That’s exactly what I think of Dr. Chmait and Terri Maitino.   These two have moved heaven and earth to make sure Andrew and I receive the BEST care. They’re basically running something similar to a “mom and pop shop”, in comparison to other medical fields that are fully funded. And yet their overall statistics are much higher on average. Their not about getting “paid”, their about learning and helping EVERYONE. My god, if you even suspect your pregnancy my be tainted with some sort of dreaded fetal illness, they’ll personally take your call. Dr. Chmait  doesn’t have any fancy plaques or awards on the office walls, just a HUGE bulletin with pictures of all the many babies they’ve saved to date. I feel truly blessed to be in their care.

So get this : The OB who Dr. Chmait originally wanted my care transferred too apparently made a decision based on convenience for herself and not what was in the best interest of his patient ( not me, but another of his patients that he had care transferred for ) and this irritated him immensely so he cut ties with this Dr. completely, is writing her up and took back full ownership of said patients care as well as my own.

So there’s only one other Dr. that will do, however she doesn’t accept my insurance.   And of course after many failed attempts at trying to get a referral from my insurance and a HUGE STRESS headache , Terri in all her glory gets on the phone and calls the Director of my insurance and she and Dr. Chmait explain to this person how critical it is that this particular OB take over my care.  That she’s part of the fetal team, that my case requires excellence , blah blah blah   and what do you know …  THEY FREAK’N GOT ME A REFERAL TO A DOCTOR WHOSE NOT IN MY NETWORK !!!  How in the hell they managed that is beyond me … and to my friends who have the same LAME insurance we do , you especially know how crazy that is !

I was so worried that I was going to have to have my baby here at home with doctors and nurses who have no clue what’s going on with me and Andrew , or the skill to help us and that critical time would be lost if they had to send him via ambulance on a 3.5 hour ride to the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital.

BTW , Hollywood Presbyterian , where I’ll be delivering Andrew is connected to the children’s hospital, so we’ll literally be within walking distance of each other !! And all of our medical staff is right there in the same building, I’m SO relieved.  It was one of the many things in my very unpredictable life right now, that was just looming over me.  It feels so good to have some idea as to what’s going to happen in the next few weeks.  AHHHHHHHH …. a sigh of relief