Shannon -
Hi! I hope you don't mind discussing your doctor options in this forum...it helps me to keep track of things better.
First of all, please read the Sticky in this forum about ways to find a doctor. Considering your HG history, I strongly recommend that you see a perinatologist or Maternal/Fetal Medicine (MFM) Specialist. These doctors are better trained to deal with high-risk pregnancies in general and usually with HG pregnancies specifically. My perinatologist saved me when I was in the middle of HG!
On this website we have a Referral Network, where HG survivors can list doctors who have been wonderful in treating HG. I looked at the list and found a doctor in Kirkland, Washington. Here is the info:
Susan E. Rutherford, MD
Evergreen Maternal-Fetal Medicine
12040 NE 128th St MS.48
Kirkland, Washington 98034
USA
425-899-2200
http://evergreenhealthcare.org/showpage.asp?page=C3
Other Physicians in Office: Roberta H. DeRegt, MD Carolyn R. Kline, MD Martin P. Walker, MD
I don't know Washington geography at all, but from a map that I found, Kirkland looks to be about an hour away from Tacoma. Even if that drive is too overwhelming, you could definitely call this doctor, explain your HG history, and ask for recommendations in your area.
There is a great website that lists doctors who are members of the Maternal/Fetal Medicine society.
http://www.perinatology.com/perinatologists.htm I looked quickly for doctors in Tacoma and found a list of them. Here they are:
EDWARD DASHOW M.D.
REGULAR (MFM) MEMBER
315 S. K STREET
TACOMA, WA
Areas of Interest :
ANDREA FISK M.D.
ASSOCIATE (FELLOW) MEMBER
MADIGAN ARMY MEDICAL CENTER
ANTENATAL DIAGNOSTIC CENTER
BUILDING 9040 FITZSIMMONS DR.
TACOMA, WA 98431
Andrea.Fisk@nw.amedd.army.mil
BOBBY HOWARD M.D.
ASSOCIATE MEMBER
MADIGAN ARMY MEDICAL CENTER
TACOMA, WA 98431
ELIZABETH MC KINNEY M.D.
REGULAR (MFM) MEMBER
OBSTETRIX MEDICAL GROUP
314 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. WAY, STE. \ 402
TACOMA, WA 98405
etmc@aol.com
PETER NIELSEN M.D.
REGULAR (MFM) MEMBER
MADIGAN ARMY MEDICAL CENTER
OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
7601 43RD STREET NW
TACOMA, WA 98431
DAMIAN PAONESSA MD
ASSOCIATE FELLOW (PA) MEMBER
MADIGAN ARMY MEDICAL CENTER
OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
TACOMA, WA 98431-0001
Damian.Paonessa@nw.amedd.army.mil
JOHN READ M.D.
REGULAR (MFM) MEMBER
ST JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL
PACIFIC NW MFM
800 ROSE STREET
TACOMA, WA 98405
I was especially encouraged to see that a few of these doctors are at the Army Medical Center...would your insurance cover you there?
Let me know what you think of all this. It really takes some work to find a good doctor, but it is worth doing! A proactive, aggresive, HG-knowledgable doctor can make all the difference for an HG patient!
Good luck to you!
- Anna
"The little reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over." - Aesop