So I went to the referral management place yesterday and had to fill out a bunch of forms about my pregnancy, what tests I want done etc. I was given a "group" appointment with the OB GYN next month. AFAIK it's just a sit down with someone and other people who are preggers, but does anyone have any idea what's going to be discussed? I'll be 9 weeks by then. When is the normal time for someone to get their first scan? I know in an NHS hospital (I'm a Brit) that it's 12 weeks, I've been told it's less time in US? Can you tell I'm a noob at this whole being up the duff thing? ;] 

The first visit it like an orientation. They'll tell you the procedures, what to expect, give you a tour of the labor / recovery rooms. Also give you information about parenting classes, WIC, and other information. Your first appointment will consist of paperwork and labs. Your second appointment you'll go over the lab results and get your first scan. Appointment will be monthly for a while - at around your 20th week, you'll have a better scan - might be able to tell the sex of the baby. Congratulations! 

Congrats!!! The class is pretty boring, lol. When I went they had someone come and talk about different stretchs to help with back pain during pregnancy, they give you a journal/book that has weeks for appointments and what to expect at the appointments, then they give you info on the signs to look out for and other little information, and then let you set up your first appointment. For me I went at about 10 weeks (had my scan at the first appt). My next appt. was at 16, then I had another scan at 22 and another appt at 24, and 28 and my next appt will be at 32. ANy questions feel free to ask:) I'm 31 weeks pregnant right now. Oh and if you opt'd to do the NTS scan, that is at 11-13 weeks and its at Addenbrooks, its one of the elective tests. 

Yeah as stated above the first visit is pretty lame. They just want to make sure you have the information to use early on to insure you're giving the baby a healthy start. I am now 29 weeks and basically have seen them every 4 weeks since that initial appointment! Pretty soon I will see them every two weeks until the baby arrives. I do have one HUGE recommendation: if you are wanting to know the sex of your baby check out PREVIEW ULTRA SOUND. They are about an hour or so drive away but worth the time and money spent! I have ultra sound pictures that most Moms would kill to have. I did the regular scan but they also have 3D and such. Check them out they have a website! I went to them after a friend of mine was told by the Dr on base that she was having a little boy and ended up with a 10lb baby girl! LOL.. 

Thanks everyone! Sounds like it'll be an informative appointment for me, if a little boring ;] I'm not overly bothered about knowing the sex, just as long as the baby is healthy really. My husband wants to know, but if we don't find out than I would quite like the surprise at the end of it all! I know the answer is probably going to be "no", but I was wondering if Lakenheath offered water births there at all? I would love to give birth in a birthing pool, but I'm unsure how like NHS hospitals Lakenheath really is. 

I'd contact the midwife advertised on LYS. TriCare covers them, and I think I've heard that a friend is having a water birth with them through tricare, but not 100% sure. 

I've seen the ad, but it seems like it's only for birthing at home. I'd like to be in a hospital though because you never know what can go wrong. 

Yea, thats why I never contacted them. I'm not sure how that works. The lady may be able to give you info, if not ask at the inital group visit about it. I had an epidural with my daughter, so I already know I'll want one for this baby, lol. 

Ohh, I definitely do not want an epidural. My older sis now has permanent back spasms from hers and a family friend has been declared disabled from hers going horrible wrong. I'm petrified at that happening! 

