So, i'm really annoyed with my GP. First of all my fertility clinic only gets you pregnant....once you are pregnant, they have no idea what to do you with. So, I'm seeing my GP and he said that he wasn't going to referr me to my OB until my 3rd trimester as there is no difference between a twin pregnancy and a singleton pregnancy. I just have this stupid feeling that my cervix is paper thin and I don't even have an untrasound booked! I'm assuming that I will have a gender scan at some point....but I have no idea when that would be!? I have asked my fertility clinic to referr me to my OB but I still haven't heard from them. I just thought that there would be a little more attention with a twin pregnancy. I'm not asking them to roll out the red carpet, but still....its just a little disconcerning. I figure, if I didn't have my home doppler I would be a complete wreck! When did you all see your OB and seriously tell me, should I be pushing more care at this poit or no? I'm just shy of 14 weeks, so I know its early....but still....I would rather do something now than wait until its too late. Thanks so much ladies!!! You are all quite an inspiration on here and I truly enjoy reading all of your posts and experiences!
Hi Robyn, Where are you that you have to be referred to an OB from a GP? Why are you not allowed to see an OB? Even in you're under a nationalized health system (like the one here in England), your GP should turn you over to an OB for twins. Thats pretty standard. Either way, you should definitely be having an ultrasound, getting labs, etc.
I saw an OB right from the very beginning. My first appt. with my oldest DD was at 6 weeks and at 10 weeks with the twins. I would definitely push to see an OB now, I can't imagine only seeing my GP for any pregnancy, let alone twins.
I did IVF with my twins so I saw my RE (fertility dr) until 9weeks at 9 weeks I "graduated" from the RE to the OB so my first OB appt was at 9weeks 4 days. the first visit with the OB they referred me to a peri. my first peri appt. was at 11 weeks. I saw the OB + the peri the entire twin pregnancy. I beg to differ with your GP - a twin pregnancy even if it is uncomplicated is way different than a singleton. from beginning to end. Do you even know if your twins are ID or frat? most insurance companies do not require a referral to an OB - you may want to call your insurance company to check on that. IMO you should be going to an OB - I am sure your GP is a great dr but no way should you wait until the 3rd trimester to see an OB even with a singleton. I would want someone who delivers babies and deals with pregnancies everyday to watch after my babies NOT someone who treats viruses and injuries. As far as the home doppler goes that is great that you have one but my OB would not even use the doppler on me - I had quick ultrasounds at EVERY visit. My twin pregnancy was probably textbook perfect as far as twin pregnancies go and every visit was great news UNTIL 30 weeks at that point my baby A was having problems it was a shock and I was being monitored every two weeks already at that point.- I am not trying to scare you I just want you push to see an OB. Every pregnancy has good points and it's scary but with a twin pregnancy you are dealing with that x 2. Not something to be taken lightly.
I also went to an RE and they kept me with them until I was 8.5 weeks and then my OB saw me at 10 weeks. :good: If I were in your shoes, I'd definately push to get to see an OB. I wasn't even aware that a GP would see pregnant ladies. :blush: Opps. Either way, I think you should be with an OB. Good luck!!
Saw my OB at 10 weeks, didn't need a referral or anything, per my insurance. Can you just call your own OB and set it up?
I first saw my OB just shy of 11 weeks. I did have an U/S at 9 and 10 weeks, the hospital ordered them. I also had blood work done at 9 and 10 weeks, also ordered by the hospital, and again more blood work at 11 weeks, ordered by my OB. My anatomy scan is at 20 weeks, then I get one every month until 32 weeks and then every 2 weeks until 38 weeks. I think you should be pushing more to see an OB. There is a difference between a singleton and a twin pregnancy. Hopefully you can get into an OB soon. I have also had 3 pelvic exams already.
Absolutely you need to see an OB. Lots of twin moms even get sent to a peri (specialist) but at a minimum you need to have ultrasounds soon to see if they are sharing a placenta and/or amniotic sac. No way that your GP will cut it. No way you should wait until 3rd trimester. Just my opinion! PS - my insurance does not require a referral, I think OB is usually considered part of general health since you can go to them for annual pap exam, I would call your insurance and see if you can go to one directly.
