Met new doctor

[Bluegoat]

So I met the new doctor today. I liked her - I think she's probably fairly conventional, but seemed open to what I wanted. She was really good with my girls, who I had to bring along, and she did a pap for me since I was due, and she was totally gentle, the most comfortable one I've ever had.

I'm due Jan 10, she says, so that's a few days earlier than I had thought. She felt giving the circumstances of my last two sections we could go ahead with the VBAC, but she wants me to see the OB once, since they don't have one available at all times at the hospital here like they did in the city, and to have an u/s near the end to try to get an idea of baby's size. I pointed out that those estimates weren't all that accurate, and she agreed, but felt more info was better than none.

She did suggest I might want to consider the serum test, which I haven't had before, since I might prefer to go to a larger hospital if the baby had a problem. I am thinking no though, since if I recall correctly the chance of m/c caused by amnio is still larger than my chance of having a problem at my age (32). Does that sound logical to people?

I also found out that the local doula will be available, so that is a load off my mind too.

[AfricanQueen99]

Is she an OB?

My OB won't even consider doing an amnio unless there's a real reason found during the 20 week ultrasound...he says the risk of m/c is too great unless there's a need.

[Bluegoat]

Originally Posted by AfricanQueen99

Is she an OB?

My OB won't even consider doing an amnio unless there's a real reason found during the 20 week ultrasound...he says the risk of m/c is too great unless there's a need.

No, she's a GP - I wouldn't want to see an OB unless I had to, and in Canada we usually need a referral to see a specialist, only high risk patients see the OB. She handles a lot of obstetrics though.

The screening is just a blood test - BUT, if it comes back with a greater likelihood of a problem, you need to get an amnio to confirm, as far as I can see. You would get an u/s first, but it still might be inconclusive. Some people, apparently, feel strongly that they don't want a baby with the disorders being tested for (spina bifida, downs syndrome), so they get the amnio despite the risk.

It is usually recommended more for older moms who are higher risk for those abnormalities, but they offer it to everyone. Some doctors push it more lately, because of all the litigation over births of kids with abnormalities.