new Baby

[Killer_Bunnie]

I have no idea what dr to see, or how to get help because I have no insurance, my job is very low pay and I have to quit smoking. I need people with kids to maybe give me ideas, I am not with anyone, and have no idea how to handle this yet I only found out this morning

[The_Dark]

Well, congratulations...

First off.. take a deep breath and relax. It's not as bad as it all seems.

Second.. Contact your local health Department and ask about WIC. It's a life saver. Here is a link to help with that.

WIC

Or just call this number: 1-800-26-BIRTH

As for a Doctor... The Health department should be able to help with that too.

Third.. take another deep breath.. everything will be OK.

Fourth... Contact your local Family Independance Agency... get signed up for Medicaide... That will help with the medical side of things.

I hope this helps.

[Killer_Bunnie]

Well, congratulations...

First off.. take a deep breath and relax. It's not as bad as it all seems.

Second.. Contact your local health Department and ask about WIC. It's a life saver. Here is a link to help with that.

WIC

Or just call this number: 1-800-26-BIRTH

As for a Doctor... The Health department should be able to help with that too.

Third.. take another deep breath.. everything will be OK.

Fourth... Contact your local Family Independance Agency... get signed up for Medicaide... That will help with the medical side of things.

I hope this helps.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wondered where to go to find out about that, I am getting a ride up there later today, thank you very much

[Rayne]

The Dark gave you all the info you need for now.

But I wanted to offer my support, if needed. I have four children ... and my first I was alone. If you need to talk, I'm here.

[saechalyn]

The Dark has some great suggestions. There are a lot of services and agencies that can help you. It can be confusing to navigate but help is there. I work at Planned Parenthood, and they can help you with prenatal care, the whole bit. They charge on a sliding fee scale so you pay based on your ability. No one is turned away based on finances, and you can speak with a counselor who can get you information and help you find what you need.

Call 1-800-230-PLAN to be connected to the clinic closest to you. Different clinics offer different services and not every site has a prenatal program. Ours does, and the direct number here is 734.973.0710 I know Ann Arbor probably isn’t too convenient to you but if the 800 number doesn’t help call our clinic directly and explain the situation.

Prenatal care

There is an overview of prenatal care and what to expect.

Good luck doll. I know this is scary but you will get through it.

[Msterbeau]

Great post Mark..

KB. Quitting smoking is an excellent first step. Depending on how fit you are now, I'd recommend making sure you stay as active and fit as you can. It will help with all phases of the pregnancy, especially during your recovery. Just like quitting smoking it establishes a good habit to carry on afterwards. My ex teaches prenatal water aerobics at the YMCA... I'll ask if she knows about any programs for low income families. If nothing else... start walking daily. That said... this is not the time to try to lose weight or get on some crazy health fit. Be gentle.

For basic info, I like ParentCenter.com/BabyCenter.com They have stuff from pregnancy through pre-teens.

This is a good place to start: http://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy

I have two daughters... any other questions, just ask.

[Steven]

great advice in here. you guys are cool. Be blessed Bunnie......

Steven

[Saephyr]

As long as you don't mind us fighting to be the SCARY GODMOTHER we'll all help ya sweetheart!

I'll take you out and get ya drunk just as soon as you aren't renting your womb.

[bean]

*hugs* Everyone has already given good suggestions for help, and I really can't add on to it, but just remember that you will be ok. Take it a day at a time.

[Msterbeau]

Info from the ex: The YMCA branches all have a form of "scholarship" for people who might have difficulty affording a membership. Call your local branch and see if you meet the requirements. As a non-profit, they pretty much can't say no to you if you do meet them. Not all branches have prenatal water aerobics, so call around. I'd also ask them if they any other programs geared in that direction. One last thing.... Most of the Detroit branches have a decent child watch and/or day care facilities. I'd inquire about that as well for later.

Good Luck!!

[Lilith]

I have no idea what dr to see, or how to get help because I have no insurance, my job is very low pay and I have to quit smoking. I need people with kids to maybe give me ideas, I am not with anyone, and have no idea how to handle this yet I only found out this morning

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Call your local FIA office to get Medicaid, this will get you on your way to good medical care and perhaps provide a bit of extra food you WILL need while pregant. This is also where you owuld look for assitance with child care. Medicaid usually pays 100% of all your medical costs inculding the baby stay with you after Birth. They can also send you in a direction for some free to low cost child parenting classes. You will get lamas throuh your DR usually.

Wic will get you some extra food as well,(milk cheese peanut butter cereal eggs) but this will be most helpful after the baby is born and they give you formula.

As for advice, providing your decision is to Keep the baby, Enjoy this very special experience. You do not need any one to help you, i did it on my own the first time around and i would not trade it for anything.