Wow, I agree with all the pp. No way should you need a referral to an OB. I saw my reproductive endocrinologist until 11 or 12 weeks. I did not need a referral to see an OB, but the RE's office made the first OB appointment for me so I would get in faster. My RE would not "release" me as a patient until after I had my first appointment with my OB at 10 weeks and reported back to her that I liked the OB and planned to stay with her. There's no way a GP is qualified to handle a twin pregnancy. I'm surprised one would even try given the potential liability issues. Next time you have an appointment with your GP, ask him whether his malpractice insurer is aware that he's managing twin pregnancies. That ought to scare the h$$$ out of him and get that referral for you. But seriously, call your insurance company and find out what the deal is. I can't imagine they require a referral. My insurance company (Blue Cross/Blue Shield) assigned a nurse to monitor my entire pregnancy. She calls me periodically to see how I'm doing and to make sure I'm receiving standard care from my OB. Insurance companies really, really don't want your twins to end up in the (very expensive) NICU.
QUOTE(rogerdodger @ Jun 13 2009, 12:50 AM) [snapback]1352408[/snapback] Wow, I agree with all the pp. No way should you need a referral to an OB. I saw my reproductive endocrinologist until 11 or 12 weeks. I did not need a referral to see an OB, but the RE's office made the first OB appointment for me so I would get in faster. My RE would not "release" me as a patient until after I had my first appointment with my OB at 10 weeks and reported back to her that I liked the OB and planned to stay with her. There's no way a GP is qualified to handle a twin pregnancy. I'm surprised one would even try given the potential liability issues. Next time you have an appointment with your GP, ask him whether his malpractice insurer is aware that he's managing twin pregnancies. That ought to scare the h$$$ out of him and get that referral for you. But seriously, call your insurance company and find out what the deal is. I can't imagine they require a referral. My insurance company (Blue Cross/Blue Shield) assigned a nurse to monitor my entire pregnancy. She calls me periodically to see how I'm doing and to make sure I'm receiving standard care from my OB. Insurance companies really, really don't want your twins to end up in the (very expensive) NICU. I think we need more information. It sounds like she possibly lives in a different country under a different system. In England pregnancies are under the care of GP and midwife (not OB unless there are complications or high risk) and other places are the same (Canada for one I think, possibly Australia). Although typically twin pregnancies are referred to OB consultants even in those systems so she should be seeing an OB but it is a process to change over.
My twins were IVF babies and I saw my RE every week until 10 weeks for ultrasounds and then started seeing my regular OB at 12 weeks. Even though I had a ton of ultrasounds through my RE, my OB did their own ultrasound at 12 weeks as a verification of what the RE was saying.
I never needed a referral to my OB, so I saw her between 6-8 weeks with every pregnancy. IMO, yes, you do need to see at least an OB, and a perinatologist too, if possible, when pregnant with multiples.
I saw my GP until 24 weeks and then started going to my OB. My GP ordered growth ultrasounds for me so that wasn't a problem.
QUOTE(Robynsegg @ Jun 12 2009, 03:50 PM) [snapback]1352246[/snapback] So, i'm really annoyed with my GP. First of all my fertility clinic only gets you pregnant....once you are pregnant, they have no idea what to do you with. So, I'm seeing my GP and he said that he wasn't going to referr me to my OB until my 3rd trimester as there is no difference between a twin pregnancy and a singleton pregnancy. I just have this stupid feeling that my cervix is paper thin and I don't even have an untrasound booked! I'm assuming that I will have a gender scan at some point....but I have no idea when that would be!? I have asked my fertility clinic to referr me to my OB but I still haven't heard from them. I just thought that there would be a little more attention with a twin pregnancy. I'm not asking them to roll out the red carpet, but still....its just a little disconcerning. I figure, if I didn't have my home doppler I would be a complete wreck! When did you all see your OB and seriously tell me, should I be pushing more care at this poit or no? I'm just shy of 14 weeks, so I know its early....but still....I would rather do something now than wait until its too late. Thanks so much ladies!!! You are all quite an inspiration on here and I truly enjoy reading all of your posts and experiences! First of all, do you know what type of twins you are having...mono/mono, mono/di, di/di? Have you had an u/s to determine? If you don't know what type of twins you are carrying because you have yet to have an u/s, I would definitely question your doctor's ability to carry out your pregnancy. I have a problem with a doctor of any sort saying that a twin pregnancy is no different from a singleton, that is untrue, especially if you have not had an u/s to determine what type of twins you are carrying. All sorts of complications can come from mono/mono especially and no GP, IMO, is qualified to deal with this type of pregnancy. If you have di/di twins, then you are at less risk and given that you have no health complications, maybe a GP would suffice as long as they are following you very closely, but I still would be uneasy considering that twin pregnancies can easily develop complicatios that could go unnotice by a GP.
