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MelandBri 
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Joined: 07 March 2007
Location: Invercargill
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 Topic: How to find a midwife?
Posted: 18 July 2007 at 2:42pm |
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Ummm maybe this should have gone into the pregnancy threads, but I'm not actually pregnant yet.
Oh well here will do.
I had a chat to my doctor yesterday about me becoming pregnant and he mentioned that at 15 weeks I would have to have found myself a midwife. I had my first baby in Australia and it was really different over there.
Who finds the midwife, do we have to find one ourselves our should my doctor refer me?
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Kazzle
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Posted: 18 July 2007 at 2:46pm |
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wow who is your doctor, if you look for a midwife at 15wks you wont find one as they will all be booked,
You need to look yourself and as soon as you know you are pregnant.
Good luck with ttcing
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Bel
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Posted: 18 July 2007 at 2:49pm |
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Interesting news kazzle - my m/w was telling me that new regulations came in 1st July that midwives don't get 'paid' to see anybody before 15 weeks. Basically you should go to your doctor before then... She wasn't happy about it cos then people would miss out on chance for NT scan...
Anyway I was given a list of m/w's in the area to ring when doctor confirmed pregnancy.
Good Luck with TTC
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Mum to two beautiful kids 
Luke (09.11.2007)
Amy (01.04.2009)
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MelandBri
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Posted: 18 July 2007 at 3:19pm |
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My doctor said that up until 15weeks I would keep seeing him and then after that I should have found a midwife to go to. I think you are able to see the midwife before that but you can't after the 15 weeks.
So what happens if you can't find a midwife, and have noone to go to. I'm sure that wouldn't happen, but I live in Invercargill and I know there's not many midwives around.
This is so confusing. When I had my daughter I was able to see my gp right until about 34 weeks, then had appointments with the ob at the hospital.
I guess I'll check with my gp and ask him for a list of available midwives.
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Kazzle
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Posted: 18 July 2007 at 3:25pm |
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it is interesting, as with my first one, as soon as i found out i was pregnant my doctor gave me a list of midwifes and told me to find one and she took me of from 6wks
i have already been in contact with my midwife and am seeing her next week (at 5wks) and she never mentioned anything about the first 15wks.
if it its true that they dont get paid to see anyone before 15wks then that sucks, as there is a major shortage of midwifes as it is, and most doctors dont know jack sh*te about maternity care, i know mine doesnt
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Bel
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Posted: 18 July 2007 at 3:30pm |
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yeah it is an interesting one - I saw my /w at 7 weeks and it made me feel lots more confortable with everything - just knowing there was someone out there to call on if needed... Think it is a pity that they have to change something as important as antenatal care...
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Mum to two beautiful kids
Luke (09.11.2007)
Amy (01.04.2009)
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Freesia
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Posted: 18 July 2007 at 4:02pm |
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I had heard that they aren't paid until something like 14 weeks, but I've already had 2 visits with mine - 1st at 9 weeks and 2nd at 13 weeks, so I'm not too sure whether they follow that strictly. I am in Auckland though and I booked in with her at 5 weeks because apparently they fill up well before you are 12 weeks along. It never hurts to call them early and find out though. The worst they can say is call back in a few weeks.
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peachy
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Posted: 18 July 2007 at 4:08pm |
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I booked in with my m/w at around 4 weeks, she told me to go for a dating scan, my GP gave me the form and I saw the m/w from about 8 weeks onwards, although my primary caregiver until 14 weeks was my GP then the m/w took over from there. I still went for two visits with the m/w before the 14 weeks though, so they will still take you, they just can't do much yet, although it is a good time to bond with them!
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MelandBri
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Posted: 18 July 2007 at 4:28pm |
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ok, I think I'll start looking for a midwife nice and early then.
Does anyone know what happens with a high risk pregnancy. As i'm on medication I'm classed as high risk. But I guess midwives must be qualified to deal with that sort of thing.
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kebakat
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Posted: 18 July 2007 at 4:30pm |
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I found the best way to get a MW was as soon as I found out I was preggy I talked to some friends and asked if they recommended their MW, did they have any probs with her or anything like that and then just phoned them. She booked me in but GP looked after me until I formally signed up with her at 14 weeks. But it's best to get a hold of them quickly because the good ones always get booked out fast
GP's can send you off for scans and all that if they feel that you need them or if you really want them. Mine did.
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Freesia
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Posted: 18 July 2007 at 4:57pm |
 MelandBri wrote:
Does anyone know what happens with a high risk pregnancy. As i'm on medication I'm classed as high risk. But I guess midwives must be qualified to deal with that sort of thing. |
I guess it would depend on the circumstances. I am classed as high risk because of my weight and when the doctor took my blood pressure it was high. But a midwife with a lot of experience was adequate for me. I was given the option of seeing a specialist at a cost of about $3,000 but went for a midwife instead. If the circumstances change later and a specialist is required, we will go to them then. Maybe you could have a chat with your doctor or just check with the midwife that you'd like to go to whether they are capable of looking after you in your circumstances.
