First Dr Appointment tomorrow, what do i ask?

Hi Guys,

I've got my first doctors appointment tomorrow at 2.20pm and im trying to think of all the things i want to ask.
Also, i have a problem that i haven't found a solution to yet :(

anyway, these are the questions i have so far, if i've forgotten some, please feel free to add them, i dont want to forget anything!

1. Do i have to have a c-section because of my last two?
2. If i do, can i labor naturally and see how it goes?
3. My morning sickness has been really bad, should i be worried about the nutrients the bub might not be getting?
4. If I have a c-section, can bub go straight on my chest, barring no problems?
5. If i have to have a c-section, how long do i have to stay in bed? (last time they made me stay in bed for 4 days and it nearly killed me, almost literally)
6. How long do i have to stay in hospital?
7. when do i have my ultrasounds?
8. how long can i stay at home when labor starts?
9. How often do i have to see the doctor?
10. I cant afford an OB, what do i do?

This last one is a real concern of mine because at the moment we are living on a shoestring. we're reduced to eating the last of whats in the pantry due to some very big bills coming in and my work hours being cut back. i've given up costly stuff, including pay tv, gone to recharge for my mobile, my land line is on incoming calls only and all my utilites are on payment plans. im also letting my rego slide because we have another car, and im walking up the street (7 km round trip) rather than driving the car. i've also put the dogs and horse onto cheaper foods and am trying to get my horse moved to a friends place for a few weeks to help save money.
i am on a centrelink payment, am only working a maximum of 10 hours a week (due to staff cutbacks and quiet time of year) and my OH has been reduced to 14 hours a fortnight. he's currently looking for extra work, but we need money for that too.
can i do without seeing my OB for a while? i'm 8 weeks pregnant as of monday.

sorry to dump this on you guys, im just so depressed and wish i could stop crying, its getting very messy lol

oh, and i'm putting my car on ebay this weekend after i tidy it up to see if i can get some extra cash that way.

any questions i've forgotten? any tips on money saving ideas?

hope to hear from someone soon

Jenna

Sorry Tunsa, i don't really have any advice however I do wish you all the very best and hope your situation improves for you soon :hugs: you don't need this stress at all.... poor thing.. xx
ps can you have a garage sale perhaps? clear some old junk?? can you change jobs?? get more hours?

Im working on thursday and im planning on stapling my boss to his desk until he gives me more hours lol

i've thought about the garage sale, but they dont usually go too well around here, even when you get a couple of households in on it. thanks for the tip tho, i'll continue to look into it.

Jenna

PS. is it necessary for me to see an OB straight away?

Tunsa, i think as long as you have your blood and urine test done at a GP straight away you don't have to see an OB for a while....

Good luck with everything, and congratulations!!

Thanks Keira,

that makes me feel a little better. i thought about asking my mum if i could loan the money - she's going nuts about me being pregnant and im only just able to stop her from buying EVERYTHING lol i'll take the brakes off her in about 6 weeks tho, that'll make her happy.

thanks again

Jenna

Jenna your going to the angliss right????? if so do shared care with a GP,that's what i did and the only things i payed for were my two ultrasounds!!!!!

Haha, i just asked my mum for some money 2nite too! Aren't mums great!

I haven't seen an OB yet and i'm 19 weeks 2moro, i have had all my bloods and urine tests done though, and had the downs syndrome and dating ultrasound, i got a referral for that at my first GP visit - that might be something to ask for 2moro, a referral to get your first ultrasound, and if you want to have the downs test or not, and book in early because they get really busy, i had my downs test at 12 weeks because they have to do it within the 11-13 week gap...

I think after 2moro you might have more clarity about things, but i made a list of things to ask my GP (who i saw 2day) so i wouldn't forget all the tings i had racing through my mind!! Especially with baby brain! I forget easily now! So after seeing her 2day i came out with 12 different forms and letters and god knows what else! But she was thorough and gave me options which was great!

Hope that helps, good luck 2moro at your appointment!

Thanks,

it must be the time for asking mums for extra cash lol i know 4 people that have gone to the bank of mum today lol

i think i have most things under control, wish i could say the same for m/s, although i'll be asking about that tomorrow too, its on my list.

so its not just me? you're memory is crappy when you're pregnant? i forgot that from last time, its amazing how long ago the last one seems now lol

will keep you updated on the dr appoint.

Jenna

Yeah i used to think i had the best memory, i never forget faces, names and numbers.... now that's all gone out the window!! I can't even construct sentences sometimes! It's baby brain! It turns to mush!

I'll check your thread 2moro, see how you go!

I just wanted to say I am totally hearing you. I had planned to work fulltime this year, however mother nature had other ideas. I also borrowed from the bank of mum too.

I will be delivering my bubs in a public hospital, and for my entire pregnancy I have seen my GP in a share care program. I have seen an OB once as part of my initial hospital ante-natal visit, and will see him again at 36 weeks. Then I go back to my local GP until the event, or until 41 weeks when I see the OB again.

