Choosing a LMC - so confused
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44269
Printed Date: 27 July 2025 at 1:13pm Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Choosing a LMC - so confused
Posted By: elsterb
Subject: Choosing a LMC - so confused
Date Posted: 05 September 2014 at 3:21pm
I am so confused and feeling really frustrated and lost.
I am 5 weeks pregnant, this is my first baby, and went to the doctor this week who referred me for blood tests and gave me a bit of an overview about LMC options and told me to come back at 8 weeks for more tests. It was only a short appointment so I did not have much time to ask all the questions I wanted to ask.
She recommended one maternity group, who I contacted today for more information and then today I got called by one of the midwifes who booked me in for an appointment at 8 weeks. I was at work, and should have asked her more questions but it's not really a work appropriate topic as I haven't told anyone yet. Does this mean I am now locked in with her as my midwife, and is it normal that they would book you in for appointments before you've even met to see if you are a good fit? I feel really uncomfortable with the idea that I have just been assigned to someone I haven't even met. What if we aren't a fit? Have I then left it quite late to find someone else?
And if she wants me to come in at 8 weeks, do I also need to go for my doctors appointment at 8 weeks? What's the difference in what each will do? I am so confused, have no idea what normal procedures are in terms of standard appointments, and what to look for in finding an LMC (or even if I want an independent midwife at this stage). Or even what kinds of appointments are coming up. On lots of forums, some women around 5 weeks seem to have already have had ultrasounds and scans but none of this has been discussed with me. Should this happen, or when will this happen, for me?
Any advice would be really appreciated. I am not from NZ and so don't have any family here or friends who have been pregnant who I can ask.
|
Replies:
Posted By: Fingersxd4#2
Date Posted: 05 September 2014 at 3:41pm
just a quick reply..
No you wont be stuck with her, you have right up to the birth to change MW's.
Depending what your dr wants to do, I would still go :)
You can see a dr free up til 12 weeks.
No you havent left it late hun x
Shop around sweety
------------- Jun 08 - TTC #1 Dec 11 - Found out I was UTD Jul 12 - DD was born Jan 13 - TTC #2 May 14 - Early Miscarriage from final round of 50mg Clomid Dec 14 - Miscarriage at 8.5weeks from 100mg Clomid
|
Posted By: Mama5
Date Posted: 05 September 2014 at 4:18pm
Hi elsterb, no you don't have to worry, you have plenty of time to sort out your LMC and find the right person for you, whether it's a specialist obstetrician or midwife.
I would go ahead and meet with this midwife to see if you and her click and if your philosophies about birth and pregnancy are matching. In the meantime you might like to contact a range of other mw's and specialists to have a chat, see what they're like, and then make an informed choice.
I know it's hard when you're feeling rushed by your doctor so I always write down any specific questions before I go and then stubbornly make sure I ask them all :)
I guess it depends on the individual and theirdoctor in terms of what happens at each appointment, but my advice is if you're unsure don't hesitate to call the doctors office and ask for clarification about what will happen and anything you need to do to prepare. I'm pretty sure the blood test is the first step, ultrasounds etc follow later.
Hope that helps, there is so much conflicting info out there, it can be totally overwhelming.
|
Posted By: Mushroom
Date Posted: 05 September 2014 at 6:25pm
Just a note on scans etc. Normally in NZ you have a scan at 12 weeks, and another at 20 weeks. Women who have irregular periods can also have a scan at 6 weeks to determine due date (think they advise 7 weeks now as too many women go in early).
Any other scans are only if they're worried something might be wrong, or need to check on something that might complicate birth.
We had a specialist when I was pregnant due to family pregnancy history. First appointment with them was at 10 weeks, which is fairly standard. Basically go over pregnancy information, health issues/concerns, check baby's heartbeat. Blood pressure also was checked every appointment. Also have to pee on a test strip each time to make sure there isn't any protein to ensure kidneys are working well.
Hope this helps!
------------- Me: 35, PCOS, endo, DH: 34, severe MFI 6+ yrs TTC#2 M/C 2012, clomid 2013, IVM 2014, IVF 2015, M/C 2015 2016 FET#1- BFP - MMC - Emergency D&C FET#2 - BFN Jul 16 - stage 3 endo removed. Oct 16 BFP
|
Posted By: Icecream
Date Posted: 05 September 2014 at 6:33pm
Hey I am nearly seven weeks and I do have an early scan booked but that is a separate issue, I googled midwifes in my area and found one I liked from her profile then emailed her and asked for a chat after my scan and we willl go from there
|
Posted By: elsterb
Date Posted: 05 September 2014 at 6:33pm
Thanks so much for all your really kind responses so far, they have been a huge help and made me feel much better.
|
Posted By: LisaBrown164692
Date Posted: 19 November 2014 at 8:09pm
Hi there,
I have booked in with a private obstetrician in a specialist service in Wellington. She has antenatal and postnatal midwives through the practice that will look after me too. Reason for choosing a specialist is due to family history of baby getting stuck/forceps delivery/post birth surgery.
I think it is important who you go with and need to feel comfortable with them. Sharing similar philosophies is key too. I think what also put me off having a public midwife was the stories I have heard about midwives not responding effectively nor getting help at the right time during birth. Put me right off!
You do have a few weeks to consider your options. Good luck with your scan ;-) I have my first scan in under 3 weeks. Not sure how I am going to drink 1 litre of water in an hour before the scan.
|
|