New mum
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3118
Printed Date: 15 October 2025 at 12:15pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: New mum
Posted By: yummymummy
Subject: New mum
Date Posted: 12 July 2006 at 8:54am
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Hello everyone!
We found out on the weekend that we are expecting our first bubs - quite a surprise really as it happened very quickly. I have tried using the 'search' option on this forum but I still have a few questions and I'm hoping you guys will be able to help me. What's the diff between choosing a midwife, GP or specialist as the LMC? Does it cost anything to use midwife or GP - is it free to the parents eg does the government pay? Do you need to have a specialist as the LMC if you want a specialist to assist the birth? Are the scans, blood tests eg free? How soon should we see anyone? I rang an info line and got asked a few questions and it seems we are due mid-March. Can anyone recommend a good midwife working in central Auckland? Also I have no symptoms at all (other than positive pregs test and a feeling in my tummy that there is something there) - my tastes are the same and I have no morning sickness etc. Is that normal? Sorry for all the questions and thanks for your help in advance! 
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Replies:
Posted By: Kellz
Date Posted: 12 July 2006 at 9:05am
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Hi and Congratulations!
The only symptom I had that I was pregnant was extreme tiredness. Nothing else,..didnt get any moning sickness at all, or have sore breasts or anything. As you will soon find, all pregnancy guides say "you will feel,...." at a certain week, but they are a general guide. I havent really fitted in with what it says should be happening very often! Also everyone u know or meet will have an opinion for u on what u should be feeling, how big your bump is etc! You wont have to pay for blood tests, but depending where you go may have to pay for scans. You probably wont find many (if any) GP's that will still be an LMC. Im not sure about the Specialist thing,.but you have come to the right place,..you will get lots of answers from all the lovely people on here! |
Posted By: Roksana
Date Posted: 12 July 2006 at 9:25am
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Hi Pauline, welcome to Oh baby and Congratulations....
Its an exciting time and all so confusing. You must be 5 weeks pregnant (or so)...so still really early for symptoms. But if you are lucky like Kellz and I then you will have no morning sickness. I had really tender nipples early in my pregnancy and then later. I had no real cravings (except for Chocolate cake...at the end of my pregnancy).....but remember no one person is the same so you might have different symptoms/problem/advantages etc. As for mid wife they are fee. The great thing about having a midwife (instead of a doc) is that you can ring and bug them (and bug them you will) any time!!! Scans are not free and costs vary from place to place, I live in Manurewa and they scan place I used was completely free. I was a high risk pregnancy (high blood pressure) so I had over 10 scans. You really dont need a specialist ..unless your GP tells you that you do. You will need to go to a gp now any way because they will do blood test etc....ask them if they think you need one. If you have a complication free pregnancy...then you wont need a specialist! Ok Novel over.....when you go to your GP they will give you more info and names of any midwifes in your area. Good Luck and keep us updated with your progress. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 12 July 2006 at 9:30am
What Roksana said! Congrats and welcome to Oh Baby!  ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: mum2emj
Date Posted: 12 July 2006 at 9:44am
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congrats! how exciting all ya questions have pretty much been covered, except that for some reason my scans have always been free? so i guess it depends on where you live?
i had some basic preg symptoms from before i found out i was preg (cramping, gagging cleaning my teeth etc..) but it was about 7 or 8 weeks i think that my morning sickness and others started up. again everyone is different. take care and welcome to OHBABY! its a really awesome site with heaps of "cool" people
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Posted By: 11111
Date Posted: 12 July 2006 at 11:01am
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Welcome to oh baby! ------------- Deborah Mum to:   
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Posted By: yummymummy
Date Posted: 12 July 2006 at 7:13pm
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Thanks everyone! I have rang a couple of midwifes to organise an appointment to meet them etc. I'm still a bit lost but getting there...
