You Call this Healthcare?

As most of you know, Aiden Christopher was born on August 19 at 0609. He weighed in at 8lb 9oz and 22 inches long (definitely gets his height from his daddy!). Being active duty I had to deliver him at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda (about 45 minute away, on a GOOD day). Within my 9 months of pregnancy I've come to realize that Military medical stinks! Want some reasons? No worries, I've come prepared :-)

1. In the 9 months of my pregnancy (of which I was only seen for 7 months since they won't even SEE you until you're 9-12 weeks) I was seen 12+ times and saw 8+ doctors. This is absurd to me! If I can see the same doctor for the entire pregnancy out in town, why not in the military? Is the military that understaffed? Do they not think continuation of care is important? Or do they just think it's humorous to have a pregnant lady tell the different doctors the same information over and over again because none of them know the issues that have been going on? None of these are acceptable reasons to me.

2. Aiden was seen 3 times at NNMC within his first week of life. How many different doctors did he see? Two. Now again, is it not important for the SAME doctor to see the my child continuously? Would make more sense to me... especially since they don't appear to put the information that was discussed in his record or on the computer.

3. When discharged from the hospital the pediatrician said that Aiden had an appointment the following Monday at 1030. We get up, get ready and are about to leave the house when we get a call from the hospital saying that the only opening the actually had was for 1530! Then please tell me why I was told to be there at 1030... we live 45 MINUTES AWAY! This is now in the middle of rush hour... not acceptable.

4. All babies are required to have a 2 week follow-up with the doctor after birth. This is to ensure that their weight is going up, jaundice is non-existent and that circumcisions and such all healed properly. While at his third appointment at NNMC (he's 1 week old at this point) I tell them I need to make his 2 week follow-up in a week (they wouldn't allow me to make it earlier because he was still coming in to be seen), this SHOULD have been on either 1 or 2 September. What does the receptionist tell me? We have 7 September open. ummm... that's 3 weeks... it should be his 2 week follow-up, is that ok? Sure, as long as it's not before 2 weeks... THEN WHAT'S THE POINT OF IT BEING A 2 WEEK FOLLOW-UP????

Do I need to go on at this point? I didn't think so. Here's to hoping things get better in the healthcare department! :-)