The Doctors and You

See a perinatologist.
A perinatologist is an obstetrical subspecialist trained in the care of the mother and baby at a higher-than-normal risk for complications.

Plan to deliver your baby at a hospital with the highest level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
The highest level of NICU in the United States is a Level IV regional NICU. Regional NICUs maintain a full range of highly specialized medical staff, including pediatric medical subspecialists, neonatologists, pediatric hospitalists, neonatal nurse practitioners, pediatric surgical subspecialists, and pediatric anesthesiologists. A neonatologist cares for the baby after birth.

What Doctors Say

–Both perinatologists and neonatologists will predict gloom and doom
–Both will likely use phrases like “zero percent chance”
–Many will suggest a therapeutic abortion
–Many will paint horrible scenarios, describing infections, abnormalities, no lungs, etc.
–Find one who will offer hope and stick by you

What You Should Do 

–Be as prepared for the doom and gloom as you can
–Be sure your doctor is a perinatologist, and ask if he or she has hope and will stick by you
–Be proactive in your care; learn as much as you can and go in prepared