Moving while pregnant?

[MaerynPearl]

This is crazy... to start it all off. We didn't think it would happen. It was our 7th and last try before getting married, but indeed it did!

So now, I'm going to be 7 months pregnant when we get married... and when my children and I move from IL to be with DF (who will then be DH) in NC.

What should I do? I was really hoping to find a birth center to birth at but would they take someone already 7 months pregnant? Should I start contacting midwives down there and explain that I want to see them but I will be seeing my GP until I move?

The insurance will not be an issue... just the going about moving my health care. Has anyone actually done this before and have experience/advice to share?

[rhiOrion]

Originally Posted by MaerynPearl

This is crazy... to start it all off. We didn't think it would happen. It was our 7th and last try before getting married, but indeed it did!

So now, I'm going to be 7 months pregnant when we get married... and when my children and I move from IL to be with DF (who will then be DH) in NC.

What should I do? I was really hoping to find a birth center to birth at but would they take someone already 7 months pregnant? Should I start contacting midwives down there and explain that I want to see them but I will be seeing my GP until I move?

The insurance will not be an issue... just the going about moving my health care. Has anyone actually done this before and have experience/advice to share?

First off, Maeryn, I'm just SOOOOOOOO happy for you!

To what part of NC are you moving? There are really only two stand alone birth centers to choose from- one in Chapel Hill and one in SC near the state line with Charlotte. I don't know anything about the one in SC, but the one in Chapel Hill might take you, depending if they fill up for that month or not. I know people who have transferred there during pregnancy, though maybe not quite that far along.

My DH and I are *hopefully* moving in the next couple of months, and I'm currently 27 weeks pregnant. Our home inspection is today, and if all goes well we're heading towards closing on our house at the end of the month. It's only a move from Raleigh to Durham, so about half an hour, but it's still so overwhelming to me!

[MaerynPearl]

Raleigh and Durham are so nice (flown into and out of there a few times)

We are not sure where we will be moving. He is stationed at LeJeune but we are considering moving a distance away from there so my kids can be in a small town (I live in a town of 2500 so city schools worry me)

[LindsayK]

No advice on moving, but just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS! I was so happy to see your post

Best wishes for a happy and healthy 9 months

[ivymae]

!! You are HERE!

Definitely contact midwives/birth centers in the area, and get on their client list, since at 7months they may be booked up for your due month. Ask them if they charge a flat fee regardless of how many time they see you, or if it is a 'by appointment' charging schedule. Ask what tests they need done before you get there, and if they are comfortable with you declining other tests (you don't want to get there and them throw a fit because you declined a test they require/you can be comfortable declining a test your GP would want, because you know the midwives won't care).

Moving while pregnant will be an adventure. Your kiddos are old enough to help out, and there is nothing like nesting to motivate you to organize, decorate, and 'make house'. With the military be doing the actual move for you?

[MaerynPearl]

Originally Posted by ivymae

Moving while pregnant will be an adventure. Your kiddos are old enough to help out, and there is nothing like nesting to motivate you to organize, decorate, and 'make house'. With the military be doing the actual move for you?

Because this is not a military move (as in he was not JUST stationed there) no they will not. Any time after this they will... but this is just moving his family to him. They only pay to move him and all that is his (his things, his family) not just his family.

But its fine. Ive moved before. Not quite THIS far, but he has, his brother just got done moving from Michigan to Yuma, AZ (also not a military move even though he is military, they were just bring his wife/son back to Yuma after a deployment... he was there before and is still there so the military wont do it)

[MyZymurgy]

OMG!!!! I'm so thrilled for you! I remember you from the TTC forum, and you were (are) always so supportive and helpful. I'm so excited that you are pregnant - congratulations!!

I don't have much advice for the move, although I would recommend that you go to the "find your tribe" section of MDC. You can find some mamas in NC that can give you the lowdown on local birth centers and midwives. Plus, maybe you can connect with a few MDC'ers in the area before you even move there - having a friendly face welcome you to a new place is always a good thing.

Most, though, I just had to post to say this:

[SuzieQ3417]

First off, CONGRATULATIONS!!! And for good measure...
I also remember you from the TTC forums, and I'm so glad to see you're pregnant, since you are so helpful to everyone over there.

I second what Ivymae said...definitely contact the NC birth centers and explain your situation. That way you can get on their list and find out what paperwork needs to be transferred, what fees apply, etc. You can't be the only woman in the country who has had to move and switch providers while pregnant, so I imagine they've dealt with this exact situation before (particularly in NC where you get a lot of military people who are frequently on the move). Good luck!!

[NorthernPixie]

I moved from CT to FL while ~4.5 months pregnant, but am Canadian so had to deal with the whole insurance thing differently from the start anyway. The birth centre I started at in CT was able to bill me per visit (not their norm but they made the exception when I explained my convoluted method of being reimbursed by my government), and then found a care provider once in FL. It was a bit tricky - they didn't really know what to do with me at that stage of pregnancy but they too billed me per visit, also not their norm but they were willing to sort it out. There was a bit of overlap in the tests required - I see a PP mentioned finding out what your new care provider will require, that's a great idea. I'd also call now and line someone up. Being near a military base this must not be the first time they get patients moving mid-pregnancy. Good luck!

[CrunchyChristianMama]

I moved when I was 32 weeks pregnant and then switched providers again at 34 weeks because I wasn't happy. I wish I would have found someone earlier, got recommendations, etc.

I would say at least have a list of midwives you would be comfortable with ahead of time and give them a heads-up. I know some offices won't take you after a certain gestational age and some just book up completely and can't take any more clients.

Hopefully it will be a nice smooth transition! Oh yes, and hire a moving company!

[Lauren31]

I might be wrong but I have hear that the government MIGHT move you if you are married on paper even though your husband is already at his duty station. I would definitely talk to a few people about that. (not just friends but actual people who make decisions! LOL). I moved from the US to Germany while pregnant and I know it can be done. LOL. Also, NC is pretty midwife/homebirth friendly and tricare may cover some birth centers if you go to standard. Just check with the tricare liason person in that area. Good luck!

[rhiOrion]

There are actually a surprising number of MDC mommas in the Jacksonville area (surprising just because I grew up about 45 minutes from there and never thought of it as a crunchy area at all). Definitely head over to the NC tribe. The birth center in Chapel Hill is almost 3 hours from Jacksonville (depending on where you end up living, of course), and I know they have moms come from that far away, but I just can't imagine it! There may very well be some other in-hospital birth centers that are decent, that some of the moms in that area would know about.