Needing a "doctor's note" and UPing, wwyd?

[tracymom1]

So there is this prenatal aquatics class I would like to try but it absolutely requires a doctor's note of approval before allowing registration. Something like this never occured to me when I decided to UP! I contacted thhe CNM I was seeing earlier in the pregnancy and she won't do it because of liability. Has anyone figured out a way around something like this? The class is based at a hospital so they are sticklers for the rules. And its the only one I have found in my area (besides the YMCA and I can't go there because we are currently disputing a bill from them and it may actually end up in court...long story).

Anyways... any ideas, mamas?

[Graceie]

Hmmm maybe if you have a pregnant friend you could have her get the note then go has her ? I mean I've never had anyone check Id for a class like prenatal yoga or whatever ? Short of that I think you would need to see a doc or midwife and that's a lot of work for a class

[dayiscoming2006]

If it were me, I'd say oh well and skip the class. 

I finally tried my prenatal pilates dvd and I'm loving it. I feel so dumb for not having started it much earlier. 

Even that dvd says, make sure to get approval from a doc before starting any exercise program. Liability thing. :) At least with a dvd, you can tell it to shut up and do whatever you want. 

[AttunedMama]

I'd at least talk to someone at the registration department and tell them the situation. That you're willing to draft/sign a release of liability or whatever. I, however, get off on this sort of engagement with people as far as gently promoting birth options..."Hey, I'm a people too and I'd like to take the class. Can you help me?" kind of thing. 

[dayiscoming2006]

For me, it'd be a concern about getting reported to CPS or something as ridiculous as that would be. I wouldn't openly disclose my lack of prenatal care or choice to UC. But, that is up to you.

[Valerie]

I am probably biased, but I would be inclined to find a friendly attorney to write a waiver for you to sign and present to the registrar. Certainly a lawyer can't say anything that you can't say for yourself, but sometimes when you bring a lawyer into the conversation it has...ahem... magical effects.

[Graceie]

I keep thinking about it I mean it sound like this is important to you your could forge a signature or make up a doc

[tracymom1]

Yeah, the reason I wanted to do the aquatics is because my reflux is sooooooo bad that yoga and pilates is just not working for me - there are too many positions that require you to bend over/bend down and every time I go into down dog or cat/cow, I get the reflux barf in the back of my throat.

I called our local park district that has very inexpensive lap swim and asked the pool attendant about it and he said that lap swim is very popular and that if anyone noticed I was pregnant I would need a note for that, too. I think by telling me it is popular, he was really saying, "so your slow, pregnant body probably won't be able to keep up with the regulars."

Oh well. I think I will probably forgo it. My SIL is a doctor and would probably write me a note, but then I would have to have another uncomfortable conversation about my decision to UC and I don't have the energy for it!!

[LiLStar]

So..hmm.. how closely are they going to look at this note anyway? Office Letterhead? What if you just scrawled out a note something like, "I, as ____(your name) prenatal care provider, have deemed her healthy and eligible to participate in [activity]" Then sign your name. Its not really lying, YOU are your prenatal care provider :P How sloppy is your signature anyway? Are they going to notice? Will whoever is signing you up just glance briefly at it, see permission and a signature, file it away, and sign you up? 

[Mamatoabunch]

I would make one myself. I do my own "pregnancy confirmation note". No one has ever questioned my note. I am my care provider and be darned if I cannot sign myself off on anything related to it.

Edited by Mamatoabunch - 3/24/11 at 4:48pm

[MeepyCat]

I would read "popular" as "crowded".  DH did lap swim at the local public pool for a while, and on Saturdays it was crazy - tons of people.  Keeping up wasn't so much an issue as finding space.

However, for stuff like this, I think it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.  Actually, I take that back, I think it's easier to just go swimming, and behave as though anyone who asks you for a doctor's note is nuts.  Because they kind of are.  They're going to have the lifeguard ask you for a doctor's note?  Seriously?  Seriously?  They think anyone has the time to go bugging their doctor for generic notes authorizing them to go about the normal activities of daily life while pregnant?  You don't need a doctor's note to grocery shop, or run after (and carry!) your other kids, or clean your house - higher impact activities in which you are more likely to strain or injure yourself than swimming.  Further, it is an affront to your dignity and privacy that you are being asked to provide private medical information to anyone not involved in your care,or to anyone who does not understand the degree of confidentiality such information should be treated with, just so that you can carry on with your daily life.

But on a more practical note, if anyone asks you if you're pregnant, you can always just look offended or grief stricken (take your pick) and say that you're not.

Originally Posted by tracymom1 

Yeah, the reason I wanted to do the aquatics is because my reflux is sooooooo bad that yoga and pilates is just not working for me - there are too many positions that require you to bend over/bend down and every time I go into down dog or cat/cow, I get the reflux barf in the back of my throat.

I called our local park district that has very inexpensive lap swim and asked the pool attendant about it and he said that lap swim is very popular and that if anyone noticed I was pregnant I would need a note for that, too. I think by telling me it is popular, he was really saying, "so your slow, pregnant body probably won't be able to keep up with the regulars."

Oh well. I think I will probably forgo it. My SIL is a doctor and would probably write me a note, but then I would have to have another uncomfortable conversation about my decision to UC and I don't have the energy for it!!

[dayiscoming2006]

I guess it could be worth a try to make your own note up. Or, just sign off liability or something. Those were good ideas. 

[elevena true]

i absolutely second

              a) to write your own note with an illegible signature,

and

              b) to act outright offended at the notion that you are pregnant. that should keep them from any further harrassment!!

     good luck, stand strong in what you want to do. swimming is a fantastic excercise while pregnant. no gravity, relaxation, avoiding the reflux issue, further bonding with baby by being in 'the water state.' 

                                       i would gladly sign a note for you!

[LadyJennifer]

Do you have a chiropractor? He/she's a Dr and might sign for you.

[tracymom1]

Originally Posted by LadyJennifer 

Do you have a chiropractor? He/she's a Dr and might sign for you.

Hmmm... I haven't seen one this pregnancy but this reminded me that my FIL is an MD who has a holistic/homeopathic clinic and is supportive of my decision to UC. He is a bit intense to deal with, but i know he would help out. It would mean going to see him for a visit, though, and it is a 2 hour drive. I will have to think about this one.

I may just end up writing my own note and seeing what happens. I mean, why not. What's the worst they can do - say no?

[Graceie]

I would sign your name followed by HB for human being

[onlyAngil]

Have any of you who are suggesting writing a note yourself ever done this before? 
 

I mean it sounds like a good idea. I am just wondering if it has ever been done before. 

[Lisa1970]

I just went to regular water aerobics classes where they don't ask for it.

[weliveintheforest]

Here we can't write our own note, because there is a form that has to be filled out.  But if I do regular (non-prenatal) water aerobics or swimming, nobody asks me for anything.

[onlyAngil]

I am going to have to poke my YMCA and see if there is a form or if I can just use a note...