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6months
LIF Adolescent
Member since 11/08 598 total posts
Name:
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Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
So my story is that I got pregnant with twins on my first IVF attempt. I went into pre-term labor at 16.5 weeks and lost both babies. 
Now before I return for my second IVF, I want to be examined by a high-risk OB. There was an infection that caused my water to break, or I got the infection after my water broke... there's no way to tell.
So, I want to see a high-risk OB and be tested for infections, talk to him/her about a possibly incompetent cervix... stuff like that. BUT, my issue is that I've called 2 high-risk OBs as recommended by my RE and NONE want to see me. They are too booked! They probably don't consider me "high-risk" because I haven't had multiple miscarriages. But I don't want to go through that again, so want to see them BEFORE another one to PREVENT it. 
I told my RE about this and they said they would call and see what they could do (whatever that means) but I am not hopeful.
Any advice?
Message edited 3/19/2010 4:56:22 PM.
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Posted 3/19/10 4:55 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Domino
Always My Miracle
Member since 9/05 9923 total posts
Name:
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Re: Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
where do you live? I had no wait time for an appointment at Dr. Pilliterri in Deer Park. that being said, your wait time IN his waiting room could take you over an hour He also knows "a thing or two" about IF and is the one who did all my thromb workup
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| Posted 3/19/10 7:25 PM |
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SecretTTCer
LIF Adult
Member since 6/08 2284 total posts
Name:
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Re: Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
You do not want a high risk OB. You want a perinatologist. The person to see is Dr. Alexander Kofinas in Garden City. He is the best in the area. In fact, I bet he will give you answers to why you lost the twins. Many people who lose babies in the second trimester experienced a damaged placenta. 99.9% of OBs never examine the placenta and therefore do not know why it happened or how to treat it. Dr. Kofinas is amazing; his stats are beyond amazing. My RE told me that he never met a patient who didn't deliver a baby with Dr. Kofinas.
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| Posted 3/19/10 7:27 PM |
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keepingsecrets
ridiculously blessed!!
Member since 7/09 1912 total posts
Name:
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Re: Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
Posted by SecretTTCer
You do not want a high risk OB. You want a perinatologist. The person to see is Dr. Alexander Kofinas in Garden City. He is the best in the area. In fact, I bet he will give you answers to why you lost the twins. Many people who lose babies in the second trimester experienced a damaged placenta. 99.9% of OBs never examine the placenta and therefore do not know why it happened or how to treat it. Dr. Kofinas is amazing; his stats are beyond amazing. My RE told me that he never met a patient who didn't deliver a baby with Dr. Kofinas.
i agree with this 100%!!! at "SecretTTCer"'s suggestion, i went to see Dr. Kofinas last year after our baby was diagnosed with a fetal abnormality at 12 weeks. we had already seen one perinatologist who told us to terminate the pregnancy because the baby would not survive once born (if the pregnancy even made it that far) but we were not comfortable with the information he gave us. so, we went to Dr. Kofinas and he was absolutely amazing! in the end, he recommended ending the pregnancy as well BUT he was able to give us so much more detailed information about what exactly was happening with the baby. he spent a good deal of time with us and looking at the baby via ultrasound and he really just made us feel more comfortable with the horrible decision we had to make.
i have NO doubt that he will be able to give you some answers and some peace of mind! he is very straightforward and will "tell it like it is" but he is so caring too! after what you've been through, i think he'd really make you feel better about getting pregnant again. we saw him during the darkest time in our lives and he actually somehow made us feel hopeful that everything will be ok in the future.  good luck!
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| Posted 3/19/10 7:42 PM |
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TTCbaby
Twin mommies are twice as nice
Member since 4/08 1861 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
Posted by keepingsecrets
Posted by SecretTTCer
You do not want a high risk OB. You want a perinatologist. The person to see is Dr. Alexander Kofinas in Garden City. He is the best in the area. In fact, I bet he will give you answers to why you lost the twins. Many people who lose babies in the second trimester experienced a damaged placenta. 99.9% of OBs never examine the placenta and therefore do not know why it happened or how to treat it. Dr. Kofinas is amazing; his stats are beyond amazing. My RE told me that he never met a patient who didn't deliver a baby with Dr. Kofinas.
i agree with this 100%!!! at "SecretTTCer"'s suggestion, i went to see Dr. Kofinas last year after our baby was diagnosed with a fetal abnormality at 12 weeks. we had already seen one perinatologist who told us to terminate the pregnancy because the baby would not survive once born (if the pregnancy even made it that far) but we were not comfortable with the information he gave us. so, we went to Dr. Kofinas and he was absolutely amazing! in the end, he recommended ending the pregnancy as well BUT he was able to give us so much more detailed information about what exactly was happening with the baby. he spent a good deal of time with us and looking at the baby via ultrasound and he really just made us feel more comfortable with the horrible decision we had to make.
i have NO doubt that he will be able to give you some answers and some peace of mind! he is very straightforward and will "tell it like it is" but he is so caring too! after what you've been through, i think he'd really make you feel better about getting pregnant again. we saw him during the darkest time in our lives and he actually somehow made us feel hopeful that everything will be ok in the future. good luck!
