I am only five weeks pregnant so I still have quite a bit of time to think about this, but I do know that I'm supposed to go get check-ups every month at this point. However, odds are I'm moving in a month and a half from Chicago to NYC because I can have stable housing there for six months. However, that still means that at three months pregnant I'll be looking for somewhere new to live. Hopefully I'll be able to get a job and work for awhile (anyone know how long I can realistically expect to work before my due date?), but it still means I have a really unstable housing situation. I want to know, if, at six months, if I need to be committed to one health care professional or if I could change again if I need to move out of that city again. Also, and perhaps this might be more to the point, does anyone have advice about finding affordable housing as well? Because I *do* want somewhere stable to live, but right now *nothing* seems practical on the low-paying jobs that are available to someone with as little of education as me. Also, I don't have insurance. So, I know I'm *supposed* to see someone on a monthly basis, but is that really necessary? If price wasn't an issue, my preference would be to have a midwife, but I want to know: what is the cheapest way to have a baby (with a health care attendant present) if you are paying completely out of pocket?
i think monthly check ups are very very important, and once you're in the third trimester you'll have to go every 2 weeks or every week. daily prenatal vitamins are good to take too. these are helpful in keeping both you and the baby healthy.
switching healthcare providers can be tricky. when i switched at 4 months i had a hard time getting paperwork sent to the new place. if you're able to stick with one you like, i'd suggest that. also there are government assistance programs that can offer you insurance. when i first got pregnant i didn't think i was covered by my parents insurance, so when i called to make an appointment i told them i didn't have insurance and they sent me some forms for state assistance. you may be able to find some low income housing through places like that as well.
as far as how long you can work, i think is up to you as long as you're healthy. i know some women that have worked until the week they gave birth.
Do you qualify for medicaid or other givernment assisted medical insurance? Many midwives accept this as payment.
With my first pregnancy, I didn't get medical care until about 18 weeks. The baby was fine, but my pregnnacy was more stressful because I had to do more closer together. If you can start prenatal care earlier, it's best.
As far as how long to work, it depends on what kind work you do. Many women work up to their due dates. It also depends on whether your state offers dissability insurance and whether it's enough to live on.
I wouldn't be too concerned at this point. Here, they generally don't see you until 12 weeks anyways.
You can switch care providers at any time.
I don't know how the insurance works in the U.S., so I hope you can get medical coverage.
ok so you have some time to work with. you said low paying jobs were your only option because of education. maybe you could become a server. its the highest paid non professional job. sounds cheesey but i could make six dollars an hour at mcdonalds or 17 dollars an hour over at my restuarant. totally worth looking into. its a very physical job however i worked there my entire pregnancy and worked till the day i went into labor.
There are some jobs that i wouldnt recommend working at very late into pregnancy, or at all... obviously jobs that are extremely phsyical or involve hard labor, or expose you to harsh chemicals or whatever. I quit my job at about 5 months pregnant. I could have worked longer i suppose, but i have been having a very stressful pregnancy as it is and the work was hard on me because i was always tired and my feet would swell, and id have tons of aches and pains. i think if you are going to work until the end, its important to rest as much as you can because you dont want to push yourself too hard. also, if you are going to work until the end or even like 7 or 8 months i'd make sure to be getting prenatal care because if you have complications or a risk of a preterm labor you want to make sure your work knows your condition and you can possibly be allowed more breaks and time to eat or rest. its really important to have prenatal care though, i would highly recommend it, even if you have no problems it gives you the peace of mind. [/i]
I don't know about that. I'm a nurse, on my feet all the time, and worked all through my last pregnancy until I was put on bedrest. Most nurses I know worked until they went into labor.
I live about 60 minutes from NYC so if you need help setting things up just let me know.
Like bettycrockerpunkrocker said apply for medicaid. It can be transfered from state to state and you won't have to worry about your insurance when you move. The section 8 housing (low income housing) has a huge wait list in NY but it depends on where you live. You can bust your butt in a restaurant and make ends meet. Its what I did and I worked up until two weeks before I delievered. If you need more info or whatever PM me.
I would definitely reccomend applying for medical assistance (it'll cover both you and the baby once its born).. from the sounds of it, you should definitely qualify..
As far as working.. lots of women work right up until they deliver.. I worked in a daycare up until my7 son was born and my sister worked in a factory (on her feet 40 hrs/week) all the way through both of her pregnancies without any problems.
Also as far as moving.. I moved (altho only across town) when I was 5 1/2 months pregnant with my son and I'm currently 2 1/2 months pregnant with my 2nd and will be moving again, although this tmie we are moving about 80 miles away, so I'll most likely be switching providers and such as well.. but probably not for a few months yet (we are in between places right now).. Good Luck!