Anyone in Juneau??

[Bunches]

Hello. dh and I are moving to Juneau in the next few weeks and I was looking for some advice for physicians, nurse practitioners, or midwives in the area. I am actually a nurse and I will be working in the ER there but I don't always agree with everything medicine dictates and I prefer to make my own decisions regarding my own health. I am ttc at this time and I would like to know what the options are there.

Also, how does everyone like it there?????????? I was there once before for 4.5 months. It is beautiful despite the rainfall!!

[SpringRain]

*edited*

[akelae]

I don't know if you've already made the move and found some info you were looking for, but...
I just had a baby girl in October with the midwives at the Juneau Family Birth Center. I had a wonderful experience overall there. The midwives do all the prenatal care; all of them are great and genuinaly passionate about each of their clients. They offer free prenatal/childbirth classes, as well as a doula service if you wish. The actual birth was very peaceful and relaxed. The rooms are designed just like a room you would find in a house. I used the jacuzzi tub through most of labor which made all the difference in the world (for me,everyone's preference is differet). We were able to bring the food and music we wanted, aromatherapy candles burned, and after everything was stablized they made an herbal bath for both me and the baby to enjoy together. My baby didn't leave my arms and by that evening we all went home (although I was given the option to stay the night).
They also have the option for a homebirth. After the birth the midwives did several homebirths and follow up appointments for six weeks. I have nothing negative to say about my experience there; they are very accomodating! Oh, I also treated myself to a prenatal massage with their specially trained therapist! Awesome!
I have friends who have had their babies at the hospital and as far as I hear the hospital is exceptionally good about following your birth plan and making the experience as comfortable as possible (within the safety of their more medical perspective). Well I hope that helps! Good luck!

[SpringRain]

*edited*

[Bunches]

Thank you so much for your responses! It took me a while to get used to "medicine" in Juneau after working in many major medical centers throughout the country. But, I must say the ER staff is absolutely wonderful and great for stabilizing patients. Most serious cases need to be shipped to a major city as you probably know.

I have heard ABSOLUTELY wonderful things about the birth center. In the medical profession, I have always found some (putting it mildly) resistance against natural methods of care and birth, so I have also heard negative things. But, I take that with a grain of salt because it is usually from people who have never even been to the birth center. (I am trying to be diplomatic here.) I used to work in a neonatal intensive care unit before I came here and have seen just as many births with complications in the hospital (foreceps, pitocin, epidurals, episiotomies, to name a few) as in a birth center. But, its seems that when something goes awry in a birth center, everyone is up in arms. With that being said, I am very open to natural birth even though I work at the ER. I have also heard good things about births at the hospital and the doctors being open to following birth plans. I think it is an advantage of living in a small community.

I love Juneau so far! Its absolutely beautiful I have NO regrets about returning and making this our permanent home. I love the Rainforest yoga studio and the Shambala meditation center. We've already been to Eaglecrest to ski. We even bought a condo the second day we arrived and we have already moved in.

dh and I are ttc#1. Its been about 5 months now. Does the birth center deal with fertility issues at all?? I was thinking of just going over and talking with someone there. I'm 36 and I have been charting religiously. I am a little concerned but not at panic level yet.

Thanks again for your responses. Congratualtions to you both on your babies!! Wishing you lots of health and happiness!

[SpringRain]

*edited*

[cloudspinning]

Hi! I'm a new MDC member, and I'll be moving to Juneau (for the second time) somewhere between March/April. We lived there for 5 months when dd was 8-13 months. My dh is a pilot for Wings of Alaska. We move a lot following the flying seasons. He just went up there a couple of days ago, and we'll be following him when he gets an apartment set up. I'm excited to be moving back, it is so incredibly beautiful there. My dd and I used to go to a little moms/babies group at the birth center. I remember Colena (she's really great), but she was still an apprentice back then!

Well, now we're in a different stage with a 5 1/2 yo and a 20 month old, looking forward to seeing what new things there are to do up there. Do any of you have older children? Any ideas on a camp? It will be her first time doing anything like that. We're looking for a daytime-only thing, and something having to do with acting/drama/theater would be fun. She also loves just arts and crafts stuff, too. She's a social butterfly, so anything where she can meet lots of kids is right up her alley. And of course we'd like to meet up with other moms with littler ones, too!

Okay, well, just wanted to say hi from another future Alaskan! :D

[Bunches]

welcome! my dh is also going to be working at Wings!!!!! see you soon!

[akelae]

Hey How about the beautiful weather the past week or so? The sun felt so good. It looks like the rain is settling in again.
Debbie had just started at the Birth Center towards the end of my pregnancy but we both really took a liking to her and fortunately she turned out to be the midwife at our birth. I'm sure she would be very open to talking about fertility issues with you. Coleena is great. So kind and nurturing. Coleena was at my birth as a back up midwife. Her presence is very calming.
If anyone is interested, I'm looking for someone in Juneau to do a little "care-sharing" with. I may start working just a few hours a day, 2 or 3 days per week in April and I'd really like to avoid group day care. Ideally I would find another like-minded mother who is in a similar situation to do co-operative childcare OR if any of you need VERY affordable childcare, I'm looking at providing childcare as another option. Anyway if you or someone you know would be interested please let me know.
It's so hard to think of leaving her in a daycare center at only 4 1/2 months old. Not only am I not ready to leave her, but once you start talking about the cost vs. my wage; it's just not worth it.
Does anyone have experience with certain daycare centers/child care providers in town? Any that you would reccomend?

[Bunches]

The weather was soooooooooo great!! Thanks for the info! I don't know about daycare around town since I don't have kids yet but if you're ever in a pinch, you can call me. I worked as a neonatal nurse for a while so I'm used to babies. Plus, I love them!! pm me if you are interested. I'm not looking for extra $$$ but if you need some babysitting help here and there, I'd love it!

[akelae]

Well thank you! That would be excellent; especially since we are at the point where we are ready to start going out to have some time for the two of us. I'll keep that in mind!
Looks like the rain and snow has settled for awhile. It's too bad because I was getting my hopes up for an early Spring. You know, I never would have thought of myself going to a tanning salon but this town has got us going almost on a regular basis! Have any of you tried tanning? I don't do it to get tan but the light and heat is like therapy in the winter. Oh well the long, bright summer days are just around the corner!
Take care.

[Bunches]

Yes, I hate to admit it but I do go tanning occasionally for the heat and UV rays. I have heard its fine as long as its for short periods of time such as 8-10 minutes. I spoke with a nutritionist who recommended taking antioxidants on the days you tan in the morning and the evening. So.......... that's what I do!!!!

[Deirdre]

:wave to my very best friend in the whole world, Bunches:D

[Bunches]

That was too cute. Deirdre!!!:wave to you too!!!!!!!! Expect some Juneau information in the mail!!! Do you like the name?? That's what David always calls me.