@mayapple44 My DH is covered through his grad school program, but the only family coverage they offer is crazy expensive so we opted not to do that when he started the program last fall. Previously I was also covered through his insurance when he had a different plan. I’m self-employed (and make very little at this point) so I can stay home with DS, so I can’t get my own. We were unfortunately pretty dumb when all our job changes happened last year and we decided not to enroll in the Marketplace when it was open because at that time it was cheaper to pay OOP for everything and we were trying to budget as tightly as possible. So when we found out we were expecting again we tried getting on Medicare until the Marketplace opens again but we’ve been jumping through hoops since July to get coverage and so far haven’t been able to get it because the process has been a mess. So probably at this point we’re just going to have to hope and pray that we can get a plan we can afford and that will cover a pregnant lady and a newborn without a fight when the Marketplace reopens in a few weeks. So really we have no one to blame but ourselves but at the same time it’s crazy how hard it is to get affordable healthcare... Our follow up is Nov 15
@3plus1equals4 The nurse that called was the nurse coordinator assigned to us, so she will be handling all the scheduling thankfully and she was super helpful and sweet on the phone so that at least made me feel better. She made it sound like all the specialists were in the same building, but they had different office days or something so she could only group a few of them in one day I guess? I can’t even remember which specific people they were, but there were at least four different ones. I know they are just getting as prepared as possible for whatever she might need, so I appreciate that for sure, it’s all just way out of my league at this point and it’s overwhelming to hear all those different doctors names! Hopefully after our follow up we’ll have a much clearer idea of what she might need.
@jessilee15 Thanks for that info! I’ve not been able to really find much firsthand information on what to expect at any level of severity, though I haven’t let myself Google too much yet, so that makes me feel much better actually.
Do you mean Medicaid? I think we are in the same state, I work for a MCE in the Medicaid dept. If you want to Pm me I may be able to help or at least point you in the right direction. Navigating with the state can be difficult Once approved Medicaid should cover claims 90 days back from your date of approval.
@clc515 Some things that I wanted to know were.. Can I move freely while being monitored and with an IV? Walk around, bounce on a ball, etc. Can I use the bathtub for pain management? Do they use wireless monitors at all? (For monitoring contractions and baby's hr) Can I push in different positions if I feel compelled? Obviously if you get an epidural that changes how much is possible, but they still may be able to help you into different positions so you aren't on your back all day. Other questions would be.. Do they practice delayed cord clamping? Do they allow immediate skin to skin with mom, as long as baby is not in distress? Hope this gives you an idea or two.
@the_other_mother those are good questions! Definitely copying you! @clc515 I have not toured or even set foot at the hospital I'm delivering at either.
@meatballs37 Wishing you and your family strength and peace right now. I'm sorry you have to deal with something so difficult.
Re: Belly/breast casts. I think it could be used for entertaining if you use the belly for chips and maybe guac and salsa in each breast? That is probably what it's for.
@the_other_mother you most likely won't have an IV unless you get an epidural (and you certainly don't have to consent to an IV if you don't want one, unless of course you get the epidural). The monitoring likely depends on the technology they have, but I did not have an epidural and had to stay still for monitoring (although it was only intermittent). Aside from that, there shouldn't be any reason you can't move around freely and they will likely encourage it for pain relief if you go unmedicated. Definitely ask what they have for resources in terms of birth balls, etc. All great questions! But definitely remember that some of these are things you can absolutely ask for, even if they're not "hospital policy." For example, if you want immediate skin to skin (and I can't imagine what hospitals don't offer that for healthy newborns), ask them to hold off on weighing and to do all immediate testing like APGAR, etc. while baby is on you.
@the_other_mother you most likely won't have an IV unless you get an epidural (and you certainly don't have to consent to an IV if you don't want one, unless of course you get the epidural). The monitoring likely depends on the technology they have, but I did not have an epidural and had to stay still for monitoring (although it was only intermittent). Aside from that, there shouldn't be any reason you can't move around freely and they will likely encourage it for pain relief if you go unmedicated. Definitely ask what they have for resources in terms of birth balls, etc. All great questions! But definitely remember that some of these are things you can absolutely ask for, even if they're not "hospital policy." For example, if you want immediate skin to skin (and I can't imagine what hospitals don't offer that for healthy newborns), ask them to hold off on weighing and to do all immediate testing like APGAR, etc. while baby is on you.
I had an IV due to being induced with pitocin. My original plan was to give birth in the "natural beginnings birth center" part of the hospital, but since I never went into labor naturally I landed in L&D. That's mostly what influenced the questions I would ask. I was still able to go "med free." (besides the pitocin, obviously which is a med.) The bathtub thing was an issue I had to actually push in the moment even though I had been told by several people during the tour and intake process that it was allowed, but it was the best decision I made. I can't recommend water enough if you are pain med free.
@clc515 I haven’t had mine this time yet, but last time I asked about all the vaccinations and standard procedures they had for the baby while we were in the hospital. I personally wanted to do research and feel totally informed so I wouldn’t feel totally clueless when they started doing stuff to my newborn. Talking through those things with the nurse before the chaos of birth and the hours after ended up really helping me once it actually happened. I was a basket case of emotions after delivery and every time a nurse wanted to take DS for something I got really anxious so I am glad I had already been filled in on what was standard and why they did things a certain way. Also maybe if there’s anything else you personally are anxious about (emergency c-section, availability and timing of epidural, induction, etc.) the nurse who gives the tour should be able to give you info on their standard procedures. Anything you think might stress you out to find out in the midst of labor, lol. I was super worried about emergency c-section and since I mentioned it she gave me lots of info on what would happen if I needed one.
