Aa
pregnant and cannot find doctor
I need an ob for wv. I have called a few different doctors and all are saying I cannot be a patient because of my hepatitis. I really need a doctor and soon but am scared that I will have to go through this pregnancy without one if every doctor refuses me. anyone know of an ob that will see me for west Virginia?
Report them to the AMA? the local County medical society? What they are doing is against everything drs and nurses are supposed to stand for. There, I have vented - not that I was not serious, but still, right now you are interested in an OB dr not in getting into a spitting contest.
Part of the problem may have been how it was presented, through someone in the Drs Office. Make an appt. Ask to have an office interview w/the dr prior to the exam and tell him, frankly, what you have told us. Also, tell him that you understand that many drs and delivery staff have special protective garments, gloves, shoe covers and face masks and that you do not have a problem with that, as the whole reason you are talking to him(her) is that you want a competent dr ro deliver your baby, and you want to protect everyone involved. You might also mention that you have sought information on line and was told by numerous hepc infected women that they had had babies with no problems and no one infected. ( Only about I think it's 1 - 2 % of born w/hepc from mothers who have hepc - it is a hard virus to pass on, even through pregnancy).
If he refuses you as a patient - and I don't expect that to happen - then find a teaching hospital - there should be one in Charleston and ask to speak w/a hepatologist. Not only can they get you into the treatment system, but can probably find you an OB dr.
These are bold, brave things to do - I know that - but, sometimes, those are the only actions open to us when others tend to be so closed minded.
The fact that the dr, nurse, anesthesialogist gave you a hard time is unconsciousable!! What nerve! if ever in a hospital, when something like that comes up, simply tell the nurse that you would feel more comfortable discussing your medical and personal history in a private setting - could she/he take you to an office, exam room, etc.
We all had to learn, over the years to advocate for ourselves and you can too. We are here to offer support, information, advice, care and comfort, so you have a place to go. You were strong to begin with, you are stronger now. you can do what you have to. We are here to help, listen, comfort, and, i hope offer good guidance.
Remember that advice like I was giving above is cheap at half the price, pick and choose the things which seem helpful to you and try that. Ignore the rest.
Please don't give up or get discouraged! There is an answer!
Oh, one last thought, from what I have heard from friends (not on here) Medicaid Drs - at least in our area, tend to refuse any, what they consider, high risk patient. That is why 1) it is good if you can talk to the Dr himself and 2) why it is a good idea to go through the hepatology dept of a teaching hospital. I believe most of them take Medicaid, but don't quote me on that because I know nothing about the system in WV.
Hope some of this helps you, or at least comforts you. hang in there and keep on keeping on. Keep us informed. Pat.
Part of the problem may have been how it was presented, through someone in the Drs Office. Make an appt. Ask to have an office interview w/the dr prior to the exam and tell him, frankly, what you have told us. Also, tell him that you understand that many drs and delivery staff have special protective garments, gloves, shoe covers and face masks and that you do not have a problem with that, as the whole reason you are talking to him(her) is that you want a competent dr ro deliver your baby, and you want to protect everyone involved. You might also mention that you have sought information on line and was told by numerous hepc infected women that they had had babies with no problems and no one infected. ( Only about I think it's 1 - 2 % of born w/hepc from mothers who have hepc - it is a hard virus to pass on, even through pregnancy).
If he refuses you as a patient - and I don't expect that to happen - then find a teaching hospital - there should be one in Charleston and ask to speak w/a hepatologist. Not only can they get you into the treatment system, but can probably find you an OB dr.
These are bold, brave things to do - I know that - but, sometimes, those are the only actions open to us when others tend to be so closed minded.
The fact that the dr, nurse, anesthesialogist gave you a hard time is unconsciousable!! What nerve! if ever in a hospital, when something like that comes up, simply tell the nurse that you would feel more comfortable discussing your medical and personal history in a private setting - could she/he take you to an office, exam room, etc.
We all had to learn, over the years to advocate for ourselves and you can too. We are here to offer support, information, advice, care and comfort, so you have a place to go. You were strong to begin with, you are stronger now. you can do what you have to. We are here to help, listen, comfort, and, i hope offer good guidance.
Remember that advice like I was giving above is cheap at half the price, pick and choose the things which seem helpful to you and try that. Ignore the rest.
Please don't give up or get discouraged! There is an answer!
