Need Advice - High Risk

FrancescaCDuncan

My obgyn has wonderful bedside manners, and I like her overall, but she's not a high risk obgyn. During my last pregnancy, I felt like I had to fight her office (nurses) to prove to them that I had pre-eclampsia and that I wasn't just crazy.

A little background on that:  I normally have low blood pressure (110/60). I'd be at home, wake up with severely swollen legs, and my blood pressure would be 160/90 or higher. By the time I'd make it to the hospital, I'd be at 135/85 or similar. I would always tell them my blood pressure monitor was accurate because I'd had it tested at the hospital and a doctor's office. What it came down to was that they never saw the proof of my high blood pressure so they assumed my monitor was wrong.

After a lot of self advocating, I finally convinced them to do the 24 hour urine test on me... low an behold, I had pre-eclampsia and they apologized by telling me that they had never seen a case like that where the patients blood pressure was lower than borderline on standard visits. I reiterated that I normally have low blood pressure and below threshold blood pressure is normal for women with pre-eclampsia and normally low blood pressure. 

I delivered 3 weeks early by emergency c-section when it was determined that the my protein levels were too high to continue the pregnancy.

Now fast forward to pregnancy #2. I went in yesterday and we only saw the gestational sac. She didn't measure it and told me to come back in a week. Mind you, due to my PCOS, my progesterone levels could be too low, and I have no idea how far along I should be since my last period was in the middle of December. She won't do blood work to test my levels yet, and she absolutely will not do progesterone suppositories even if the progesterone is low. Her reasoning for that is that it's not proven to work. At the beginning of my last pregnancy, I had a different OBGYN with crappy bedside manners, but he insisted on giving me progesterone since my level was only 9. My current doctor also brought up the pre-eclampsia I had last time and said I should start taking one baby aspirin a day because I have a 40% chance of getting it this time.

At this point, I'm stuck. I bled last weekend, and I'm spotting and cramping again today (this happened at the same time during my last pregnancy but my doctor then immediately gave me progesterone). My next appointment isn't until Monday. This brings me to my actual question:

I have found a high risk medical group in my area that is willing to take me but only with a referral from my OBGYN. Does anyone have any advice on how I can convince my OB to do this for me?

I have an overwhelming feeling that she'll just say no, or ask me to wait until my next appointment.

TL;DR:  My last pregnancy was high risk, had trouble with my doc. Not sure that my doc will refer me to a high risk doc. How do I convince her?

Hillzy30

"After [insert example here] and [insert other example here], I am no longer comfortable being a patient here. I have already spoken with [group name] and they feel I meet the criteria to come under their care and would greatly appreciate a referral from you as they require same." 

br0co1ii

Have you asked? You may not even need any convincing. If she won't do it, then maybe try to get in with another doc or midwife sooner and see if they'll refer you. I'm sorry you are having a bad experience. I hope it all works out for you!

MRSCORKER

I don't see why your current doctor wouldn't agree to write a referral. You advocated for yourself during your first pregnancy and you were right about your concerns. I would use that as an example, tell her you have a few concerns that are causing you unneccessary stress which is not good for the pregnancy and you would like to get a second opinion just to make sure all of your bases are covered. No one knows your body better than you do so don't worry about offending her or whatever, do what you need to do to feel reassured in your pregnancy. 

FrancescaCDuncan

Thank you! I haven't asked this time around. I forgot to clarify that last time, I did ask, and I got a resounding no because the issue wasn't "very serious" until the very end when I had the emergency c-section.

I guess there's no harm in asking. If it's a no, I'll find another doctor.

FrancescaCDuncan

I really like the second opinion idea. I forgot to mention in my original post that when I asked for a high risk referral last time, I was told that it wasn't necessary because it wasn't that serious... that was until the emergency c-section. That's why I think I'll get push back.

But everyone is right in that I could always just find another doctor that will refer me. For some crazy reason I hadn't thought about that option, and I think it's because I kept focusing on an immediate resolution.

Thank you!

sparklegrump

You could always try the squeaky wheel approach. Call her office 3 times a day and leave messages with the nurses until she's so annoyed she's ready for you to go.