Pre-natal Care?

[MamaGaia]

This might sound like a little bit of an odd question but I'm wondering (for my own curiousity,more than anything) what kind of pre-natal care most mamas have chosen to have leading up to their homebirth or unassisted birth?
Was it conventional,like with an OB/GYN or traditional,with a midwife, regular scheduled monthly visits or as needed or just no care at all?

Curious to hear the answers!

[wtchyhlr]

I'm seeing a midwife, She see's me every 3 weeks to week 28, then every 2 to week 37 then weekly....
We do blood pressure, fundal height, listen to the baby, pee in a cup, and chat.

[TRIBE]

When I had a UC i also went UP, I took care of myself. Only I know me better than anyone else.

This time I am seeing a midwife but I am in a different state which looks much more strictly on homebirth and my husband has a very strict to the book command. Unfortunately if they were to discover we were UP/UC he could be court martialed, have his pay docked, get demoted in rank or even thrown out of the Navy. Its a risk we can't take as much as it saddens me to give up my birth choice. I will do what I have to to keep our family safe and secure.

[alegna]

Ditto to what wtchyhlr said. We had a homebirth and did prenatal with our midwife (actually two different midwives as we switched at about 28 weeks) If you're having a midwife attended homebirth it seems really silly to me to have an OB on the side unless you have some other condition that might cause complications.

-Angela

[KariM]

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[gottaknit]

I've had the standard number of prenatal visits with my midwives (I switched during third trimester), just like I'd have had with an OB. Except there were no internal exams, I opted out of most screenings/tests, and my new midwife doesn't do weigh-ins!

The appointments are pretty much blood pressure, fundal height, heart rate, pee in a cup, and chat about the baby/birth/whatever.

[carlasher]

UP for now

I am pretty much taking care of myself - so far.

I am 17 weeks, "second" pregnancy. The first one ended in miscarriage at 13 weeks; I was seeing an OB on a regular basis.

I cannot say I am TRULLY a UP anymore because last week I had an ultrasound at a woman's clinic, and a midwife checked for the heartbeat. I had some bright red bleeding at 12 weeks, so I was REALLY worried! I am not seeing the midwife - this was just a one time thing. And I am definately not seeing an OB! I have had no other testing done, other than my blood pressure which I do.

BTW: The midwifes "sliding scale" is $60-120 and no HMO coverage. :

[jessitron]

I started off with an OB. After choosing a midwife, I continued the OB prenatals in parallel for a few months, but they were useless. The midwife prenatals are immensely more thorough.

[Mom2baldie]

I am getting prenatal care from my midwife on the normal schedule - every month until 28 weeks, then every 2 weeks until 36 weeks and weekly after that. I am just about 41 weeks pregnant now and dont know if I will have to go twice weekly until I give birth or what.

[MamaGaia]

Thanks so much everyone for your answers. Honestly, I am trying to find support for going UP and although I see that the number is less than more, at least I know I'm not alone,if that makes any sense.

I am 14 weeks today and being harrassed like crazy because I haven't gone to the doctor yet. Several things to take into consideration here:
This is my 5th child. I kind of know how this goes by now.

I am a "future Midwife" (Although I feel like I've been on the path for far too long now and not getting to the end result nearly fast enough LOL)

All my previous pregnancies have been a breeze (even though i was labelled "high risk" for two of them ....a teen pregnancy and pregnancy for the twins)

Now, knowing that it isn't even neccesary by most standards to seek "treatment" unti the second trimester, I'm laughing at these people BUT with the attitude I've gotten thus far...oh,lord. What are they going to do when they find out I don't ever intend to see anyone (unless I feel there is a need and I have a concern that I don't feel informed or skilled enough to address).

Oh...and another thing that bugs the crap out of me...When I'm asked my "due date".I tell them my EDD and they say,"How do you know if you haven't been to a dr yet?". This isn't rocket science,people. Sheesh.

Originally Posted by Jenniebug

When I had a UC i also went UP, I took care of myself. Only I know me better than anyone else.

