Megan Elizabeth Weimer

This was the most unsettling prenatal visit I’ve had, and this is my third pregnancy, though my first with this provider. I asked to skip one Doppler for that day due to having an anatomy scan scheduled days later, no risk factors, and strong, consistent fetal movement. The moment I raised this, Megan had an immediate, visible emotional reaction. Her first response was to blurt out, “dead babies can move,” repeating that my baby could be dead despite strong daily movement. She did not ask a single question to understand my concerns about Doppler or why I wanted to defer it. There was no discussion, no inquiry, and no counseling. When I asked whether a baby with persistent, strong movement would normally be deceased, she acknowledged that this would not normally be the case, but still did not engage. She stated that Doppler is the purpose of these visits and told me that if I did not agree to it in the future, I should find another practice. When I said I wanted to opt out for that… visit and think about it for next time, she appeared exasperated, made audible sounds of frustration, gathered her papers, and left the room abruptly without saying goodbye.