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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

scared and alone

17 replies

soisolated · 27/02/2009 03:25

I have recently moved to a new country and in december became pregnant. the country is so bloody bureaucratic its ridiculous, i am unable to register to see a doctor at the moment. i am scared because i am 11 weeks and have not yet seen any kind of healthcare professional. i dont know how long before i can and dont know what to do. we cant afford to see anyone privately, i just feel like i want to go home.
i have been trying to get a job with no luck and am really worried about not getting blood tests and booking for a scan. thank god its my 2nd or i would be in pieces. i just want to leave and i am crying all of the time. does it matter if i dont see a doctor and if so for how long. we went to a midwife yesterday who refused to see us i started crying and she just said its fine you dont need a doctor to have a baby eat healthily you have on already you are ok! feel very alone

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Lawks · 27/02/2009 04:01

That sounds tough.

On a practical note don't be scared about not having seen a dctor yet. If you are healthy and have had a previous uncomplicated pregnancy there's no need to worry. What is it that you want the doctor to do? I hadn't thought about going to see a midwife yet at 11 weeks on my second pregnancy.

Do you have access to emergency medical care should you need it?

Concentrate on working your way through the red tape. You'll get there.

How long have you been in your new country? It does take time to settle in and feel like you know your way around. I emigrated 4000 miles just before Christmas so I do understand. You're probably feeling a bit hormonal too, which won't help.

Are you making friends? You have an older child you said - can you meet other parents through your child?

Congratulations on your pregnancy .

Lawks · 27/02/2009 04:07

By the way, not sure if you're new to the site (or a reg who has namechanged) but most posters are in UK so the site is a bit deserted at this time of day. It will get busier in 4 hours or so when they start to wake up.

SuperBunny · 27/02/2009 04:16

Not sure what to suggest but didn't want to read and not post.

Congratulations

CaliforniaBrit · 27/02/2009 04:50

Hi! I moved to the US last year, just before my third trimester. I didn't realise just how essential health insurance is... I also realised doctors in my local hospitals weren't too encouraging about VBACing. (I felt strongly that I wanted to VBAC and also would have seriously struggled to afford a C-Section without insurance). It gave me the push to find a midwife. I was lucky to find one who was incredible and helped me achieve a home birth I hadn't dared dream of. I agree with you though, midwives here do have a much more natural, hands-off approach than midwives in the UK that is somewhat disconcerting.

Don't panic. Being in a new place is stressful. Apparently there are phases of homesickness - but I find it more ups and downs. Sometimes I love it here, sometimes I find it hard, especially when things are unfamiliar - it IS isolating and in pregnancy, I think you want to be sort of.. nurtured and listened to. And sometimes that's hard to find that when there are language or cultural differences.

You don't say where you are, but I found the US has a rather different approach to healthcare - it's less set in stone than the NHS. You have to take more responsibility for yourself and findng your own healthcare professionals that you like, and this made me feel somehow abandoned. Also, my husband is really struggling to find work here too, and he's American, so this has been disheartening.

I understand your frustration with just being told to eat healthily. My midwife was a little like this - out to try less invasive tests and processes first, but she was happy to do blood tests etc. if I requested them, or referred me to someone who could do them. Perhaps you could find another one who is more helpful? Mine has become a friend and someone with a lot of experience who I can really trust although her methods are somewhat unconventional. The problem is, I found two extremes - the doctors pushed for very medicalised, managed pregnancies and the midwives are the polar opposite and put you more in charge. I admit, I found it a bit terrifying doing my own urine tests as she encouraged when I visited her, but she offered to do them if I wanted.

I really wish I could help you more. I've had some bleak moments here, but then I've also found some days have been wonderful and I've been able to enjoy the change in scenery, the better weather etc. It puts things in perspective for me when I go out and about.

Meh... I just wanted you to know you're not alone and things have a way of working out. Sometimes it's just a matter of doing a lot of research to figure out how things work, and prioritising what you need to do to get the help you need. (I've had a hell of a time figuring out how to register my poor baby's birth! In this city, I had to find three 'witnesses' and am waiting until my April appointment to finally register! Bureaucracy is hell, but there is usually a way through it somehow.

CaliforniaBrit · 27/02/2009 04:51

Oh. And congratulations Try to enjoy little things if you can!

soisolated · 27/02/2009 07:06

thanks for your replies, i think some days are worse than others and yesterday was a real trial. i just miss the nhs know some people have bad experiences but just talking to someone in english would be nice.

I am in italy and my italian is not that good, i do have access to emergency medical care though just not the public health system because we are not paying taxes, my husband is a student with a good grant to support us but because we do not pay taxes we can't be on the public system until we pay for health insurance for a year, which for all of us would be over 1500 euros. Actually i am not even sure if this is correct different officials say different things and the consulate has been no help.

