Might be too high risk for prenatal care - LOL

[elliecee]

I have been up'ing thus far (35 weeks). Well, DH and I decided we had better see someone as my belly is pendulous and baby is consistently staying in a transverse lie. My previous babies were quite large and we have been getting nervous about getting into a situation in which the baby were transverse or perhaps breech. Quite honestly, a medicalized birth scares me so badly, but at this point, we feel as though it would be the safest option to avoid an emergency c-section.

So, with tears in my eyes, I called an ob/gyn office to make an appointment. They took all my information, then when I told them my LMP, I was told I may be too high risk, seeing as I have not had prenatal care up until now-they'd have to call me back. Wow.

[Multimomma]

You'll need to call other offices. Not every OB is set up to take high risk patients, and depending on how you've presented this, you may have represented yourself as high risk even though you probably are not.

Have you taken any notes for yourself about weight gain, blood pressure, movements, supplements? This would make it a transfer and not just a sudden uptake in prenatal. Those are all helpful to show that this pregnancy has been tracked and that information is available. But walking into a pregnancy with absolutely no information is dangerous for anyone, and an OB will not risk herself with that.

[elliecee]

I didn't present it as anything other than wanting to start care - there was no talk of previous pregnancies, previous babies, nor current positional problems.

And yes, I have done personal record keeping of weight, blood pressure, (no movement as baby is very active and I haven't felt the need to), and know all supplements I have been taking.

I think it's ridiculous for a health care provider to turn me down without knowing ANYTHING about my history other than having no MEDICAL prenatal care during this particular pregnancy.

[elliecee]

I guess it's hard for me to understand how not having medical prenatal care has put a stamp on me as being high risk.

[Pirogi]

Sorry you're having problems. I don't understand the reaction of that OB either. So after a certain point, you are ineligible for prenatal care?? How is that helpful for maternal and infant health?

Keep trying, I imagine you can find someone to help you. And sending good thoughts to help your baby get into a good position for birth!

[Magali]

Serious big hugs to you mama! I completely understand how you feel, especially the part about calling up the clinic with tears in your eyes. I have been uping this pg also. I have had 3 prenatal visits to get bloodwork and ultrasound. But, about a week ago, at 38 weeks, I was having concerns about baby's position. My plan was to go to a walk in clinic, and I was feeling so sad about it because this whole pg I have had such confidence in my body and this baby. But I couldn't deny the feeling that I needed some help with position, and wanted to avoid an emerg c-section also. Anyways, it worked out that my dh calmed me down and we totally mapped out the baby and all is well.

I agree with you that it is ridiculous to deny you care and label you "high risk". Perhaps it is just the opinion of whoever you talked to at the clinic? When I went to make appointments for my prenatal visits at around 18 weeks, the receptionists all made me feel like I was crazy. One even said that the Dr. wouldn't see me because I didn't want to take their prenatal classes , and the other said that because I didn't speak french like the nurse they couldn't see me (even tho Dr. speaks perfect english). Both offices eventually called me back and said it was no problem for the Dr.s to see me. Hmmm, ya think .

[lovestolearn]

(((Hugs))) You may want to read this--long, but down near the bottom they talk about what to do if you have a loose belly and a transverse lying babe: http://www.spinningbabies.com/baby-p...tions/sideways

[Multimomma]

Originally Posted by elliecee

I guess it's hard for me to understand how not having medical prenatal care has put a stamp on me as being high risk.

It doesn't mean that you ARE high risk, it means that the OB doesn't know if there have been undetectable complications such as GD. They didn't say you WERE high risk, just that you MAY be. Did they say they absolutely won't see you? You didn't specify in your OP. It's probably that he wants to see you, run some tests and then decide if it was in or out of his comfort level, and then recommend.

[elliecee]

They did decide they would see me. But, I am labeled high risk. The cnm I saw was really great, though.

I have done the spinning babies stuff. Everything is so loose and the baby is so large, that it really doesn't matter what I do - he can turn any which way at any time. I wear a belt, but he can still move around.

There was a big surprise during the appt when they heard 2 heartbeats on 2 dopplers on each side top and bottom - YIKES! So I went for the ultrasound and it's just one big boy. LOL

Whether or not I UC is now up in the air pending upon his positioning. The cnm was really awesome though and said since I'm proven with the other two, she has no problem with letting me go to term (I was worried they would want to induce due to size). Also, she would let me push in ANY position, delayed cord clamping, let placenta come on its own, etc. So I do feel a lot better if I do end up giving birth in the hospital.

[corban's mum]

didnt they tell you the positioning at the ultrasound? or does he move around so much that it doesn't matter what position he was in cuz he'll change anyway? in which case you don't have anything to worry about really because he's bound to settle into the right position on birthing day - most bubbas do

[elliecee]

Originally Posted by corban's mum

didnt they tell you the positioning at the ultrasound? or does he move around so much that it doesn't matter what position he was in cuz he'll change anyway? in which case you don't have anything to worry about really because he's bound to settle into the right position on birthing day - most bubbas do

He was in LOT during the US, but during my appt 2 hours later, was breech. I'm stretchy!

[Magali]

I'm so happy that your visit went well. Best of everything to you mama!

[A_Random_Phrase]

I've had all of my babies in a hospital (first one was a "failed homebirth" that ended in a c-section), but I never had early prenatal care. With my second one, the clinic whose doctor delivered dd wouldn't let me have an appt even though I was high risk from a previous cs. My mom told them I'd have the baby in the back yard then. Well, they did concede that they'd take me when I was 5-6 months pregnant IF I had the cash to pay them everything up front.

I found a clinic in another state that was more pro-baby when I was nearly 6 months pregnant. I had prenatal care for my last baby at 6 or so months.

Lateness of seeking care was never an issue - only money was.

If I had known about UC, I am convinced I never would have had a cs because I would have followed my own instincts completely. Well, life goes on.