Update: Genetic counseling (AMA question)

Cheekers2010 · June 2014

Update: Well now I'm pissed. I went back and looked at te orders my ob faxed to MFM. It very clearly states "ultrasound only" wth! This just solidifies that I'm not going there.
So, I'm AMA. I was with my DS, too. I did not have genetic counseling nor was it offered to us. If it had been, I would've declined. For his pregnancy I was with a midwife. Now I'm with an OB. I got the paperwork to set up my anatomy scan today. I go to the MFM office near my OB's office. I received a call from them to set up TWO appts: the a/s and an hour genetic counseling appt. I did not request the genetic counseling nor did I know that my OB had. I questioned it and was told it's the MFM's standard procedure. Frankly, I do not want it. I am very well aware that my risks are higher at my age, etc., but I do not want to know exactly what my odds are. It would be a huge stress for me and I have had enough anxiety with this pregnancy already. I do not have a statistical mind and no matter what the odds are I would be completely terrified and convinced that the baby had whatever it was we were talking about.

So, I intend to talk to my OB at my next appt and tell her I do not want the genetic counseling. I'm wondering if the MFM office will refuse to scan me. What would you do?

TL:DR - I swore never to return to this MFM office again in my life. We had a truly horrible experience with them during my first pregnancy that we really should've sued for. I feel sick to my stomach at the mere thought of stepping into that office. I did make sure that the doctor that is reading my scan is not the same one from before. I would NEVER agree to see her again. Obviously I have a lot of issues with this place.

Cheekers2010 · June 2014

kaylam714 said:

I've seen two genetic counselors. One with my last pregnancy that ended in stillbirth and just last week for this pregnancy. Honestly...I think they are a waste of time and money. And the two different one, different hospitals even, have just rubbed me the wrong way.
We were in the same situation last time, horrible experience and should have sued for several reasons, but didn't. I requested a completely new hospital this time, refused to go back to the other. I like the peri at this hospital better, but the genetic counselor...there is not a soothing bone in their body, I swear.
After spilling my story to her she just went on talking about her statistics and that I have nothing to be worried about because what happened last time has such low odds and this pregnancy is "boring". If you ask me I have a right to be worried and nothing about this is boring to me!
If you can get past the genetic counseling and just check on LO, I'd go that route.

I am so sorry. You have every right to worry and to have someone give you comfort. I have had a lot of counseling to get to the place I'm at now but I will never ever entirely get over what happened.

I also know that no matter what the genetic counselor says, it will rub me the wrong way. It just will because I am so dead set against that place.

Cheekers2010 · June 2014

@Ashtonkitty1 - I'm sure they do some of that as well. Because of my job, I'm already super familiar with all the different tests, etc., and so my big take away would be what I don't want. All the stuff I would stress out about.

skidderdo · June 2014

You can get an ultrasound without the genetic counseling. If it is required by that particular MFM office just go somewhere else.

Cheekers2010 · June 2014

skidderdo said:

You can get an ultrasound without the genetic counseling. If it is required by that particular MFM office just go somewhere else.

Did you change your SN? I did a double take.

rshamos · June 2014

It may be that office's policy that you see a genetic counselor (liability?) Sounds like you aren't happy with their standard if care. If not, find someone else.

Cheekers2010 · June 2014

@rshamos - I'll see what my OB says. I would much much rather go elsewhere.

rshamos · June 2014

@Cheekers2010‌ I was assuming you live in a big enough town to do so. My one horse town includes only one OB (whom I do NOT trust), so I get to travel three hours to Phoenix. But it's worth it to be comfortable.

Cheekers2010 · June 2014

@rshamos - Oh, no. I definitely am. I just need a referral from my OB to wherever it is so I have to talk to her first.

BankerBSN · June 2014

Why are you seeing MFM?

Cheekers2010 · June 2014

@BankerBSN‌ - I'm not. They simply have a high quality ultrasound and are close to my OB'S office so my OB is sending me there for the scan.

BankerBSN · June 2014

Cheekers2010 said:
@BankerBSN‌ - I'm not. They simply have a high quality ultrasound and are close to my OB'S office so my OB is sending me there for the scan.

Oh, gotcha. I am sure there are other places to her a level 2 ultrasound. For sure talk to your Doc and continue to voice your rights as a patient. You DO NOT need to be seen by genetics no matter what they tell you their 'protocol' is.

