Lots of OBGYN questions

soozek205

I'm not pregnant, but I have been researching OBGYNs so that I am prepared and familiar with my doctor before I do get pregnant.  I have a few questions. Thanks!

1)What happens if you don"t have a high-risk OBGYN but you run into complications? Does your doctor send you to a specialist, or do you need to switch doctors? Is that easy to do? 

2)  Is it worth getting a high-risk just to "be safe"? I know these doctors are usually super-busy and therefore aren't great in the personality department. So I'd rather not deal with it if I dont need to.

3) Is it possible to see a high-risk obgyn, or a highly "in-demand" obgyn before you're pregnant?  I've read that many doctors don't accept patients unless they are pregnant, but I want to have a trial run before I committ. 

4) Please recommend your OBGYN and why!  (Also, I  welcome any feedback on Frank Silverman, Allison Boester, Andrea Dobrenis)

Tash13

1) I didn't have a high risk pregnancy but my sister did.  From what I've seen, most OB's should be able to handle any high risk pregnancy.  The only time they may refer you to a specialist is if your problem needs to be treated seperately (a thyroid problem, etc).  However, if you're with a midwife, like I was, you will be refered to an OB since MW's aren't actually doctors. 

2) If you choose to go with a midwife, I'd go with somebody linked to an OB's office just so you'll have a standing relationship with the person that would be handling you if you end up needing a C-section or something, god forbid, goes wrong. 

3)  I would figure out what type of doctor you want, see who's in your area and call to see what they're willing to do.  It's good to start taking prenatals when you're trying to get pregant and, if done again, I'd want a standing relationship with the dr.  You could always call to see if whatever OB will do a consult or interview with you so you can ask them what they'd do in different situations, when they might refer you elsewhere and what you should be worried about.  Personally, I wouldn't plan for the worst case scenario unless it's presented to you.  A "high- risk" OB might not take you unless you're actually high-risk so it might be a waste of energy to try and track one down.

4) I didn't see an OB, I saw a midwife and it wasn't in NYC so I'm not much help here.  GL!

cmrand4

I wouldn't bother seeing a high risk OB unless you're referred.  My OB/GYN referred me to one beginning at 20 weeks for some complications.  They can do much more thorough ultrasounds and I didn't have an ultrasound tech doing them which was great. But the down side is that high risk maternal fetal specialists run their practices often on theory rather than practice....so their actual experience in surgery and delivering babies is more limited than a regular OB/GYN.  Also, I found that the regular OB's that I've seen in dr's pratice have a MUCH BETTER bed-side manner--trust me, you'll care about this in your first pregancy.  Best of luck to you!!!! You're very likely to have a healthy pregnancy with nothing to worry about:)

smseltz80

usually they work together. Is there a reason why you think you will be high risk? I would just go to a regualr obgyn that you are comfortable with and then take it from there. You can be monitored more frequently at your regualr obgyn if they have concerns. Often, you might have to go to a H/R obgyn in the beginning and then get discharged and go back to your regular one. GL!!