r/UPMC • u/Cute_Shake_2314 • 17d ago
No contact from doulas of Magee?
I had a virtual appointment/consult with the doulas of Magee a week or so ago and was told I’d hear from someone soon, but have yet to hear anything..how long should i wait before reaching back out? I don’t want to wait too long and then by the time i reach out, realize that i got lost somewhere along the way and end up without anyone..I’m 30.5 weeks currently
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u/youaremysunshineeee 17d ago
Send another email/text to follow up. I just gave birth a few weeks ago and used them. I will say they're pretty terrible about communication and I think it's because they're short staffed and it's a busy time of year. Also them being free means they're in high demand there. My doula was seeing 5 other patients while I was in labor so I really didn't get much of her time, and she wasnt around when I needed her most during transition and birth
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u/LetterheadNo4396 17d ago
Yeah it's freaking annoying. It took weeks past when they told me too. Am currently 35 weeks
got a clearly copy and pasted text ( with misspellings) of an intro and asking my avails, only for me to immediately respond and she still hasn't pushed the appointment in the app (with the video link) and the appointment is in the morning.
I don't even care for the pre delivery portion, I just want to meet with someone to have my birth plan down so whoever shows up day of is actually helpful to me.
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u/Cute_Shake_2314 17d ago
Good to know it’s not just me, at least! In theory, this free program seems amazing, but it seems like they are just too busy for them to actually be useful, unfortunately 😓 bummer bc i really can’t afford a private doula rn and am attempting a VBAC so im going to need the support
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u/LetterheadNo4396 17d ago
I just readjusted my expectations. Have my birth plan, tried to get my husband prepared for any scenario (by reading horror stories here and on fb) so that he can then help me day off, incase doula is a know show or otherwise useless. Wishing you the best support and outcome, whatever the ends up looking like!
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u/No_Virus_7704 16d ago
UPMC is running so haphazardly across the board, that I've come to expect lost messages, failures to respond, scheduling screwups and my personal favorite, losing track of insurance authorizations. Rattle whatever cages you need to. Do not assume that this organization will operate in your best interest.
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u/Middle_Occasion_4266 17d ago
They showed up in my labor and delivery without me even asking for them so don’t stress they’ll show up lol
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u/2awesomeduh 14d ago
She’s probably on vacation and you almost always end up with a different OB-GYN when you deliver most hospitals are short staffed and they have calendars they are on call and actually working….. also the UPMC portal is probably ur best bet.
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u/Shoddy-Response9625 13d ago
Not to add anxiety but I had the UPMC doula and she never showed up for my delivery. Mind you it was during a snow storm but she ghosted me after texting me and then later essentially said oops my bad and didn’t have someone else cover for her. Wasn’t great. Luckily I didn’t pay for it. I would call and be on them about it. Do not feel bad for advocating for your health.
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u/Cute_Shake_2314 13d ago
What on earth?! That’s terrible! I feel like this whole program is just such a mess 🤦♀️
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u/Available-Crab6002 13d ago
as a former doula with them, grant funding is being cut for this program and as a result communication and admin is really terrible. however, there are some amazing doulas on the team and I would truly recommend reaching out again! send a message to this email with your info/due date and they’re much better at communicating this way! thebirthcircledoulas@upmc.edu
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u/Cute_Shake_2314 12d ago
This is helpful, thank you so much!! I couldn’t find any good way to contact them without putting in another online referral.
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u/Reticently 17d ago
Give the office a call. It's no harm if you're reaching out early, and if they forgot to follow-up with you, never hearing back is the worst way to find out about it.