Does this seem right??

[rlandnl]

Ok here's the scoop
I had my 30 weeks appt with my OB and she decided for today to be the day she would lay it all on me.

I met with my endocrinologist last week and she told me that I DO NOT have Gestational Diabetes this time (was insulin dependent at 29 weeks with son). That she expects the rest of the pregnancy to be smooth sailing. So I was on air. So happy. I have been working hard to make sure my numbers don't go up, and that way even if I did have GD (in other words even if I would have failed the 3 HR GTT) it wouldn't show with my numbers. Basically, I refused the GTT in leui of testing 4 times a day, that way even if I had GD I could do my best to control it through diet/exercise... therefore I wouldn't be labeled as high risk and I wouldn't "have" to be induce, and I would "have" to have continuous monitoring, and I would "have" to have a restricted diet in the hospital...

Well the OB tells me today that no matter what the endocrinologist she considers me GD even though the endo disagrees, that it will be written on my chart, that unless I have the baby BEFORE my due date I will be induced, I will have continuous monitoring, that she can't promise delayed cord clamping or that DH can catch the baby because of blood sugar issues, and that she might be "too big" (even though last pregnancy I was insulin dependent had an induction son was born at 38w5d and he was only 7lb4ounces). I will be on a limited diet at the hospital before the baby is born, her sugar WILL be tested right after she's born, all this regardless of the fact that my sugars have been FINE the entire time I have been pregnant.

I feel so deflated. I feel like there is no point in going to my hypnobirthing classes anymore, like there's no point in working so hard to stay off insulin, if I am going to be treated the same as I was last time what's the point?

So I called hubby and he was NOT happy AT ALL. So I scheduled a meet and greet with a midwives group a couple hours away they deliver at a great hospital though the drive would be a bit far.... The only catch is if I get placed on insulin they won't see me anymore so I will have to be EXTREMELY careful. But I just don't want this birth to be so medicinized. And I think it's unfair that she is treating me as such.

Does this seem right to you all? To get treated as high risk without the proof of being high risk?

[GOPLawyer]

RUN from that OB! Wow. Seriously, think of this as a blessing...it's good to see her true colors NOW. No...her behavior doesn't sound right.

Sounds like the MWs will be a good option.

Keep up the good work, Mama!

[TabithaB]

RUN!!! Go meet with the midwives. You may be inconvenienced in the short run, but you will probably be so much happier in the big scheme of things.

[rlandnl]

Thanks guys. As I was sitting there fuming mad listening to all of this, I was wondering if it was pregnancy hormones or if I was justified in thinking she was being rediculous.

I am meeting with the midwives on Monday, I will see if they will even take me on as a patient, and if they will I want to know if they will continue seeing me if I get diagnosed as GD, but can control it with Diet/Exercise.... the only time my levels are up are when I eat something I shouldn't (like 4 pieces of pizza last night). If they will then right on! That's where I wanted to deliver in the first place, but we didn't know how things would go with the GD so I didn't pursue it earlier....

[rlandnl]

And what's interesting and really ticked me off... she said to me, that my A1C level of 5.0 was probably better than hers.... grrr

[fruitfulmomma]

I hope everything goes well with the midwives. The OB sounds like a nightmare.

[laurata]

How *awful!* I agree with the others, RUN from this OB. I can't see how here plans fit with evidence based medicine.

[Turquesa]

Originally Posted by rlandnl

T

I am meeting with the midwives on Monday, I will see if they will even take me on as a patient, and if they will I want to know if they will continue seeing me if I get diagnosed as GD, but can control it with Diet/Exercise.... the only time my levels are up are when I eat something I shouldn't (like 4 pieces of pizza last night). If they will then right on! That's where I wanted to deliver in the first place, but we didn't know how things would go with the GD so I didn't pursue it earlier....

My MWs saw GD clients all of the time. They never ended up having to refer anybody to an OB because 100% of the time people watched their diet and exercised. Hopefully yours will be the same way. Good luck . . . and way to go for ditching that OB!

