Okay lots of questions. pregnancy related

Wow, ok - I'm not sure I can answer all of your questions but will reply to the ones I can...

SMoody wrote: 1. Can you screen for one before you actually fall pregnant?

I'm not sure about this. When I was looking for an LMC when six weeks pregnant I had a couple of midwives say they were too busy for a preliminary meeting and to call them after I had met with other midwives if I didn't like any of them (thought that was quite rude actually so never rang them back). They are busy, so I guess they would prefer that you are actually pregnant so they can discuss dates etc. But you can meet with as many midwives as you want before you commit to one.

SMoody wrote: 2. Do the midwives all work with a gynae?

No, but many will be happy to do so and may have existing working relationships with one. Depends on your midwife - make sure you discuss this if it is a preference when you 'interview' them. I know some midwives don't continue to work with you if you transfer to a gynae, and it may depend how far along you are.

SMoody wrote: 3. If they do and they refer you to one who has to pay for that?

Not sure on this one...

SMoody wrote: 4. We are through Southern Cross and they sorta explain what they will cover but they themselves feel unsure of certain stuff. So if I want an elective cecear what is the different options?

Again, not too sure on this one. I do know that Southern Cross have a schedule of procedures that they will pre-approve, I think it's on their website, so you could look at that and see if it's covered? If you get referred by your midwife for medical reasons it may be covered by ACC? That's just a guess though.

SMoody wrote: 5. How many scans do you get?

I think uneventful pregnancies only have two - 12 weeks and 20 weeks? I had a few more because of pains in early pregnancy at 6 weeks and again at 38 weeks because of high BP. You can also pay for extra scans, I believe? I think some midwives advise against too many scans, mine asked us to think about whether we needed the nuchal fold scan, if the results wouldn't make any difference to whether we continued with the pregnancy. We still went ahead because we wanted to know the sex!

SMoody wrote: 6. Can you request that they do bloodwork to check progesterone ect in the first few weeks?

Again, not sure. Sorry!

SMoody wrote: 7.What gets done at a normal antenatal visit?

The routine things my midwife did were weighing me, BP check, listening to bubs heartbeat, measuring the height of the fundus to make sure things were progressing. Over time we discussed nutrition and exercise for pregnancy, did some blood tests, discussed how I was doing in general and then did a birth plan. I found it great to be able to talk to my midwife about what was going on and have her suggest different things or even just tell me it was all normal!

I hope that helps, please anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about anything!

Ok, I'll try and answer too.

SMoody wrote: 1. Can you screen for one before you actually fall pregnant? I'm not sure but i dont see any reason why you cant ask. However most MW will only see "x" number of women who are due in a month so if you arent pregnant you dont know when you will be due. 2. Do the midwives all work with a gynae? No, however most obstetrecians work with a midwife. If you decide to go this way I would chose your obs and ask who they recommend....not all MW are created equal. 3. If they do and they refer you to one who has to pay for that? If you get a MW and she decides you are high risk and need an obs as well, it is all free...but you dont get to choose your obs. It will be whoever is on at the hospital at the time of your appointment. 4. We are through Southern Cross and they sorta explain what they will cover but they themselves feel unsure of certain stuff. So if I want an elective cecear what is the different options? check your policy carefully. Mine covers me for obs/gyn but excludes pregnancy or childbirth (go figure). Some of the top top policies cover pregnancy butonly if you have had the policy for 3 years. I know I can go to a private gynae ect and will look into that as well. I have chosen to go private and it costs me $900 for up to 5 antenatal visits, delivery and 6 week postnatal check. If I need an elective ceasar it is $1300. Apparetnly it is "elective" if you decide it is needed prior to actually starting labour. Once labour has started if they say you need a ceasar, its emergency. Just want to look into all the options. 5. How many scans do you get? you are offered the 12 week one for Nuchal Translucency....you have a portion to pay yourself...in chch it is $40. Then you get another one at 20 weeks...fetal anomaly one...again another $40. If you need more for a medical reason I think you get them and I would assume you have to pay the top up fee. If you want more and there is no medical reason you would pay the whole lot. 6. Can you request that they do bloodwork to check progesterone ect in the first few weeks? I went to my GP when I thought I was pregnant and she just did a urine test and then sent me for my first bloods which was basically, blood type, iron, syphillis....that was free. 7.What gets done at a normal antenatal visit? AS above, weighing (sometimes), listening for heart, pee on a stick, blood pressure, feeling tummy etc. Okay sorry for all the questions. Just me being paranoid and trying to get all the facts before I even think of trying.

Hope this helps and filled in some more blanks.

Hi Shirena

It might be worth asking your GP some of these questions too?

Just a thought!

Good Luck!

Sam

Yeah, I thought my OB was good. I was recommended her by a friend that had used her for fertility treatment and I had actually met her years back when she diagnosed PCOS. She is fantastic and I thought very reasonable. that is why I am going with her. as a nervous new mum I didnt fully trust a midwife....I like to know too much

Hehe NZpiper, I was the opposite. I only trusted my midwife and didn't want an OB at all but had to have one coz the gremlins were higher risk.

To answer the question about repeat scans, yes here in Auckland you do have to pay the 'gap' fee which depends on where you go. At $25 a pop the 17 scans I had with the gremlins cost me a bit If you go public you can have them done free at the hospital but take a packed lunch coz it's a day trip

oops Piper no I just guessed cause of all the extra scans... I thought that was only in Auckland. The Palmy ladies are missing out, man! Only 1 scan per pregnancy unless there are serious problems!!

With your ticker - does it go out by a day? Someone once suggested that they were on a different time?

Scans - in Palmy scans cost about $110 each I think? but I think everyone gets them for a subsidised cost of $25 if they are referred by their LMC (which is the usual way). But then the radiology clinic subsidises that $25 as well if you have a current community services card.

Actually Theresa, with us Palmy ladies I think it depends on the midwife as to whether you get 1 or 2. I had one at 7-8 weeks so midwife didn't bother with one at 12 weeks. Yet one of my friends just went for a "standard 12 week scan" as she puts it. And she didn't ask for it, her midwife just sent her off for it.

There are places in Aklnd where the scans are free - I havent gone to them because of location convenience, but I know that the Botany place is free and excellent from others reports.

Yeah our good pne was as Ascot. We are going to get the 4D done when we go back in a few weeks for our 20wk!!