THE SICKNESS: First trimester

Ok so I'm almost in my third trimester, but let me tell you this one thing about my so called "morning sickness", I didn't get it in the mornings or the after noons or the evenings, I had it the entire day and it was horrible... worst of all I had two puppies to take care of and the smell of their food and poo killed me... and the smell of garlic... and the smell of soy mince... and basically any strong smells... luckily I never vomited... I just had this continueing sensation of nausea... which got lighter by week 12... I tried Jamaica ginger (which I found out later that it contains Ethanol(alcohol), luckily it had no effect on the baby) I tried smelling fresh cut lemons (that didn't help), I tried Sister Lilian nausi care  (Which didn't help a lot if at all) and then I tried EMEX syrup (which was the only thing that helped get me to a neutral point, trouble is it doesn't last that long). But it helps to know that the worst I'm doing the better it is for the baby.

I got through my first trimester by reading and learning as much as I can about what to expect. I also found a site where you can download a babytracker which updates on your desktop each week, telling you what your baby's going through and what you can expect for yourself. ( http://www.parentweb.com/free-downloads/baby-tracker.php )

Welcome to medi-clinic baby

Medi-clinic baby programme is an exclusive programme that offers support to expectant parents and every mother and family with a new baby at a Medi-clinic hospital.

You can register on their website http://www.mediclinic.co.za/ to become part of the medi-clinic baby programme from 12 weeks of pregnancy.

As part of the Medi-clinic programme you will receive a pregnancy journal from your doctor's room or call client services. (which I haven't yet received)

You receive weekly e-mails regarding baby's development during pregnancy and up to their third year (I haven't received any emails yet, and I've register before the end of last year)

You can call the Client services for a tour of the Maternity ward (We did this and it was actually very interesting)

Ante natal classes (Extra costs)

Mother and baby bag with everything you might need for the first few days in hospital.

You get a medi-clinic baby beanie.

They can assist you with the first feeds and baths.

You can have then place a photo of your baby on their website.

You get a footprint certificate

They can help you with birth registration if you are in married and have the same surname.

You get a celebration surprise.

Baby receives first immunisations against TB and polio in hospital, with a health card for future clinic visits.

24 hour helpline

The Cost of having a baby without Insurance so far!

We found ourselves having to be private because we were not aware of the fact that you have to be with a medical aid company for more than twelve months before being able to claim maternity benefits. So these prices are from Panorama Medi-clinic and not valid or applicable for public hospitals.

Doctors fee's

Dr. no 1 Total for first visit, urine stick (which wasn't even used) and ultrasound = R 790.00
Dr. Atzl  Total for first visit with ultrasound = R 750.00
Dr. Atzl Total for visit excluding ultrasound = R 280.00
Dr. Atzl fee for normal delivery = R 5 800.00

Anaethetists for Epidural = Approx. R 3500.00

Paeditrician for delivery and 3 days after delivery check-ups = Approx. R1900.00

Pathcare First blood tests for haemoglobin, antibodies and bloodtype = R 169.50

Hopsital Fee's

Panoama Medi-clinic

Normal Birth

1st day = R8209.20
Subsequent days =  R2782.70 including nursery fee's.
Epidural =  R1652.50 excluding doctors fee.
Length of stay = 3 days
Deposit = R19 000.00

Date of admission and date of discharge are each considered as a full day - irrespective of admission/discharge time.

Caesarian deposit = R 23 000.00

Private ward = R 600.00 per day extra (Which is not bad considering daddy's not restricted to visiting hours!)
Luxury suite = R1350.00 per day extra ( Which is not bad considering daddy can stay over)
Private wards and luxury suites are available on a first come first serve basis. In general ward there are about four beds.

Second Gyno visit

So I actually wanted a female doctor, but they were all fully booked until May 2011, so I did a little research and found Dr. Atzl at Panorama mediclinic. I was a bit nervous going to a male doctor, but when I met him he was the nicest guy and I felt comfortable with him from the start. We've only had one visit with him so far, but I'm so happy with him already. Seeing baby for the second time was nerve recking... I was so afraid that something had gone wrong... two weeks prior to this appointment, during the holidays, I had fell down five steps on my backside and had huge black bruises, now everything had been perfect up until then, so I was fearing the worst... and there was nothing we could do but wait until the doctors appointment so you can imagine what a nervous wreck I was and how happy I was that there was absolutely no harm to my baby... whom seemed a whole lot different this time... baby was yawning and stretching and kicking... and perfectly fine and healthy.

Confirming

When we went to the gyno for the first time it was to confirm the pregnancy. By then we've been trying for a while and I was more than a couple of months late, so we booked our first appointment to both confirm that we are in fact pregnant and to make sure that everything was going well. 

I researched what to expect at the booking appointment (the first appointment with gyno who will delivery baby) and I felt uncomfortable with her, but she was one of the only female gyno's so we tried her, but from what I gathered a booking appointment is about a lot more than just blood pressure, weight and ultrasound. I told my partner that I wasn't very fond of this gyno and that perhaps we should try and see another gyno instead. Later we came to find out that this specific doctor and hospital was sued twice for the death of two women and lost both cases. So my partner and I decided to rather go to another doctor and hospital.

Seeing my baby for the first time, I wanted to cry, I was so relieved and happy! Perfect! The baby seemed just as excited to meet mommy and daddy as we were to meet him/her! Our little jumping bean!