Does anyone know a gynecologist in NJ/NYC that has experience treating pregnancies with fellow pouchers'??? None of the gynecologists I've seen have other patients with pouches. We are thinking about trying to start a family within the next year and I am trying to get all the information I can. Should I be seeing a high risk pregnancy doctor? Is it important to collaborate with my gastro about this? I don't see the gastro often (yearly check-up only), as I have had my pouch for 15 years without problems! Any info. on this topic would be great! I looked at the women's discussion board and it has really made me nervous about trying to get pregnant post UC. I will post this question in the women's discussion part too.

Thank you in advance for any information you might be able to share.

My surgeon just referred me to Dr. Glen Schattman in Manhattan. He is very familiar with the j-pouch and he also specializes in reproductive medicine and infertility.

I found him to be very gentle and knowledgeable with our anatomy.

His telephone number is 646-962-3836.

janna

Thank you! This information will be very be helpful!

Amber

Thank you for the info Janna. I called the number you gave me. This Dr. doesn't accept ANY insurance. It also sounds like he's a fertility specialist. Hopefully, I won't need to go that route, but I will keep this info just in case. I'm really looking for a gynecologist/OBGYN I can see for regular visits as well as future pregnancy. Do you have a regular OBGYN as well?

Thanks,
Amber

You don't necessarily need a high risk OB if you are a pregnant poucher, but I felt better having one (I have a perm ileo after failed pouch). It turned out to be a good decision as I had a near total obstruction during my first pregnancy and was hospitalized for 3 weeks.

My second pregnancy has been much better (in that I wasn't hospitalized, but have had indigestion).

Amber, I didn't go to Dr. Schattman for pregnancy related problems. I was having some issues and needed a GYN that understood what a j-pouch was. He also treats regular GYN patients. I have 4 children and had them all before my surgery. I am going to continue to use him as my GYN as my local dr doesn't really have a clue as to how the j-pouch works.

Just recently someone else asked the same question about a NYC GYN and found one that takes insurance. In fact it was a recommendation from one of the doctors in my surgeon's practice. I'll do a search and see if I can find the name for you.

janna

Thank you so much for your help! I'm glad you understand my problem. My GYN's have no idea about the pouch and don't even seem to get the difference between ulcerative colitis and colitis. That link would be really helpful!

Amber

Hi Amber,

My daughter had a fistula repair with Dr. Milsom in March. During the surgery Dr. Schattman was there to make sure all of her reproductive organs were healthy. I'm happy to report they are healthy and when it is time for my daughter to go to a gynecologist she will be using him. Yes, he is a fertility specialist , but also has gyn patients, and is very familiar with jpouches. So, he's the man!

Amber, this is the discussion on doctors in NYC that take insurance. There are 2 doctors mentioned here. Hopefully someone else will come along. I hope this helps.

janna


http://j-pouch.org/eve/forums?q=Y&a=tpc&f=3451071921&m=3951090372

Hi Amber,

I was one who replied to the previous discussion in the link. I have a 4 month old baby boy, and at about 24 weeks pregnant, had some issues and switched to a high risk doctor. The name of the practice is Park Avenue Women's Center, and the doctor I go to is Dr. Douglas Moss. He is excellent. Even though I am about 1.5 hrs away in NJ, I am still continuing to go to him permanently. He does take insurance (not sure which types) and his office is pretty accommodating. Let me know if you need to phone number or any other info.

Good luck!
Dana

Thank you for the info. I am definitely interested in trying Dr. Moss. I will look for his contact info online. It would be great if you could respond with his contact info in case I have trouble finding it. Thank you for the recommendation.

Amber

Amber,
Dr. Doug Moss is at Park Avenue Women's Center 1160 Park Avenue (and 92nd street) in New York City. His phone number is (212) 860-2600. As I said, I switched to him midway through my pregnancy, and he made my remaining weeks of pregnancy as stress-free as they could be. He took excellent care of both me and my baby. He told me he has many patients with j-pouches, and seemed very familiar with any possible issues we could have. In addition, when I called him with a problem, he immediately called back, and didn't question any symptom I had the way some other doctors may have in the past.

I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions. Where do you live in NJ?

Dana