Eta: at ours the nurse had us go ahead and fill out all the necessary consent forms for the newborn shots and stuff, so some of my questions came from not knowing exactly what I was signing off on
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
@GoogleMD Yes that’s what I meant, I always switch the two! Our main issue has just been the verification of income since we have lots of random sources of income that are not consistent, so I guess we are just dumb and can’t communicate that correctly with the verification forms they give us. We thought we did it right last time but apparently we didn’t so now we’re in the middle of reapplying for the third time (I honestly don’t remember what we did wrong the first time, ugh). If we could just sit down in front of an actual person and go through everything and get the definite correct info filed it would help but it’s just a disjointed process and we somehow are failing at following it. I don’t even know if we’re actually within the income threshold anyways and no one can seem to tell us that, so we might be doing all of this for nothing anyways!
Also I Bump on mobile so I have no idea where the PM inbox is anymore! I used to be able to find it but can’t now
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
She said she wouldn't be checking messages etc but they lost the one twin. She said he wasn't strong enough to make it through the surgery.
Oh that is crushing. Prayers for the other twin and for her and her family. I couldn't imagine how to begin coping with something like this in her situation
DD born Oct 2011 - DS#1 born Jan 2014 - DS#2 born Apr 2015 - DS#3 born Sept 2016 - LO#5 due Feb 7, 2018
@clc515 Some things that I wanted to know were.. Can I move freely while being monitored and with an IV? Walk around, bounce on a ball, etc. Can I use the bathtub for pain management? Do they use wireless monitors at all? (For monitoring contractions and baby's hr) Can I push in different positions if I feel compelled? Obviously if you get an epidural that changes how much is possible, but they still may be able to help you into different positions so you aren't on your back all day. Other questions would be.. Do they practice delayed cord clamping? Do they allow immediate skin to skin with mom, as long as baby is not in distress? Hope this gives you an idea or two.
These are all great questions! My hospital answered all of these without me having to even ask. Hopefully yours will too
I got good news about my placenta moving up today so that is no longer causing me any stress! I also found out one side of baby's heart is measuring noticeably larger so I have to meet with the pediatric cardiologist at the next appointment in 4 weeks. I'm not super concerned only because baby was moving so much that the tech was having a hard time getting the images.
@meatballs37 So many prayers for you guys and baby boy as he fights. I’m so sorry for your loss, I know there isn’t much else to say that will help right now but there are a lot of people praying for your family!!
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
@meatballs37 don’t know how to describe how heartbroken I am for you. I can’t imagine what you must be going through. We are here, whenever and however you need. Wish there was more that words could do
@meatballs37 There are no words, but know you have the support of so many. Hope you and your family can take time to grieve. So many prayers for you and baby boy.
@meatballs37 , I am so heartbroken for you and your family. I can't begin to imagine how this feels. Praying for you, and keeping you all close to my heart. Know that there are many of us here who are supporting you, and pulling hard for your baby boy and his journey.
@meatballs37 I am so sorry for your loss. I cannot begin to imagine how difficult this must be for you and your family. I will be keeping you in my thoughts.
About getting an IV, they may also give you one if you have strep B. (I think that's right. Some strain of strep.). It can live on your skin or maybe in the birth canal? It's not a problem for mama, but can cause a problem for baby. I believe they test for it a few weeks or so before your EDD. I didn't have it with DD1, but did for DDs 2&3. They gave me an IV with an antibiotic to protect the babies.
@meatballs37 Oh sweetie words don’t even feel like enough. I’m so so sorry you are going through this. My heart is breaking for you and your family. Sending love and prayers.
@meatballs37 I can’t even imagine the loss you are feeling right now. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and sending love and strength to you and your baby boy.
Re: Randoms. Week of 10.9
Do you mean Medicaid? I think we are in the same state, I work for a MCE in the Medicaid dept. If you want to Pm me I may be able to help or at least point you in the right direction. Navigating with the state can be difficult
Once approved Medicaid should cover claims 90 days back from your date of approval.
@meatballs37 Wishing you and your family strength and peace right now. I'm sorry you have to deal with something so difficult.
Re: Belly/breast casts. I think it could be used for entertaining if you use the belly for chips and maybe guac and salsa in each breast? That is probably what it's for.
Eta: at ours the nurse had us go ahead and fill out all the necessary consent forms for the newborn shots and stuff, so some of my questions came from not knowing exactly what I was signing off on
Also I Bump on mobile so I have no idea where the PM inbox is anymore! I used to be able to find it but can’t now
ETA: we are surrounding you in our thoughts and prayers and sending you all of our love. We are here for you.
She said she wouldn't be checking messages etc but they lost the one twin. She said he wasn't strong enough to make it through the surgery.
DD #1 3/26/13
Mo/Mo twins MMC 3/31/14
DD #2 3/31/15
DD #3 8/25/16