This time I am seeing a midwife but I am in a different state which looks much more strictly on homebirth and my husband has a very strict to the book command. Unfortunately if they were to discover we were UP/UC he could be court martialed, have his pay docked, get demoted in rank or even thrown out of the Navy. Its a risk we can't take as much as it saddens me to give up my birth choice. I will do what I have to to keep our family safe and secure.

Oh...this is kind of funny (not funny,haha) that you mention the military issue. My husband is ex-military and his comment the other day was ,"We'd never be allowed to do this if I was still in the military". Oh,that would drive me nuts. Knowing that you have to "play by the rules" for the sanctity of your family ,while giving up birthing options. That would be quite the quandry.

[carlasher]

Originally Posted by MamaGaia

Thanks so much everyone for your answers. Honestly, I am trying to find support for going UP and although I see that the number is less than more, at least I know I'm not alone,if that makes any sense.

I am 14 weeks today and being harrassed like crazy because I haven't gone to the doctor yet. Several things to take into consideration here:
This is my 5th child. I kind of know how this goes by now.

Who is harassing you? No one I know has any idea we are doing a UP. Everyone assumes that I will be seeing an OB or a midwife. I dont volunteer that information just for that reason. If asked, I say "midwife". I know its a lie, but I just cant take the stress of harassment!

Originally Posted by mamagaia

I am a "future Midwife" (Although I feel like I've been on the path for far too long now and not getting to the end result nearly fast enough LOL)

All my previous pregnancies have been a breeze (even though i was labelled "high risk" for two of them ....a teen pregnancy and pregnancy for the twins)

Now, knowing that it isn't even neccesary by most standards to seek "treatment" unti the second trimester, I'm laughing at these people BUT with the attitude I've gotten thus far...oh,lord. What are they going to do when they find out I don't ever intend to see anyone (unless I feel there is a need and I have a concern that I don't feel informed or skilled enough to address).

Oh...and another thing that bugs the crap out of me...When I'm asked my "due date".I tell them my EDD and they say,"How do you know if you haven't been to a dr yet?". This isn't rocket science,people. Sheesh.

Oh brother! Just about every mainstream baby/pregnancy related website has a "due date" calendar and calculator! Every book has a method to count, and if you chart, you can REALLY be on target. And just count 40 weeks from you LMP! This is not new information.

Originally Posted by mamagaia

Oh...this is kind of funny (not funny,haha) that you mention the military issue. My husband is ex-military and his comment the other day was ,"We'd never be allowed to do this if I was still in the military". Oh,that would drive me nuts. Knowing that you have to "play by the rules" for the sanctity of your family ,while giving up birthing options. That would be quite the quandry.

[candiland]

My hb midwife did monthly exams, gradually bumping it up to once a week around my due date.

It included blood pressure, listening to baby, fundal height measurements, and doing a urine test with a stick. She never weighed me or did any sort of interventitive tests.

We did love to drink tea and chat. I loved sitting around listening to all her birth stories. Ah, it was so grand....

[MamaGaia]

Originally Posted by carlasher

Who is harassing you? No one I know has any idea we are doing a UP. Everyone assumes that I will be seeing an OB or a midwife. I dont volunteer that information just for that reason. If asked, I say "midwife". I know its a lie, but I just cant take the stress of harassment!

Yeah,see...I should have just kept my mouth shut! LOL It's family(all in the conventional medical field) and friends who haven't a clue about childbirth.Period.
Also, my former OB-GYN (who was WONDERFUL!...and very midwife-like,I might add LOL)) is no longer practicing and that's a well known fact that she's not available for this pregnancy. So, the obvious question was who I was going to instead. That's how it all started

Originally Posted by carlasher

Oh brother! Just about every mainstream baby/pregnancy related website has a "due date" calendar and calculator! Every book has a method to count, and if you chart, you can REALLY be on target. And just count 40 weeks from you LMP! This is not new information.

I know! My dh thinks it's hilarious that people think you can't figure these basic natural things out without the aid of a doctor. Silly people.

[momto l&a]

My mw does my prenatal care. I go to her when I feel like it ( every couple of months) up to 30 weeks then I start going regulary till birth.

