My OB clinic almost killed me...
A while back, I posted how I was getting terrible, 2nd rate care from the Conemaugh Women's Clinic, where I was being forced to go due to having state health insurance + being high risk. I recently got away from them after writing a heartfelt letter to my old OB explaining how crappy my care was. She had no idea it was so bad at the clinic, & even though her practice doesn't usually take on high-risk pregnancies, she discussed it with the other OB's in her office & they took on my case.
Thirty minutes into my appointment, from the very SAME medical records the clinic had, they discovered that in 2009, after my second miscarriage, my family doctor had genetic testing done on me. I have two different mutations, one is "Factor 5," that makes me prone to throw blood clots. Seven months with the clinic, & this same information was at their fingertips, & they either never read it, or overlooked it. I should have been on blood thinner shots from the very beginning of my pregnancy.
I had a feeling, heavy & terrible, that if I didn't get away from the clinic something bad was going to happen. Everyone said it was "pregnancy paranoia." Ladies, listen to your instincts when they tell you something is wrong, no matter what anyone else says!
I've had a bunch of testing done with my current OB, & the baby looks unaffected thus far. I now must give myself a shot a day in my stomach of Lovenox until 6 weeks after I deliver my baby girl. As long as she's healthy, this momma is happy, & I'll do whatever I must to make sure she stays healthy!
I'm now with a group of OB's who talk to me & ask/answer questions, they test my urine, measure my belly, & monitor me closely - none of which was being done at the clinic. I could have lost my baby or my life from their incompetence. Always, always, always stand up for yourself with your doctors, get away from them if something doesn't feel right, & follow your mommy instincts! Listen to your heart, because no one knows our bodies like we do! Just wanted to share my story...
Thirty minutes into my appointment, from the very SAME medical records the clinic had, they discovered that in 2009, after my second miscarriage, my family doctor had genetic testing done on me. I have two different mutations, one is "Factor 5," that makes me prone to throw blood clots. Seven months with the clinic, & this same information was at their fingertips, & they either never read it, or overlooked it. I should have been on blood thinner shots from the very beginning of my pregnancy.
I had a feeling, heavy & terrible, that if I didn't get away from the clinic something bad was going to happen. Everyone said it was "pregnancy paranoia." Ladies, listen to your instincts when they tell you something is wrong, no matter what anyone else says!
I've had a bunch of testing done with my current OB, & the baby looks unaffected thus far. I now must give myself a shot a day in my stomach of Lovenox until 6 weeks after I deliver my baby girl. As long as she's healthy, this momma is happy, & I'll do whatever I must to make sure she stays healthy!
I'm now with a group of OB's who talk to me & ask/answer questions, they test my urine, measure my belly, & monitor me closely - none of which was being done at the clinic. I could have lost my baby or my life from their incompetence. Always, always, always stand up for yourself with your doctors, get away from them if something doesn't feel right, & follow your mommy instincts! Listen to your heart, because no one knows our bodies like we do! Just wanted to share my story...
Comments
@momtob: Aww...thank you, & everyone for all the love & support! My Pregly ladies are the BEST!
This baby girl means the world to me, as I've lost two to miscarriage & have a plethora of health issues. I was beginning to think I would never be a mom, as my doctors had predicted long ago. She's my miracle, & I'll walk through fire for her, now & always!
So I should listen to my gut about the epidural huh then
@wallieheadbaby3: You are SO sweet, & thank you for saying I'm a strong woman. I try to be. I'll be smart about it, but I will find a way to make sure the women in this town are informed about what goes on at the clinic.
I know you're very busy, but I have three questions: 1 - Do I absolutely have to inject in my belly & nowhere else? 2 - What foods should I be avoiding, because no one ever mentioned food restrictions to me? 3 - Do you know if it's safe to breast feed while on these shots?
If you get the time & can answer, I appreciate it. And man, I hope you don't have to do these shots any longer than absolutely necessary. Best wishes to you, hun!
Make sure you don't do them in the same spot twice, go lower/higher/switch sides. You HAVE to do them in your tummy, the way the medicine is absorbed it has to be thru abdominal muscles. It sucks, I know. Yes, you can nurse while using them
Be careful of medications as well.
Pain relievers, cold medicines, or stomach remedies, such as:
* Advil®
* Aleve®
* Alka-Seltzer®
* Excedrin®
* Ex-lax®
* Midol®
* Motrin®
* Nuprin®
* Pamprin HB®
* Pepto Bismol®
* Sine-Off®
* Tagamet HB®
* Tylenol®
Vitamins and herbal products, such as:
* Centrum®, One a Day®, or other multivitamins.
* Garlic.
* Ginkgo biloba.
* Green tea.
* Asparagus.
* Broccoli.
* Brussels sprouts.
* Cabbage.
* Endive.
* Green onions.
* Kale.
* Lettuce.
* Parsley.
* Soybean oil.
* Soybeans.
* Spinach.
* Turnip, collard, and mustard greens.
Cranberries. You should talk with your doctor about whether you should avoid drinking cranberry juice or taking other cranberry products.
Alcohol. If you are taking a blood thinner, you should avoid drinking alcohol.
Avoid:
Food Serving Size* Vitamin K Content (Low, Medium, High)
Fats and dressings
Oils:
Canola 7 Tbsp a week H
Cottonseed, olive, soybean 7 Tbsp a week M
Corn, linoleic, peanut, safflower, sesame, sunflower, walnut 7 Tbsp a week L
Shortening (soybean, cottonseed) 7 Tbsp a week M
Margarine (depends on oil ingredients) 7 Tbsp a week M to H
Mayonnaise (with soybean oil) 7 Tbsp a week M
Salad dressings:
Oil and vinegar 7 Tbsp a week M to H
French dressing 7 Tbsp a week H
Blue, Roquefort cheese 7 Tbsp a week H
Russian 7 Tbsp a week H
Low fat 7 Tbsp a week L
Thousand Island 7 Tbsp a week H
Low fat 7 Tbsp a week M
Italian 7 Tbsp a week M
Low fat 7 Tbsp a week L
Butter 7 Tbsp a week L
Fruits
Apple, green peel 1 L
Avocado 1oz L
Blueberries 1/2 cup L to M
Figs 8 M
Grapes, red or green 1cup M
Honeydew melon 1cup 1/8 melon L
I'm having a hard time pinching a flap of skin to inject into because my belly is so stretched out & tight. I'm gonna try the lower part of my stomach next time, as I'm carrying high & there should be more fattiness to pinch beneath where my baby is! Haha!
I saw a warning about Lovenox & epidurals so I'm going to discuss with my OB if being on these injections means I cannot have one now. I was told I have a slim chance of delivering naturally & will most likely end up with a c-section, but I need to know all the risks involved. The specialist I saw was supposed to give me a booklet explaining risks/benefits & side effects, but all it contained was an injection schedule & how-to self inject guide.
Thank you again!