No, there is no birthing pool onbase. They do have delivery suites now so you labor, deliver and stay in the same room. You stay longer in a US hospital/base vs offbase. Giving birth off base you are in and out in a few hours where onbase you may stay for a day or two for a natural delivery. If you want a water birth in a hospital, you will need to deliver on the NHS. The appointments here are scarce for an uncomplicated delivery. For the first half of pregnancy, there are only a few appts. "Normally" you get a dating scan at your first appt (9-12 weeks) then your next scan will be around 20-22 weeks to check growth and such. This is the only requirement for scans. You may get more, you may not, but these two are a for sure thing. They do not do gas and air. I will tell you, that in my experience, our anesthesiologists have better training that the NHS. I had my son off base, and I was poked 7 times for an IV and 5 times for an epidural. This should NEVER happen- and I am not a hard case, have never had any back surgeries, ect. Poking people is their job, and they are the ones nurses turn to if they can not start an IV because they are better at it. You get free TV and parking and the nurses will watch your baby for you if you need to go to the bathroom or take a shower. Normally, you are the only one to a room. Doctors will come to see you and the baby after delivery every day. Meals are delivered to your room and you can pick/order what you want off a select menu. Those are the main big differences I can think about right now for NHS vs Base delivery. Good luck and congrats! I second Premier Ultrasound. It is in Kettering. I have WONDERFUL 3/4d pictures. Everyone who sees them has been in awe, and that includes physicians and nurses. They are really clear and look like first baby pictures, which I guess they sort of are. That cost is out of pocket, I think I paid about 150GBP but it was worth it to me. There are other places that do 3/4d pictures, but Preview Ultrasound seem to have the best picture quality. 

Thank you Shannon! I didn't think they'd offer water birthing, but it's really disappointing that they also don't offer gas & air! So the only form of pain relief on offer is an epidural? That's not cool :( 

You stay longer in a US hospital/base vs offbase. Giving birth off base you are in and out in a few hours Maybe it depends where you are because all of my friends that have had a baby off base they have been in for at least a day. 

Well I can tell you that I have zero intentions of having an epid. done as well. For one Lab/Delivery stuck me 5 times to take blood on one occasion. So I dont really think I want to be stuck in my back anytime soon.LOL and for two I just really would like to do it all natural. My grand mother had 9 kids all they gave her was ice and a pat on the back! : )..lol I think I can manage one! 

Cassie, I'm just worried how I'll handle the pain and I'm now annoyed that gas & air wont be available. I wonder what the reason for that is. My sister gave birth to her first boy with gas & air and recommends it all the time to people. 

The only forms I had were the epidural/spinal block and "cocktail" pain relievers which go into your IV and arent that strong but they help. I tried my hardest to go natural but with being in labor for so long (36 hours total) I gave in because I needed to be able to relax. I was literally falling asleep between contractions. So this time my hubby said I'll be getting the epi first thing so I have energy, lol. Unless I get a full nights rest before labor I agree. With my daughter I started labor at 7pm and wasn't able to sleep that night because I was having contractions the whole night. 

I don't know what forms are offered I will let you know in May haha.. but I will if any thing go for IV pain killers that are okay for the baby. But i doubt I will give in to that I am a very hard head woman lol 

You go girl! Lol, I wish I was that strong. But in the end I guess my pain meds didn't matter anyways since they wore off, lol. 

: ).. 

You stay longer in a US hospital/base vs offbase. Giving birth off base you are in and out in a few hours Maybe it depends where you are because all of my friends that have had a baby off base they have been in for at least a day. Well, my experience being in Addenbrooks for 3 days was that the average stay after birth was between 6-8 hours. I was in a room with 6 other beds and it was a 24 hour revolving door. I went in to have a VBAC and ended up having an Emergency/urgent c-section. In the US, insurance companies are required to let a mother stay at least 2 days sometimes 3 for a natural birth. If you are discharged at 24 hours onbase, that is an early discharge. You can opt to do that if you and your baby are healthy and they have no concerns. Gas and air really does not work well. lol, that may be why they dont offer it stateside/ on base. There are other forms of medication that can be given IV or IM (in muscle) that can also be given if you do not want an epidural. My advice is just be prepared. Practice some relaxation techniques. Pick out some nice mellow music to listen to. It is hard to describe what labor is like until you go through it. It is painful but it comes in waves with your contractions. Just remember, even though it seems like it is going to last forever, it doesnt, and there is a prize at the end of all your hard work. ;) 

