Questions to Ask the Doctor

What are some questions you would recommend asking the doctor right away? I have an OB in town that I use, but our small hospital doesn't have a NICU so I've decided to find a new OB about 45 minutes away that delivers at a hospital with a NICU. Is there anything in particular you think is important to know about a doctor or how they practice? Anything special having to do with a twin pregnancy? Also, a little background... I have a history of pre-term labor. DS1 tried coming at 32 weeks, but we stopped labor then. Both DS1 and DS2 made their arrival at 35 weeks. DS1 was 4lb1oz and DS2 was 5lb. Given my history and the increased risk of pre-term labor and low birth weight babies, this is why I'm seeking out a doctor who delivers at a hospital with a NICU. Hoping I don't need it, but trying to think realistically!

 

If having a vaginal birth is important to you, find out the doc's level of comfort with delivering twins vaginally, especially if Baby B is not head down.

See how often they will be doing ultrasounds to measure growth and NSTs.

What would their plan be for you if you go into preterm labor at home? Do you go to the nearest hospital and get medivac'd up there?

At what gestation are most of their twins delivered?

At what gestational age do they schedule inductions or c-sections? Most high risk docs don't want twins going past 38 weeks because of the risk of stillbirth.

What is their typical protocol for dealing with preterm labor?

 

i would suss out their birth philosophy & make sure it meshes with yours (whether that means as low intervention as possible or that you want an epidural before your first contraction) - it's just difficult when you have different philosophies.

 

It is hard to choose one without a few meeting, but good luck. I would want a dr who is upfront with me and doesn't beat around the bush. You will probably want a MFM specialist as well. Most twin mamas see one. I would also ask how often they check your cervix, protocal for preterm labor, it should be different from a singleton with different meds. Good luck.

 

I'd ask about eating- how much and is there a protein focus and bedrest- both when you'd have to do it and where.

 

What is an MFM specialist? Is this someone the doctor would refer me to see? Should I ask if they'll be referring me?

Eating... that's funny! I don't do much of that lately. I've kept down 3 pretzels today.

 

Thanks for all of the good ideas everyone! I'm going to compile a list before I go to the doctor. They'll probably think I'm crazy with my little notepad full of questions, but having a twin pregnancy has me worried about making sure I have a really good doctor that is going to do their best to help me keep these babies inside me for as long as possible. Keep the good ideas coming!!!

 

You get there- m/s for me was bad enough to throw up every day from about 8 to 18 weeks at least once. Hopefully it'll level off so that the anti-nausea meds work for you.

 

Are you in the US or Canada?

I don't have too much else to input as there are some great q's listed above. I do agree with one PP who said it's hard to tell at your first visit... and sometimes dr's don't want to get TOO ahead of themselves - like my OB now doesn't really discuss the birth TOO much as he has his own system of when he goes through the list of q's and a's , according to his schedule... I at first wondered why and was mad he wouldn't really discuss it, but then my DH said he obviously does it in a certain order and at a certain time so that he doesn't forget and isn't answering the same q's every visit lol.
Makes sense!

 

I'm in the US.

It might be hard to tell the first few visits I suppose. The practice I'm going to try out has 7 doctors that I rotate through. I'm a little nervous about that as I've never gone to an OB that had that large of a practice. I'm going to ask all of my questions even if it irritates the doctors, because I really want to get a good feel for how they do things at this practice. I'm finding it's difficult to get any appointments very quickly, so if I'm not happy I want to be able to find another doctor to try out.

 

Ask about nicu and Neonatologist, their schedule, visiting hours,... Make sure you are comfortable with the hospital nicu level and doctors, nurses there.I know many expecting parents always pay attention at ob and forget about nicu and doctors who would take care of their babies when needed. At least we were ones of them.we had awesome ob. But I wish we would did some more research of the hospital and its nicu..

I don't say you will need nicu. I really hope you won't. But you should well prepared for the worst.