Please share what each prenatal visit consists of and the frequency of your visits.

I have discovered that there are several differences in the care that I am recieving at the military hospital v. civilian (i.e. testing, intervention, Rx, etc). One example is testing your urine for protein at each visit. This has always been expressed to me as a vital test at each appointment (with my civilian docs), however, the military hospital indicated that they do not do that. They also schedule visits every 6-8 weeks...which I am always used to being seen every 4 weeks. I am wondering if its a military thing or if other ob's follow the same protocols.

If you wouldn't mind sharing what your visits consist of and the frequency..I would appreciate it. THANKS!! :D

I really don't feel like going into detail right now (it literally makes me sick to my stomach :sick ) but they NEVER, not even once tested my urine at the military hospital, even when I was telling them that I didn't feel well. Finally, they did a 24 hour urine because I was very ill from the Pre-E that had set in and had plenty of time to get bad. I was induced the next day.

Since day one with my civi doctor, they test urine at EVERY appt. EVERY APPT. No exceptions. Even if I couldn't pee, they made me drink water and stay until I could give them a small sample.

I just found out that NAS Jax hospital has a multimillion dollar suit against them right now for the exact same thing that they did to me. They let some lady labor WAY too long, to the point that her baby was deprived of oxygen. Only her baby has cerebral palsy and Jaxon (luckily) turned out okay. They kept denying me of a c-section even though I was begging and pleading with them to do one. Apparently they did the same thing to this lady. So so so so so sad :no They said her baby probably will not live past the age of 30-40 because of the hospital's negligence.

I will NEVER - EVER- be seen by another military doctor. When we move, we're switching to standard.

The not testing urine is a newer thing in the military hospital. With my first 3 they tested it at every appt. but with the last two they said they will test it only if deemed necessary. With the first 4 appts were every 4 weeks, then every 2 weeks, then every week. With this pregnancy I was seen at 13 weeks, 17 weeks and my next appt is at 23 weeks. She said they won't go more than 6 weeks between appts. I was told that it's the new standard of care for normal pregnancies.

I have only been seen at a military hospital. My care was great. My first inital prenatal appt was at 12 weeks. Then it was EVERY 4 weeks after that. After 36 weeks I was seen every week I think it was or every 2 weeks. I can't remember. I had Ethan a day before my 39 week appt. I was EXTREMELY low rish though. I was in the midwife program. I suggest anyone who is not high-risk to get into the midwife program. I won't have it any other way with th next one. I think I'd be in more fear, if I never ONCE saw the same doctor throughout my pregnancy. Here at Tripler, there are a total of 3 midwives. ONE of them is bound to be on L&D call during one's labor...

I was seen when I was like 6 weeks pregnant)4 weeks after conception) to get bloodwork and everything done...I got a routine u/s for dating at 10 weeks and was seen every 4 weeks up until i think 29 weeks, then it went to every 2 weeks and at 35 weeks it was every week. I got another routine u/s at 20 weeks for growth and dating also. They did the pee test every time.

ETA: This was a civilian doctor

Thanks for the feedback ladies!!

i think there was a post a couple weeks or so back in the TTC/PREGGO FORUM about this. i'll go see if i can find it :D

They never check my urine. But, I am about 18 weeks pregnant and I have only been to one checkup for this pregnancy. My next one is monday.

For the 4 months I had to go, there was a urine test every time.

Thanks! I may have asked a while ago also...can't remember lol.

i think there was a post a couple weeks or so back in the TTC/PREGGO FORUM about this. i'll go see if i can find it :D

Wait can you be seen out in town if you are pregnant and not a remote? I thought that you had to get all of that done through the military hospital. I would like to know this so that I can change that!

I am not sure what the rules are but in my experience, I have ALWAYS seen a civilian. I have been as close as 5 miles away and as far as 45 miles away. I have always had Tricare Prime and it has never been an issue as far as OB/GYN care.

Call Triwest at 1-888-874-9378, give them your sponsor's social and ask them "I have Tricare Prime, can I see a civilian OB in the Tricare network?" They will tell you exactly what you can and can't do. I was told yes, you can. I think there are only restrictions when it comes to your PCM...not OB/GYN. Give them a call...it literally only takes minutes to get an answer from them. I have never been on hold for more than a few minutes and they are very prompt in their responses.

I am about too!! I have to set up my first appointment and Im just disgusted with this system!

about 4 years ago, tricare put out a new regulation saying that ANY pregnant woman ANYWHERE can be seen by a civilian if she so chooses. You do have a choice but not many people know that :) I think it's supposed to help alleviate some of the problem with military hospitals being overbooked with OB care. You do have a choice though :yes

I just called them and they told me that you have to refered by the OBGYN clinic to be seen by a civi

I just called them and they told me that you have to refered by the OBGYN clinic to be seen by a civi

well, it musta changed again then because I got several written documents from tricare stating that all pregnant women had the option to choose even if they were prime. Doesn't surprise me if it did change again though. :irked

I called the ob clinic and left a message for the nurse stating that i was upset with things yesterday and if i cant get seen there that I would like a referral to go out in town.

I just called Triwest and if you first seek care at the military hospital, you must then get a referral from your primary care doctor to seek civilian ob care. If you would have first went to a civilian, no referral would have been needed. Good luck with the referral.

If it were me, I would be sure to keep it short and simple by asking them for a referral (with no reason) and go from there. If they ask why, state that you are unhappy with the care you are currently receiving. If they further probe or denied my request, I would then express my concern that my care may be inadequate and a danger to my/the baby's health. The stress alone from being uncertain and unfortable is not condusive to a healthy pregnancy and that it is your right to seek a safe and comforting environment for prenatal care. Good luck!!

Please share what each prenatal visit consists of and the frequency of your visits.

One example is testing your urine for protein at each visit. This has always been expressed to me as a vital test at each appointment (with my civilian docs), however, the military hospital indicated that they do not do that.

I found the same thing. With my first, I was at a MTF and they didn't do urine screenings at every visit.

However, with my second, I was seen at a civilian OB and they checked it every visit. Makes me wonder!

I am supposed to give a urine sample at each visit to make sure that I dont have a UTI.
My first appt was the class thing..where they give a bunch of us info on classes, what med's we can take, we started our paperwork, and we did alot of labs. Then the next visit (I was almost 14 weeks bc I thought my due date was a month later than it was) I had a pap, internal US, which they switched to the belly one once they realied he was a lot older. I did a urine sample and heard baby's HB. I had a follow up at 16 weeks to make sure the new due date was correct.
Now I just go in and they check my vitals, my weight, and Bri's HB. As well as ask me any questions.
I get seen every 3 weeks until I hit 38 weeks when it will switch to every other week until Induction @ 42 weeks.

I just called and the nurse that spoke to me was very very nice...She set me up for a 60 minute appointment with her on monday. She said that she will go over everything with me and if i still want a referral she will do it for me.

That's great!!

When we leave Jax, I am definately getting a civilian. NASJAX SUCKS when it comes to care. :no
When I have a problem they look at me like :shrug

:hairpull

Since we are due to leave rather quickly, I will wait to change though :(