When did you start seeing a MFM Dr?

missjul61 · December 2011

Sorry in advance if this was a recent question that I missed.

If you were referred to a perinatologist, at how many weeks did you start seeing him/her? What did they do during your 1st appt.? Did they order tests?

I had my 2nd u/s yesterday and it went great but my RE wants to see me 1 more time before I graduate. So I had to push my 1st OB appt back a week at the next available appt. I will be over 11 weeks and will probably see the peri after the 12 week mark or so since I'd have to wait for the prior auth. Just wondering if that is waiting too long. I don't want to miss out on any time-sensitive tests.

lovemygs · December 2011

My OB said I'd start seeing the MFM at 16 weeks and continue to see both throughout the pregnancy.

STL34 · December 2011

I didn't start seeing an MFM until I started having bleeding issues. I was probably 12 or 13 weeks when I had the MFM appointment. They scheduled me for an u/s first and then I met with an MFM in his office to discuss the u/s, the bleeding issues and our plans from there on out. I wanted my OB to stay my primary on things so, I don't see the MFM as often as I do my OB. I see the MFM about every 6 weeks now that the bleeding has stopped and my OB every 4 weeks. I got my a/s done through the MFM. But, I will be doing my growth scans through my OB. Many doctors do things differently, though.

I didn't do the NT scan or the quad screen, but if I had they would have been ordered by my OB.

llizzyb · December 2011

I only see my MFM because my Addison's Disease makes me moderately high risk. My endocrinologist actually referred me; not my OB.

My first consult was at 12 weeks and it was an office visit, blood work, and NT scan. I did the penta screen with her office at 16 weeks, and then another consult with my a/s at 18 weeks. I'll see her again at 28 weeks for another office visit and u/s, and then more regularly through third tri.

allisonmarie22 · December 2011

I saw my MFM for the first time at 12 weeks for my NT scan. I see him again on 1/3 for my anatomy scan. After that I'll see him monthly and my OB every 2 weeks.

Imanurse03 · December 2011

I see MFM for my Type 1 diabetes and chronic high blood pressure. I was referred to MFM around 8 weeks so that they could manage my blood sugars and insulin pump. I don't think I actually had an appt with MFM until 11 weeks. I had an u/s and met with dr. at that appt. We just discussed my diabetes, high BP and clotting issues. I declined the NT scan and quad screening.

naybird · December 2011

I believe my first MFM appointment was around 10 weeks. My MFM ordered a lot of tests at my first appointment. She wanted to check everything.

If you are planning on doing the NT scan you may want to mention it, so you don't miss the window.

missjul61 · December 2011

Thanks ladies!

KaliChick · December 2011

Do you have a reason you need to see a MFM??

I meet my peri at 28 weeks (next week). The only reason I have to see her is because I had low PAPP-A at the NT scan. Otherwise, I'm treated pretty much like any other OB patient.

missjul61 · December 2011

KaliChick:
Do you have a reason you need to see a MFM??
I meet my peri at 28 weeks (next week). The only reason I have to see her is because I had low PAPP-A at the NT scan. Otherwise, I'm treated pretty much like any other OB patient.

Not sure at this point if I would even be referred by my OB since I haven't seen him yet but I have a blood clotting disorder and using Heparin and was told I may be considered "high risk". I'm a planner so just trying to get more info just in case

kknapik · December 2011

Quick question for you ladies...

My RE is referring me directly to a peri and said that I will see this doc instead of seeing an OB, not in addition to. Have you every heard of this? I always figured that I would see an OB and a peri, but not just a peri. My local OB won't see me as they said my case is too complex and I have been rejected by two other local OB's as well (great for the ego). I just want to make sure that I am doing things correctly. Thanks so much!!!

wordslikeswords · December 2011

kknapik:
Quick question for you ladies...
My RE is referring me directly to a peri and said that I will see this doc instead of seeing an OB, not in addition to. Have you every heard of this? I always figured that I would see an OB and a peri, but not just a peri. My local OB won't see me as they said my case is too complex and I have been rejected by two other local OB's as well (great for the ego). I just want to make sure that I am doing things correctly. Thanks so much!!!

I haven't heard of this, actually. A lot of MFM docs don't deliver. I know at my office, the doctor is looking in on ultrasounds/seeing high risk patients all day ever day. She doesn't do regular exams at any point. I think there are some that do, but they might be hard to find. I'm not sure why they'd want you to only see the peri because most of the time there isn't going to be much extra they can do for monitoring except extra ultrasounds.

As for the original question, I had a consult way before I got pregnant, and she had to sign off before I was allowed to do IVF, so we have a long standing relationship. I saw her for the first time at 12 weeks, then at 19 for the A/S, 22 for a fetal echo, and I started monthly growth scans at 24. Starting at 32 weeks I see them once a week and my OB once a week for NSTs. It's honestly a lot. Each appointment is an in depth ultrasound and then the doc comes in to go over results.

STL34 · December 2011

missjul61:
KaliChick:

Do you have a reason you need to see a MFM??

I meet my peri at 28 weeks (next week). The only reason I have to see her is because I had low PAPP-A at the NT scan. Otherwise, I'm treated pretty much like any other OB patient.