Ny dad has just booked me a flight home for a few days, i know it's not even that much of a move compared to others but i didnt think i would miss the uk so much.

i know i need to make more of an effort to meet people we live in a big city and i do love it here in some ways, just want a job and a doctor.

OP posts:
soisolated · 27/02/2009 07:08

sorry forgot to say, just wanted a doctor or midwife to get on the program of blood test, scans etc...
have been here for 6 months, have no firends probably my own fault though am too shy

OP posts:
Buda · 27/02/2009 07:11

Are you in a city? Try and find out if there is a British Women's Group/International Woman's Group of some sort. They may run toddler/baby groups too and will be an invaluable source of help/support/friends.

Longtalljosie · 27/02/2009 07:42

Ah, bless you. Could your dad ask his GP's surgery to fit you in for an emergency appointment, just so you can talk through your situation? If he explained you were a UK national with no current access to healthcare at all, they may be able to squeeze you in.

If the British consulate in Italy is being no good, perhaps the Italian embassy in Britain might be better - they should understand their own system, at least.

As far as the blood tests you get in the UK at 8ish weeks go - you already know your blood group and rhesus status, you've already been tested for immunity to rubella, communicable diseases etc so really it's just the full blood count you haven't had (although if I'm missing something I'm sure someone will remind me!) If you see a doctor or nurse in the UK they'll be able to have a good guess at whether you're at any risk from anaemia by looking under your lower eyelids.

Don't forget, the first scan at 12 weeks is for dating purposes - and half the time they end up going back to your last menstrual period anyway. My mum said to me the other day when she had me she had no scans at all - you only had them if there were problems in the 70s.

Perhaps you's better book a private scan for £100 or so back in the UK at the 20 week stage. Are you having your baby in Italy or the UK?

Longtalljosie · 27/02/2009 07:46

Have you seen this?

britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=516311

Buda · 27/02/2009 08:16

Actually you could put a call out on the 'Living Overseas' thread on here and see if (1) there is anyone from here living where you do and (2) if anyone has any ideas/suggestions about the Italian system in general for you.

You do really need to sort out medical back up for all of you.

soisolated · 27/02/2009 08:41

Thanks again everyone.

Thanks Longtalljosie that really puts my mind at rest i will go and see a doctor in the uk just to check up, and maybe get a private scan my dad will help out.

Italian embassy in uk is a great idea someone who knows the system and who i can talk to in english.

I am having my baby here but hopefully by september i will be on the public system, otheerwise i shall be back in the uk away from dh.

Thanks Buda i will have a look on the living overseas, think i really need to sort myself out just myself to blame really and will try the brit expat website too.

I do feel pathetic! know its partly hormones and partly my personality.

Thanks again evryone makes me feel better

OP posts:
Longtalljosie · 27/02/2009 08:45

You're not being pathetic at all. Dealing with a foreign healthcare system in a language you're not fluent in must be immensely stressful...

Poppet45 · 27/02/2009 13:51

I might be barking up the entirely wrong tree here but have you thought about picking up an E111 form from a British Post Office while you're back. That gives free healthcare in Europe for Brits doesn't it? Or is it only for holidaymakers? Have a look into it, it might be worth a try. Your dad could probably even post one to you.
I totally understand how you're feeling. Felt so very alone when I first moved out to Canada with my hubs a few years back, I'm a shy type too and we had no healthcare either at the start either. My periods stopped for nine months I was so stressed by it all. But we eventually made some of the best friends I've ever had - via the new in town section of a local internet site and really enjoyed the rest of our two year stay. Good luck!!! It wouldn't be an amazing experience if it wasn't hard to start with, in time you will adapt and even thrive!

MustHaveaVeryShortMemory · 27/02/2009 14:03

The main things my midwife has done have been to check urine (for glucose) and blood pressure. Can you have your blood pressure done in a chemist? You can buy urine test strips on ebay (search diabetes test) cheaply. You can even buy blood pressure kits. I know its not ideal but perhaps it would put your mind at rest a bit. Is there anything in particular you're worried about?

soisolated · 28/02/2009 18:41

Hello everyone,

just wanted to update. Have found out I need an E106 form which means the NHS pays my medical fees for up to two and a half years, as i was a taxpayer up until i left the uk.
The DWP helped me out. I will get a scan and checkup when in uk and hope it wont take too long for the form to arrive and get on the the italian system.

Just wish we had known about it before and that lots of italian doctors refuse to treat for free even with EHIC cards which i am sure must be illegal.

I also have found an english playgroup through britsexpat website so am off there on monday. I am feeling better about the situation now and it has been such a lovely warm day here in florence we picnicked in the boboli gardens.

Thanks for everyones replys they have helped me so much.

OP posts:
Longtalljosie · 01/03/2009 14:18

Oh that's fantastic - I'm really pleased for you. I hope you're able to get on with enjoying your pregnancy.

Bit jealous about the weather though...

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