If you can get a GP to bulk bill you, and if you are eligible for a health care card you may be also able to get your scans bulk billed.

Make sure you save some money in the budget for yourself like fruit n vegies n milk. And make sure you are taking a good pregnancy multivitamin.

All the best in your journey ahead. Goodluck with your appointment tomorrow.

JACQUI

Well, I went off to my appointment today. It was interesting trying to tell the receptionist my name and not throw up (god I hate m/s).

anyway, finally got in to see Dr Fisher and she was lovely, as usual. she tolerated all of my questions, but did mention quite a few times that it would be unlikely that I'd be allowed to go into labor :cry: which is really disappointing.

other than that, she checked my bp and it was fine, so i was happy about that.

I've made an appointment for 5 weeks time, but have to play it by ear as to whether i actually get to go on that date or have to change it lol
i have a boxer due to whelp then, one on the 27th, so i might be playing midwife myself.

anyway, wandered up to the hospital to ask a question or two and the midwife spotted me with a pathology form and told me to go and get the blood test done. then i got a student nurse (I don't mind) who was a bit worried about taking blood because i was pretty dehydrated. it was suggested that I have more barley sugar and more water or Dr Fisher will chuck me in hospital on a drip until my hydration improves. if that isn't motivation to keep liquids down, I don't know what is lol wonder if i can convince my stomach of this? lol time will tell.

anyway, apparently I'll be seeing the midwives next time, I don't know of Dr Fisher will be there too, but I have found that I am really nervous going to the doc, but then I'm nervous about pretty much everything right now.

so guys, there's my long-winded update after my appointment!

hope everyone is well!

Jenna

Hi Jenna,

I'm glad it went well for you and you like your Doctor!

I'm sure you'll have a Happy & Healthy PG for the next few months!!

I have my 18-20 week fetal morphology ultrasound 2moro! So i know what it's like to be nervy and anxious about your appointments!!

So, keep us updated with your pregnancy so we know how you're doing! :D

Keira

Jenna,

Apparently there is a medicare safety net you can sign up to. This means if you are frequently going to the docs etc, once you reach a certain level you have paid, you will get some benefits back. Go to the medicare website for more info.

As for me I am going public. Try the royal womens. You can do everything there public barring complications.

Firstly just relax. I know, easier said than done, but it is worth trying. You have already had two children so must be doing something right. Medicare is FREE. Every single thing that the doctor requires you to have is FREE. Sure, you might have to wait for some things, but nevertheless, remember that word FREE. OB - whatever visits you have at the hospital will be fine. Shared care - this is okay if you are comfortable with your GP and feel you can afford it, or you have a health care card. But if not, midwife care at the hospital is fine ... oh yes, and it is FREE. Becuase you have already had 2 cs, they will probably want you to have another one, this is the health profession's way of ensurnig that they have as much control over the birth as possible - perhaps you could ask for a 2nd opinion.
Take care, look forward to hearing about your happy, healthy and cheap pregnancy!

Hi,

I have a medicare card, but at best i pay the full $140 and i get a rebate of sixty something dollars, but i still have to come up with the money first. Also, i have to see him at his rooms in either FTG of D'nong, so seeing him at the hospital isn't an option unfortunately. I have a health care card, so that makes things a lot easier and a bit cheaper, i.e. ultrasounds etc.

I've got another appointment at the end of this month, apparently with my GP and the midwives, so i'll have a chat to them about it all then.

Regards
Jenna

Why don't you see about going through the public system with shared care. I have a high risk pregnancy, and I can not complain about any of the care I have had and it hasn't cost me.

do you have to see an OB with shared care in the public system? sorry, im confused :(

i really want to do everything right, and i must admit, i'm serious pee'd off that no-one seems to be listening to me, as far as labor goes etc, but its all a bit much for me to take in right now.

maybe my next visit will clarify things eh?

thanks for your reply tho, i appreciate it. and Good Luck!!!

Jenna

Depending on the level of care you require, you will be seen by midwives only, or OB and midwives, or specialists. All of which don't cost you anything.

The Angliss is your closest hospital isn't it??? I can ring my old OB and find out more info for you if you like.

Tunsa,

Do you want your OH in a better job?? I'm actually a Recruitment Coordinator for a leading Labour Hire Company and would be happy to see if I could help you in any way that I can.

My email is zoe.scanlon@workpac.com if you would like to chat about it. It would depend on experiece, phone refs and your location, but I'd love to help you. No one deserves this kind of stress, let alone a pregnant woman. Congratulations on your baby... it truly is beautiful news xxx

Oh and by the way, I'm not selling anything!! I'm actually TTC myself!! Our services to our employees are FREE :))

All the best with everything and if I can help, please don't hesitate to email me :)