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Astoria, NY moms?
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yes, i live in astoria. i'm originally from texas, but have lived here for 5 years. what do you want to talk about?
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ME ME ME!!!!!!!<br><br>
There are quite a few AP'ers in the neighborhood, I think (although I'm ashamed to say I don't know of any personally but would like to!)<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
Diana<br><br>
Oh-mrscunning14- I noticed you just joined- WELCOME!!!!
There are quite a few AP'ers in the neighborhood, I think (although I'm ashamed to say I don't know of any personally but would like to!)<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
Diana<br><br>
Oh-mrscunning14- I noticed you just joined- WELCOME!!!!
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Hi to you, fellow Astorians. I am also not close with many other AP moms in the neighborhood, so its great to "meet" you guys.<br><br>
Both of my births were unmedicated and at St. Luke's Roosevelt Birthing Center. The first one, 3.8 yrs ago, was attended by an OB (whom I'd rather not mention because I don't have much good to say about her) and my doula Jenna. I had a prodromol, posterior labor. I labored at home for 2 days. We got to the BC at 8 cm and 4.5 hours (1.5 of pushing) later dd was born. Pushing was quite an arduous task as dd was sunnyside up and did not turn. Also, the OB would not let me change pushing positions. The nurses there were a tremendous help. DD was 6, 15.<br><br>
My second birth at the BC, about 11 months ago, was attended by the amazing Elizabeth Boyce, midwife from CBS midwifery, and Jenna again. This time labor was super fast. Active labor was about 3 hours, and I was again 8 cm upon arrival at the BC. DS was born 50 minutes later. He was 9, 11. No one had any idea he was going to be so big. I knew as soon as I started pushing, which was actually a breeze compared to dd, but whoa did it hurt. I tore the same one degree tear as with dd, was stitched up, and that was that. Recovery was a breeze compared to #1. My experience with the midwife was a million times better than with the OB.<br><br>
Jenna helped me so much. She was so in tune with what I needed in both labors, which was very different. Those are my birth stories, as short as I can make them. Where/how was yours?
Both of my births were unmedicated and at St. Luke's Roosevelt Birthing Center. The first one, 3.8 yrs ago, was attended by an OB (whom I'd rather not mention because I don't have much good to say about her) and my doula Jenna. I had a prodromol, posterior labor. I labored at home for 2 days. We got to the BC at 8 cm and 4.5 hours (1.5 of pushing) later dd was born. Pushing was quite an arduous task as dd was sunnyside up and did not turn. Also, the OB would not let me change pushing positions. The nurses there were a tremendous help. DD was 6, 15.<br><br>
My second birth at the BC, about 11 months ago, was attended by the amazing Elizabeth Boyce, midwife from CBS midwifery, and Jenna again. This time labor was super fast. Active labor was about 3 hours, and I was again 8 cm upon arrival at the BC. DS was born 50 minutes later. He was 9, 11. No one had any idea he was going to be so big. I knew as soon as I started pushing, which was actually a breeze compared to dd, but whoa did it hurt. I tore the same one degree tear as with dd, was stitched up, and that was that. Recovery was a breeze compared to #1. My experience with the midwife was a million times better than with the OB.<br><br>
Jenna helped me so much. She was so in tune with what I needed in both labors, which was very different. Those are my birth stories, as short as I can make them. Where/how was yours?
I'm currently subletting a place in the UES, then heading to Belize for a month or so.. but now that I'm pregnant, I need to secure a more permanent spot in NYC. So I'll be returning to my beloved Astoria. I've had multiple apartments there and love love love the area. So count me in as an Astoria-mama-to-be also! Planning a homebirth, due late August/early September. BF is from the Bronx, but I think I have him convinced on the Queens move. Yeah!
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Mrscunning14, I'm so sorry to hear of your traumatic birth experience. Your second one can and will be better. Now you know what you want and how to get it. I'm also sorry to hear that you are frustrated with finding a midwife. You have plenty of time to do your research. I also felt frustrated when I was searching for a midwife. I actually wanted a homebirth for #2, but none of the midwives that were recommended to me were available on my dates, so I called CBS. They were also booked. I even went to an OB for 2 pre-natal visits. Then I called CBS again, and they had an opening. I took it and never looked back.<br><br>
The nurses at SLRBC were very helpful and respectful. They pretty much do what the OB or midwife asks them to do. In my first birth, I had an IV only in the end when I had no energy left for pushing because of my very lengthy labor. I also had oxygen because of this. I had no EFM. They do monitor you for a few minutes when you first get there, but that's it. They use the doppler thing to listen to the heartbeat when needed. Also, the cord clamping was not delayed in my first birth because of the OB.<br><br>
During my second birth, I had no IV, no EFM (except a few minutes when I first got there), and the cord clamping was delayed. It was beautiful. That's how the midwife would do it anyway, and she knew I wanted it that way.<br><br>
At CBS, I had to pay $500 up front. After that, they took assignment from my insurance. This means that they accepted whatever my insurance offered them for out of network service. I think they have this information on their website. Of course, lab work and sonograms are separate and billable directly to your insurance. Also, they offer an orientation where they explain their philosophy, etc. to help you decide if you like them.<br><br>
Also, meeting up once we're sure none of us is psycho sounds good to me.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">
The nurses at SLRBC were very helpful and respectful. They pretty much do what the OB or midwife asks them to do. In my first birth, I had an IV only in the end when I had no energy left for pushing because of my very lengthy labor. I also had oxygen because of this. I had no EFM. They do monitor you for a few minutes when you first get there, but that's it. They use the doppler thing to listen to the heartbeat when needed. Also, the cord clamping was not delayed in my first birth because of the OB.<br><br>
During my second birth, I had no IV, no EFM (except a few minutes when I first got there), and the cord clamping was delayed. It was beautiful. That's how the midwife would do it anyway, and she knew I wanted it that way.<br><br>
At CBS, I had to pay $500 up front. After that, they took assignment from my insurance. This means that they accepted whatever my insurance offered them for out of network service. I think they have this information on their website. Of course, lab work and sonograms are separate and billable directly to your insurance. Also, they offer an orientation where they explain their philosophy, etc. to help you decide if you like them.<br><br>
Also, meeting up once we're sure none of us is psycho sounds good to me.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">
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128 Posts
Here's what I remember about my hospital costs at SLRBC. The cost for my stay using United Healthcare was around $300 (10% of $3,000) and the cost for my son's was around $200 (10% of $2,000). I hope this helps you.<br><br>
Good luck on finding a midwife and birthing place you like.
