WAYS TO FIND A PHYSICIAN

Get help finding a doctor or discuss questions about/difficulties with your insurance or employer.

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WAYS TO FIND A PHYSICIAN

Postby MamaLily » Jun 29, 2004 10:33 pm

I thought it would be helpful to have a thread here about ways to find a physician. And I'm hoping that those of you who need to find one will take the time to read through these suggestions and try as many of them as you need until you find the right doctor. I know from experience that doctors with HG knowledge do exist...and it is worth finding them!

As a preface to these ideas, I definitely think that HGers ought to find a perinatologist/Maternal-Fetal specialist or a high-risk OB. Chances are these doctors will have more knowledge about HG than "regular" OBs. Yes, there are "regular" OBs with good knowledge of HG, but if you are already pregnant and sick, you probably don't have the time to gamble. Going with a doctor who knows a lot about HG can help you in so many ways.

Here are some ideas:

1 - Look at the Referral Network on this website
http://www.helpher.org/mothers/referral ... /index.php
There are many doctors here who have been listed by HGers!

2 - Look at http://www.helpher.org/mothers/referral ... re-pro.php. There are some great ideas for finding a doctor who knows something about HG.

3 - Go to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine site http://www.smfm.org/index.cfm?zone=search&nav=doctor and fill in your city/state. You will get a list of MFM doctors in your area. If you live in a small town, you may need to put in the name of a larger city near you.

4 - Look at the website of the hospital where you want to deliver. (If you don't know their website, go to http://www.google.com/ and type in the hospital's name.) Most hospital websites have "Find a Physician" services - either available online or over the phone. When you have the option of choosing a speciality, choose Maternal-Fetal Medicine or Perinatology.

5 - Go to the website of your insurance company. (If you don't know their website, try http://www.google.com/.) You should be able to search for a physician by specialty and location. Again, choose Maternal-Fetal Medicine or Perinatology.

6 - Call Labor & Delivery at the hospital where you want to deliver. Ask to speak with a nurse, and then ask him/her about the best doctors who deliver there. Ask which OB the female nurses see when they are pregnant. Then call that OB's office, ask to speak with the nurse (or, best of all, the doctor), and explain about your HG. Tell the nurse you are looking for a doctor, and then ask him/her if the OB would be a good fit. If you aren't encouraged when speaking with the nurse, ask him/her where they send their high-risk patients.

7 - If you live close to a university hospital, call the operator and ask for Maternal-Fetal Medicine or Perinatology. Then talk with the nurse and ask which doctor has the most experience with HG.

8 - Start a post in this folder. Let us know where you live and what hospital you prefer, and hopefully we can help you!

Once you find a doctor, try to schedule an appointment. If you are already pregnant, emphasize the severity of your situation. I believe that any doctor who knows about HG will see you very soon once you are sick and desparate. If you are not pregnant, schedule a "Pre-Conception Consulation." Again, any great HG doctor will be more than happy to see you before you conceive. If you get the line, "Our doctor won't see any patients until they are 10-12 weeks along," you need to keep looking!

Good luck and I hope you will add any ideas that have worked for you.

- Anna
"The little reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over." - Aesop
MamaLily
Opinionated HGer
 
Posts: 519
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Postby HGx3 » Dec 07, 2004 1:20 am

What an AWSOME source of information!!!!!!!!! I know this will help someone!!!!
Huge Hugs,
Lisa
HG Mom to:
Matthew, 2001
Lauryn, 2002
Joshua,2004

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HGx3
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Joined: May 30, 2004 11:30 pm
Location: Jackson, MS

Postby gabyschwartz » Jan 06, 2005 3:45 pm

I am new to this site and I just want to thank everyone who is participating in any way because I've been through HG and felt very much alone and desperate a couple of years ago. I am now going to try to get pregnant again but I am truly terrified, but I also don't want my precious little boy to grow up alone. P.S. I would love to be a buddy to someone in need in the meantime and once I become pregnant again, I would love to have a support group.
gabyschwartz
New Member
 
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Joined: Jan 06, 2005 3:31 pm

Postby bratty477 » Jun 14, 2005 10:20 am

I am new to this forum as well...I wish I had known about it when I was first pregnant with my daughter because it sure would have helped my mental AND physical state! I am going to start trying for a second baby but I am also terrified of being that sick again. However, my husband and I decided that we're just going to bite the bullet and hope that it's not as bad the next go around.
bratty477
HG Expert
 
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Joined: Jun 13, 2005 7:07 pm


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