| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
smellyshelly 
Newbie
Joined: 17 March 2010
Location: Avondale, Auckland
Points: 9
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Topic: So I am pregnant...now what?
Posted: 17 March 2010 at 6:50pm |
I've been trying for a long, long time to become pregnant with my DP (many years). I had one miscarriage 2 years ago.
My boobs had been really tender for about a month, so I grabbed a test at Foodtown on Monday, and got an immediate postive as soon as the pee climbed up the stick!
It was pretty shocking, sort of ignored it for a day or so, then re-tested today (Wednesday) with another brand. Same thing, an immediate positive.
The thing is, I have NO clue how far along I would be. I have never had a regular period in my life. Sometimes I only get 4 a year.
DP and I were taking a break from TTC since last December, so I haven't been tracking my periods or taking any notice of my body and ovulation etc etc. I have a vague reccolection of a period in early January, but that's about it.
I have made an appointment to see the doctor on Friday - generally, what happens at that visit? Will he test me again? Will I do a blood test? How will we detirmine how far along I am? Is pregnancy care free? If I ask for an ultrasound, will that be expensive?
Sorry for so many questions, thanks so much for any help.
Michelle 
|
 |
|
Sponsored Links
|
|
|
kebakat
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Palmy North
Points: 10980
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 17 March 2010 at 6:59pm |
|
Congrats!!!
GP will send you off for your first lot of bloods. You should get a scan referral anyway for a dating scan since you don't know how far along you are. Thats the only way of figuring out how far along you are. Theres not much point peeing on a stick again at the docs but they might get you to do that also.
You'll be told to start hunting out a MW. Its best to get onto this sooner rather than later as some areas have massive shortages. If you use the search function for this site you will more than likely find previous threads on MW recommendations.
|
|
flakesitchyfeet
Senior Member
Joined: 23 March 2008
Location: A cute wee place in the SI
Points: 1564
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 17 March 2010 at 7:01pm |
Lets go from the last paragraph of questions lol 
The Dr. may refer you for a 'dating' scan, which will measure the fetus and tell you where you are at. Start ringing around midwives and explain the ttc/not sure how far along situation, because they fill up fast. Try to find someone who works in a team incase that individual is fully booked for when your due. I saw the doc with #1 and she just put me on to a m/w, for #2 I bypassed the doc and went straigh to a mw myself.
In Chch we have to pay for scans a subsidised amount. Its usually $50. It may be different because of your m/c, but you'll likely have a dating scan, a 12wk scan, and a 19wk scan.
Midwife apts will be monthly, fortnightly, then weekly as time progresses.
Most maternity care is free, if you choose to stay on longer at some birth centres they may start to charge a fee. Not sure about this bit, I was desperate to get home ASAP!
All the best for a happy and healthy pregnancy
|
  http://eggsineachbasket.blogspot.com/
|
|
kebakat
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Palmy North
Points: 10980
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 17 March 2010 at 7:01pm |
|
Oh pregnancy care with GPs (first trimester) and MWs is free. if you go down the ob route it is expensive (few thousand). Scan costs vary between areas. In my area I expect to pay between $30-50. My NT scan for example (done 12-13weeks) is going to cost $50
|
|
flakesitchyfeet
Senior Member
Joined: 23 March 2008
Location: A cute wee place in the SI
Points: 1564
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 17 March 2010 at 7:01pm |
Kebakat bet me to it! Forgot about the first lot of bloods 
Edited by Flake
|
http://eggsineachbasket.blogspot.com/
|
|
smellyshelly
Newbie
Joined: 17 March 2010
Location: Avondale, Auckland
Points: 9
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 17 March 2010 at 7:08pm |
|
Oh thanks so much for the fast responses! Reallly appreciated. And I am sorry for my terrible spelling, it's been a looong day.
That is great to have all that information. My partner and I are very nervous! We are 27, and are both students, about 2 weeks away from completing our degrees. So while we hopefully will be earning well in the future, right now we are dirt poor. We've been in a bit of shock all week, and had a huge exam on Tuesday, luckily we both passed as we were so distracted.
