New Zealand - Pregnancy & Birth in New Zealand

Tia Maria

14th January 2007, 08:03 PM

Well I've finally made it to my last month of pregnancy - hurrah! And I thought I'd let people know how I've found the whole experience in NZ, compared to the UK, (this is number 3).

When to fly

Normally its suggested you fly in the second trimester, as the threat of miscarriage is mainly over, and you're not too big to fit in the airline seats.

I ended up flying when I was about 9 weeks, and I'm so glad I did, if I'd been any further along, we wouldn't have had time to sort out everything before the baby came. Going on holiday is one thing, but when you are emigrating there are so many things that can throw your time line out - taking longer to get a job, or finding somewhere to live etc. And you really don't want to be looking at rentals, a few weeks before you are due!

The downside is the issue of miscarriage. I spoke to my doctor in advance, who felt it would be OK for me, and just asked that we be aware of who we could see in New Zealand, if something went wrong.

Flying

I had really bad morning sickness, which is made a hundred times worse on a plane, especially when they bring the airline food out. I got some of these, (www.chuckiebags.com), before we left, for any emergencies.

I spent a fair bit of time at the back of the plane, with 'woman who had child who wouldn't sleep', and, 'man who had to exercise because of DVT', and, 'girl who was scared of flying'. We were a cheerful bunch, and Singapore Airlines staff, were very sympathetic, and would bring us water, snacks, entertain the children etc.

I would definitely suggest booking the transit hotel. I got the chance to sleep, (its amazing how tired you are in the early days), and the OH took the boys off to run around.

All in all, we survived, and made it to New Zealand.

One thing I would have done differently, is taken some pills for morning sickness. They are reluctant to prescribe them in the UK, and I was offered them as a last resort. But they really would have made a big difference, and its well worth trying to persuade your doctor, if you can!

Cheers

Tia

Tia Maria

14th January 2007, 08:04 PM

OK next bit:

Registering

As we did a fair bit of travelling first, I didn't get to register with the doctor until about 13 weeks. (I was allowed to register with a temporary address, but did have to show proof of PR).

She talked through my care options, and I opted to go with a KYM midwife. This is a midwife who is assigned to you, but based at the hospital you are likely to give birth in. You submit the relevant paperwork and wait for them to contact you.

Scans

As I hadn't had any scans at this time, the doctor suggested that I arrange one in the meantime. I'm not sure how many scans they usually do, but I had 2 in total.

The doctor gave me a list of various places you could get a scan, and I could choose which one to go to. This was also quite good as you could book an appointment convenient to you, and I was seen straight away. I often had to wait in the UK, which I found near impossible after drinking all that water!

I did pay, something like $75, but I think that's because I ended up with a CD of the scan. I've always found the people who do the scans in the UK really good, and they were in New Zealand too.

For my second scan, I went to a different place, I think they charged something like $35 - no CD, (but I did get a giant X-ray, with lots of pics of the baby on). The lady who did the scan, was from the UK. Once again the standard of care was very comparable to the UK. The one way they were better, was the fact I could pick where and when to have the scan. Also the waiting/scan rooms were really nice.

Bloods

I have a bit of a phobia on this one. My memories of the UK, are of very long waits, so long once, 2 women passed out before even being seen. Horrible little rooms, but the staff were very sympathetic to my phobia. I never let the midwife do it, (sorry to all UK midwives on this forum!), because they were so naff at it.

In the UK they also seemed to be constanly sending me to do yet another test - bad organisation and losing results, more than anything to do with my health.

In NZ, very similar experience to the scan. I booked an appointment with a medi-lab, when it suited me, 5 minute wait, nice waiting room etc. I've also only had to have 2 needles in total, (one was an extra glucose test), they do lots of tests in one go, so you don't have to keep going back. All in all, a lot less stressful.

I wasn't offered the triple test, not sure if this is standard here or not. I prefer to not have it done, so it wasn't an issue for me.

Cheers

Tia

Tia Maria

14th January 2007, 08:06 PM

Midwives

I had fairly bad experiences with my midwives in the UK. I won't go into it here, but it did strike me that a lot of the problems stemmed from understaffing and an increasing concern for being sued. Maybe some of the midwives on the forum who have worked both sides could say if they have found any differences.

Options

It seems you have several options here:

1) Midwife attached to the hospital.
2) Independent midwives
3) Private midwives/consultants.

