27.5 week check up ---frustrated w/dr

[melanalyus]

I have one placenta, but two separate sacks w/membrane b/w girls

Girls weigh 2lbs 2 oz & 2 lbs 6 oz ---I am so grateful that they are doing well, just wish I was more comfortable!!!!

My blood pressure is still 150/90
I have pitting edema
I have gained a total of 40 pounds, uterus measuring at 33 weeks
No protein in urine
Platelets same at 65,000 (normal is over 150,000)
Fibronectin level is negative

Doctor would not give me medical leave
Doctor would not give me pain meds
Doctor would not order ultrasound for next visit (as per perinatlogist recommendation to monitor for TTTS)
Doctor would not start steriods to increase platelets

Doctor says if my blood pressure goes "up" that I should contact him immediately & I will be placed on strict bedrest.....but he's not ready to release me from work... "I don't see you going much longer". He wouldn't give me pain meds for work b/c I'd be taking too many of them & that would be bad for babies. He also informed me not to "lie" about my blood pressure to get out of work. It would make better sense to me to "prevent bedrest" by giving this sore woman a medical release rather than pushing her into complete bedrest.

I'm totally disguisted with this doctor. I'm prepared to speak with my ob/gyn from St Cloud (where we lived before) and make arrangements to see her.......she's 5 hours away......but when you live out in the middle of nowhere your options are limited. They also have a Level 3 NICU, so if the babies need any help whatsoever, they will be in the best possible place for them......and they won't be transported away from their mommy.

What do you ladies think?

[MarieAsher]

I would be pissed. Do what you need to do... I mean, at 27.5 weeks, there is no reason your doc should not recommend you to stop working. My doctor has plainly stated that he wants me done working by 28w, not if, ands, or buts.

[4and5ontheway]

Honestly, I recommend you contacting my doctor at Merit Clinic in Thief River Falls. He is the best in the area and I don't believe he would have you working! Contact me! I will send you a private message! TRF is only 20 min longer than going to Bemidji so it makes more sense than going all the way to St. Cloud.

[melanalyus]

Alyssa~ I just PMd you. :)

[4and5ontheway]

Glad things got taken care of! I think you will be much happier with the switch!

[melanalyus]

It'll be nice to meet you too (if it works out). :)

[Shellshavingtwins]

I would be out of that Dr.s office immediately too. I just heard of my own doctor refusing to give a medical release to another woman miserable with a singleton. She is having bp and edema issues too. Why do we have to be in a life threatning situation to get their attention. Prevention is supposed to be the best medicine right. I am glad to hear the babies are doing so well. I've gained 40 lbs too and my girls are at the same weight. Hang in there!!!!!

[LegalEagle]

I have been on bedrest since 24 plus weeks due to a shortened cervix. It's not an emergency, but my doc wants to do everything possible to prevent preterm labor. They can't predict when the babies will want to come out, and bed rest can only help them stay in longer. Any twin born before 34 weeks, in my doc's opinion, is not "out of the woods" in terms of development issues.

If you WANT bed rest and he won't let you, I think that's a big problem.

I switched to a doc that also worked with a level 3 NICU so that I would not be separated from the babies. I think they understand more the risks of prematurity.

Another suggestion is to take a bp measurement when you are lying up versus lying down. I have seen on other boards that when you lie down, your bp is much lower. That is good medical evidence that bed rest is beneficial for you.

Feel good and rest up.