Gas and air really does not work well. lol, that may be why they dont offer it stateside/ on base. I know it works well with the pain for a lot of women, including my sister. She has just had her 2nd child and she had the epidural this time around, if she was to choose again she would've picked gas & air over the epidural. A part of me is considering having the baby at Bury St Edmund's hospital as I didn't realise how much Lakenheath was lacking in the options for natural births :( 

You need to google and research all of your options. Go in with an open mind because pain is subjective, meaning that no two people experience pain in the same way. Do not go in thinking that since "this" happened to so-n-so "this" will also happen to you. Going in with a fixed idea of what "will" happen can actually cause more stress and pain when/if things deviate from that idea. You can get a general idea from asking people their stories, or researching the options. But you will never know until you are in the situation what will work for you. 

Nicely said Shannon! : ).. that's what I told my husband when he said that so-n-so's wife chickened out and had the epidural.. so, so will you! I was a bit mad but I just stated well I am not her! LOL.. and then said are you willing to get an epidural? No I didn't think so. LOL 

Shannon, I've been doing a lot of research over the last two weeks. My only issue with giving birth on base is that there don't seem to be as many options available to me as there are in the local NHS hospital - There's no birthing pools, no gas & air, no birthing balls, no TENS machines available... I just the feeling that they're no open to any options to just laying on the bed and pushing - No birthing stools or squatting bars for example. 

Hi all, coming in late, I know, but... I delivered at home with Jo (the lady who advertises on LYS) :-) She does water birth or not depending on your wishes. 100% covered by Tricare, including labs and ultrasounds/scans done at a local hospital. She's great, and GET THIS: all check ups are done in your home. No waiting in the office for an appointment. But if you insist on a hospital, as an American, I'd go with the NHS over the base. As Susan says, there are a lot fewer options at the base hospital; American doctors WAY over-manage any pregnancy care. And as for labor advice, having done 7 myself, I say don't be afraid to ask for medication if you need it. It's not an admission of failure! But definitely practice relaxing in the coming months - being relaxed and calm makes all the difference. Research and decide for yourself what is important, and stand up for yourself in the things you believe in. 

Susan. I am English and have 2 children. Here are my views.... Gas n air is ESSENTIAL! I had both my chilren vaginally , one labor was 39 hours and the other 4.5 hours. My daughter was born at west suffolk . I was induced with pitocin with my daughter and managed with gas n air. My son I was induced with the gel and I used gas n air. If you dont like IV's , then the NHS is the way to go. Base will put in an IV the second you are admitteed. On the NHS u only get it is u need antibiotics or pitocin or other meds of course. You can eat and drink and go sit in the pool, stand in the shower in the NHS... with base, no birthing pools available, and they dont let you eat.. Now with the tricare lady advertising.. Her name is Joanna. She is FANTASTIC. I was due to have a home birth with a pool, but with preruptured membranes I had to be induced. Anyway, Tricare cover her fees. She will do all the blood work, book tests all in the comfort of your own home... AND when your pregnant you dont always feel like trackin out the house to those appointments at the hospital. She stayed with me for my labor and delivery of my son and continued to make home visits until he was a month old. Also, Not sure how you feel about this.. On base your first scan is internally... On the NHS its just done on your tummy. The 2nd scans are the same both places, just on your tummy. While pregnant with my daugher I was so sure I wanted to be on base, UNTIL.... I was taken to the ob.gyn with exhaustion and needed an IV... The capt didnt know how to work the blood pressure machine, and when it came to the IV ,, well I bled everywhere... I felt it running down my hand, she didnt shut the valve. Also, The OB,GYN are dr's and nurses, not specifically trained in childbirth.. I got told this by an organisation on base. NHS midwives have more training, they study childbirth for 3 - 4 years and its their speciaility. Thats my views, everyones experiences and expectations are different. Try and sit down and write a birth plan.. The things you are sure you do and do not want to happen in an '' ideal '' world. OF COURSE. You may not always get what you want out of your birth as things change by the second, BUT it may help you make up your mind... And ... If your undecided... go ahead and use both the NHS and base facilities.. I did for both my pregnancies. you are entitiled to both... and im sure you will find the best path that suits your needs and wishes... Ihope that all made sense... Congrats 

