Feb-May 2011 Mommies

Yup, that's her, Melanie Reyneke... Hope you get an appointment with her soon... Let me know..

Hi Schatsie....
I'm sorry for your nasty experience. I have to just say something about dr. Muller though. Currently, my sister in law is going to her as well for the "big" scans, she is now 23 weeks pregnant so she went for the 13wks and 20 wks scans. She also found her cold, clinical and very blunt. She is seen as one of most "top of their field" though, nationally and internationally. She deals with cases like these daily, that's her field unfortunately, so in her defense I guess she builds up a sort of wall against the bad things as they happen alot in her daily work and she has to share the bad news with so many people. Which of course, does not make anything better for you or your husband... so Im sorry for that. Your risk factor is also not so high, its actually lower than mine is, so that is good news.
But... now I need to tell you something else too - my gynea is friends with her and he is such a sweetheart, I'm really happy with my gynea. He is full op praise for dr. Muller because of her brilliance, and he also told us a few weeks back that she is currently going through a terrible time because she is being sued by a couple who had a down's child after she told them the risk is not that high according to their blood tests and the nuchal fold combined. So you see... I personally think she is now so cold, clinical and straight forward because of her experience with people and the field she's in makes it that way for her now to be so careful and rather tell people to expect the worst and go for the amnio to make 100% sure. That way she secures herself from being blamed or sued afterwards. It must be hell being the bearer of bad news and then get the blame for it as well, so she probably became this way over the years.
Which is sad for both her and her patients, but unfortunately I understand it.
So hunny, if you feel so uncomfortable with her, then by all means go to a different dr. it is completely within your rights and a very personal choice. I wish you only the best and pray for you and baby that all will be well! I know first hand the fear and uncertainty you are going through, some days I still get a few bad moments and think the worst. Whatever you do must be what you feel is best for you and baby.

Lots of Hugs and positive thoughts to you, may the next few weeks pass real quick for you so you can get your answer and certainty! (((hugs)))

Hayley, thanks SO much for the info!!!

One of my friends mentioned Melanie to me this morning too and with the info you've given me now I'm contacting her right now to get an appointment for this week! After the negative experience we had I think a 2nd opinion will make us feel better one way or the other!!

(This Moomie site is the best site I've discovered all year!! It's already helped me SO much!!)

Hi Girls, trust you and your little miracles are all doing well

Sorry just to barge in here... Wanted to mention to Schatsie, it's strange that the Dr's havent assessed the nose bone of your baby...

My sister in law was the founder of 4D Peek a babe scans down in CT and she can pick up wether or not the baby is Downs Syndrome by looking at the fold at the back of the neck, nose bone and the fingers...

Wish you all the best...

Joli I totally agree with you!! I prefer a dr who can take my feelings into account too! Pregnancy and childbirth is after all a very emotional time in our lives - especially for first time parents like us!!

Well I would rather find a doctor that's best in his / her field AND can take my feelings into account. Schatsie if you don't feel comfortable with your doctor, I'm sure there are other doctor's around that's just as good. I changed my house doctor a couple of years ago, because I also felt he was cold and clinical - just didn't work for me. But then again, what works for one, does not work for another.

LOL @ Emsmom!! Your dr is spot on - she certainly won't win any prizes for her personality and unfortunately this kind of work does require some. Drs who don't have people skills should become vets!

Carmen-Capi33, thanks for your feedback. I think if she actually gave us the full information we required to handle the news, her lack of people skills would definitely have bothered us less. It is not acceptable that she gave us incomplete info and that we had to do a lot of research to go back to her to request information that she should have given us in the first place.

We felt like she was actually just punting the amnio to make an additional R1300 out of us, instead of informing us of the full implications of the assessment.