My partner and I will be first time moms. I am looking for a gay-friendly OBGYN that delivers at Baylor Frisco, who might be able to help make this whole process a bit easier. Any suggestions?
I am new to Mamapedia so I am not quite sure where/how to respond to everyone's answers.
First off I'd like to thank everyone for such helpful and encouraging comments! I feel like a big weight has been lifted of my shoulders already.
Jim at home dad: I am not looking for a gay doctor. I am just looking for a doctor who is open to treating me. I prefer a straight female doctor. Being this my very first time I wasn't sure how the laws in Texas work or if doctors were even willing to see me.
Wild woman: thank you so much for the link, it is very helpful. I wouldn't have though of checking with my insurance. Thanks! (:
Patricia G: yes! That's exactly what I'm looking for and hoping as well. I just don't want to go to a doctor who will make me feel uncomfortable and vice versa. This is a very special time for me and I want everything to go well. I wouldnt want any lextra stress. I really appreciate your input and your help!
Queen of the Castle: That just makes me feel so much better! thank you. I haven't had any bad experience. I have been searching for several months for a doctor and haven't had any luck. I've read a lot about same sex couples having a bad experience. I'm afraid of running across the same thing.
HeatherL P: Thanks so much! You're very appreciated :D
I don't know any doctors who would treat a gay couple that comes to them any differently than they would a straight couple that comes to them. Have you had a bad experience with an OB/Gyn that makes you think differently?
OBs' patients come from all types of families, and I bet you wouldn't be their first gay couple.
Z.:
Welcome to mamapedia...
I'm sorry - what does it matter if you are gay or not?
Check out Angieslist.org - they have a wealth of information on health care providers.
Check out your insurance as well...they will have a list of approved doctors in your area...you can call them to find out what their "take" is. Really - it doesn't matter if you are gay or not. They are doctor's and many women get pregnant via IVF, etc. not their place to judge HOW you got pregnant.
I don't know one, but congratulations on your impending arrival! Babies are so exciting.
If you want to deliver at medical city, I know a fabulous on- gyn.
I'm in laboratory sales in California and OBGYNs have seen it all! There so many different scenarios. I'm sorry if you have had a negative experience and wish you the best.
I really like my OB, Dr. Motley. I am in Ft. Worth, so I don't know if she delivers in Frisco. I don't know about her feelings re. same sex couples.
I am assuming you are looking for a doctor who is open minded about same sex couples. I would HOPE that most doctors are professional enough to do their jobs and treat their patient's well regardless of their sexual orientation, but I do understand your desire to know ahead of time if you will be treated with respect or given attitude because you are a same sex couple.
It may be worth calling the hospital directly and asking if they could refer someone, or if there is an LBGT support network in the DFW are, to contact THEM directly and see if they could refer someon.
Congratulations and good luck on your search.
I've put in a call, and someone is checking that out for you. I'll send you a private message with what I learn.
great first question.
ETA: do you want the doctor to be gay?
or do you want the doctor to be o.k with the fact that you're gay?
or do you want a gay male doctor? or a gay female doctor?
Hey -
I can't help you with your very specific question because I don't live in the area, but I can help you with some other thoughts. I am a single mother by choice, so my situation was different and unique from "couples" having a children:
1. I am not sure how you are going to tell about a doctor before YOU start seeing him/her. The best you can do is talk to other people and find out if they enjoy their doctor. I have two kids. For the first one (I lived in Virginia), I saw her for years as just my OB and she was "fine". But, as a pregnant person, I HATED her office. It was overcrowded and hot. When I sat there, pregnant, I thought I was going to die from the heat - something I never noticed just going in once a year. Plus, she was never on time. For once a year, again, I didn't mind a 30 minute to an hour wait. As a pregnant person, I just did not have the time for that. My second baby was born here in Texas and my OB was a DREAM. Their office was very air conditioned and I never waited anywhere for more than 5 minutes (in the waiting room or the office area).
2. For my first baby, I lived in Richmond and the fertility doctor was right there in Richmond. So, they had freezing/storage capabilities and everything was fine. For my second baby here in Texas, Tyler does NOT have anyone with the capability to freeze and store samples. So, I used a fertility specialist in Irving (Dr. Li - he was awesome) in conjunction with my doctor here in Tyler. And speaking of my doctor here in Tyler, she had a baby a couple of months before I got pregnant with my 2nd. She kept him on site and was actually breastfeeding him in her office when I came in to get the confirmation pregnancy test. This office had never worked with anyone in my situation before, so they were kind of excited about it. When I came in for the confirmation pregnancy test, the doc overheard me in the hallway and she came running out of her office (baby attached to breast) and asked if it had really worked and she was so excited for me. THAT'S exactly the kind of doctor I want.
3. you might ask about freezing/storage capability. I ordered 3 samples and had them stored on site at my fertility clinic because shipping is EXPENSIVE if you do it for each try (which you can do and avoid freezing, but you pay shipping costs every month).
4. Make sure you have all your legal paperwork in order (wills, living will etc). God forbid the person giving birth has difficulty, goes into a coma, etc, you want the other partner to have full rights and priveleges. The doctor and the hospital will each ask for copies of these documents. Apparently most regular couples don't have all this paperwork in order, the doctor and the nurse at the hospital were surprised that I had all of this paperwork - but it gave my parent's rights and privileges in case something happened to me during labor and delivery.
Inbox me if you have any questions about the process.
Good luck!
L.
