high risk pregnancy?

[Anonymous]

Hopefully I don't sound too dumb. Hubby and I are going for number two and if all goes well I will be 40 by the time I deliver (I am 39 but will be 40 fairly soon). I realize this would put me in high risk due to age but.. should I plan on seeing a high risk doctor? I currently go to Patricia Bannon, who I lovvvvvvvvvvvvve but wonder if I should be going to another doctor that deals with high risk people everday. I am not sure if Dr. Bannon's practice handles this (maybe they do and I wasn't aware if any ladies know, due tell Also, for people who go to a high risk doctor--what is the difference in how things are handled. I am asking because again, I felt like Dr. Bannon was on top of everything and sooooooooooo kind and knowlegable so I am wondering if a specialized high risk doctor would really be any benefit to a great doctor that I have already worked with.

Thanks for any info/insight

[Anonymous]

I am currently having a 'high-risk' pregnancy, also, but for different reasons (heart condition). I don't know what you need (your OB can tell you that), but I can share my experience with the high-risk process. In my experience, a high-risk OB usually acts as a consultant for you and your primary OB, whom you will continue to see regularly, just as you did in your last pregnancy. I meet with my regular OB 1x/month and my high risk OB as needed based on my current condition (about every 4-6 weeks). My regular OB will still deliver me; my understanding is that most high-risk OBs do not deliver. I love my high-risk OB (and my regular one too), so if you are looking for someone I can recommend Melissa Fries at WHC. If your OB recommends that you also get a high-risk OB, ask her with whom she likes to work in these circumstances and then you will end up with 2 Drs who like each other and communicate well - very important!
Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for the info and I hope you have a great pregnancy--I am going to ask Dr. Bannon about your doc.

Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

I'll be 37 when I give birth and my OB does not consider me high risk. Her opinion is that age alone shouldn't put someone in the high risk category. It made me feel soooo reassured to hear her say that. She would have considered me high risk if I'd developed high blood pressure or had other pregnancy related problems. But so far, so good. She did refer me to a specialist for genetic screening, but otherwise I've only seen her during my pregnancy.

So if I were you, I'd stay with my trusted OB unless there was something more definitive than age to move me into the high risk category. You might also want to ask her opinion of whether you should see a high risk specialist. Maybe she could refer you to someone that she trusts.

[Anonymous]

Do you have sonos done in-house? If not, you could go to a high risk specialist just for your sonos. Just a thought.

[Anonymous]

I don't think being 40 automatically punts you into the high risk category to see a MFM rather than general ob/gyn. They may not even take you as a primary patient if 40 is the only risk factor.

If you have other conditions or develop complications such as high blood pressure then I would highly recommend Dr Landy at GU. The GU high risk doctors,3 in the practice, see their patients as the primary. If you are with the GU generalists and later develop condition they will act as a consult.

I had this scenario,on generalist for primary, MFM for consult, for my first preg when I developed PE/HELLP. I did not like continuing with my generalist who did not know as much as the MFM doctor. It was nerve racking, many unanswered questions, lots of conflicting information, and somewhat questionable care from some of the generalists. It was so much better for my second pregnancy seeing just the high risk, MFM doctor. GU does sono in house.

[Anonymous]

I am currently pregnant and high-risk because we're having twins. I also see both a regular OB and a high-risk MFM specialist, each every 4 weeks at this point. The regular OBs (Drs. Rossi, et al at Arlington Women's Center) do most of the monitoring and answering of questions and ongoing care and testing, and the MFM specialist (Dr. McLaren) is more of a consultant, just for the ultrasounds to look out for possible problems. If we had decided to have amnio, the MFM would have done that too. I have found I don't mind seeing both, since it means I get updates on the babies and my condition every two weeks. I would second a PP and recommend that you talk to your primary OB, especially since you already like her, and see what see recommends.

[Anonymous]

i'm also high risk due to a history of severe HELLP syndrome, a chronic blood clotting d/o. emergency c-section, etc...i get monitored almost 3x/week by numerous specialists including my high risk OB, i dont think being 40 really makes you high risk, esp if you are healthy and have had an already healthy pregnancy, good luck!

[Anonymous]

I am also high risk (due to having a stillborn boy in my last pregnancy.) From what I understand, age alone definitely does not determine need for high risk. However - if you decide to go down that route, the perinatologist (high risk OB) is not your primary OB. You still see your primary OB and then your perinatologist as needed. I like mine. Drs. Poggi & Guidini at Inova Alexandria hospital. They do all of my ultrasounds and other specialized tests. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I saw both Dr. Steve Behram (wife also has a practice in SS) as my regular OB and Dr. Wayne Kramer as my perinatologist. Both have offices in SS are are outstanding!! Dr. Behram has lots of experience with high risk patients. I would highly recommend both.

[Anonymous]

Wow-just read the post from the mom who had a stillborn--I am so sorry for your loss and wish you well!!!! Thanks for taking time to give me advice

[Anonymous]

My first pregnancy was pseudo high risk due to twins, I just went to an regular OB. My last pregnancy (high risk) I saw an OB and a pernatologist - this time just going to perinatologist and finding it much easier. I go in every two weeks - which will increase to once a week shortly. One difference is coordination of care and one less appointment to make.
I remember someone telling me that if you go with the high risk docs - you sneeze twice in a row and they put you on bedrest! If you really like and trust your OB you should be able to stick with just her and if she recommends additional monitoring you can consult with perinatologits. I did this the second time b/c I really liked my OB but needed a lot more monitoring. It was difficult with coordination of care b/c in both places you end up seeing more than one person in multiple visits. I did get some varying opinions which is understandable but nerve-wracking.

[Anonymous]

Hi, Dr Bannon is my ob too, and she delivered my baby when I was 40. She agreed that just being 40 does not make you high risk. The only complication I had was a 2 vessel umbilical cord, but my baby had normal growth and was delivered at term at 38 weeks when my water broke on it's own. Dr Bannon led me through the pg, and I was very happy with her care. Unless you develop other problems, just your age alone, shouldn't be a reason to switch away from her care. She was especially wonderful at my birth. She stopped by when it wasn't even her turn to be on call and stayed until my baby came.

You can email me is you want to chat some more. [e-mail]