Pregnancy monitoring

This morning I called to specialist to find out about pregnancy monitoring.

What they do is do some blood tests twice a week. These bloods tests include:

• BHCG
• Progesterone
• Full blood count
  

In addition I will have ultrasounds every 2 weeks.

• 6wks 4 days
• 8wks
• 10wks

They also offer 24/7 phone support.

The cost is $635 - and that does not include the cost of the blood works and ultrasounds. It is also not claimable on medicare. So basically, that is just for them to send out the referrals and call with the results when they come back in. I guess they will also assess any risks and let us know if there is anything else we need to start taking.

Now.. I of course, want to give Snowflake the best chance to make it out here into the world - so if this is what we need to do - then we will do it. But if I can get the same service through a GP or a local OB or even the Pregnancy and Assessment Service at the hospital then I don't want to spend that money unnecessarily. I mean.. that could pretty much fit out Snowflakes room with a new cot, change table.. and maybe even some change left over.

I have an appointment with one of my GP's Thursday afternoon.. He is great and pretty much open to giving you what you need. If I walk in and say can I have referrals for these please for these reasons then im sure he will do it.

I also have an appointment with another GP next Friday. She is very much the "baby doctor" of the area... and she actually delivered my 10yr old son. But, she is a very no nonsense sort of person and she doesn't really listen to what you want - she only offers you what she feels you "need". But she is definitely a great GP to go to for shared care.

I have left a message for the Early Pregnancy Assessment Service and I hope they will get back to me and offer me an early scan and maybe they do some variety of pregnancy monitoring themselves.

And... im also thinking about calling the OB that I saw to get the referral to the specialist. Maybe he does something like this.

OK.... so I realise this is overkill... I know how crazy I sound. But surely it isn't crazy for me to want to do what I need to do to meet this little baby, to feel him or her grow inside me, to get to the point where we get to feel our gorgeous little snowflake kick and move and to bring this baby into the world happy and healthy.