EDD Sept 20th bump buddies wanted!

[Proserpina]

Thanks again for all these great answers. I'll send the new people friends invites when I'm off my Kindle.

My first prenatal is on Feb. 4th. I'll be 7 wks 3 days. Still waiting for my doctor to call me back w/ the results of the blood test I had drawn on Sat. morning.

 

[adopim]

I'm going to call later this week to set up my first appointment. I am really only 13DPO today, so I was going to give it about a week after my first BFP to call to set up an appointment. I've still been testing because I was interested to see if there was a progression:
https://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m224/kay8_88/7CBF20B6-27A6-459B-87FD-EADFCD49417A-6332-000006D850E18E93_zps78cd4b6c.jpg

Pretty sure there has been! I had a ton left over so thought I'd use them up since I'm sure they'll be expired by the time I will need them again.
Going to figure out what the health plan network is and do some research on the doctors that are my options. Will be seeing and OB/GYN for sure though. That much I do know.

 

[Lou1]

Adopim ur line progression is text book! So just out of interest what are ur options in the US? Do u see your regular doctor or a midwife or gynocologist?

In the UK we either see our Gp then midwife, or sometimes some surgeries book u straight to the midwife. U then get a choice if u want to see gynocologist-unless there's some risks then u have to. Interesting to see how it works else where.

 

[agreeksmom]

We get a bodd test by a Dr then we can call a midwife oursekfs or ask the Dr to find us a obgyn

I haven't even had the blood done I'm too afraid lol

 

[emma123456]

i love this thread

 

[adopim]

Thanks! I'm actually liking seeing the progression. Even though I've been taking them every day instead of every other day, I really like the darkness factor of the one from this morning
We have the option of looking into a midwife here if we want to I think. I've always seen an OB/GYN for my physical exams and PAPs since I was 19. I've actually had the same one. Now that I've moved, the tedious task of finding a new doctor (I LOVED my doctor, but he is 80 miles away which isn't very practical unfortunately). DH just switched jobs and our insurance won't be effective until Feb 1st. I'm hoping to at least find out the network the insurance is in so that I can start researching doctors in my area that insurance will cover and hopefully make an appointment with one for a first prenatal visit.

 

[Proserpina]

I've read Lying-In: A History of Childbirth in America. I find it fascinating how the midwife model remained the UK but was virtually eliminated in America. There are midwives in America again, obviously, but I think most people go to an OB-GYN or family doctor.

I also find it a bit silly that we don't offer gas and air during labor here. It seems to be a low-cost, low-tech, low-risk, effective method of pain relief. There's so much about American obstetrics that just pisses me off. (As in makes me angry. Not drunk! )

 

[adopim]

I've read Lying-In: A History of Childbirth in America. I find it fascinating how the midwife model remained the UK but was virtually eliminated in America. There are midwives in America again, obviously, but I think most people go to an OB-GYN or family doctor.

I also find it a bit silly that we don't offer gas and air during labor here. It seems to be a low-cost, low-tech, low-risk, effective method of pain relief. There's so much about American obstetrics that just pisses me off. (As in makes me angry. Not drunk! )

I agree. I will be getting a spinal tap epidural like I did last time, but if we offered gas and air here I would definitely go that route instead. Everyone I know personally who has had babies has done it with an OB/GYN. No one I know has ever used a midwife or even a family doctor.

 

[allforthegirl]

Also feel that BF is under supported. I have read an amazing book called Breastfeeding Made Simple. It broke it down so well. Made it very simple and took all the medical out of what should be natural. I want to share this book with you all as it helped me out so much.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/783543.Breastfeeding_Made_Simple

 

[Proserpina]

I may have to check that out, allforthegirl. My last baby was a cleft palate baby and I gave up on pumping breast milk to bottle feed her with. I'm undecided on breastfeeding this time.

Newcomers, I have just updated my original post on this thread which appears on page 2. I've added everyone's names with links to their profiles (for ease of friending) and due date. I've also posted the Q&A we've all been answering. So please follow this link to check it out and complete the Q&A.

 

[allforthegirl]

Well it honestly changed my view of BF that is for sure. I was bound and determined to BF my third. 1st one the pain was excruciating and by day five my nipple started to separate (WTF!!) 2nd was still painful but tried to push through it, but my babe was so colic (think he was reacting to wheat just didn't know it at the time) it was like he wasn't getting enough, and we switched him. 3rd I was soooo determined to BF for a year! I bought that book and found out the reason I was in so much pain while BF!! I have what is called Reynods syndrome. Something that usually just affects toes and fingers but it also affected my nipples. (no wonder it hurt my feet to skate) So my nipples weren't getting enough blood flow to heal and was very pain full, toe curling pain. By my 4th I was such a pro, cause I tried everything and researched, I knew more than the nurses. I even contacted the la lache league and they couldn't tell me anything I already didn't know. That book is amazing!!