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Posted By: lil_miss
Date Posted: 12 July 2006 at 8:05pm
| Congratulations :) how exciting for you.. Hope it all goes well :) |
Posted By: mellybelly
Date Posted: 12 July 2006 at 9:08pm
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Congratulations and welcome to OhBaby. You will find everyone here really helpful and supportive and oh so quick at replying to any posts.. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Andie
Date Posted: 14 July 2006 at 8:00am
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Congrats, Pauline - yay for you! I've got a Midwife for my LMC and don't pay a cent for her services, or for any tests that she orders. But when I've had to see a GP for a pregnancy-related issue after 12 weeks, I had to pay. I think all prescriptions I pay for as well. The first GP visit - the 'yes, you are pregnant because my test which is far superior to the 3 you've already taken and the period you've missed' was free, as were the routine blood tests he ordered. I read a few things (some were NZ publications too) saying that the GP would do a vaginal examination to confirm the pregnancy, and the GP and midwife would do breast exams on me, and all sorts of unpleasant-sounding things... so not what happened! So far (and probably because there have been no bad complications for me) no-one has done any exams or tests that are unpleasant. It's just belly-feeling, blood & urine tests, and soon a rediculously sweet drink to have. See your GP for those first bloods as soon as you can, and then after you've chosen what kind of LMC you want, it pays to book them in as early as possible. I've had the one scan (20 weeks) and it was free because I have a community services card. Without one, it would have only cost about $25. But services vary so much over the country. Sounds like a lot more work than it is, sorting out an LMC and all that - once you've got one, you're sweet as. Good luck for the pregnancy - you've found the right site for advice!! ------------- Andie |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 15 July 2006 at 9:08pm
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Andie - pregnancy related GP visits should be free right up until 6 weeks post-partum - the GP is paid under the maternty benefits scheme. Some GP's moan and whinge about it (my old GP growled me for seeing him about a UTI instead of calling my midwife) coz the funding is complicated, but there shouldn't be any charge to you.
I have fortnightly scans and have had all except my 19 wk anatomy scan at Auckland Radiology which costs $25 a pop. I had my 19wk anatomy scan at Ascot which cost $240 for the complete 3/4d package, but it's slightly cheaper if you're only having one baby. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 16 July 2006 at 8:26pm
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Hi and Welcome!
I got really lucky in that my GP delievers, I think she is one of the few left but the doctors I go to manages to boast 2 female GP's who deliver!! (there are actually several of us on here using one of these two doctors) However Monique was already my GP when we fell pregant so it wasn't an issue securing her as my LMC...I do know of one girl who tried to secure the other doctor but wasn't able to, Angela also wasn't her regular doctor so I'm not sure if that made a difference. We don't pay for Monique's services unless it is non pregnancy related, she claims under the government system or whatever it is same as midwives do. We are also free to bother her as much as we like 24 hours a day and do have all her after hours contacts so again that is no different to a midwife. I think the only real difference will come at the actual birth were I will be looked after mainly by the hospital midwives and Monique come's in closer to the acutal birth. We pay for the scans - we go to Insight radiology and I think they are more expensive than other places but I also paid for my first scan at a standard radiology place. Blood tests etc all free. Adn as for symptoms...you will find very quickly that they can very from woman to woman...if you have no morning sickness that can be quite normal and I imagine you will be the envy of everyone! Hope that helps and sorry about the novel! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: yummymummy
Date Posted: 17 July 2006 at 10:30pm
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Thanks everyone. We are quickly adjusting and I've had 2 visits to my GP already - she won't be my LMC but I'll worry about this in the next few weeks. Had blood tests done and it's all looking good.
I've been mainly symptoms-less so far but guess that's good. It did made me wonder at the start if the pregs test was wrong but have had it confirmed again so I'm enjoying the lack of side effects  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Bombshell
Date Posted: 18 July 2006 at 7:13am
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I was about to say go to your GP - mine gave me what I call the instruction manual...and names of local and city (yes akld too) specialists to try. I am hoping to go to a specialist as LMC but one who works with a midwife...I am coming up 35.
I decided to let a local friend know who had baby 8 months ago and she is asking her coffee group for ideas about who they used and know of....highly recommend this as a way to hear the real truth about Midwives and specialists and birth centres...one i thought would be great turned out to be the one with the most negative responses from mums and my GP! Congrats on BFP....and dont worry I dont have ms either, nor the smell hightening etc...so does make me paranoid too. As for scans = that one in manurewa is free, as is botany etc....pays to ask around...probably once you get your LMC they will let you know. |