[advice] What should I do??

[Charlotte91]

DD had a paed appt today, the paed is one of only 3 OBs in town.
I will be seeing "OB2" with this pregnancy as I had him before we knew DD was sick and had to have all my antenatal care in Melbourne thereafter.
So the paed (lets call him "OB1") checked out DD and was very happy. I told him I'm pregnant and asked if there's any need to see OB2 during the first trimester. He said "No, but I'll book you in to see him in 4 weeks"..... I was all ummm.... OK. But, didn't end up booking the appt.
I asked him if I was going to be supported in trying for a VBAC and he said "Absolutely!! I see no reason why you shouldn't get one. Of course you can have one!"
Then he hits me with this.... "We're going to send you to Melbourne for your 20 week scan to check for Gastroschisis."
I asked why I couldn't just have one here, at 16ish weeks. He said the only reason to have one then is if I was going to terminate and there's no reason. He'd much rather have me sent to Melbourne (500kms) to doubly make sure that the Gastroschisis hasn't happened again.
So my question is.... should I bother going to Melbourne to check?? They found the Gastroschisis quite easily here at 20 weeks.
Or go for another scan here at 25 weeks?? Because by then bub will be big enough to see anything.
I'm going to ask for another scan at 36 weeks as DD was delivered at 34 and covered in meconium. I know that's normal with Gastro-bubs but it scared me.

I'm torn. I don't want to go to Melbourne and risk running into the same doctors again, I'm still having nightmares about them.
Or do I just sit and wait for another few months and look for the Gastroschisis, or just go to Melbourne and know as soon as possible.

Seriously, is there any need to go 500kms to get a result I can get here? OB1 said it's just to confirm that everythings OK.

Sorry if it's confusing!!

Help!

[LionsandBears]

I guess that something to discuss with OB2. I imagine they think the Melbourne doctors might be able to pick up something they can't. We were referred to the Fetal Medicine unit with DS2 and some of the doctors were great, some not so much. Irrespective, we're so traumatised by our experiences at that hospital we cant go back. In our case, for another pregnancy, we will be getting more 2nd trimester scans and we'll be doing that privately. I only want to have scans with a specialist OB and I'm willing to pay for that.

What are the odds of it reoccurring? Could it occur again with milder severity at 20weeks and not be picked up? Does the timing of finding anything alter the care you and bub would need? Would you prefer to have a scan at 16, 20, 24 weeks? If you think they're competent enough where you are, I'd probably avoid the stress of traveling to a place you find traumatic. One of the problems with more scans is that more little things can be picked up which usually resolve themselves but can cause undue stress. One benefit can be peace of mind and being able to make decisions earlier.

One option may be to be referred to a different Melbourne tertiary hospital - so Mercy or Monash instead of RWH.

[MummaBee]

Okay well only you can make that decision but if it was me, I wouldnt bother. Same thing happened to me offered me to go 6hrs away for an earlier ultrasound with better machines to detect earlier, In the end we were like well either way were going through with it so why bother. If you were thinking you couldnt do it again and would like the option to terminate then by all means finding out earlier would be better. Other than that do what you going to do and just have that extra ultrasound at 34 weeksish (mines next week, will let you know how I go!) Best of luck for your VBAC let us know what you decide.

[Charlotte91]

What are the odds of it reoccurring? About 15% according to latest studies
Could it occur again with milder severity at 20weeks and not be picked up? Yes, DD only had all of her small and most of large intestine out, which is considered small. But, it can as small as only a few inches of bowel out.
Does the timing of finding anything alter the care you and bub would need? Immediately after finding out I'd need constant care at RWH, whether that be at 16 or 36 weeks.
Would you prefer to have a scan at 16, 20, 24 weeks? Yes, I'd rather have a few scans to confirm that there's something/nothing there. Rather than go all the way to Melbourne and be traumatised by the doctors there.
If you think they're competent enough where you are, I'd probably avoid the stress of traveling to a place you find traumatic. One of the problems with more scans is that more little things can be picked up which usually resolve themselves but can cause undue stress. One benefit can be peace of mind and being able to make decisions earlier. No decisions would really be made, I'd have to go to Melbourne for my care. No matter what kind of problem bubs has (praying he's healthy), whether that be Gastroschisis, or something fatal, I'd carry my child as long as I could. Every living person has the right to live and die as their body chooses.

One option may be to be referred to a different Melbourne tertiary hospital - so Mercy or Monash instead of RWH. Yes, we'd probably be looking at the Mercy or going to Adelaide, as that's also 500kms away, so no travel difference.

Thanks so much, you're always so level headed.
And thanks, MummaBee.

I'm going to have a talk to OB2, whenever I see him.
I'm still interesting in what others would do.