Cheekers2010 · June 2014

Thanks all. I would normally feel very comfortable asserting my patient rights but somehow even the mention of this MFM office puts me back in a very powerless place. I think I'll just talk to my OB about having the scan done elsewhere entirely. I clearly need to continue to work on whatever issues I still have from my first birth. Funny how it comes back to bite you out of nowhere.

Cheekers2010 · June 2014

Another quick update. I told the nurse (my only eay to communicate with the doctor) that I didn't want to go to MFM at all. They want me to wait and talk to OB about it at my next visit, two weeks before my a/s is scheduled. I hope that's enough time because I don't' want to have to push the a/s way out. Oh well.

ColeyCannoli · June 2014

Whoa, lots of genetic counselor hate going on... mine was actually far smarter than my OB who had me scared my baby would have CF. Luckily the counselor could read the blood work and understand it better than the OB and calm my nerves. But then I'm analytical and stats was always a favorite class of mine so I guess I'm just weird. It just makes me cringe a bit when people say all counselors are some horrible waste of money.

Still, you don't have to get any testing or counseling that you don't want. Definitely throw a fit if they try to force anything. Good luck!

Cheekers2010 · June 2014

ColeyCannoli said:

Whoa, lots of genetic counselor hate going on... mine was actually far smarter than my OB who had me scared my baby would have CF. Luckily the counselor could read the blood work and understand it better than the OB and calm my nerves. But then I'm analytical and stats was always a favorite class of mine so I guess I'm just weird. It just makes me cringe a bit when people say all counselors are some horrible waste of money. Still, you don't have to get any testing or counseling that you don't want. Definitely throw a fit if they try to force anything. Good luck!

I truly wasn't trying to bash genetic counselors. Just saying that it's not a great option for me.

hellopartyof5 · June 2014

Cheekers2010 said:

ColeyCannoli said:

Whoa, lots of genetic counselor hate going on... mine was actually far smarter than my OB who had me scared my baby would have CF. Luckily the counselor could read the blood work and understand it better than the OB and calm my nerves. But then I'm analytical and stats was always a favorite class of mine so I guess I'm just weird. It just makes me cringe a bit when people say all counselors are some horrible waste of money.

Still, you don't have to get any testing or counseling that you don't want. Definitely throw a fit if they try to force anything. Good luck!

I truly wasn't trying to bash genetic counselors. Just saying that it's not a great option for me.

I'm a genetic counselor and I am EXTREMELY offended by your statements.

Jk I'm a tax analyst. Love ya!

Cheekers2010 · June 2014

nauticallife816 said:

ColeyCannoli said:

Whoa, lots of genetic counselor hate going on... mine was actually far smarter than my OB who had me scared my baby would have CF. Luckily the counselor could read the blood work and understand it better than the OB and calm my nerves. But then I'm analytical and stats was always a favorite class of mine so I guess I'm just weird. It just makes me cringe a bit when people say all counselors are some horrible waste of money. Still, you don't have to get any testing or counseling that you don't want. Definitely throw a fit if they try to force anything. Good luck!

I truly wasn't trying to bash genetic counselors. Just saying that it's not a great option for me.
I'm a genetic counselor and I am EXTREMELY offended by your statements. Jk I'm a tax analyst. Love ya!

I was worried for a minute there @nauticallife816 !

hellopartyof5 · June 2014

Cheekers2010 said:

nauticallife816 said:

ColeyCannoli said:

Whoa, lots of genetic counselor hate going on... mine was actually far smarter than my OB who had me scared my baby would have CF. Luckily the counselor could read the blood work and understand it better than the OB and calm my nerves. But then I'm analytical and stats was always a favorite class of mine so I guess I'm just weird. It just makes me cringe a bit when people say all counselors are some horrible waste of money. Still, you don't have to get any testing or counseling that you don't want. Definitely throw a fit if they try to force anything. Good luck!

I truly wasn't trying to bash genetic counselors. Just saying that it's not a great option for me.
I'm a genetic counselor and I am EXTREMELY offended by your statements. Jk I'm a tax analyst. Love ya!

I was worried for a minute there @nauticallife816 !

In all seriousness, I completely agree with PPs. Don't do anything you're not comfortable with. Your body, your choice (it goes both ways if you ask me).

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Update: Genetic counseling (AMA question)

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