck, a car, a few mega blocks and some plastic Happy Meal type dollies. It was HEAVEN to keep DD quietly occupied the few minutes while we waited.

THE WAIT WAS ONLY A FEW MINUTES!!

I can't stand sun faded art. It looks so sad and depressing. And cheap. Consider the need to replace the art every few years when budgeting for the art.

[JdrKuhnert]

I prefer nice neutral tones in the waiting rooms. My previous OB's (male) waiting room was full of florals and plastic flowers. It was really busy and felt like a man's interpretation of what a woman wanted. Yuck! I'm also not a fan of those gynecological posters on the walls in the exam rooms. I agree that it's important to have reading material for male partners and some toys for the kids. My current OB has a separate waiting room for parents with children. There are some blocks, legos, and books which keep my boys occupied without annoying other patients.
I like it when the check in area is somewhat separate from the waiting area. I really don't want everyone hearing about my private medical issues.
Little things that are nice - a coat rack with enough hooks or hangers and multiple hooks for hanging up clothing in the exam room.
It really bugs me when the examination table's business end lines up with the door to the room. I would rather have my head at that end, if you know what I mean.

[egoldber]

The best OB I ever had was in a tiny, cramped office with "art" from the 60s and office decor to match. But he was kind and the staff was amazing and the waiting room was always packed. The decor does NOT matter. The staff does.

[Octobermommy]

Thanks, kind understanding staff is key but since I get to decorate I thought I would ask for suggestions. I am going to check out etsy.

About the stirrup covers, that does not sound very sanitary to me , are they washing them in between patients (switching them out)?

[marie]

mmm, don't know if they switch the socks out. it never really occurred to me. Do the sock-less stirrups get sanitized after every patient? not trying to be snarky, i just don't know. . .

the other VERY important item i forgot was. . . .

CHOCOLATE!!

they always have little Hershey's miniatures, Dove promises, etc. at the check in/out. they sometimes had stickers for the kids, too. yes, it would suck if you have gestational diabetes or allergies, etc. but i think that the majority appreciates it.

marie
mama to
DD1 9/03
DD2 12/07

[Octobermommy]

mmm, don't know if they switch the socks out. it never really occurred to me. Do the sock-less stirrups get sanitized after every patient? not trying to be snarky, i just don't know. . .

the other VERY important item i forgot was. . . .


marie
mama to
DD1 9/03
DD2 12/07


The leather/vinyl stirrups and metal stirrups are/should be sanatized between patients.