I third Dr. Kofinas!!! He is THE BEST! I am currently 36 wks pg with twins after our first IVF attempt. At 25 weeks my cervix was shortening a great deal and thanks to him, he was able to perform a late term emergency cerclage and diagnosed me with placental issues that my ob and high risk ob had no idea about bc they don't check the placenta. I just saw him for my weekly appt today and I just can't help but always tell him I love him! I feel that it is bc of him I am this far along with no end yet in sight! He will not turn you away!!
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| Posted 3/19/10 8:40 PM |
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KrisClaire
LIF Toddler
Member since 2/10 386 total posts
Name:
Kris
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Re: Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
Lustberg in Huntington is good also. My bff is currently seeing him with twins (natural) and she is 41. He has done her cerclage since she has an imcompent cervix and dealt with her other two high rish pregnancies. Also you can also call an ob/gyn and ask them what their specialty is.
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| Posted 3/20/10 7:51 AM |
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Diana712
RIP my beloved Brother Richard
Member since 5/07 6710 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
Kofinas is the King of keeping you pregnant
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| Posted 3/21/10 9:22 PM |
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6months
LIF Adolescent
Member since 11/08 598 total posts
Name:
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Re: Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
Thanks ladies. I live and work in NYC (and don't have a car) so getting to LI frequently might be an issue...
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| Posted 3/22/10 9:57 AM |
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DNR
LIF Adult
Member since 2/08 909 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
Dr. Kofinas also has an office in Brooklyn. He is amazing!!
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| Posted 3/29/10 8:21 PM |
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Viviane1108
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/09 509 total posts
Name:
Anita
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Re: Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
I am with Dr Victor Klein who is the best perintalogist on the island (he cared for JLo together with her doctor during her twin pregnancy).
He specializes with high risk pregnancies and multiples. He is funny, laid back and sometimes does not give you the time you want but in the event of a problem he is the best there is.
He is in Great neck and affiliated with NSUH.
I am sorry for your loss
Message edited 1/15/2013 4:09:19 PM.
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| Posted 3/30/10 9:58 AM |
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MetsGirl07
LIF O2 Vendor
Member since 12/07 16202 total posts
Name:
Deanna
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Re: Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
i see Dr. Kofinas too.. i got PG with twins after my 1st IVF attempt.
but before that i had a 16 week loss also.. your story reminds me so much of mine i went into preterm labor , water broke and i gave birth to my baby.
we STILL dont have a definite answer.. even under dr. Kofinas' care. (and yes he is the BEST) however.. DH and I decided that once we got pregnant again.. we would see the perinatologist right away.. and he agreed to get the cerclage at 12 weeks. AND he had me test for other things.. sure enough i had a blood clotting disorder.. so that could have caused my loss also.
so basically i was right there with you.. just wanted answers.. and i did everything in my power to get that. i wish i knew to see a Peri before i got PG .. so you are being very proactive which is great!
if you can see him in his brooklyn office you will be in great hands.
i am now 33 weeks with twins .. i am truly blessed.
best of luck to you.. and if you need to talk.. please FM me! 
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| Posted 3/30/10 12:09 PM |
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WNA01
my 2 boys
Member since 10/08 4240 total posts
Name:
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Re: Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
Posted by SecretTTCer
You do not want a high risk OB. You want a perinatologist.
they r the same thing.
i saw dr ogburn on stonybrook - he was excellent. he only sees high risk patients. he will see u for a consult b4 u are pregnant to discuss how he will handle ur pregnancy once u do become pregnant what precautions will b taken etc.
good luck
im sorry for ur loss
eta: u said ur seeing a re. they should do all ur bloodwork (blood clotting, genetic etc) b4 u get pregnant again. My RE had me do all the bloodwork b4 i got pregnant again. turned out i have a blood clotting issue as well and started the lovenox as soon as i found out i was pregnant at 10dpiui.
U usually start seeing ur peri after ur RE releases u at 8-10 weeks
Message edited 3/30/2010 12:21:28 PM.
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| Posted 3/30/10 12:15 PM |
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SecretTTCer
LIF Adult
Member since 6/08 2284 total posts
Name:
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Re: Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
Posted by WNA01
Posted by SecretTTCer
You do not want a high risk OB. You want a perinatologist.
they r the same thing.
i saw dr ogburn on stonybrook - he was excellent. he only sees high risk patients. he will see u for a consult b4 u are pregnant to discuss how he will handle ur pregnancy once u do become pregnant what precautions will b taken etc.
good luck
im sorry for ur loss
eta: u said ur seeing a re. they should do all ur bloodwork (blood clotting, genetic etc) b4 u get pregnant again. My RE had me do all the bloodwork b4 i got pregnant again. turned out i have a blood clotting issue as well and started the lovenox as soon as i found out i was pregnant at 10dpiui.