Most of the people I know here from Canada/America, seem to go the private route, as this is what they are use to in their own country. They have spoken quite highly of the services available on the North Shore, but did say they felt they were treated a bit differently in the hospital, because of their 'private status'.

I don't know of anyone who went the independent midwife route, maybe if someone on this forum did, they can explain what was involved

I chose to go with the first option, (a KYM midwife), because it just seemed the simplist way to go, especially as I was reasonably far along in my pregnancy by then.

The first visit was arranged after I filled out the paperwork with the doctor. I thought the midwife had just been assigned to me, but at the end of the visit I had the chance to meet and choose someone else if I wanted to. I think having a choice at this stage can only be a good thing, as personalities do play a big part with how well you get on with your midwife, and therefore, what the whole birth/pregnancy experience is like.

I was really pleased with my midwife, she took her time to explain everything to me, and any referrals I needed were made the following day. Also I was prescribed morning sickness pills, which have made the biggest difference to my pregnancy. I was never prescribed them in the UK, and I feel quite angry about that, as I really did suffer.

So, so far, its been a really good experience for me.

Obviously I haven't had the chance to meet the hospital ward midwives yet, but I hear that one called samdavers, is an absolute superstar!

Cheers

Tia

Tia Maria

14th January 2007, 08:07 PM

I have now had a lovely baby boy, he's a very mellow baby - well much more mellow than his parents anyway!

Hospital

I found the North Shore Hospital a hundred times better than the 2 I'd been in in the UK. I had my own room and I shared a bathroom with just one other person, which was a total luxury.

They got you up an about very quickly which was good, and gave you plenty of pain relief, which was even better (I had a C-section). They were very pro breastfeeding, but the midwives didn't really seem to have the time to help with this, also because it was so busy I was asked to leave earlier than I would have liked, as they said they didn't have enough beds.

The standard of care was very good, all the people who saw me - consultants, anaesthetists, physios, midwives etc all took the time to to let me know what was going on, reassure me and genuinely allowed me to make decisions on how things would go.

In term of hospital/midwife care I'm really glad I had the baby here rather than in the UK. But the main downside is not having friends and family close, I found this extremely difficult.

Cheers

Tia

Tia Maria

14th January 2007, 08:07 PM

Finally

I've managed to sort out birth certificate & kiwi passport for the baby, trying to get a photo that fits in with all their rules and regulations is a bit of a nightmare - but 40 photos later on the digital camera and he finally co-operated. I'm working on sorting out the UK passport also, but at least we've got one for the trip home.

We had family come to visit, so I didn't think I'd be popping back to the UK so soon, but shortly after he was born I had an overwhelming urge to see all my freinds and family back home who couldn't make it over. So as a result I'll be swapping sunny NZ for freezing UK.

Everyone else who I know who've had a baby over here, has returned for a visit within a year - so do budget for that along with cot, buggy etc.

All the visits with Plunket (like our health visitors), have been very similar to the UK - weight, height, checking their hips etc. Also they organise coffee mornings for new Mums and drop-ins for if you need to talk about feeding, sleeping etc.

So to all those coming out pregnant, or with plans to have a bay once here - good luck with it all and just be careful that those pregnancy hormones don't detract from the experience of emigrating. It will be harder doing it away from friends & family, but for me the standard of healthcare here made up for that.

So anyone due soon?

Cheers

Tia

Tia Maria

14th January 2007, 08:09 PM

Hope it reads OK, as I actually wrote it as a series of posts during my pregnancy, when lets just say my hormones got the better of me on more than one occasion.

Would love to hear other people's stories!

Cheers

Tia

wiki

14th January 2007, 08:33 PM

It reads wonderfully!

Thank you so much for putting it all together :)

I have one question though, apart from the scans was there a financial cost to going down the KYM's route? When I was last in NZ giving birth was free but I'm not sure if that's changed over the years?

PS: Congratulations on your (first) little Kiwi!

Tia Maria

15th January 2007, 12:21 PM

Wiki - The only things I paid for during my pregnancy were Scans and for Iron tablets. I only had to pay for the latter as I chose to have the ones you take 1 a day, if I'd have chosen the 8 a day ones they would have been free - but I would have never remembered!

Cheers

Tia

jubjub

15th January 2007, 01:07 PM

Tia, thought I would link your thread to my old one from when I had AJ, as I used an obstetrician & had bub at National Womens, so there is some differences that may be useful to folks. will link yours to mine too..