[laurata]

I mostly do my own prenatal care. I tell most people that I "have an OB," and have occasionally lied about the details because I'm not comfortable sharing. For my self prenatal care, I:

-eat and drink well
-try to stay active and get adequate exercise/ physical activity
-take vitamins, herbs, herbs and supplements as needed
-pee in a cup and test urine periodically (for sugar, protien, ketones, etc, etc)
-weigh myself (I do this weekly, mostly out of curiousity)
-use my glucometer to check my blood sugar periodically (since I wont be doing a GTC or GTT and am at very high risk for diabetes)
-check my blood pressure at the drugstore

I have a "healthy mama records" file on the computer that I will print out, if- heaven forbid!- I have to go in to the hospital. So they'll have the basic info they'd have anyway, plus a page with my personal and family medical histories in brief summary.

I DON'T think this is necessary. But I find it reassuring, and I enjoy noting these things and recording them on the computer.

[Lula's Mom]

I think the reason the numbers are a little skewed toward prenatal visits is because you asked about prenatal care leading up to a homebirth (meaning with a midwife) OR unassisted birth. I know there are more women on this board who have done UP, but at least one just had her baby and probably isn't here reading this!

I'm guessing you're planning a UC? I am, in December, and I am currently having a UP. Last time I had a homebirth with a midwife so I had the regular visits, although I didn't start with her until week 28.

I'm really enjoying my UP. I feel very confident in my health and the baby's health. My skin is clearer than it's ever been, my hair is shiny, my nails are growing like crazy- I'm the picture of health! I do check my blood pressure every few weeks, but I've always had low BP. Not a problem. Sometimes I pee on a stick to check my urine for the various things it might contain, mainly out of curiosity. Other than that, DP and I listen to the baby's heart frequently with our fetoscope for fun- and that's it! I feel my self-care is as good as what I'd get from a professional.

I do lie and say yes if someone outside my family asks if I'm seeing a midwife. I have really "mainstream" friends who would not think of giving birth outside of a hospital. My UP and UC would require a LOT of explaining, and in the end I don't think they'd understand, so what's the point? My family does know and they have been surprisingly supportive.

[MamaGaia]

You're right...I probably should have phrased it to read more of UC.LOL
I think it was one of those midnight posts....


My first pregnancy, I was 16 and was "hiding" the pregnancy from my very pro-abortion mother (no,not pro-choice in this case...pro-abortion ). When I finally did go to an OB (past the legal abortion limits) , I was 7 months pregnant so I received very little care and had a very healthy baby.

Second pregnancy...twins ...Barely saw a doctor because she was never "available". A nurse would check my BP,fundal height etc. I kept telling the nurse I was having twins because I could tell! Either that or it was a baby with a lot of limbs. The nurses kept yelling at me for my weight gain. i kept saying ,"But I'm having twins!" . Finally, they decided on a U/S at 7 1/2 months. "Oh, you're having twins!" At 35 weeks, I went into labor and gave birth to healthy babies,even though they were preemie.

Third pregnancy...very "informal" care at a great liberal OB-GYN office. The OB stepped back during the birth and let my husband do everything. He was HOOKED and said "Lets do this again! But at home next time..."

This time...I honestly can't see what I would be getting out of seeing a midwife or OB ,except an empty bank account. I plan on doing BP checks, pee tests,etc,etc. I feel very confident about my self-care and I know my body and my skill level well enough to know if I need a "second opinion" or additional care.

I am absolutely beginning to take the "Lying" stance, including with my family. It's terrible that I have to,you know? :
Even among my AP group, it hasn't been well received.One or two members know and the "news" has circulated,i guess you could say.

So, I'll just make everyone happy and say,"Oh,yeah...I'm seeing a midwife.". Crazy crazy...

[laurata]

Be Prepared-

If you do take the lying stance, since midwives are so far and few between, I guarentee at least one person is going to ask *who* you picked for your midwife.

[carlasher]

uggh!

I havent even thought about that one!

Originally Posted by laurata

If you do take the lying stance, since midwives are so far and few between, I guarentee at least one person is going to ask *who* you picked for your midwife.

[MamaGaia]

Indeed. I think I would just say the midwife who I have chosen as my "back-up".