I've been seeing an OB since the very beginning when I started out on my own Kaiser insurance. I switched over to Tricare (military insurance- when my hubby and I got married) around 16 weeks. If I had started out under Tricare they would have made me go to GP until I reached 20 weeks, then they refer you to OB. I'm not sure what your situation is, but I realize it doesn't necessarily mean you're from a different country.
My fertility dr saw me every week after I was pregnant and did blood work and ultrasound until my 9th week. I then called my OB on my own, made an appt and got right in. My fertility dr gave copies of all my u/s pics, blood work etc. to take with me to my OB. In my opinion, you should be seeing an OB. You can just call and make an appt. Your GP can not stop you. I would just do it. With ANY pregnancy it is important, let alone twins...I have been on bed rest for over a week now because of contractions and shortened cervix, which is measured thru ultrasound, and am on Procardia for the contractions. The 3rd trimester is way to long to wait with twins. I disagree with his decision. The chance of your cervix shortening with twins is very possible and can cause premature labor. I also go on Tues to my high risk dr for a FFN test which is a vaginal swab that is done to see if im at a risk to go into labor within the next couple of weeks and from what I hear, that is done every couple of weeks along with him measuring my cervix. My OB was gonna take me outta work @ 24weeks anyway since twin pregnancy is a higher risk. I would go with your instinct and call an OB, you dont have to be referred to one.
Thank you so much for your replies ladies. I really appreciate it! I called my OB to see if I needed a referral and I actually do. So, I have to wait for my RE to get the 12 week ultrasound results back to referr me, but I have my GP appt this thursday so I'm going to MAKE him referr me NOW! My GP is fine for "stuff" but not for pregnancy related stuff. He asked me how I was feeling and I said I was 110% great! I don't even feel pregnant on the best of days. To which he asked me "do you need me to write you a scrip for dilectin?". Then I told him that because of my cancer when I was a child, I was told that I would either be infertile or possibly have some heart issues should I become pregnant. So I told him that because I'm not infertile, I would now just be concerned with my heart. To which he said "so are you infertile?". OPEN YOUR HEARS HONEY! I'm pregnant with twins!!!!" So.....I NEED to get out from under his care. He knows nothing and it concerns me. My OB is VERY quick and to the point, but that is all I need. But at least she would give me tips and advise, unlike my GP. Regardless, you girls have really encouraged me to push for proper health care and see the right people. I live in Canada and we have amazing health care....but I feel like I have just fallen under the radar on this one. THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!
QUOTE(Robynsegg @ Jun 15 2009, 02:22 PM) [snapback]1355329[/snapback] Thank you so much for your replies ladies. I really appreciate it! I called my OB to see if I needed a referral and I actually do. So, I have to wait for my RE to get the 12 week ultrasound results back to referr me, but I have my GP appt this thursday so I'm going to MAKE him referr me NOW! My GP is fine for "stuff" but not for pregnancy related stuff. He asked me how I was feeling and I said I was 110% great! I don't even feel pregnant on the best of days. To which he asked me "do you need me to write you a scrip for dilectin?". Then I told him that because of my cancer when I was a child, I was told that I would either be infertile or possibly have some heart issues should I become pregnant. So I told him that because I'm not infertile, I would now just be concerned with my heart. To which he said "so are you infertile?". OPEN YOUR HEARS HONEY! I'm pregnant with twins!!!!" So.....I NEED to get out from under his care. He knows nothing and it concerns me. My OB is VERY quick and to the point, but that is all I need. But at least she would give me tips and advise, unlike my GP. Regardless, you girls have really encouraged me to push for proper health care and see the right people. I live in Canada and we have amazing health care....but I feel like I have just fallen under the radar on this one. THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!! Where in Canada are you? I am also in Canada and I didnt need a referal. I just called an OBGYN office when I was pregnant with my son, and they saw me. I am using the same OB again this time around.
I'm in Ontario....in the GTA. I have seen my OB a few times for polyps and stuff like that, and when my partner Melissa was pregnant (10 months ago) we went to her as well, but I called today and they said that eventhough I'm a patient of hers, I still need a referral. It stinks, but I don't really have a choice at this point in time I guess. Where abouts are you?
QUOTE(Slipper @ Jun 15 2009, 02:57 PM) [snapback]1355400[/snapback] Where in Canada are you? I am also in Canada and I didnt need a referal. I just called an OBGYN office when I was pregnant with my son, and they saw me. I am using the same OB again this time around. Oh ok, Ontario is bad for needing referrals, you need on to pee I think sometimes. I lived in Whitby ofr 5 yrs. I am not in Montreal. I am originally from Montreal, and made the move back here in 2003. My parents live in Whitby so I am often there.
