| No help for the majority of your questions, but I was very lucky
to have an OB nurse for my US delivery who was a midwife in
England prior to coming here. She was absolutely wonderful both
"technically" and personally - for your sake, maybe British
midwives are all this good!!
cj/
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This is my first time, and I'm still going through it, but the way
things have happened for me:
Take a urine sample to EVERY hospital/GP you have. Before I go in to
see anyone they weigh me and ask questions about what's been happening
and then check the sample. The time my glucose was high, they informed
the GP beofre I went in, so more questions were asked, further tests
done. It all worked out okay (I had just eaten a sweet!!!)
I have also had blood tests done every time I've seen the GP, so if
anything arises from these, further tests will be carried out.
I have met my midwife 3 times so far - I'm at 6 months, and I *believe*
she is due to be with me at the birth.
I was told I had a specialist assigned to me, but have not met him yet.
I think maybe they only call him in if there are risks.
You are given a folder with your maternity notes in, which you keep
yourself - take these along every time you visit anyone also. [These
are great - you get to read what every one has written about you -
apparently I'm high risk due to being single!!]
Hope this helps!!
Feel free to contact me by mail if you ahve any further questions -
I'll TRY to answer them!!
Take care, Mum-to-be!!
Chris :-)
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| Hi,
I am in Basingstoke UK, and this is what has happened to
me. However, I am told that different doctors/specialists
have different methods, so it does vary.
I saw my doctor at about 7 weeks. I was told to make an
appointment with the local community midwife for the tenth
week and then to go back to him for a 12 week check. I
have had an amnio, so I was then referred to the hospital
for scans and then the amnio. Now that is all over, I just
visit my GP or Community midwife once a month until 28
weeks, then every two weeks to 36 weeks and then once a
week till term.
I am referred to a Specialist at the hospital, but will only
see him if there is a problem. The midwife has taken blood
tests for iron, and some other things, she did that at the
10 week visit. Since then I have had no other tests (expect
the amnio).
It all seems to be OK, but my only comment is that it is really
in your hands to push to see them more often if you need to. I
have been on a couple of occasions in addition to the above
as I had some slight worry or ailment. So I think you need to
push it if you need more care than that.
I have had three scans, 'cos of the amnio, but I gather that
usually you get just one at about 20 weeks.
This scheme I am under is called 'shared care', meaning that
it is shared between the hospital and your personal doctor.
There are other schemes in the UK, so it could be different
in your area. Where are you?
I haven't got as far as seeing the labour ward etc... yet,
but I gather that you will only see the midwife at delivery
unless there is a problem. And the Community midwife will
visit you at home for 10 days after you get out. You are
then transfered to the care of a Health Visitor, who will
visit you once a week or so.
Hope this helps a bit!
Cheers,
Sarah
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| Hello,
I'm an American who got pregnant in Boston but ended up having
my baby in England. I think I know the ins and outs of both
systems pretty well, so if you have any questions, please
feel free to contact me.
Elizabeth
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| I was on an international relocation in Scotland when I had my first
child. I had two pregnancies (first one miscarried) while there. The
first time, I went to my GP who explained the process exactly as you
described it. Basically, unless there are complications, you are in
the hands of the GP thru your pregnancy, but when you deliver, you're
attended by a staff ob/gyn. As I was nervous about going thru this so
far from home, I asked my GP to refer me to an ob/gyn, explaining that
I had "private" health insurance (ie John Hancock). I never had a
chance to go to the ob/gyn when I miscarried, and was attended by the
GP (at home) but by a staff ob/gyn at the hospital.
For my second pregnancy, I again went to the GP and he immediately
referred me to a ob/gyn, as I had previously requested. This was to
ensure that the doctor I saw thru the pregnancy would be the same one
in the delivery room. He did offer me the choice of who should do the
delivery - him or a midwife, and I told him that I was going to spend 9
months getting to know him ( and him me ) and therefore wanted him to
do it.
A note, though. I attended pre-natal classes thru the National
Childbirth Trust (NCT). They promote natural childbirth, breathing
techniques, breast-feeding, etc. Unfortunately, the midwives in
attendance at the birth did not practice the same techniques (or
philosophies) and therefore, when I lost control of the breathing, they
couldn't help. However, I would still recommend the NCT, as they also
offer breast-feeding support after the birth.
BTW, because I requested the ob/gyn, it was considered "private" health
care and John Hancock had to pay the expenses - a total of 350
sterling, or roughly $500. Sure doesn't compare to the $3K we had to
pay for the most recent birth, not including nursery fees, hospital
fees, etc.
Also, immediately after my daughter was born, the hopsital offered us a
very British "tea and toast" with china plates and silver platters.
Very respectable!
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