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3136&highlight=pregnancy

Tia Maria

15th January 2007, 06:27 PM

JubJub - good to read your story too! Some useful maternity clothes links too, I used a lot of old stuff from the previous 2, but did get a nice pair of trousers at JKs.

Anyone got any home birth experiences over here? Or standard birth stories - are they quick with the pain relief, or talk you out of it? Will they consider water births or simply not have enough staff? I know one of the hospitals in the UK that I used just loved to induce (fast but painful), whereas the other one let you grow and grow!

Everyone I know seems to have ended up the C-section route (darn those big headed dads!).

Cheers

Tia

gil

15th January 2007, 06:53 PM

Very interesting thread,Tia, if a few years too late for me! Such am important subject to be able to access info about. Oh, and on the C-section subject, I had four (all in UK) so if anyone wants a bit of info/reassurance,pls feel free!

Gil

Lisa&Andy

25th January 2007, 04:44 AM

Tia
What a really useful post very interesting indeed :nice1 We only have one child at the moment, and are planning to be in NZ late 2007 or early 2008. I have often wondered what it would be like if I was pregnant or had to give birth in NZ. I agree that this would probably quite a difficult experience without friends and family close by, but how reassuring too hear that the standard of medical care is comparable to if not better than the UK. My experience of child birth here in Glasgow was quite good (well as far as these things go :laugh )

Lisa x

Tia Maria

27th January 2007, 06:25 PM

Thanks Lisa!

I decided to write this thread as I went into the whole thing completely unsure about what to expect, as having had 2 babies in the UK I knew experiences could vary from hospital to hospital, let alone country to country.

There are a few forum members currently very interested in this thread, but I'm sworn to secrecy!

So really if anyone else can write about their experience of having a baby in NZ, I know it will be much appreciated!!!

Cheers

Tia

gil

27th January 2007, 06:57 PM

There are a few forum members currently very interested in this thread, but I'm sworn to secrecy!
Tia

You can't say that and leave us in suspenders! Can't wait to hear the good news!
Hope everyone relevant is feeling well,
Love

Gil
x

Smiler

27th January 2007, 08:21 PM

There are a few forum members currently very interested in this thread, but I'm sworn to secrecy!

Tia

Tia

You can tell us, promise we'll not say a thing. http://imageshack.us/thumbnmail.png (http://img143.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zipmouthud5.jpg)

http://imageshack.us/thumbnmail.png (http://img143.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zipmouthud5.jpg)

Congrat's to everyone, whoever you are. ;)

bob_the_engineer

28th January 2007, 05:11 PM

I heard something really scary and I’ve no idea if it’s true or not. Maybe you could tell me if my friend actually made this up!

In the UK midwives are trained nurses, they then take a speciality, midwifery.
The above is true in NZ if you have a hospital midwife.

If you choose an independent midwife, you could be choosing someone who isn’t qualified (this seems insane to me, which is why I think my mate was pulling my leg!)

He said an independent midwife gets paid only when the baby is delivered and only if the independent midwife delivers it.

The independent midwife uses the hospital facilities, and has the right to deny access to any hospital staff (including hospital midwives and doctors and remember the independent apparently has no formal medical training)

If the independent midwife does decide to let a doctor into the room (and remember its his/her decision) and the doctor decides intervention is necessary, then its no payment for the midwife.

I can’t believe the above is true, as I said it was a story from a friend.

I can’t believe its true because he basically said that someone with no medical qualifications can dictate access to a “baby being born doctor” (obstetricians I think the term is) and knows that if they call the doctor in then they won’t get paid for their last nine months of effort!

He told me that the independents will proceed with a difficult birth, chancing injury to the mother and baby and only ask for assistance if they think a “normal birth” is impossible.

Don’t get annoyed about this post, I understand it’s quite possibly utter nonsense, as I said I have no idea if its true, but I would like to know, and this seemed like an ideal opportunity to ask.

Bob

Park City Partner

28th January 2007, 07:34 PM

I had my baby in June and I have to say I think NZ is a fantastic place to have a baby. I came over in Feb for 6 weeks and found a specialist and then went back to the States for 6 weeks before coming back over at 28 weeks in April. We went through IVF and I wasn't that familiar or comfortable with the mid-wife option so we went with a specialist that we paid for. I had one scan that we paid for...$85 I think but my labs didn't cost me anything. I had a low lying placenta and was given the option to have another scan to see if it moved but given the fact that there was a 30% chance that it did and a few other reasons we didn't do a scan and just settled for a C-section.