 

[Cryssie]

I have my first appointment Friday! So excited. I will have to do the baking soda test soon. Soooo wanting a girl. Lol.

 

[Proserpina]

I agree. I will be getting a spinal tap epidural like I did last time, but if we offered gas and air here I would definitely go that route instead. Everyone I know personally who has had babies has done it with an OB/GYN. No one I know has ever used a midwife or even a family doctor.

Hmm, I just looked up some statistics and yes, family doctor and midwife rates in America are both low. In fact, obstetrics in family medicine is on the decline while midwives are somewhat on the rise. Beyond that, it's all OBs, OBs, OBs.

Technically DD was delivered by a family doc. However, she worked out of a clinic with two male OBs and did nothing but prenatal care and delivering babies, so she was kind of an OB-wannabe. She was awful.

It's really too bad, because right now, I am loving having a family doc. I love that he can treat my husband's depression and my anxiety and possible thyroid problems and my daughter's ear infection and provide me with prenatal care and deliver my baby and be the new baby's pediatrician. He's really established a bond with my whole family. He's a resident so I'll lose him in June 2014, but I love having him for now.

Unfortunately, I think family doctors in general are on the decline. 80-85% of what they do can be handled by PAs and nurse practitioners with far less education and training, and the demand for family healthcare is immense (especially with universal healthcare on the horizon), so it's simply more efficient for families to be seen by PAs and nurse practitioners and then referred to specialists for more specific needs.

 

[adopim]

Proserpina: I remember when I was pregnant with DD, a common initial question was whether or not I would use a midwife or not. I opted not to, because I absolutely loved my OB and wanted him to be my doctor all the way through delivery (ended up working out different for her delivery, it's kind if a really cool thing, but I'll save that for another day ). Now I'm at square one. I think I'll stick with an OB though. My DD's doctor where we used to live was a family practitioner and he was a great doctor. Same deal for her, searching for a new doctor for her too... What a pain...
I just don't know about the up and coming health care thing... I guess we'll see what happens when it goes into effect.

allforthrgirl: I BF my DD until she was 4 months and gave her breastmilk until she was 6 months. It will probably end up being the same with this one I'm sure. Hopefully I'll have a better pump this time though (mine broke at 3.5 months and couldn't afford a new one so I hand expressed for 2.5 months).

 

[Lou1]

Midwives rule the hospital wards here! Of course if in labour things arnt going well they call an Ob in. Midwives also would b at a home birth if that was the women's choice. They then do home visits are the birth. Then at 10 days postnatal the midwive hands over to the health visitor. She comes 1-2 times, more if u need breast feeding support, or there are complications.

BF my first with little problem for 5 months. Will BF again. For first time mums I'd say go with ur gut, do what makes u feel most relaxed. BF is really pushed and supported in the UK, but in my experience many women that chose not to are left feeling very guilty. Which I feel is extremely wrong. There is new research that says women who are struggling to BF can get so stressed that the cons out weigh the positives. So do what's right for u.

Off my soap box now ....

 

[emma123456]

want to share my excitement with you all im only 4 weeks today so it doesn't seem real yet, but i have my pre-booking appointment with the midwife next week and i have a 7 week scan on the 5th February i just hope my little bean is doing good in there! x

 

[adopim]

Emma: That's exciting! I'm anxious to get my first appointment set up, have some insurance related things to figure out before I can tho...

 

[allforthegirl]

I too have my first apt today. Won't be seeing the midwife until mid Feb at the earliest, they are bit backed up. I am just hoping this other Dr will be ok with looking after me until then.

 

[ttc126]

Can me and my bump join you ladies? I found out I am pregnant last Friday at 10 dpo. I didnt believe the 15 tests I took untl I went to see my gyno yesterday and she confirmed! I am 4w2d and due Sept 22! Its my first!

Here its weird... Normally you go to a gen practicioner to confirm then make an appointment with an ob for around 10 weeks. So i dont go until February 27th! crazy!

Anyway, how are you ladies feeling? Happy and healthy 9 months to us all! Congrats everyone

 

[adopim]

Can me and my bump join you ladies? I found out I am pregnant last Friday at 10 dpo. I didnt believe the 15 tests I took untl I went to see my gyno yesterday and she confirmed! I am 4w2d and due Sept 22! Its my first!

Here its weird... Normally you go to a gen practicioner to confirm then make an appointment with an ob for around 10 weeks. So i dont go until February 27th! crazy!

Anyway, how are you ladies feeling? Happy and healthy 9 months to us all! Congrats everyone

Welcome! :wave:
They offer confirmation visits here too, but our insurance won't kick in til Feb 1st so I'm just going to skip that visit and go straight to an OB (unless something goes wrong of course). I don't know when my appt will be yet but I'm hoping for mid-feb.

I'm currently pretty tired. Either nauseous or hungry all the time. Backache, and still some mild cramping yet. Overall not too bad actually