OBGYN dilema

LMichelleG

We've been TTC for about 10 months now (with a few "off" months in there so I'm not concerned just quite yet) but I am due for my annual in the next month or so. DH and I moved to Kent a year ago and I went to a new/local OBGYN for my annual last spring, she was nice enough, but I didn't love her. My internal medicine Dr. is in Issaquah (where I work) and said she'd recommend one of the OBGYN's next door to her office when I get PG. But I'm not sure where to go in the meantime as I'd like to discuss TTC with whoever I go to. And just to throw a little more complication into the mix, I have what is called Factor V Leiden (a genetic blood clotting disorder) that will put me at a higher risk for pregnancy. So I'm only comfortable working with docs who are familiar with Factor V. Then there is the whole issue of what hospital the OBGYN is affiliated with. I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, but realize I can only put this off for so long. So what do you ladies think? What did you base your OBGYN decision upon? TIA

Purvalicious

I can't help you with a rec in Kent or Issaquah, because I get all my care in Seattle - but I can tell you how I picked mine?(we're just about to start getting serious about TTC). ?I based my decision on which OB to see on the fact that I have an autoimmune disease. ?So I ended up getting a rec from my GI specialist who knows the particulars of my disease and am seeing a high risk OB at the UW Medical Center. ?

I don't know anything about Factor V Leiden, but do you see anyone who handles your care for the condition? ? Maybe your internal doctor or specialist can recommend someone. ?

?Good luck, I had a hard time with this issue too because I wanted someone who a) knew what they were doing in regards to my condition, and b) had convenient contact with my specialist (and primary care physician), so that is why I chose the Maternal Infant Care Center at the UW.?

LMichelleG

Good call Purv. I hadn't thought to ask a  specialist for their recomendation. I do not actually "see" my hematologist for Factor V Leiden unless of course I was to get a blood clot (which to date I have not had one). However he has asked to see me again and wants to be involved when I get PG.

stacylu

I would try and find your perfect OBGYN now before you get pregnant. If that's the docs next door to your primary then try them out now - why wait?Did your dr recommend them because they have some specialty in clotting issues?

I also have a clotting disorder and when you're pregnant you'll see a perinatologist because of it. If you want a rec, I love my OB - Dr Elisabeth Anton at Bellgrove OBGYN in Bellevue. She delivers at Overlake.

scarletii

I would ask your hematologist for a recommendation.  I'm guessing if you went to the obgyn that your work recomends, then you're looking at delivering at Overlake??  You might want to consider where you'd want to deliver at.  Most deliveries occur at night.  At 3am would you want to go to a hospital closer to home?  Just something to consider.  But, I would definitely start with your specialist.  And go before you get pg.  Popular doctors take their quota of pregnancies for a given month earlier than you might think!

keri1013

I stuck with the OBGYN I had been seeing for regular care for several years because I really liked her. I don't think it's too early for you to find one though, I went in for a preconception appointment with my doc before we started TTC and it was very helpful. Maybe try the one your doc recommends and go from there? Good luck!

Seattle_JiLLn

I have a different clotting condition and I saw a perinatologist throughout my pregnancy, as my regular OB (Dr. Anton) thoguht I was too scary.     But in any event, MOST people with blood clotting stuff see a perinatologist (high risk OB) for consults throughout the pregnancy, so it's not imperative that your primary OB knows much - just that he/she knows enough to know to refer you to a specialist.

I would decide first where you want to deliver - do you want to be closer to home or to work?  Or do you care?   And then get a referral from your hematologist maybe...

I have a friend who lives in Kent who has a blood clotting thing - the same thing I have although I think she might also have FVL too?? - and she delivered at Swedish.  If you'd like, I can ask her for her OB's name.