feeling alone - can’t find an LMC

i've been unable to find an LMC. I've rung every midwife and obs in town, they're all booked up and won't take me.

I'm currently 10 weeks.

I bought a magazine - which has great info on how to "choose your LMC" - which feels like some kinda cruel joke. choice? hah!

I've also got a diary the GP gave me, and have stopped drinking -- but other than the one sentence per week summaries, i really have no idea what i'm doing here.

That must be so hard. Maybe try ringing all of them again and explaining that you have rung all the ones on the list and they can't take you so you need someone.

They may have the space but not giving it away unless it gets too bad. Surely someone can take you, you can't not have a LMC.

Another thing to try is ringing a few Dr's and seeing if any of them deliver - its not common but you might have some luck.

Good luck, this must be tough, especially if you are nearing your 12 week mark as you are supposed to have a scan then, referred from your LMC

Where are you? Do what lilfatty said, even if they don't have community midwives they should be able to help you out.

yummymummy wrote: Whereabouts are you in NZ?

I'm in Wellington.

I realise i can go to the hospital if something goes wrong, but i don't know what to look for to know something's gone wrong.

i'm on a diet of toast and lemon ginger drinks, because that's all i can keep down.

I know so few women - i work as an engineer - and this was completely unplanned pregnancy. My mum lives far away, and has been my lifeline on the phone so far. The women who are mothers that I know are either my clients or spouses of friends/clients. I've had a chat with a couple. Re-assured me a bit. but, not someone I can get too personal with.

A book is no substitute for an LMC, but if there's one you can recommend please do.

Is there anything i should be doing? Scans?

I got a dating scan through my GP (there was one midwive who could take me if the date was wrong by a week, but it wasn't). GP visit again to get nausea pills.The $80 per GP visit is gonna get tiring soon.

Firstly, CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy!

This must be really stressful for you, poor thing, especially when you feel so sick. I know I felt really lost until I'd got a LMC organised.
In my local free newspaper there is an advertisement for "pregnant and confused - need advice and information" or something like that. I rang that number and it was the local pregnancy resource centre. There was a really lovely lady there who suggested some midwives and told me about the system a bit. She said best I ring the midwives directly, but if I had any issues to get back to her and she'd help me find one. So maybe if there is something similar in your paper try that?
If that doesn't help, ring the hospital - they have a team of midwives who will take you. You will have to go to the hospital for appts and you may or may not see the same one everytime, but they will at least take care of you.
Finally, all pregnancy-related doctors visits up to 13 weeks should be free for NZ residents, so I'd be complaining to your doctor!
If you haven't found a midwife in the next couple of weeks, go to your doctor for a referral for the 13 week scan if you want to screen for downs syndrome and other similar abnormalities.

I hope thats a bit helpful, and big hugs to you!

loulee wrote: I think you should be paying way less than $80 per visit for your GP, are you NZ resident?

Yes, i'm a NZer. Price is $50 at wellington GPs. $80 is after hours. I did ask, but they say a midwife is free, a GP is not. If you have info on where i can get that refunded, or where i can find a GP that won't charge me, please please share.

My GP doesn't do maternity care.

loulee wrote: You can get an obstrician and I believe they are $2k.

I found 3 obs in Wellington, all are booked full and can't take me. I went on the waiting list for one - but i'm 16th on the list so not likely.

Yay for dry conflakes!!

I found this website for you: http://www.pcs.org.nz/

Hopefully they can offer some help

I can't really add anything but just check with your docs about their charging. My GP is free for maternity related visits, however, I had to go to a different doc one weekend and it had a notice on the desk saying maternity would be charged as any other normal visit which I thought was really off. But most places are free.

I know that Kapiti Midwives have spots - a friend of mine is using them. It may be a bit of a way out for you but they are lovely and if you can't find anyone else, maybe worth a shot?

Did you try Michel Sangalli? I am going through him. He is expensive but worth a shot??

Hi Shiny

Congratulations on your pregnancy. I know what Wgtn is like for finding a midwife - we live here as well and I've just been through the process of finding one for Christmas!! I know they are very hard to get.

I have friends who've used the hospital midwives and have found them great. I would suggest giving them a call because even if you find someone down the track and swap I'm sure they would be able to see you for your first appointment and give you all the info and scan referrals / blood test stuff you need.

I hope you find someone soon. If you need some face to face support just pm me. I'd be happy to meet you for a coffee (or whatever other drinks you can keep down!!).