Friday, May 08, 2009

Reproductively Challenged

You all remember the hematologist I saw last week, the one who endeared himself to me by suggesting that I ought to abort any further children who might inherit my clotting disorder? Well, after some thought we asked for a follow up appointment with another hematologist from that practice, wondering if perhaps the first guy just overreacts as a general rule, and maybe we should get a second opinion about the whole Lovenox thing before we dive back into baby making.

The other hematologist had been out of town, but his nurse called back yesterday and said that according to him, I should first be seen by an obstetrical hematologist, someone who works specifically with blood disorders in the framework of pregnancy, and not just blood disorders as a general diagnosis. They referred me to a practice at a university hospital about an hour from here, and I have an appointment to see them the week after next.

The woman on the phone at the Reproductive Specialists office (ah, that name and all it implies!) said the appointment will take at least an hour, that the doctor would be going over all my obstetric history: miscarriages, preterm labor, low progesterone, my possible luteal phase defect and/or delayed ovulation process, all of it, and that there would be an exam and all that, as well. Which... Blech. Another stranger to whom we must recite all the clinical details of some of the most stressful, painful parts of our lives.

But on the other hand, I think I will find it quite refreshing to have someone actually taking into account ALL parts of my medical history and giving us advise accordingly, rather than someone taking into account the one AREA of my medical history which concerns them and giving advise accordingly. You know?

I'd be interested to hear from any of you out there who have had occasion to meet with a reproductive endocrinologist or even an obstetrical hematologist. Did the experience leave you with information and a game plan, or just a lot of percentages and odds and a further feeling of confusion?

8 comments:

Astarte said...

I'm glad you're seeing someone who is interested in ALL of you, not just some specialist who is so specialized that he can't see your uterus because he's only interested in ovaries. This sounds like real progress!

Stacy S. said...

I think it all depends on the personality of the doctor. I have a RE in Los Angeles who has been an absolute godsend to me, but I also have (had) a perinatologist in Toledo that I could have passed on, given the opportunity. =) One thing that I loved about my RE is that he was so much more detailed than my OB, so I could talk more in depth with him, and he knew exactly what I was talking about. No experience dealing with a obstetrical hematologist, though.

Jill said...

That all sounds like a giant pain, but I think you did the right thing asking for a second opinion. Hopefully this new dr will be able to supply you with actual answers. Good luck!

Katy said...

Hey:
Never been to any kind of specialist--actually, I'm not sure the one OBGYN I had even knew what he was doing, but I have a lot of experience with the whole doctor thing. I'd write down everything you can think of about your medical history before you go--that way you won't forget anything. I'd go into appointments with Charlie and forget to mention that he had HEART FAILRUE! You know, no biggie.

Mommy Daisy said...

This sounds like a good thing. I hope the appointment goes well.

Jess said...

I think this sounds great, and also it's a good sign that the other hematologist referred you there in the first place, instead of just chalking you up as a lost cause and dismissing you. Ugh. I still get annoyed when I think about that.

Musings of a Mom said...

It's exciting that you'll be seeing someone who hopefully knows what he's talking about. It seems like each step is getting you closer and closer. So that's good! I'm sorry I can't help out tomorrow... can I help out Saturday or Sunday?

Kate (aka Nose in a book) said...

This sounds like great progress. Now I'll read on and find out how it went!