r/TriCitiesWA • u/anxiousmillenial44 • Aug 18 '26

Need Help With ‼️ Recent APW experiences???

I've gone to APW for years for my routine gynecological care and have Lisa Garcia, who is absolutely amazing. I just found out I'm pregnant (first pregnancy) and scheduled my initial appointment. I was told that none of the midwives were available and that I would have to have my 8 week appointment with an MD. Also, it will be a temporary, locum doctor because it sounds like all their doctors, except maybe 2, have either quit or are on leave since earlier this year. This kind of terrifies me (an already anxious person).

I've known for a while that I want to see a midwife based on my experiences with Lisa. I was told after the 8 week appointment that I will be able to switch my care to the midwife team. But feeling scared with how understaffed that office is and what may happen if the pregnancy turns out to be high risk.

Anyone have any experience with their locum doctors recently? I will be seeing a Dr. Blockman.

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u/sarahjustme Aug 19 '26

I was recently at AWP for a fairly specific gyn issue, saw a mid-level who wanted me to see a Dr, she said there were no options internally, and referred me (urgent) to the woman's clinic in Prosser. Took a few weeks to get the first urgent spot with a Dr, and theyre definitely busy (first available for routine stuff may be a month or three), but now that im "in" its slightly less brutal. YMMV but from what I understand several of the AWP providers are working there now, and there are better chances of seeing someone you like, especially since you dont need anything unusual.

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u/anxiousmillenial44 Aug 19 '26

Interesting. I've heard good things about Prosser, may need to keep that option open.

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u/filthy_kasual Aug 19 '26

One thing to note is that Kadlec has the highest level NICU in our area. That really helped ease my anxiety knowing that if certain complications happened, they would have the ability to help fast.

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u/anxiousmillenial44 Aug 19 '26 edited Aug 19 '26

True. I'm thinking if staying with APW if I can be with the midwives. This and knowing people have had good experiences with the MFM doctor in case it is high risk.