Not sure at this point if I would even be referred by my OB since I haven't seen him yet but I have a blood clotting disorder and using Heparin and was told I may be considered "high risk". I'm a planner so just trying to get more info just in case

For a blood clotting disorder, you may or may not be referred to an MFM. It partially depends on your OB. I see an OB that typically sees high risk patients. I wouldn't have been referred to a MFM (I have a couple of clotting disorders, an autoimmune disease and some other issues) if I hadn't had a lot of bleeding and spotting near the end of 1st tri/begining of 2nd tri. I chose to do my monthly growth scans at my OB (the MFM didn't have a problem with this). If there is an issue with one of the growth scans, my MFM will be notified.

blueberries8 · December 2011

This is an excellent question and something I have been wondering about. In Israel, instead of seeing both an OB and a MFM, you see either a regular OB or a peri/MFM and not both (and likely neither doctor will deliver you, interestingly - unless you pay for a private delivery, it's the midwives and OB on call in the department who will deliver you, though I believe they have a high-risk team functioning in the hospitals at all times).

I am still kind of confused, though, when to make the switch. My RE said at 9w2d that he was happy to continue seeing me until the end of 1st tri and that he would see me after the NT scan and then my following appointment after that would be with MFM. However, based on when my NT scan is scheduled and his schedule, that would make my next appt with him at 13w2d and then the soonest after that I could book with the MFM was for 16-17 weeks.

I love my RE, but since his specialty is obviously IVF and not twin pregnancy, I realized I was uncomfortable with not seeing the MFM until 16-17 wks, so I now have an appointment with her for after the NT scan at 12w5d, instead of with him. I just hope my RE won't be offended. If I was seeing a regular OB in addition, I think I would probably be comfortable waiting until ~16 weeks before starting in with the MFM unless there was a specific issue that came up before then. I am also seeing a hematologist who will hopefully work directly with the MFM.

missjul61 · December 2011

blueberries8:
I love my RE, but since his specialty is obviously IVF and not twin pregnancy, I realized I was uncomfortable with not seeing the MFM until 16-17 wks, so I now have an appointment with her for after the NT scan at 12w5d, instead of with him. I just hope my RE won't be offended. If I was seeing a regular OB in addition, I think I would probably be comfortable waiting until ~16 weeks before starting in with the MFM unless there was a specific issue that came up before then. I am also seeing a hematologist who will hopefully work directly with the MFM.

I'm sure he won't be offended and will understand your concerns. I'd feel the same way if I was in your shoes.

NicoleeBonsai · December 2011

are you carrying twins? sorry i'm just jumping in here and don't know your history

with my pregnancy, i started seeing an MFM at 10 weeks and he became my primary OB (most MFMs don't deliver, however mine was in a practice where the MFMs all deliver their patients).

i left my original OB after my first appt, i just wasn't comfortable with her care plan for my pregnancy.

missjul61 · December 2011

NicoleeBonsai:
are you carrying twins? sorry i'm just jumping in here and don't know your history
with my pregnancy, i started seeing an MFM at 10 weeks and he became my primary OB (most MFMs don't deliver, however mine was in a practice where the MFMs all deliver their patients).
i left my original OB after my first appt, i just wasn't comfortable with her care plan for my pregnancy.

No I have a singleton

Kitttkattt · December 2011

My MFM said the ideal time to be seen was 14-16 weeks. I'm sure it varies by person.

kknapik · December 2011

wordslikeswords:
kknapik:
Quick question for you ladies...
My RE is referring me directly to a peri and said that I will see this doc instead of seeing an OB, not in addition to. Have you every heard of this? I always figured that I would see an OB and a peri, but not just a peri. My local OB won't see me as they said my case is too complex and I have been rejected by two other local OB's as well (great for the ego). I just want to make sure that I am doing things correctly. Thanks so much!!!
I haven't heard of this, actually. A lot of MFM docs don't deliver. I know at my office, the doctor is looking in on ultrasounds/seeing high risk patients all day ever day. She doesn't do regular exams at any point. I think there are some that do, but they might be hard to find. I'm not sure why they'd want you to only see the peri because most of the time there isn't going to be much extra they can do for monitoring except extra ultrasounds.
As for the original question, I had a consult way before I got pregnant, and she had to sign off before I was allowed to do IVF, so we have a long standing relationship. I saw her for the first time at 12 weeks, then at 19 for the A/S, 22 for a fetal echo, and I started monthly growth scans at 24. Starting at 32 weeks I see them once a week and my OB once a week for NSTs. It's honestly a lot. Each appointment is an in depth ultrasound and then the doc comes in to go over results.

Thanks so much!! I actually ended up calling this afternoon as I don't want to screw things up and they said that I will only see the MFM and they will deliver my baby. They are located at a Level 1 Medical Center so I am thinking maybe they do things differently. They did say though, if they determine that I am not high risk, that they will discharge me to an OB. I hate being in Limbo but there isn't much I can do at this point but wait until I hear when my first appointment is.

MyHusbandMyHero · December 2011

I started seeing the Complicated OB Clinic and an MFM after my N/S but I have pre pregnancy chronic hypertension.

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