I went into labor one month early around 9:30 pm and had a lot more labor than planned as I didn't have the baby (via ceasar) until 8:51 am. I delivered at North Shore hospital and overall was very pleased with the care I received. I had a lot of issues with breastfeeding and got a lot of support for everyone there and the lactation consulant I worked with was great. My only real complaint was that the bed was a manual adjustment instead of automatic and it didn't have hand rails so getting in and out of bed and adjusting it after a c-section was a bit tricky.

I stayed in the hospital for 6 days and was released on a Friday. Sat. morning my mid-wife came to the house to check on us. THIS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN THE STATES! I was so amazed that for the next 6 weeks the mid-wife would come to the house to look after us. As it turned out we had quite a few issues so she was at the house sometime 2-3 times a week and after only 2 days home we had to go back to the hospital for some light therapy for a few days. And one time the baby needed blood tests and within 45 mins of calling Medlab they were at the house doing the required labs. THIS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN THE STATES. No one comes to the house.

After 6 weeks of mid-wife visits I was sad to see her go but then Plunket took over so I always felt I had some one to call if needed. The support available here is fantastic. I also couldn't believe that after all the care etc. I never saw a bill. The only money I paid was for my specialist. If I were going to have another baby (and didn't need a c-section) I would be very comfortable going with a mid-wfe.

I feel very fortunate to have had my baby here. I tell my friends in the States about the process here and they can't believe it. All of them are jealous. Overall, this American is very proud to have had her baby in New Zealand.

Tia Maria

29th January 2007, 07:10 AM

Park City Partner - great post!

How did you choose your specialist?

We don't usually use private specialists in the UK, but am I right in thinking its quite common in the States?

Cheers

Tia

kiwidebs

29th January 2007, 07:20 AM

In the UK midwives are trained nurses, they then take a speciality, midwifery.
The above is true in NZ if you have a hospital midwife.

If you choose an independent midwife, you could be choosing someone who isn’t qualified (this seems insane to me, which is why I think my mate was pulling my leg!)

Bob

In NZ, as in the UK, a midwife is a fully trained professional. Whether they do nursing then specialise in midwifery, or whether they do a 'direct entry' midwifery course (3 years of training). I believe direct entry midwifery courses are offered in the UK too. All independant midwives are fully qualified health professionals! They have to apply for a practice certificate every year with evidence of further professional education and a minimum number of practice hours!
As for the other - I'm not sure how it all works in NZ, as my babies were born in the UK. I do know that in NZ you can elect your lead maternity carer - whether it be your GP, a midwife (usually independant) or an obstetrician. I'm pretty sure most midwives are not going to risk any danger to mother or baby by withholding specialist care if it is necessary. Most women over here elect to have a midwife as lead carer and there are still plenty of C-sections performed so I would assume that midwives are appropriately seeking further assistance when necessary. I work in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care) and I assume we would see more 'damaged' babies if this wasn't the case. As far as I can tell (and I've worked in the UK and NZ in my specialty) we don't see more babies with birth asphyxia than we did back there - but I don't have any figures to back me up on this.
From the care friends have had here, and my experience of the NHS (I chose to pay for an independant midwife for my 2nd child in the UK as there was no way I was going to end up with a similar sort of UK hospital midwife experience as I had with my first baby!) I would choose the NZ system over the UK one everytime. Just for the record, this is not from my professional point of view, this is purely and simply from a mothers point of view, and the experiences of friends and family and my own experience as a mother (not a nurse!).

HTH
Debs

Tia Maria

29th January 2007, 07:22 AM

Bob-the Engineer - I'm not sure what qualifcations/checks independent midwives undertake, perhaps there is a midwife on the board who might be able to shed some light on it.

On reading the story, it seems unlikely that they wouldn't get paid if the birth had an alternative outcome, as surely they set the terms of their own contract and could simply charge for hours spent attending the woman in labour? But I don't know.

I know Independent Midwives in the UK work this way, and offer alternative levels of care - just during pregnancy, just during the birth, for both etc. Also if the birth was to happen in the hospital, the independent midwife would still be considered the 'guest'. I think it would be legally impossible for a UK hospital to allow those, other than their staff, to oversee a birth.

In the UK Independent Midwives also need to carry a very high level of insurance, I think most of them manage this by being part of a midwife association and coming under their insurance cover.

