*** March Mummies *** 29 Boys, 34 Girls, 8 Team Yellow! 46 babies born!!

[msarkozi]

Our community health nurse is the head of the board for the breastfeeding thing in this region, and she is trying to get the nurses in High Level to change their attitude. The issue is that they are all mostly from different countries, and their religions believe that breastfeeding is a sign of being poor, and so they try to get you to bottle feed. Our nurse here said that we will have to be strict with them, as they will tell us that our baby isn't getting enough milk and is starving and keep trying to give us the bottle. I don't think I will have the patience for that, so hopefully they don't try it with me!

I got called in to go see the consult doctor tomorrow, so while I am there, I am going to see if they have a specific list of what I should bring.

 

[blessedmomma]

it always sounded like a give and take thing to me. i had a friend from canada and she always said how horrible it was. she compared it to the free clinics here, which are not so great. but hey, they are free!!!

whats nice about here is that if you dont have insurance and are pregnant you can get a medical card that only covers the pregnancy/birth but it works like insurance so you can see pretty much who you want and its all free. after you have the baby, if you still dont have insurance you can get the same card to cover your child to age 18.

 

[msarkozi]

that's kinda neat! sometimes it is better to have private then public for sure. It takes us forever to get into specialists! I couldn't even imagine what it would cost if we wanted to pay for someone private instead. I guess like everything though, there is benefits to both

 

[readynwilling]

I think it really depends on the situation with the free health care in Canada. Dr shortages are EVERYWHERE but i happen to have a FABULOUS family dr (and thank my lucky stars all the time for it!). So for a lot of people to see the dr they need to go to a clinic.. which aren't great. But as far as hospitals go - they are all pretty good i think. Where i live we have 2 and one is known country wide as having the best cardiac facility, and when my MIL had her heart attack last year, they were awesome! I know the Mat ward at the hospital is new and fancy... lets hope the care i receive is just as good!

 

[readynwilling]

that's kinda neat! sometimes it is better to have private then public for sure. It takes us forever to get into specialists! I couldn't even imagine what it would cost if we wanted to pay for someone private instead. I guess like everything though, there is benefits to both

Exactly!!!

And its not exactly free. I have a US friend who was in when i told her how much $$ comes off my paycheck to "pay" for these free things LOL.

 

[msarkozi]

I've actually been told by many too that the hospital I am giving birth at, gives you way better treatment then bigger places. It's just a small Town, so there is a little more one on one care involved, which will be nice.

 

[msarkozi]

You guys pay in Ontario?? Alberta took that away a year ago, that we don't have to pay for our Alberta Health Care anymore...it wasn't really all that much that came off our cheques though

 

[readynwilling]

Its all part of the provincial taxes we pay. the $$ has to come from somewhere right? We don't specifically have a health care amount we pay but just the general tax deductions.

 

[blessedmomma]

melissa- i have always felt that you have to stand up for yourself in a hospital. of course there are some things that you just have to be flexible on when its the best for your baby. i think most mothers, even brand new ones, know what those things are though. i have dealt with pushy nurses who thought they knew it all and could say what i could or could not do with my baby. just remember that this is your baby, not theirs. they may have experience with newborns and its ok for them to give you their opinions but its not ok for them to decide what you should do or how you should parent. and believe me parenting starts on day 1.

 

[blessedmomma]

i dont think i would mind paying into my taxes for health care. we already have to pay taxes for everything else, lol! having a big family like mine though we are always in the dr's for something ya know. if one of us is not sick for a while there are still regular checkups and shots, etc. it seems like the money just comes from a different source. instead of it coming out of my hubby's checks it would come on our taxes.

just to have this baby i will have 3 bills. one for the hospital, one for using a specialist (obstetrician), and one for the anesthesiologist. i will be having the epidural so that one is very needed, lol!!!! i could have used our family dr and not had the specialist bill, but i chose a family dr that doesnt do pregnancy care. i suppose i could change, but i really like her for our kids, she is a great family dr.

 

[msarkozi]

Sara - and here I thought all of Ontario's money came from Alberta?!

