What kind of doctors do you all see?

ms.teacher

Hello ladies, I'm not pregnant yet but have Factor V Leiden and will have to see a MFM during pregnancy. I'm wondering if any of you also see your regular doctor or another specialist like a hematologist during your pregnancy?

Kadyra

With your particular problem, it depends on your MFM's comfort level with FVL and if you're already established with a heme/onc who knows you and wants to stay involved during your pregnancy (not all do).  But unless you  have an ob who doesn't do any high risk, you'll need one who will do your actual delivery-- MFM's in general don't deliver, unless they're at a teaching hospital and then they have residents do their deliveries and they supervise.  So I'd talk to your heme/onc and your MFM and your ob about what their comfort level is and go from there.

 I don't have a thrombophilia, but I saw my regular ob, an MFM, a pulmonologist, and a neurologist this pregnancy to give you an idea.  I feel like I was always in a doctor's office.

ms.teacher

I didn't know MFM's don't deliver. Now I'm wondering if I can just see a high risk ob and my heme. He has already said he wants to keep checking in with me. I don't have an OB or MFM yet, just my GP and heme. I'm also wondering if I need to see a high risk OB or MFM before I actually get pregnant.

courtz00

I have FVL and was diagnosed with it during this pregnancy.  I only see my ob and occassionaly (about every 10 weeks) an ob the university hospital in Seattle as part of his HIP clinic.  I know that my ob also consults with the ob in Seattle about my FVL and another herditary blood disease that I have regularly though.  They seem to have a great working relationshilp that works out really well for me.  The plan is to deliver here unless something goes wrong and we will need the NICU at the university. 

JuliaKL

hmmm... i think some MFMs do deliver.  my OB does high risk, so i've stuck with her, and she's consulted with an MFM when needed, and i was told that the MFM would likely be present at my delivery as well.  i've also seen a hematologist throughout the pregnancy.  might not be a bad idea to meet with an OB prior to pregnancy so that you can make sure you're doing everything you can, and they are aware of you as a patient!

Jessalicious01

I also have F5L and I started seeing a high risk OB prior to TTC. It's really a good idea to get them informed about your history before your first visit. That way hopefully they can manage you to prevent a miscarriage as are so common with F5L. I have not seen a hematologist during my pregnancy but I have been sent to MFM. My MFM does do pre-conception counseling and often times offers more information and knowlege about FVL than some OB's can give you. It definitely wouldn't hurt to just go and see them for one consult.