I've had an ultrasound once for gallbladder stones and it was $120, I am glad there is a subsidy for pregnancy scans.
A midwife? Do I have to have one? This is all so new to me. What does the midwife do...offer support through the pregnancy as well as assist with birth? I sound so dumb, but I really just thought - fall pregnant - wait for 9 months - toddle off to the hospital - come home the next day! Haha.
|
|
kebakat
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Palmy North
Points: 10980
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 17 March 2010 at 7:20pm |
|
You need to have a lead maternity carer (LMC) who will oversee all your care during your pregnancy. With a MW at the start you see her once as an informal meeting just to chat and see if you like her basically. If you do you can sign up with her which involves signing a form to say she will look after you care.
From then you see her every 4 weeks from 12 weeks on or thereabouts. She will send you off for all your blood work, scans and do basic checks everytime you see her. Later on in your pregnancy you move to fortnightly visits and then in the last few weeks weekly visits.
She will refer you off for any specialist care if you have any problems crop up and will go through a birth plan etc with you and be at your birth.
The other option is an ob, they do the same as a MW but they are a doctor, they aren't free and the only benefit I've seen from them is you get extra scans and thats about it.
|
|
kmarie
Senior Member
Joined: 22 April 2008
Location: Auckland
Points: 1785
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 17 March 2010 at 10:22pm |
|
Looks like everyone else has been really thorough with their answers - all good! Yep to the midwife question, although some doctors do what is called 'shared care' (as in, your GP plays a similar role to a mw throughout your pregnancy) but I'm sure your GP will explain that to you if it's an option. It's less common these days.
The good thing is that you can choose your own midwife & there are heaps of options (again, your GP should point you in the right direction, if not, definitely ask on here cuz you'll find lots of recommendations). Some are really relaxed about the whole process, some are a little more intense - it's up to you and what you prefer. I asked my GP for his recommendation and the mw he put me on to with Bethany was so great (relaxed, friendly & keen to keep everything as natural as possible) that I've got her again this time :-)
All the best - and big congrats! You'll have to let us know how it all goes :)
|
twins in heaven Oct07
Is 40:11 "He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart."
|
|
smellyshelly
Newbie
Joined: 17 March 2010
Location: Avondale, Auckland
Points: 9
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 18 March 2010 at 7:44pm |
Thanks yet again, you guys have been a huge help. I now know exactly what to ask my doctor tomorrow.
Today I suddenly realised the enormity of the situation and I felt a bit strange, not sad exactly but sort of deflated? I stayed home from uni and fell asleep twice, ate like a horse and was very moody. Now I feel all bright and happy again. is this what I have to look forward to? LOL!
I didn't realise midwives were such a big thing, I thought of them as more of a feature of the 1800's, guess I read too many trashy romance novels.
I've just moved from south Auckland to west Auckland, so I will start hunting for a midwife now. My main worry is that I am pretty meak and an easy pushover, I'll need someone patient and understanding.
This forum has been great, I have been reading a lot of the threads, and you are all vfery warm and kind.
|
|
smellyshelly
Newbie
Joined: 17 March 2010
Location: Avondale, Auckland
Points: 9
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 March 2010 at 7:07am |
I managed to find a midwife that has several spots open for November, she's close, the clinic has other midwives as backups in case she is away - and best of all she seems lovely.
I am cancelling the GP visit and have an appointment with her today at 4pm, to see if I like her and she will help me with any info I might need.
Thanks again for all the great help.
Michelle
|
|
M.i.s.s.y
Senior Member
Joined: 27 January 2008
Location: Nelson
Points: 939
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 March 2010 at 10:50am |
|
Yay Michelle, look 4ward to hearing wot the midwife has to say. having a baby is just awesum,congrats to u & ur DP.
lol u can have crazy mood swings, but its well worth it.
|
|
|
|
So I am pregnant...now what?