Melissa - I have a feeling I will be a very protective mother, so the nurses will probably have a hard time with me. We were told they will try to prey on us when we are weak and tired though, which isn't really fair.

 

[membas#1]

I'll also have the OB bill and hospital bill (no anastheologist bill on our current birthing plan but if I were to end up going that route, I'd have that too). I have good insurance, state benefits, so my out of pocket expense for just myself for each year is $1000, so I won't pay over that for everything this year. Baby has her own out of pocket expense and I can't remember what it is ($1000 or 2000 for dependents)...but all in all my friends who I work with and have recently had babies have paid about $1200-1300 total for OB care and hospital fees for mama and baby expenses.

I've been asked to pay my OB up front before birth, so we'll pay $650 or so on Wednesday when we go in for appt. They like to be paid beforehand if possible or you can setup a payment plan--I just assume pay it now.

I do recall now my coworker saying our hospital has as many of the blankets, caps, pack of diapers, etc...they will also give you supplies for your breast pump if you need like extra tubing etc, according to my coworker. Now I'm going to go look up on my hospital website to see what they say on there....if anything.

 

[membas#1]

I found the link for my hospital that says what to bring, and yep looks like they do provide some of those items for baby

What to Bring From Home

For mother:

* Cotton shirts or gowns, suitable for breastfeeding
* One comfortable daytime outfit that fits at 6 months of pregnancy (for going home)
* Robe, slippers and two pairs of socks
* Toiletries, including toothbrush and toothpaste
* Cotton underwear and nursing bras
* Cotton shirts or gowns, suitable for breastfeeding

For birth partner:

* Comfortable shoes
* Change of clothes that are comfortable to sleep in
* Toiletries, including toothbrush and toothpaste.

For baby:

* Sacred Heart provides baby with long sleeved t-shirts, diapers and receiving blankets for use in the hospital
* Cotton gowns or sleepers
* One outfit for going home
* Baby blanket
* Car seat

Snacks You May Want To Bring From Home

Sacred Heart provides meals and snacks to the mother around the clock

For mother:

* Gum or breath mints
* Sour hard candies or lollipops
* Electrolyte (sports) drinks
* Popsicles

For birth partner:

* Jerky, nuts and power bars
* Bagels or crackers
* Other finger foods

Optional Items

* Favorite pillows (two to three)
* Lip balm
* Massage oil and tools
* CD player and favorite CDs
* Pictures, flowers or other visuals (for a focal point during labor)
* Video camera and videotapes
* Long-distance calling card and a list of phone numbers
* Camera, film and batteries

 

[Tanikit]

Hi, just caught up (but read everything backwards) Hope everyone is well. Have also been thinking about Sara and wondering how she is doing - I am also a bit worried about her husband after what she posted - maybe it is something to do with that? Wish we could get hold of her.

DH and I had a huge fight on Saturday - I do not know why it got out of control so rapidly or so badly, but since then I have been staying with my inlaws as us together is not a good thing right now. My BP rose to 140/90 after the fight and took a few days to come down - it is still hanging around 130/85 now which is too high but will do. It is weird to be with the inlaws since their son and I have been fighting, but it has still been much better for me - I have company (and I have been terribly lonely) and rest and someone to babysit when I need to sleep and far far less work that I need to do. Yesterday we made curtains for the babies room which I could not have done at home. I have to go back probably tomorrow as I have a doctors appointment on Thursday and it is very very far from here. I am partly dreading going back - that was a very very bad fight.

On top of that the first night at my inlaws I got very bad asthma that wasn't responding to my meds and I landed in the ER for 3 hours. I am now on even more meds for it and it has been better though not perfect. Baby is getting very big and I am also breathless, leg cramps have been very bad lately and I am not sleeping well. Emotionally I have been grumpy but I mostly very sad which I suppose is understandable. I really need some support and DH cannot be that support. My mother is considering coming up early (beginning of February possibly) as I am not able to keep up this pace and this type of loneliness with no support. I am still debating though as to what I need. If I get preeclampsia baby will have to come even earlier so will have to wait and see what my BP does and what the doctors have to say.

Right now I am very high risk for premature labour since I have asthma, diabetes and rising BP and apparently stress (particularly emotional) can also be added to that list. Hehe - watch baby decide to be late or need an induction.

