No Prenatal Care

[Anonymous]

I am currently pregnant and taking great care of myself. I just found out a dear friend who has no insurance is 15 weeks along and has not seen the doctor yet. I didn't go until I was 12 weeks per the dr but I am worried about her. Are there any reputable sites with info I can send her? I have googled info but I am finding generic junk. She isn't planning on going for another few weeks until her healthcare is active. I am almost willing to pay for her visit myself if it is that bad to wait so long. Worrying about her is giving me anxiety and I need to take care of my own baby.

[Anonymous]

I am not entirely sure, but I think I have heard there is a birth center in DC for uninsured moms. Maybe you could google it ?

[Anonymous]

Thank you PP. I found a few resources for her as far as getting care. I want her to understand she NEEDS the care. She seems to think it is ok to wait. Not sure what gave her this idea but she does.

[Anonymous]

I think it is Mary's Center, in Adams Morgan.

[Anonymous]

how long till her insurance kicks in?

not to be cavalier, but... when i got pregnant, i was unemployed and my health insurance didn't cover pregnancy. I ended up waiting to see a doctor till I was about 15-16 weeks in, and didn't have any real problems. the first weeks of appointments aren't really all that involved, anyway. I knew to avoid alcohol, smoking, raw fish and eggs, soft cheeses, etc. I'd always had a healthy diet, and i'd started taking a prenatal vitamin as soon as I found out I was pregnant.

When I did finally seek care, I was still self-paying. The doctor visit itself wasn't so bad, at about $100, but the 20-week ultrasound was $450, and I ended up having to have an amnio, which cost $2700. that sucked. The lab tests (AFP, etc.) were another $1500. And I was pretty cranky when my doctor prescribed iron supplements which turned out to cost $140 without insurance. Ouch.

if she's eating properly and taking her supplements and taking care of herself, the only big downside I can see to waiting for care is that she'll miss the window for amniocentesis and would miss the window for a termination if that were necessary for some reason.