going to the hospital after a UC

[chirp]

we did not have our stuff together...as of now i'm pretty sure i'm in early labor. in order to get a birth certificate we have to have proof of pregnancy...which we don't have...

to ease pressure/anxiety on me as far as getting this baby a bc i figure it would just be easier to go to the hospital when it is all over.

do i go to the emergency room? or the maternity ward? do i tell them it was a UC or an "oops." we're strong enough not to get dragged into anything...we just want to be able to get a bc for this little one, with as little hassle as possible....which at this point seems to be just getting to the hospital within 24 hours.

anyone done this?

[lovestolearn]

Personally, I wouldn't take my baby into a hospital unless it was absolutely necessary! Doesn't look like you need to, anyway...:http://www.homebirth-usa.org/baby/birth-cert-NJ.html

Obtaining a Birth Certificate in New Jersey

Requirements:

* The birth must be registered within 5 days. (26:8-28)
* A physician, midwife, or either parent may file the record. (26:8-30 and 26:8-31)
* The registrar may make inquiry into details of the birth. (26:8-36)
* Births should be registered with the Local Registrar.

[claddaghmom]

I've heard that having maternity and birth photos have been helpful, too.

[UCmamaToMany]

You can easily get a "proof of pregnancy" JIC for free by going to the free clinic and peeing on a stick for them. They'll give you a piece of paper with the "proof".

I know when I get pregnant it's one of the first things we do, is just go and get that Proof of Pregnancy paper because it's easy, free, and always good to have on hand JIC for those BC. Never needed it for my BC though.

[zoebird]

in PA, we just had to have two witnesses assert that i had been pregnant as proof of pregnancy. that was it.

so, while evidence varies, going to the hospital isn't necessary and it may create more problems above and beyond what would make getting a BC easier, you know?

unless the baby is having problems, keep him/her away from the hospital!

[chirp]

the problem is that if you don't have proof from a doctor in new jersey they send out a social worker to figure out why you never got prenatal care. that's what that "inquiry" part means.

on the application for bc (we've at least got the paperwork and instructions!) they want the sig of a dr. who provided prenatal care. that's who counts as a witness, unless you want to be called on by a social worker--although legally "anyone" can be a witness.

unless i get proof TOMORROW...b/c i'm def. in early labor at this point...then i won't have it. no telling what the labor fairy is bringing me yet. maybe i'll be able to.

it just seems so much easier, and potentially LESS invasive.

has anyone GONE to the hospital to "report" the birth? that's how they put it on the instructions. i figure, we won't oops the hospital...unassisted is not illegal in nj...we can go to the hospital with the paper that pretty much says the birth must be registered at the hospital. we're not asking for medical care...we're going to take care of paperwork...

does anyone think that would work? i'm pretty sure that by stepping through their doors we aren't REQUIRED to get any kind of medical treatment. and baby will be most likely be wrapped to me...sooooo...

[UCmamaToMany]

That's just it, the free clinics are doctors signing the proofs of pregnancy. So I don't get why one wouldn't just go and get one. It's not just some random people working at those places, they are certified doctors. The give Rx for birth control and other medications, and they sign proofs of pregnancy as legal doctors.

[chirp]

Originally Posted by UCmamaToMany

That's just it, the free clinics are doctors signing the proofs of pregnancy. So I don't get why one wouldn't just go and get one. It's not just some random people working at those places, they are certified doctors. The give Rx for birth control and other medications, and they sign proofs of pregnancy as legal doctors.

totally hear you on that!!

we just procrastinated too loong. that's what i meant by us not having our stuff together.

everything else we have together!! just never got that damned pregnancy test.

[lia_joy]

Is seeing a family doc or pediatrician after not a practical or comfortable option for you? That's what we did for our 3 (The WI form requires a professional sign stating that the baby is mine, but doesnt specify proof of pregnancy though FWIW) I imagine the comfort level of the practitioner would play a role in whether they'd sign for you... Also, have you asked the vital records dept if there are any alternate 'proofs'? I think i've read that some states will accept witness statements by individuals (maybe notarized statements?) sorry I'm kinda just rambling... have several kids talking at me... maybe someone else knows what i'm talking about I'd definately make sure to take belly pics (maybe holding a newspaper lol) incase there was hassle at any point, but I'm also of the mindset that it's preferalble Not to have to travel (esp. to a hosp.) right after the birth unless its neccessary. I saw the ped. a few hours after for #1 and it was really a 'buzz kill' for lack of a better word, even though we didn't have a hassle... for the next two babies we opted to wait a few days til we took them in.
GL

-Lia

[UCmamaToMany]

So you could have gone there the last 2 days since posting, LOL

[chirp]

Originally Posted by UCmamaToMany

So you could have gone there the last 2 days since posting, LOL

i was in labor yesterday when i posted...i've had my baby already!! 6:33 this (friday) morning.

[basje]

Yes I did this. Go to maternity ward, call ahead to let themknow you're coming. I told them that I was a homebirth, and it wasn't until I has some complicatations after I got to the hosptial that anyone started asking who my midwife was. I went to get some tearing stiched up, and I still happened to have a retained placenta 4.5 hours after my LO's birth. I had further complications after arriving to the hospital (major pph), and did get flagged by the hospital's social work office because I didn't have "any" prenatal records (although I didn't completely UP, I only saw providers three times during my pregnancy).

A social worker did come and talk to me to find out why I didn't have regular pregnatal care, and asked some questions about my UC. I did not have any problems once I explained that I montiored my own pb, urine protien, and that my UC choice was well researched and informed. It was more a screening to see if I was mentally stable, a seeming drug abuser or had someone who was preventing me from reciving "proper care" because of domestic violence. If this happens to you too, I suggest that you are very polite, and explain clearly that you've educated yourself about having a safe labor at home.

If you had prenatal care, an oops is likely the eaisiest way to get through the hospital red tape. If your prenatal care wasn'e regular they'll likely be asking questions anyway, so if it were me I'd just tell them it was a UC. Please keep in mind that if they admit both you and your baby into the hospital they will likely want to run a lot of tests right away on your newborn even if they are seemingly healthy to clear themselves of liability. Do sign a waiver right away to decline anything you do not want and make sure someone stays with your baby to make sure this is enforced.

ALSO, if you have a power of atternery for health care, or a DNR, bring it to the hospital with you. It may seem like overkill but I didn't bring mine and wished I had when I had some complications. Don't forget your camera!!!! Enjoy your labor!!!! Update us when you can!

[zoebird]

congrats on your babe!

hopefully, this will resolve. let us know how it goes.

i wonder if a regular dr's appt would do too.

[MittensKittens]

Some input from someone who had lots of problems getting the BC, despite having proof of pregnancy. I think you should get yourself checked out while an OB can still very clearly see you are a PP mom, and get that in writing. When I went in for the BC three months after the birth, it was too late for that. If I had had proof that I had given birth, the whole procedure would have been so much easier. Also, get baby checked your regular family doctor. That should do the trick.

Congratulations!

[UCmamaToMany]

Congratulations! Welcome to the world baby! Have a happy babymoon!