Will not be on that much in the next few days.

to everyone who needs them and hope things go well in the next few days.

 

[codegirl]

Our community health nurse is the head of the board for the breastfeeding thing in this region, and she is trying to get the nurses in High Level to change their attitude. The issue is that they are all mostly from different countries, and their religions believe that breastfeeding is a sign of being poor, and so they try to get you to bottle feed. Our nurse here said that we will have to be strict with them, as they will tell us that our baby isn't getting enough milk and is starving and keep trying to give us the bottle. I don't think I will have the patience for that, so hopefully they don't try it with me!

I got called in to go see the consult doctor tomorrow, so while I am there, I am going to see if they have a specific list of what I should bring.

I fell for that the first time. This time there is no way I'll be giving my baby any formula. I'm actually going to start pumping in Feb to see if I can collect some cololstrum so that if I have trouble with the latch again I can give the baby something. (they said they wouldn't release us from the hospital until Edward ate so I ended up giving in to giving him formula)

Sara - and here I thought all of Ontario's money came from Alberta?!

Tanikit - Sounds like it might be good to have your mom come early. You need support were you can get it.

 

[blessedmomma]

tanikit- im so sorry your going thru all that. i cant imagine being away from my hubby right now. he is my biggest support though. im very thankful to be married to such a gentle man, couldnt ask for more. i hope you and DH work things out. its good that your in-laws are there for you too!

melissa- i dont think there is anything wrong with being over protective. just my opinion though. im told by many relatives and friends that i am way too much. but i figure if i cant stop every bad thing from happening to them, so im gonna at least stop what i can. and in the end if something happens it wont be because i was slacking.

i cant believe that in this day and age the hospitals still push women to go one way or another. i dont know about all of them in the US, but the two i have used pretty much just asked what i wanted to do and provided me with what i needed for either BF or FF. they have different diaper bags for whatever you decide. some have a can of formula from the formula companies you choose and some other supplies and coupons. the other one has some info on BF and resources for support. i myself cant BF so its not a concern or issue. i know already what i will be doing and have done it 4 times now so i pretty much know what to expect. i have heard of some women being treated badly for not choosing to BF here. just really getting the its the best thing for them speech. if you cant or choose not to though, its not the best thing for them obviously. it has never happened to me, but i wont put up for it anyways. having loving parents who take care of their baby is the best thing for them. and you will still completely bond with your baby feeding them formula if you love them. my childrens health comes from the Lord and He has always provided all i need for them. they have never had allergies, asthma, or any of that. have all been very healthy. im sure if i could BF i would do that though and wouldnt take any crap from nurses on that issue either, LOL!

 

[Shell'sAngels]

Hi ladies

Had midwife i have to go in for a gtt on monday, she agreed id blown completely out so abit worried, just waiting for a consultant appointment at 37 weeks too! god i hope it comes back ok, im still on iron levels are low too! x

 

[blessedmomma]

shells- i hope your LO is ok!!!

i have a scan next tues and keep having dreams and feelings that something is wrong. i keep telling myself im sure he is ok

 

[pinkycat]

Shellsangels- i hope everything settles down for you

Tanikit- Im sorry to hear that. I hope your problems can be resolved,this is the time when you need your DH most xx

Iv spent the day shopping for my hospital bag with Laura (think major stress) so iv been on my feet all day. Im sooo tired now and my feet,hands and face have swollen up. I have rang DH at work and asked him to come straight home (he usually goes to the gym) so i can lie down. I feel selfish but i dont want to end up in hospital again this early.

to anyone who needs one xx

 

[braijackava]

Went to the doctor today, and my BP is still good. I talked to her though, and she says with my history I have a 95% chance of getting preeclampsia again. So she said plan on induction at 37 weeks, which would be March 1st!!! Eeeek that seems sooo close! I have to do a 24 hour urine collection starting tomorrow morning which isnt very fun.... But glad all is ok with baby.

Sorry you are having a hard time tanikit. I had a big fight with hubby last night too. No fun and worse with hormones involved. It is nice his family is so supportive.