As I've said before, I don't know, but I would have thought it would be a very similar situation in NZ, for both legal and health reasons.

Anyone have knowledge of Independent Midwives in NZ, I got the impression they were more widely used in NZ than in the UK?

Cheers

Tia

kiwidebs

29th January 2007, 07:36 AM

Hi Tia

We must have been posting at the same time!! :laugh
Independant Midwives are used alot more here in NZ. In the UK independant midwives can not get professional indemnity insurance so it is a real grey area if you use them. Also, if you end up in hospital they can only come along as your support person and cannot deliver the baby. My independant midwife signed onto the nursing bureau at my local hospital and using a loophole was legally able to deliver Cameron for me. Here in NZ independants are paid by the government - I believe they get a set amount per preganancy/delivery but don't quote me on it. Most women choose to use an independant midwifery practice and the govt pays for it!! I know my independant midwife in the UK raved about the NZ system - she lectures in midwifery at a london university and says they look at the NZ system as how it really can work!!

Debs

bob_the_engineer

29th January 2007, 10:22 AM

Thanks Kiwidebs & Tia Mari,

As I said before I have no idea what I’m talking about, just a question I asked because of something a friend told me.

I guess we still don’t have an answer as to the original question, I don’t want to risk hijacking this thread so I’ll start another.

also sorry I said

He told me that the independents will proceed with a difficult birth, chancing injury to the mother and baby and only ask for assistance if they think a “normal birth” is impossible.

meant to say

He told me that the independents could proceed with a difficult birth, chancing injury to the mother and baby and only ask for assistance if they think a “normal birth” is impossible.

Thanks Bob :D

Tia Maria

29th January 2007, 01:27 PM

No worries Bob.

Perhaps you could post back on this thread when you find somone who knows, as its all useful info!

Cheers

Tia

Tia Maria

29th January 2007, 01:30 PM

Kiwidebs - how did you choose your Independent midwife?

Cheers

Tia

PS Meant to say to all those who are keen to find out the forumites interested in this thread, all will be revealed ...

In about 9 months!!!!

Maggiemoo

30th January 2007, 07:52 PM

Yep, this thread is certainly interesting to me........!!!!! and I have heard that there is an extreme shortage of midwives in lots of areas in NZ, so would suggest it might be worth doing your research on midwives in your areas as soon as you start trying to conceive!! Right I'm off to MedLab!

Maggie

Tia Maria

30th January 2007, 08:38 PM

Maggiemoo - hey does that mean congratulations are in order?!

There certainly must be something in the New Zealand water!

Cheers

Tia

katandbob

30th January 2007, 09:17 PM

Interesting reading, I am sure that NZ seems a lot better than our poor overstretched system in the UK, Rachels labour last Jan with Cole was a horrid experience for both her and me (not nice seeing your baby kept in pain and drugged all for the lack of staff and over capacity!) her labour made my 3 put together seem easy (and I had some doozys)

Since Both Rach, Cole and My eldest son Jordon are travelling over europe at the moment (or what ever route LA to London takes!) :wah and I am sat here with Jason watching TV....I was reading this and thinking now would I want another Baby (its the empty nest syndrome I am sure) at 41 I am too old to think of it seriously! (complements on how I don't look my age will make me feel much less depressed I am sure :laugh )

But Rachels experience put her off having any more kids but I sure would love it if they moved here and changed their minds in the future.

Good luck with your Births/new additions Gals....I will look forward to pics of the new additions, as I love little babys (shame they turn into teenagers hey :D )

Kat (sorry if I sound a bit mental at the minute - hopefully I'll get a bit better soon???? :roll )

Tia Maria

31st January 2007, 05:35 PM

Kat,

I've PM'd you!

Cheers

Tia

PS By the way you don't look 41, only 26 surely!

spudulike

31st January 2007, 06:18 PM

spudulike

31st January 2007, 06:26 PM

Interesting reading, I am sure that NZ seems a lot better than our poor overstretched system in the UK, Rachels labour last Jan with Cole was a horrid experience for both her and me (not nice seeing your baby kept in pain and drugged all for the lack of staff and over capacity!) her labour made my 3 put together seem easy (and I had some doozys)

But Rachels experience put her off having any more kids but I sure would love it if they moved here and changed their minds in the future.

I must stand up for the NHS here! I appreciate that people have awful labours and births but that happens here in NZ too - it's the luck of the draw unfortunately. Also, there is a gross shortage of midwifes here too so it is still overstretched.

