Douglas A Helm, MD

This will be the second time seeing this doctor for High Risk. The first time I saw him was due to my age, 33. He failed to see that my daughter had Trisomy 18 until I was 31 weeks. After 4 ultrasounds, he did not see that my daughter had HPE, a brain disorder or a Tetraolgy of Fallot, a heart disorder. I had severe Polyhydraminos as well as other complications. I did not place blame on any one because Trisomy isn’t something that can be prevented, but it should have been diagnosed a lot sooner.
My daughter lived 23 mins. We had chosen comfort care due to his recommendation that she was «not compatible with life.» A doctor should not give that sort of advice. There are many children that live with these disorders, the outcome varies. I wish I would have never listened to him. Please if you’re reading this and he’s given you a similar diagnosis, DO NOT LISTEN TO HIS ADVICE. He is a horrible man. His bed side manner is atrocious.
This time when I showed up for my new consultation for my back to back pregnancy that happened 3 months after my daughters death. He had the nerve to ask why I was seeing him. Could he not remember the devastating news he delivered to us less than 6 months prior? He was very heartless when he gave us the news about my first daugther. This time… he blatantly stated that it was not a good enough reason to see him again. OK? So why was I sent the first time then?
He also argued that Trisomy 18q, which was my daughters diagnosis from the Genetics Doctor, was not a real diagnosis. Yes it is. I offered to draw him a photo, he turned it down. I am 33 weeks. I have had many issues with this doctor throughout this pregnancy. I’ve had an echo done, where they look at the heart alone. They made me return the next business day for a regularly scheduled ultrasound. I’ve had at least 6 – 8 ultrasounds with this pregnancy. The baby looks fine. I have had NSTs twice a week based on a mild Polyhydramnios diagnosis.
Today when I called to ask him why I had to continue to do these NSTs when she passes them each time and her heart rate is fine. The echo looked fine too. The office staff refused to let me speak with him or answer my questions. They have not told me she has anything wrong with her. Not once. She moves fine. So if they have some suspicion… please by all means let me in on it.
His office staff has always been friendly except today… even when I got angry over having to answer questions from someone with an accent, whom I could not understand. He has great techs, especially one. The one that actually paid attention during the Ultrasound and found she had the Trisomy characteristics.
I’m switching high risk doctors tomorrow. I’m sick of this hothead. He needs to work on his bedside manner and remember that we are people, not bags of change.

I hate coming to this location, Dr Helm is a good doctor, but it’s his staff that is unpleasant. Rude ass bitches esp the black lady at the window, that dumb bitch needs to get a job she will be happier at!!!

I have already written a review but need to add yet another piece of information about how AWFUL Dr Helm and his staff are. After deciding that I no longer wanted to be seen at Dr Helm’s office I talked to my regular OB who had sent me there for a consult. She listened to my complaints and then called to speak to his office about how I had been treated and also ask why I had not actually seen Dr Helm personally. They informed her that their office had determined that the reasons and legitimacy of my doctor’s request for a consult were not serious enough to warrant an actual consult or take up Dr. Helm’s time. Did they tell us this? NO! Did they continue to schedule me every month or more for unnecessary procedures and check ups, YES! Yet another example of the lack sincerity on the part of his office and staff. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY. THESE ARE NOT QUALITY PEOPLE. THEY WILL NOT CARE ABOUT YOU, JUST YOUR MONEY AND INSURANCE!