but I will if any thing go for IV pain killers Cassie?? IV painkillers... Not sure there are any on the NHS.. Gas n Air Pethidine - which is injected into the top of your leg Epidural - spine... I will advise a tens machine.... Your more than welcome to rent mine from me for your labor.. I got to 7cm with just the TENS!!!!! Its incredible I wish I had of had it with my daughter first time round.. I also would suggest you trying a pregnancy yoga class, there is one in newmarket and im sure others around. Helps your breathing and relaxation techniques. I also had reflexology throughout my pregnancy by a midwife / reflexologist which balances everything out. Lavender is wonderful, so get hubby to massage you... Birthing balls again use throughout your pregnancy and labor. They open up your pelvic area and help let baby drop down.Its nice to sit and bounce on them when your having a contraction. I think thats all... I just had my son 3 months ago, so its quite fresh in my mind :-) hope that all helps 

ok... one more thing... I forgot something quite essential... Lakenheath does not have a SCBU... Special care baby unit. So if your baby needs any extra help Lakenheath cannot do this. A british ambulance is called and would be transfered to either addenbrookes or west suffolk... 

Well, I hope they have better practice if they are going to try to IV me when I don;t even want meds! I am seriously not happy with the way they stick you like it is no big deal..seriously they stuck me 4 times then I refused and they told me I needed to calm down! So I begged for the Dr. who then came in and on the first try got the blood work I needed! Then a whole seperate occasion I was sent there (about to pass out and be sick from their glucose test) and they stuck me 2 times and then I refused so they called in a Dr who once again got my blood work on the first try!.. So my confidence in them has been let down time and time again. I just at this point I am terrified to go there! 

The OB,GYN are dr's and nurses, not specifically trained in childbirth.. I got told this by an organisation on base. NHS midwives have more training, they study childbirth for 3 - 4 years and its their speciaility. Emmi, I completely agreed with your posting, until you got to this part, which is totally and completely untrue. What do you think an OB/GYN is??? They are doctors specifically trained in this area. A nurse in the military has at LEAST a 4 yr nursing degree and if he/she is working OB, they have been sent for further training before they can take care of patients. The midwives on the base have at LEAST a masters in midwifery (6yrs) and a doctor? 4 yrs premed/ 4 yrs med and 4-8yrs OB/GYN residency that is 12-16yrs of education!!). This is NOT true of the NHS. If you become a midwife in the UK and move to the US, it does not transfer over because there is not enough "training" to practice in the US. The NHS does have IV/IM pain medications. The birthing pools are on a first come first serve basis. At Addenbrooks there were two. If you want a guarantee for a pool, the home birth with the midwife would be your best bet. They can also carry your gas and air. I had an awful experience at Addenbrooks so I am a base advocate. Infact, I signed out against medical advice on day 3 because it was so bad. If you go NHS, I would choose West Suffolk. I have heard better stories from there. 

Perhaps I didnt explain myself enough. I was talking about Lakenheath OB/GYN specifically, not what your used to people being in the US. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I got told the NURSES on BASE at OB/GYN have no extended training in childbirth. I was told this at HAWC when trying to decide where I would be most happier delivering. There is one lady in OB/GYN I think is a americam civilian, when I saw her she said she had a Masters in Midwifery. Thats not the case for them all. I had a friend who worked there in OB/GYN , who was a nurse... Had no further education in childbirth but it was her interest. From many people ive heard that they have no guidance throughout pushing, and they are very quick to c-section because they dont know how to handle complicated vaginal births. Whether I have heard right or wrong, Who knows.. But im sure those pregnant ladies will find out Good Luck