Good luck on finding a midwife and birthing place you like.
I grew up there. Unfortunately, I have not so happy memories of the place, so I don't dream of going back ever. In fact my personal nightmare would be me ending up back there. But it is a beautiful, sunny place, and it's nice to know people have discovered it and love it and are <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/jaw2.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="jaw2"> wanting to go back.<br><br>
I went to PS 122 (that place was another nightmare.) As a kid I spent my summers going to Astoria pool, walking to Ditmars, etc...<br><br>
Where will you send your children to school? PS? Homeschool? Private?
I went to PS 122 (that place was another nightmare.) As a kid I spent my summers going to Astoria pool, walking to Ditmars, etc...<br><br>
Where will you send your children to school? PS? Homeschool? Private?
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Astoria 1st time mama to be!<br><br>
We've lived here for 9 years now. DH and I are both from Wisconsin.<br><br>
mrscunning14 - we're having a home birth in July with Kristen Leonard. Amazingly, it looks like insurance is going to cover it. I'm very uncomfortable with hospitals for many reasons and while we liked the BBC, in the end there were more advantages for us at home. I can relate to how challenging it can be to find a midwife - especially one who can actively advocate for your birth choices in a hospital setting. Be persistent and trust your gut. MDC is a great place to find recommendations.<br><br>
Tanibani - not sure when you left, but long-timers tell me the neighborhood used to be very different. It's gotten a lot more expensive and very trendy as many young people from Manhattan are moving here because of the exorbitant rents in Manhattan. It still has a neighborhood feel and is a great place to live with a growing sense of community. I'm sorry you had a difficult time here and hope your current home is better for you.<br><br>
Good luck mrscunning! See you on the N train. I'm the one reading Babycatcher.
We've lived here for 9 years now. DH and I are both from Wisconsin.<br><br>
mrscunning14 - we're having a home birth in July with Kristen Leonard. Amazingly, it looks like insurance is going to cover it. I'm very uncomfortable with hospitals for many reasons and while we liked the BBC, in the end there were more advantages for us at home. I can relate to how challenging it can be to find a midwife - especially one who can actively advocate for your birth choices in a hospital setting. Be persistent and trust your gut. MDC is a great place to find recommendations.<br><br>
Tanibani - not sure when you left, but long-timers tell me the neighborhood used to be very different. It's gotten a lot more expensive and very trendy as many young people from Manhattan are moving here because of the exorbitant rents in Manhattan. It still has a neighborhood feel and is a great place to live with a growing sense of community. I'm sorry you had a difficult time here and hope your current home is better for you.<br><br>
Good luck mrscunning! See you on the N train. I'm the one reading Babycatcher.
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879 Posts
I cloth diapered my dd for the first year. We used a diaper service for the first 3 months or so but they were so horrible that we had to stop. Whatever you do, do not use Tidy diapers. I simply can not say anything good about them. No one else delivered at the time (2 years ago) Maybe someone does now but i don't know. After we stopped using the service, we just bought prefolds and covers and laundered our own. My wonderful hubby would wash them at the local laundromat at off hours and he never noticed any weird looks, not that he would care anyway.<br><br>
This time around, we are THINKING about getting a portable washing machine for convenience but we're not sure if we want more stuff in our already cramped apartment.<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br>
Diana
This time around, we are THINKING about getting a portable washing machine for convenience but we're not sure if we want more stuff in our already cramped apartment.<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br>
Diana
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We're planning to cloth diaper. There is a new diaper service called Queen Bee (I think). It's remarkable to me that there aren't more services in the city, since few of us have our own w/d. We're also anticipating relying heavily on a pick-up and delivery laundry service for the rest of our laundry needs. We live on a high floor in a walk-up so it's a huge help to have someone who will pick it up.<br><br>
We tried a small electric washer & dryer. It was almost more work than it was worth and was hard to buffer the sound enough not to disturb the neighbors.<br><br>
As for the homebirth sounds, we've already alerted our next door neighbor since we're friendly. We will probably also let our neighbors on the other side and below us know since it will be the summer, so their windows may be open. I just don't want someone to get scared and call the cops. But I'm imagining a really peaceful birth so hopefully they won't even know it's happening!
We tried a small electric washer & dryer. It was almost more work than it was worth and was hard to buffer the sound enough not to disturb the neighbors.<br><br>
As for the homebirth sounds, we've already alerted our next door neighbor since we're friendly. We will probably also let our neighbors on the other side and below us know since it will be the summer, so their windows may be open. I just don't want someone to get scared and call the cops. But I'm imagining a really peaceful birth so hopefully they won't even know it's happening!
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I know it seems hard to find like minded mothers in Astoria- but we're here, just busy... Have any of you checked out the LLL meeting at the Broadway library? The next one is on Monday 11-1pm. You can definitely find some mothers there who are dedicated to breastfeeding.
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