I currently have two friends who are pregannt one extremly low income and one rather well off, I am not sure ofthe county you are in but if you need any Fresh Current idea for problems that arise let me know, i have learned that things have changed so much since i last had a baby 6 years ago so some advice may be valid but not workable in todays environment.

[Homicidalheathen]

When I found out I was pregnant I was pretty much an addict. Just knowing those things were growing in me was enough to give up everything cold turkey. Just look down at your belly and think of the brain damage.....lung damage......everything else. This innocent life deserves a chance at a healthy normal body.

I too was on Medicade and wic and It saved me........I got all my medical for free and enough food really to sustain myself and my toddlers.......well I needed a little more but I can tell you we ate better than anyone in a third world country.

You will be fine.

[Killer_Bunnie]

When I found out I was pregnant I was pretty much an addict.  Just knowing those things were growing in me was enough to give up everything cold turkey.  Just look down at your belly and think of the brain damage.....lung damage......everything else.  This innocent life deserves a chance at a healthy normal body.

I too was on Medicade and wic and It saved me........I got all my medical for free and enough food really to sustain myself and my toddlers.......well I needed a little more but I can tell you we ate better than anyone in a third world country.

You will be fine.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The smoking thing isn't going well because I work in a bar, but if anyone is going to the latex show on friday, and sees me trying to smoke, take it and get rid of it, I am not good at saying no to something I've done for soo many years. for the food the friends I am moving in with are also going to help out, I am moving because my family will not support this, and the father wants to sign it over to my guy who is still out of state for a few months so I'm pretty loneley.

[Wounds Within]

if anyone is going to the latex show on friday, and sees me trying to smoke, take it and get rid of it, I am not good at saying no to something I've done for soo many years.

True, but why ask others to take away your smoke? If you are that temped to smoke you will do it behind closed doors anyway when you are out of public view.

I do wish you luck however, I have known many, many women who have smoked for years and years and then later quit when then the time came. You can do it as well, I believe in you. I think alot of peole here do. There are also support groups that are free of charge for such things as well if you really need help. Many of them help pregnant women who are tring to quit.

[ManicQueen]

Congratz and good luck "mommy-to-be". =)

[Marblez]

When people asked me when I was gonna quit smoking....for years I said that I would quit if I became pregnant. Well the time came and I gave myself a week to quit. Three cigarettes later, I was done (for a few years anyway).

You obviously care and I think you can do it too.

[Lilith]

The smoking thing isn't going well because I work in a bar, but if anyone is going to the latex show on friday, and sees me trying to smoke, take it and get rid of it, I am not good at saying no to something I've done for soo many years. for the food the friends I am moving in with are also going to help out, I am moving because my family will not support this, and the father wants to sign it over to my guy who is still out of state for a few months so I'm pretty loneley.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Honey i know friends are helping with food but seriosly you have no idea the amount of food a pregant woman can eat, if you can in some way help with the food, like getting assistance from the state i would, it not only will help keep a good supply of food in the house, it lets you choose which foods you want and with cravings who know what that will be, it also will help your friends feel more atease latter down the road, Kida like atleast she is trying to add in the house hold, i know with my friend who is prego i can not afford her food on a regular basis so when she brings over stuff for dinenr and what not it just helps me want to help her more since i see she is soing at least a little something for herself.

I am just trying to point out ways to avoid some maybe drama down the road.

I would also start the process for looking for your own place now, dont wiat till the baby is here, the state aid and other agancys usually have waiting lists that are month even years long, even though you have a place to stay for now when a baby is here it may be another story.

Just get yourself set up to take care of you and a baby, that is your top priority, not the guys, or your family or friends, Just You n your baby.

HAve a baby shower not matter how much no supports you, have it and invite every one, you will need the items gained from the shower and hopefully after the shock settles in and every one know there is nothing they can do to stop it they usually warm up and get all excited and every one will show up and be supportive.

As far as smoking definatly try hard to stop but dont beat your self or let other beat you up if you dont 100%, just keep cutting down and trying to stop for now, once you get set up with a docotor, you can disscuss the appropaite ways for a pregant woman to stop smoking and they can privide you with helpful insight and techiniques to make it easier. Even though smoking is bad the stress over stopping is bad as well and all you can do at this point is your best and try to stop as much as you can. I learned something very important with watching my friend have her baby, the doctors push you stop smoking and doing druggs, but they do not condem you if you dont do it over night, they support you for every one you dont smoke, the encouragment kindness and calm facts seem to help the most. I will elt you know this as well, stop doing any harsh druggs (if you do any), just about anything above weed or ciggrettes they will take your baby away, even just one piss test with a drugg in it and you will get tested every time you go and if they dont get atleast three clean tests befor the baby is born they will definatly take the baby away.