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TIA
Intro, and a few questions
So, hi! I'm Steph (duh), and we *just* found out I'm pregnant. H and I have been married a little over a year, and we were going to plan starting TTC in about a year or so. Surprise! It's unexpected, but we're still (mostly) excited and (moreso) nervous.
I've been posting on TK forever, but decided to start up a new sn (I've been meaning to for awhile, and this seemed like a good excuse, huh?)
I'm usually a complete planner, and I feel totally unprepared! I have a bunch of friends who were all about TTC and babies and pregnancy before they even started trying. Please don't think I'm completely clueless if I ask really ridiculous questions. 
So, now for the questions...
When do I need to get in for the first appointment?? We weren't really trying yet, so I don't have a doctor lined up or anything. First appointment is around 8 weeks, right?
That brings me to my second question... any rec's for the NW metro? I went to the Women's Specialty Clinic as part of the UM Physicians group (I work at the U) for a few years for prevention. (Including a failed IUD attempt last year to try and get my migraines under control.) I loved their whole comprehensive thing, but I'm not sure I want to be in Minneapolis. We live up by 252/694 so anything in this area that's good?? I have Medica, if that matters/helps.
Lastly (for now), realistically how much should we budget for infant daycare? I've looked a little online, but it seems to vary greatly.. If anyone is willing to share their costs, I'd appreciate it!
TIA
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Intro, and a few questions
Doctor offices vary in when they have their first appt... but in general I would say 8 wks is pretty average.
As for picking an office, I work for Fairview, so for me, going to a Fairview clinic and delivering at a Fairview hospital is covered at a higher rate than if I went to a non-Fairview clinic or hospital. So, you may want to check with Medica and see if there are places that are covered at a higher rate than others. For some reason, I'm thinking that Medica may be tied to the Allina system.... but I'm not 100% on that. That information could help you decide if one hospital would be covered at 90% and another at only 70%.
As for child care - I'm just getting into the thick of figuring it out. I would say an average that I have found for centers in St. Paul and Mpls has been right around $300/wk for fulltime infant care. I haven't found many in-home places thus far, so not sure how they compare to rates at centers.
I should mention that I'll call a doctor tomorrow... and see what they say. If I don't get a good vibe from them at the first appointment, I can always shop around again then, right?
I'm trying to find all my insurance stuff again, but I'm almost positive everything is 100% covered as long as it's an in-network clinic. (I looked it up a year ago when my friend was KU and she was comparing her insurance.)
And child care... that's what I had heard. About $1200/mo. ouch. In home is a little less right? That gives us a good place to start though. Thanks!
1. Depending on where you go, the first appointment is usually between 8-10 weeks.
2. I have gone to the Park Nicollet Clinic in St. Louis Park since we moved to MN in 2008 (recommended by a friend). I see Dr. Norwick and Julie Halverson. (At Park Nicollet you have your first appt with a NP, and then you see your OB. It keeps going back and forth between NP and OB for the rest of your pregnancy.) That Park Nicollet office delivers at Methodist Hospital.
3. I was a WAHM when DS was born, and then became a SAHM when I was laid off, so I can't help you with daycare costs. You can get a list of licensed centers and family child care on the MN Dept of Human Services website, and I think they should give you costs if you call.
With a lot of insurances, prenatal care is covered at 100%, but I think that it is rare that the actual delivery is covered at 100%. I believe the average delivery runs around $30,000, so even though my delivery is covered at 90% - that's still almost $3000 that we'll be responsible for.
Once you find a clinic they should let you know when to come in, generally around 8 weeks. I don't have any recs for that area but I go to North Metro Midwives in Golden Valley and love it.
As for daycare, from what I've heard it may vary by location and I'm not too familiar with the northern suburbs. I called a ton of in-home day cares in Minnetonka and St. Louis Park, the cheapest was $185 and most expensive $230, we pay $220/week. I only called one center and it was $320/week.
1) First appts depend on the clinic and kind of Dr/midwife you see. Most Drs have you come in for your 1st OB appt b/t 10-12 wks, but will often have you come in for a confirmation appt earlier than that.
2) As for clinics, you're in between the Fairview and Allina systems. If you don't want to be in Mpls, Fairview will deliver at the new Maple Grove Hospital and Allina will either deliver at Mercy in *** Rapids or Unity in Fridley. I've heard good things about Dr Wust at the Allina clinic in Brooklyn Park and he delivers at both Mercy or Unity. Personally, I love Dr Lisa Mattsen at the Fridley OB/Gyn Clinic at Unity Hospital. I think she may see patients at the Brooklyn Park clinic, too. My SIL sees a Dr at Oakdale Ob/Gyn and will be delivering at Maple Grove Hosp this spring.
3) I paid $1100/month for my DDs infant care at a center in Moundsview. It does get less as the kids get older. In home care would be less for infants, but is fairly comparable pricewise for toddlers. I was unable to find in home infant care when I was looking. The places I called were either full or didn't accept infants. Also, make sure you find out in home policy if the provider is sick/on vacation. A center is always open, in home care is not and you will still have to pay.