Hyperemesis Gravidarum Support and Research Forums

Hello,

I'm from Adelaide, Australia. Last pregnancy I had severe HG, and did not start with good medical care. I was classified as a high risk, high complication pregnancy, had a placenta abruption at 13 weeks.
I don't have private health insurance.

I'm thinking of TTC starting 2 months from now, and am not sure who I should choose to look after my medical care while pregnant (particularly the first 14 weeks).

These are my options:
- a lovely GP who helped me recover from HG. She lives 45min away and works 2 days a week. She has rung me up on her days off however, to give me information/test results etc.

- a high risk Dr (called an Obstetric physician here). He specialises in medicine during pregnancies. He is available to be seen preconception, and on a consultative basis. Appointments with him are mostly covered by Medicare. He advised the doctors in hospital on my treatment last time, although I never saw him. A friend who sees him for Lupus says he's weak on people skills, but is a good doctor.

- seeing the head Obst. from my hospital. He was the one who decided last time that I needed to be kept in hospital indefinitely, and that the hospital protocol wasn't working for me. I like him because he gave permission for my treatment to be changed. He is quite bossy however! This is the more expensive option for me.

- using the hospital system. This would mean going to their Emergency section every time I'm dehydrated, want meds reviewed, or want to see an Obst without an appointment. Good points here: short waiting times for treatment, very cheap Zofran, open 24 hours a day. I would also try to have earlier appointments with the hospital Obst. if possible.

Out of all these options, the last one is the cheapest, as the meds come from the hospital, saving me thousands of dollars.

Any ideas?
Debbie

HI Debbie,

I always look for posts from you to see how you are doing and I have no idea about medical care abroad - but I wanted to give my two cents.

Given the degree of risk, I would go with an option other than your gp or the hospital system. Although I am sorry to see that it would cost you a lot more money. I especially liked the doctor who would see you preconcpetion on or the head ob guy - although it seemed like they both had some bedside manner problems. But I would really like to see you get the best care possible and have as little illness as possible.

Praying for you ttcing and being a fluffy,
Karen

well, i wish i had something brilliant to say too, but i'm afraid i don't. i suppose in the end it's a matter of getting the best out of the money you've got. i'm sure spending the extras would definitely be worth it, if you have them. also, anyone that you could meet up with before hand would be good to look into, as you could discuss your protocol and wishes and make sure he knows what you want! i'm currently thinking of writing up a short protocol for myself (when the time comes) about what i want/need and what i've tried, just in case i get to where i can't talk or express my needs, then i could just wave a piece of paper at the doctor. don't know if it'll work, but it may be worth a try. if you go with the cheaper hospital route it would probably also be helpful if you had a strong advocate (friend, relative) who took you there and who could talk for you.

anyhow. these are just some ideas that i've been thinking about since my recent post about my doctor in the preparations folder

good luck with all the decisions.

Debbie as you know I'm seeing my GP. The main reason I'm with her is because she's been through two HG pregnancies so she is very sympathetic and pro-active. Like yours, she works 2 days a week and is 1/2 hr away. She is in practice with 3 other doctors though, so if I desperately need to see someone else, they have access to my notes. I went through emergency for IV fluids and I wouldn't bother with this again - I would go through the prenatal clinic at the hospital. I'm in NSW though, not sure what your system is like. I chose not to go with an OB because of the cost - my gp has a friend who is an OB and has consulted her a couple of times. She said if worse comes to worse, I can see the OB on a consultant basis only (once or twice).

It's great that you're planning all of this now so you're ready for it.

Thanks everyone for your replies!
Still not exactly sure, think I'll see the nice GP, ask her, get a referral from her to see high risk Dr, see him preconception, ring up hospital and ask them.. and then decide. The more information the better anyway!

Hi guys, does anyone know of a good doctor in the Newcastle (NSW) areas? I have been to quite a few (pre falling pregnant) trying to find one that will be proactive and is willing to give me meds etc and am not having any luck at all. I am finding them uncooperative and quite means.

Welcome!
You might like to sent a private message (pm) to Leanne (hofa41). She is from Newcastle, so might be able to give you some ideas.

Good Luck!
Debbie

Thanks for that, that would be great if I could find someone with some local info!!