[BtotheG]

I agree with everyone else - run!

I was diagnosed with GD with dd. A1C level was 5, never had elevated sugars - not once. Everything else (blood pressure, fundal measurements, etc) was textbook perfect. I was planning a homebirth, but the backup OB started pulling all the crap yours is. She wanted to induce me at 39 weeks, because the baby WOULD be large, etc, etc.

I refused the induction, we found a different backup OB, and I went in to labor on my own on my due date. Gave birth to my 6lb 4 oz girl so quickly, the midwives didn't even make it in time! We were both completely fine.

There is no reason you need to be considered high risk if you can keep your sugars in check through diet and exercise, and everything else looks good. Sounds like the OB is priming you for a c-section.

[AlexisT]

I take a fairly cautious approach to GD, but this is ridiculous. if the endo says you don't have GD, you shouldn't be labeled and treated as GD.

My experience is that midwives can see patients with diet controlled GDM but usually have to risk you out if you require insulin. Even if you do, the midwives' backup may be more reasonable than this.

[bluebirdiemama]

This is what you wanted from the get-go! That's great! The OB sounds terrible, I'm so happy for you to persue your MW birth now!

[Galatea]

When someone shows you what they are... BELIEVE THEM. This (s)OB gave you the golden ticket. Run now! Even my SIL, who is a diabetes nurse educator, says your OB is being ridiculous!

[MammaB21]

I keep hearing about OB's treating patients based solely on their history. If you've had GBS in a past pregnancy, they treat you for it w/out testing in all future pregnancies. If you've had a csection, you automatically get another. If you've had GD, they'll treat you like you have it no matter what the tests are showing. It seriously makes no sense to me and makes me soooo angry.

I hate to sound all paranoid conspiracy theory, but I can't help but think it's all an agenda. This whole medicalized approach makes them money, bottom line. More protocall=more tests=more diagnosis=more medications=more surgical procedures=MORE MONEY. I don't like to think that way. I like to believe that our doctors truly care about us, but then I see something like this and I just can't understand how this is in the best interest of you or your baby. Giving someone medicine when they're not sick can actually make you sick.

On a lighter side, it sounds like you're doing everything right and trying your best to stay healthy for you and your baby. I'd say go see the midwives and if that doesn't work, keep searching for a care provider who will respect and care for you!!!

[Mom2M]

That is just unbelievable! For the OB to go against the opinion of a specialist in endocrinology? WTH?
I would get out of there ASAP and write a letter telling her exactly why. The midwives sound like a much better option!
At least you found out now instead of at 38 weeks!
I just cannot believe that, grrr! It makes me so angry!

[SublimeBirthGirl]

I would leave the practice. The midwives will still be constrained by the OB's rules. I'd go someplace entirely different.

[terra-pip]

I would definitely fire your OB as well,...interveiw others or MWs etc until you find someone who is going to help you. Your charts are going to follow you so you'll have to find someone who is willing to look at all your evidence!!

[rparker]

That OB is ridiculous. Go with the midwives and/or find a different OB if the midwives can't take you.

[AlexisT]

Originally Posted by SublimeBirthGirl

I would leave the practice. The midwives will still be constrained by the OB's rules. I'd go someplace entirely different.

She is. She's leaving the OB for a midwife group at another hospital. This would mean the current OB would be uninvolved in her care.

[rlandnl]

Thanks everyone!

I have an appointment this afternoon with the midwife group for a "meet and greet" I am hoping she will agree to take me on, even though I am past the time they take on transfer patients (30 weeks) and even though I am on metformin.

If they wont I have one more feasible hospital option, and hopefully that will work out if this doesn't.

Either way thanks for the reassurance that I am not nuts and it's the doctor that is

[Carhootel]

wow, your OB sounds awful! Good luck at the meet and greet with the midwife group, I hope you get in there - play the sympathy card if you need to about your awful OB and how you need somewhere good and safe to have your baby!

Remember - nobody can tell you what kind of birth to have!