My labour and brth with my first child was awful and had it not been for the amazing staff at York hospital then my son could easily of died - and this was on a night where people were almost queuing to get in and staff were really stretched. I will always be in debt to the staff who saved my boy! Also, when I was pregnant with my daughter 7 months later I had amazing care and choices about the care and delivery I wanted - and nobody questioned,they supported.

I don't mean to belittle anyones experiences as I know some have dreadful times but I do think the NHS is better than many people say and certainly no worse than the health service in NZ.

I do hope Rachel gets over her terrible experience and is able to have another child - as you know, they simply enrich your life :)

L :)

Tia Maria

31st January 2007, 07:00 PM

Yes I have to agree that experiences can vary greatly depending on which hospital you're at in the UK.

I personally know of a lot of unhappy UK birth stories, but they were all hospitals based in the South East. I have family in Wales, who rave about the treatment they received, and I think in a Midwife Association survey the women of Wales came top for best birth outcomes. Which shows that good care doesn't just mean being able to deal with problems when they occur, but actually reduces the need for medical intervention in the first place.

I obviously haven't been in NZ long enough to know whether I was just lucky and eneded up at a good hospital, or whether the level of healthcare is better overall. But for me personally, having had 2 babies in the UK and 1 in NZ, there was not one area of care where NZ wasn't better than the UK, whether it be bloods, scans, midwives, consultants, surgeons, hospital rooms and after-care. Things weren't perfect, but they were better.

Maybe someone else on this forum might have had a not so good experience in NZ that they could tell us about?

Cheers

Tia

Tia Maria

1st February 2007, 09:42 AM

Following up from a suggestion from another forum member I thought these links might be useful for those looking for midwives, pregnancy info etc:

www.midwife.org.nz/index.cfm/Women

www.midwiferycouncil.org.nz/

www.canterburyhomebirth.org.nz
(these have information meetings the next one being at 7.30pm, 5th Feb 2007 - www.canterburyhomebirth.org.nz/meetings.html)

www.homebirth.org.nz/

For you forum addicts:

www.betterliving.co.nz/net/forums/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=41

http://www.treasures.co.nz/forum.html

Please do add any other links you might find, or PM me if you would rather I add them as you've not told people about being pregnant yet!

Cheers

Tia

jubjub

1st February 2007, 12:08 PM

Another forum link, has good parenting and pregnancy sections

http://www2.everybody.co.nz/forum/ubbthreads.php?Cat=0

also this site has a forum, seems quite friendly, although I dont use it much

www.ohbaby.co.nz

If anyone wants any links of where to buy baby equipment, let me know, I may have piosted them on my old pregnancy thread, but I will put them here as well if you want them..... (be warned I have loads, inc cheap nappies!)

Maggiemoo

5th February 2007, 06:54 PM

Sorry, only just managed to get back online to answer the questions.....Yes I am indeed up the duffer!! Thanks Lou (Spudulike) for your message and yes you can now congratulate us publicly :laugh

Baby is due in late September, so its still really early days - have registered with a local midwife (who's from UK), and I was the last booking she was taking for September!! Not actually had my booking in appointment yet, am having that next Friday as my dad is here til Sunday and I don't really fancy dragging him along!! Not sure how it works with scan times here (or costs), but am sure I will find out next Friday.

Does anyone know if TENS machines are readily available for hire or purchase over here?

Maggie x

jubjub

5th February 2007, 07:01 PM

Congrats.. have a glass of non alcoholic bubbly to celebrate :)

You can get TENS, I did not get one but a friend of mine did, will try and remember to ask her where she got it from, I think it was a pharmacy...

Scan costs vary on where you are, and who you get send to for them...

I assume you are in NZ now, whereabouts?

nippa&pippa

20th February 2007, 06:30 PM

Homebirth in NZ will be my report for anyone want to know about homebirth soon.

Currently I am either 10week (due date 17th sept) accord to scan today or 11weeks (due date 9th Sept) by LMP, take your pick!

I like to say thank you Tia for her supports in last few weeks, I asked her to keep secret, because i had previous 'missed' miscarriage, till scan confirm all ok this time.

I like to mention, don't have scan before 12 weeks or after 14 weeks otherwise you are paying full fee (because of due date move, i had to pay $132!!!:exit instead of $40), here go my budget for this fortnight! ow!!