U usually start seeing ur peri after ur RE releases u at 8-10 weeks
They are absolutely not the same thing. A high risk OB is an OB. A perinatologist is a perinatologist. They are different specialties. I see both and trust me they are very different. In fact, perinatologists do not deliver babies.
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| Posted 3/30/10 1:35 PM |
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WaterGirl
Momma!!!
Member since 1/10 1060 total posts
Name:
Amanda
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Re: Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
Posted by SecretTTCer
Posted by WNA01
Posted by SecretTTCer
You do not want a high risk OB. You want a perinatologist.
they r the same thing.
i saw dr ogburn on stonybrook - he was excellent. he only sees high risk patients. he will see u for a consult b4 u are pregnant to discuss how he will handle ur pregnancy once u do become pregnant what precautions will b taken etc.
good luck
im sorry for ur loss
eta: u said ur seeing a re. they should do all ur bloodwork (blood clotting, genetic etc) b4 u get pregnant again. My RE had me do all the bloodwork b4 i got pregnant again. turned out i have a blood clotting issue as well and started the lovenox as soon as i found out i was pregnant at 10dpiui.
U usually start seeing ur peri after ur RE releases u at 8-10 weeks
They are absolutely not the same thing. A high risk OB is an OB. A perinatologist is a perinatologist. They are different specialties. I see both and trust me they are very different. In fact, perinatologists do not deliver babies.
From what I have learned in school...a "high risk OB/GYN" is an OB who specializes in perinatology. I also googled and here was what came back.
A Perinatologist is a subspecialty of obstetrician that deals exclusively with high-risk pregnancies such as high order multiples, women with heart conditions, diabetes, etc.
There is no specialty called a high risk doctor. Sometimes people use the term high risk doctor when they actually mean perinatologist. If you are having complications in your pregnancy, you would be referred to a perinatologist.
There are some obstetricians who specialize in high-risk pregnancies, meaning those are the clients they prefer to take. These doctors may be commonly referred to as high risk doctors by the public.
The person who attends the delivery will depend on the individual circumstances in that case. In some instances, the perinatologist will consult with the regular OB and in other, he will attend the delivery.
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| Posted 3/30/10 2:00 PM |
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WNA01
my 2 boys
Member since 10/08 4240 total posts
Name:
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Re: Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
Posted by SecretTTCer
Posted by WNA01
Posted by SecretTTCer
You do not want a high risk OB. You want a perinatologist.
they r the same thing.
They are absolutely not the same thing. A high risk OB is an OB. A perinatologist is a perinatologist. They are different specialties. I see both and trust me they are very different. In fact, perinatologists do not deliver babies.
yes they are. my dr was a perinatoligist
aka high risk ob.
eta: people call perinatoligists high risk ob's - they are the same exact thing. my dr is chief of perinatology in stonybrook - he is a perinatoligist. however patients just call him a high risk ob.
A perinatologist is aka maternal & fetal medicine or high risk ob.
this is the actual definition:
Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) is the branch of obstetrics that focuses on the medical and surgical management of high-risk pregnancies. Management includes monitoring and treatment including comprehensive ultrasound, chorionic villus sampling, genetic amniocentesis, and fetal surgery or treatment. An obstetrician who practices maternal-fetal medicine sometimes is known as a perinatologist. This is a sub specialty to obstetrics and gynecology mainly used for patients with high risk pregnancies
Message edited 3/30/2010 4:51:59 PM.
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| Posted 3/30/10 4:43 PM |
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Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
Do not go to Alexander Kofinas!!! Check his stats... his good reviews are mixed with misdiagnoses and high insurance claims. Plus his bedside manner is NON EXISTENT! Awful awful experience!
I began my own post and hopefully will legally be able to share my story soon.
Message edited 10/24/2013 6:56:48 AM.
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| Posted 10/21/13 3:20 PM |
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Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
High risk OB isn't the same as a perinatologist. I saw Kofinas go to him before you do the next round. I saw pilleteri too but he isn't high risk.
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| Posted 10/21/13 5:08 PM |
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beachmama
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/12 599 total posts
Name:
T
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Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
I highly recommend Dr. Kofinas. I don't know about other perinatologists, but he is not an OB as he does not deliver the baby.
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| Posted 10/21/13 9:19 PM |
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GoodThoughts
Dreams do come true
Member since 2/12 2259 total posts
Name:
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Re: Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
This thread is over 3 years old.
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| Posted 10/21/13 11:21 PM |
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6months
LIF Adolescent
Member since 11/08 598 total posts
Name:
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Re: Advice on getting an appointment with a high-risk OB
Thanks ladies...just to close out this post I wanted to update you. I finally got to see a high risk OB after my RE called and called and called on my behalf. She told me no to transfer 2 embryos but only a single next time. So I did and got pregnant and now have a 2.5 yr old. AND....I'm expecting again after going through 4 more IVF cycles. Still seeing that same high risk OB.
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| Posted 10/29/13 8:48 AM |
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