Need Advice

MMSchu

I was very scared of switching from my RE to my OB about a week ago. I talked to my OB about my concerns and she was more than helpful and made arrangements for me to come in biweekly instead of monthly to hear the babies' heartbeats. Because she was so sweet, I was 10000% sold on staying with her...until I asked her about what hospitals she delievers at. The hospital she delievers through has a level 2 nursery and the hospital I was hoping she would deliver at has a level 3 NICU. I'm already pretty high risk with twins, a miscarriage and the whole IF thing. I can't imagine being post delivery and hearing the nurse say "We have to air lift your newborns to a different hospital."

 

So do I switch OBs? Do I stay with my current one and take that risk? I'm in a panic because if I switch I need to do it soon since I will be 12w on Saturday.

 

What would you ladies do in my shoes?

 

Thanks!

FutureMrsW9

If you're truly that concerned, then I would maybe discuss options with my OB first, especially if you really like her.  I know you're worried that you need to switch soon, but I have a friend who switched OBs at 34 weeks....so it does happen much later if necessary.  Obviously earlier is ideal, but you can still make it work.

Ylvelill

I just switched this week after finding out that my OB doesn't deliver at the best hospital in our area. I am also high risk, and I am not going to risk being separated from my twins!

LilSip0611

I had this same scenario with my old OB who I loved but only delivers at our local hospital with a level 2 NICU. I switched to a different OB (the husband of one of the REs at RMA) and he delivers out of a hospital with a level 3 NICU where the twins would have to be transferred to if something went wrong. I was nervous about it at first but I want to make sure I am with the babies for as long as possible if they need time in the NICU.

sunflowermama42212

I would switch. I found the hospital I wanted and then looked at the Drs on the website that deliver there and made my choice that way. My sister had to have her baby taken to another hospital and separating with him was very traumatic because she had to recover herself and couldn't go with him.

ETA: like @thosethreewords said, my sister had a normal pregnancy, not high risk and problems happened during labor.

JSM0801

I would definitely switch to be at the hospital you want to deliver at. I switched OB's for this exact same reason. I have been going to the same doc for years and absolutely love and adore her, but I knew the most important thing for me was delivering at the best hospital, especially with a twin pregnancy. I was so upset and worried about switching, but I absolutely love the new OB that I switched to, and my old one was so understanding. So, I think it is worth the switch, and hopefully you will find another OB who you love just as much! GL!!

BzeetyD

Because you're carrying twins, I would switch. You could ask for her recommendation and or a referral to a doc that she believes will treat you the way you need/want to be treated.

ThereBeDragons

I decided to stay with my OB even knowing that there's a high chance that I'll have to be transferred. 

So my OB delivers at a suburban hospital with a lvl2 NICU. I am at a very high risk of delivering before my baby can be cared for at that hospital. Because I'm high risk, I also have a MFM. He's affiliated with BOTH the local hospital and the huge downtown children's hospital with the awesome state of the art NICU.

I actually talked over the scenario with my OB this afternoon. If I have ANY PTL concerns, I head straight to the suburban hospital. I'm to go in as early as I possibly can. They'll evaluate me for PTL risk and if it is apparent that there is no/low chance of labor being stalled until 32 weeks I will be transported (via ambulance or helicopter depending on the severity of the situation) to the downtown hospital BEFORE giving birth if at all possible. Then baby and I will both be under the care of my MFM and the awesome people at the children's hospital. If I wind up on hospital bedrest, its will likely be downtown with my MFM until the baby can be cared for my my suburban hospital. If I hang in long enough- they'll transfer us back to my local hospital.

This sounded like an acceptable compromise considering that I don't have any desire to commute downtown for all my appointments (an hour one way with traffic) but I still wanted the best chance for my baby. I have a cerclage so there's virtually no chance that baby just falls out unexpectedly- there should be time to get us both to the best hospital for preemies if I go that early.

LSN8308

Thank you for posting this. I had no clue about nicu levels, thought they were all the same. As soon as I read your post I rushed to search the info of the hospital I plan on having our twins (FX) and thankfully its a level 3. Would've sucked to have found out at a later time before it's too late.

I would definitely switch. GL

MMSchu

Thanks for your help ladies! I'm currently looking into new OBs. You're advice was awesome!

@LSN8308 I had no idea either until I went to sign up for a tour of labor and delivery. That's great that your hospital is level 3, one less thing to worry about!

@ThereBeDragons that's great that you have those options and you know every corner will be taken care of.