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MILF
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Posted: 18 July 2007 at 5:14pm |
hi mel, if there is anything i can help with just let me know - i know of or about a wee few midwifes down here, so might be able to help you make a decision. i went straight to my midwife when i found out i was pregnant, she booked me in and i had to get a dating scan so saw her early. you dont have to have your appts with the midwife till 15 weeks, but it does pay to have one confirmed - which is kinda hard if you are not meeting them!
good luck with the baby making 
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Lyla - mum to
Xanthe - my big 4 year old 
and
Jordis - 1 year old 
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MelandBri
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Posted: 18 July 2007 at 9:00pm |
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Thanks Lyla I really appreciate it. We should really try to catch up some time.
I was talking to MIL & SIL tonight, SIL is a nurse starting down at Southland hospital next week in rehab.
Anyway they gave me 2 names, Heather McCorkindale which I'm sure I've heard of and been told how great she is.
And also Rosie Bergmans. Do you know of either of them. Apparently both are extremely popular so I would need to get in nice and early.
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MILF
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Posted: 18 July 2007 at 9:06pm |
lol i used heather for both my girls, she is fantastic! i really really reccomend her.
rosie is another good one, she was the midwife for my cousin who was high needs and they managed without and OB so were very happy.
both these women are what i would call old skool midwifes, but heather was amazing for me. she is pretty matter of fact, and is a bit need to know - can be a bit scary for the first time mum, but second time round is easier. Oh and heathers backup midwife is Jane Plesance (sp) and she is lovely too. if i couldnt get heather with jordis i was going to try for jane.
you would need to get in early for heather, she does get booked up. i imagine rosie would be the same.
a meet up does sound good to me how are you finding the cold clear days after australia?
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Lyla - mum to
Xanthe - my big 4 year old
and
Jordis - 1 year old
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Peanut
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Posted: 19 July 2007 at 8:18am |
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Hey there,
As I thin has been said, MW don't get paid fro your visits until 14 weeks but drs get money for your visits until 14 weeks so thats why GP's are keen to keep you with them. Most MW will start seeing you around 8 -10 weeks as its easier for them and the appts aren't too time consuming at that stage. I woudl suggest that as soon as you get a positive that you ring a MW as most book with themselves up quickly with repeats with only 1-2 slots each month for newbies.
(my MIL a mw - so checked it all out with her for you)
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MelandBri
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Posted: 19 July 2007 at 9:18am |
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Thanks for that peanut.
Lyla I'll definitely think about going with Heather then. I have been told she can be a bit scary but very good.
I haven't found the cold too bad since we have been back, but the mornings are freezing. Lucky we have good heating
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NovemberMum
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Posted: 20 July 2007 at 6:54am |
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When I first found out I was pregnant I asked my dr when I should start looking for a midwife. She said, then, I should start looking for one now.
I first saw my MW when I was about 5 weeks that was just to meet her and she gave me some information didnt see her till another 2 months later for my first official visit.
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11111
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Posted: 20 July 2007 at 8:46am |
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When I was having my first I did not look for a m/w till aboutt 12 week's and had a helll of a time finding one. Then we moved to a new town I was told I would not find a m/w, but I was not happy with that so I got on and rang around the first one I rang took me on so we were really lucky. With our second she was the first to find out we were pregnant we rang here before anyone else and will prob do the same with #3. And she waswillig to see us from day one.
Edited by loadsofkids
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emz
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Posted: 21 July 2007 at 5:57pm |
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Best to get in ASAP when you find out. They thought I was 9 weeks when I got pg, and because I am due around Xmas/New Years, no one was available. I went with about the 20th midwife I called, and she squeezed me in cos she felt so sorry for me!
I'm classed as a higher risk pregnancy due to previous health conditions, and saw a specialist until 12 weeks, but it got too expensive. Still debating if we'll use one for the birth (up to $1500), but you have the option of choosing one at the end if you can find one that will take you.
m/w don't get paid until 14weeks, and then it clicks on to Sect 88 (ultrasounds, m/w and some specialist treatments come under that).
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MelandBri
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Posted: 24 July 2007 at 3:02pm |
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Well this whole damn issue is very confusing.
I have a friend whos about 6 weeks, she saw her doctor yesterday and he told her not to come back to him, to find herself a midwife and see them from now on.
I think I'll wait until I fall pregnant and then as soon as I know I'll start calling around a few midwifes to find one and I'll go from there.
Thanks everyone for your help.
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How to find a midwife?