Oh, one last thought, from what I have heard from friends (not on here) Medicaid Drs - at least in our area, tend to refuse any, what they consider, high risk patient. That is why 1) it is good if you can talk to the Dr himself and 2) why it is a good idea to go through the hepatology dept of a teaching hospital. I believe most of them take Medicaid, but don't quote me on that because I know nothing about the system in WV.
Hope some of this helps you, or at least comforts you. hang in there and keep on keeping on. Keep us informed. Pat.
Your whole experience is crazy. Makes it tempting to tell no one about your hep C. It's not tested for routinely in pregnancy anyway. You could in fact keep it a secret. It's not the best scenario but what are you supposed to do when you are being so flagrantly discriminated against?
I have always been up front about my Hep C with any new doctor's office staff when making an appointment. I want to make sure they are comfortable treating me and I would also prefer to have a doctor who is a little familiar with Hep C as well rather than one who is clueless. You can also have your Hepatologist recommend a doctor. I have never been turned away!
charleston
What part of wv are you located in?
My doctors have stated to wait till 18 months because before that they can still have your antibodies, it's after 18 months the tasting is accurate because they will either be rid of the antibodies or have the hep c infection... I have had c sections with all my babies and they were all the same doctors should and did in my case always treat a person as if they have an infection and sterilize etc before and after and keep themselves covered... All doctors and anesthesiologist nurses in operating room wore face shields too.
you just made me feel so much better. I actually contracted it during my last pregnancy from my husband. I was negative at beginning and tested aagain around 20 weeks and was positive. the doctor I went to no longer accepts Medicaid and im trying to avoid that hospital anyways as I had a bad experience with the staff treating me bad because my doctor failed to send my medical records to Labor and Delivery and I didn't want to announce out loud so my roommate and everyone could hear that I was hep c positive because I thought they already knew. Well when doctor finally sent my files I was bombarded by 3 nurses and the anesthesiologist...literally talking loudly to me saying I should have told them so needless to say my roommate found out and the anesthesiologist yelled at me in the operating room saying I could have got them all infected for not telling them. I wanted to die and wanted to cry the whole time my csection was being performed :( and to top that off my daughter wasn't even completely cleaned of all my blood when I held her 2 hours later. So I wasn't very happy. My baby hasn't been tested yet but I plan on doing it soon. I noticed you have waited til your daughter is 18 months. Is it better to wait? because her pediatrician wanted to do it between 6 months and a year?
yes I have a medical card and the doctors I have called do accept Medicaid. Each time I have been asked if I have any medical conditions and I was honest with them and they stated that they would have to talk to the doctor first. then call me back stating they cannot accept me
I have had 3 children while having hep c... First and half of second pregnancy didn't know but when I found out I told my ob and he wasn't concerned at all neither were any doctors... Then in baby #3 I went back to the same on and he was happy to have me back never treated me any different then my first pregnancy when I didn't know my status... By the way my oldest who Is 5 came out virus free and I'm going to be testing my second daughter ASAP she is 18 months and will wait for baby #3 he is only 3 months... Good luck and again being hep c positive should not interfere with finding an on or any pregnancy care for that matter !
You can not be denied treatment because of a virus. I had 2 perfectly normal children while infected with Hep C. At that time I was unaware that I had the virus. My husband and children never contracted Hep C.
Make an appointment with an OB Doc. This is not info that needs to be shared with the office staff. When you meet with your Dr, tell him you have Hep C. He can't turn you down, or he would lose his license. It is against the law, and that's true in any state including West Virginia.
...Kim
Make an appointment with an OB Doc. This is not info that needs to be shared with the office staff. When you meet with your Dr, tell him you have Hep C. He can't turn you down, or he would lose his license. It is against the law, and that's true in any state including West Virginia.
...Kim
Hi , I searched low income ob gyn clinics in West Virginia ,got quite a few hits . I myself would get an appointment first then tell the doctor about your hepc not the person booking your appointment . Good luck !
I have NEVER heard of a doctor refusing to treat a patient because of their hep c status that does not make any sense to me on so many levels.
What was their reason for not accepting you as a patient? Do you have insurance? If not is there some kind if community health services? I don't have any information on what one would do without medical insurance and most definitely no information about WV as I like in WA state.
Hopefully someone from your area can respond to hour question
Lynn
What was their reason for not accepting you as a patient? Do you have insurance? If not is there some kind if community health services? I don't have any information on what one would do without medical insurance and most definitely no information about WV as I like in WA state.
Hopefully someone from your area can respond to hour question
Lynn
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