Just arrived and Pregnant

[xduncanx 2]

Hi everybody,

My wife and I have recently immigrated to MN, USA. We are both from NZ, born and raised, but my wife holds American citizenship through her mother. I immigrated on a CR-1 visa.

We have been here for 5 weeks getting established when we found out yesterday that my wife is about 8 days pregnant. I have just recently got a job which has a health program but I cannot start the program for a month. We are currently covered by our travelers health insurance but that does not cover pregnancy.

What can we expect in term of care? What should we do? We want to be excited but are scared we have put ourselves into a bad position.

Thanks in advance

[Ontarkie 13,915]

~~Moved to Moving to the US and Your New Life In America from Major Effects on Immigration~~

[belinda63 2,981]

Most OBs won't even see a pregnant woman until she is 9 weeks. Check with your employer's insurance, usually they have a website, to see what the coverage for a pregnancy is. It varies from company to company and plan to plan as to what you will have to pay and who you can see and where you can deliver.

[Avery Cates 1,141]

Hi everybody,

My wife and I have recently immigrated to MN, USA. We are both from NZ, born and raised, but my wife holds American citizenship through her mother. I immigrated on a CR-1 visa.

We have been here for 5 weeks getting established when we found out yesterday that my wife is about 8 days pregnant. I have just recently got a job which has a health program but I cannot start the program for a month. We are currently covered by our travelers health insurance but that does not cover pregnancy.

What can we expect in term of care? What should we do? We want to be excited but are scared we have put ourselves into a bad position.

Thanks in advance

You don't need to rush to a doctor at 8 days pregnant. There's no sense in incurring that expense. You can wait a month or two.

As for what to expect, health care in this country is life shatteringly expensive. With health insurance, marginally less so.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Technically she's likely 3-4 weeks pregnant in medical terms. The counting of weeks begins on the first day of her last period, not conception. So your wait time is a little less to see an OB than expected. There's lots of things to consider ie: are you set with using an OB or would you consider a midwife? Is home birth an option? Are there any health reasons why this could be a high risk birth (ie. health reasons, age, etc). Lots to think of.

I'm not an expert so if I'm wrong I'd gladly be wrong on this one. My only concern about you starting a health plan in a month is that this may be deemed a pre existing condition and not be covered. I really hope that this is wrong as it seems wrong.

Edited November 22, 2014 by Transborderwife

[milimelo 4,194]

Most big employers (50+ people) - cover everything including pre-existing conditions. Read your health coverage brochure - should define all terms in the first couple of pages.

[Taureti 12]

Pregnancy is not illness, don't worry for now. For the first 9 weeks of pregnancy doctors do nothing important. Even for 12 weeks none of the important tests being done.

Find out if your insurance is going to cover her pregnancy. If not, you still have time to find one that does.

I have kids. My opinion going to the doctor earlier than 12 weeks in to pregnancy is waste of time and money.

[milimelo 4,194]

I have kids. My opinion going to the doctor earlier than 12 weeks in to pregnancy is waste of time and money.

You obviously didn't have problems conceiving, having repeat pregnancy losses or getting diagnosed with blood clotting disorder(s) = reasons why some women need to be seen as soon as they get pregnant so they can get proper medications and the necessary follow up to keep their pregnancies.

I know this is not the case with OP, but sweeping generalizations and your determination when one needs to be seen by a doctor don't help.

[Taureti 12]

You obviously didn't have problems conceiving, having repeat pregnancy losses or getting diagnosed with blood clotting disorder(s) = reasons why some women need to be seen as soon as they get pregnant so they can get proper medications and the necessary follow up to keep their pregnancies.

I know this is not the case with OP, but sweeping generalizations and your determination when one needs to be seen by a doctor don't help.

Lets not get into medical problems. From what I understood, OP wife is pregnant at the moment, and has no complains about her health. So answering to his concerns, there is no urgency to see the doctor in the very early stage of pregnancy.

I actually had 2 difficult pregnancies. But all problems happened in latter stages.

[Umka36 781]

One thing the OP's wife can do is to take prenatal vitamins if she hasn't already. Depending on the wife's age (26 or under), and if her parents are still working with medical insurance she could be covered under their in the mean time.

[maxxnys 0]

Most big employers (50+ people) - cover everything including pre-existing conditions. Read your health coverage brochure - should define all terms in the first couple of pages.

Actually that's the law:

https://www.healthcare.gov/health-care-law-protections/pre-existing-conditions/

If your new employer has health insurance available you should sign up for the best options that fit your family's needs. They cannot and will not deny you coverage.

You will most likely be officially covered the first day of the first month after you begin employment. For instance if you start today, November 22nd, your start date of coverage will be December 1st. I am assuming you will meet with your HR manager and have the option to sign up that day.

When you do sign up at your new employer remember that coverage time frame and ask your employer. I say this because most employers will have multiple options for health care insurance and to be quite honest it is very confusing even for the experts to decide which is best. So take your time and select the appropriate plan for your needs but be sure to decide and sign up in time to be covered at the next "interval."

If for some reason your employer does not offer a plan that suits your needs that is exactly what "Obama Care" is all about. Same website as above but the homepage: https://www.healthcare.gov/

Good luck.

- Maxx

Edited to fix todays date. LOL

Edited November 23, 2014 by maxxnys

[a+j 77]

Start taking prenatal vitamins -many are sold over the counter- and get an appointment with a healthcare provider when you are 8-9 weeks (from your last period, not conception). You'll have insurance by then.

Oh, do you guys know her blood type? If she is Rh- watch out for bleeding and go see a doctor if it happens. It's unlikely, but she might develop antibodies against the baby in that case.

Good luck!

Edited November 23, 2014 by a+j

[TQD 6]

Hi everybody,

My wife and I have recently immigrated to MN, USA. We are both from NZ, born and raised, but my wife holds American citizenship through her mother. I immigrated on a CR-1 visa.

We have been here for 5 weeks getting established when we found out yesterday that my wife is about 8 days pregnant. I have just recently got a job which has a health program but I cannot start the program for a month. We are currently covered by our travelers health insurance but that does not cover pregnancy.

What can we expect in term of care? What should we do? We want to be excited but are scared we have put ourselves into a bad position.

Thanks in advance

don't worry I have an idea for you, first wait for 2 or 3 months to go to Health Department at your county, there is some social workers they will help for pregnant women apply Medicaid if not you pay for some hundreds to see the doctors and test or ultrasounds until you born baby and then the day you are in The hospital there is financial department worker will come to see you and guide you how to apply emergency Medicaid after that you can apply emergency Medicaid and your baby automatic have Medicaid a year. Believe me I was born two kids without payment for hospital fee. Conglations for new baby, relax to take care yourself

[yuna628 9,528]

Pregnancy is not a pre existing condition, and due to the federal mandate insurances cannot deny coverage to those who are pregnant. Do not be alarmed, you cannot be denied. Your insurance, with your wife added to it, will be covered just fine when it kicks in. However to see how good your new coverage will be and expense incurred, you'll have to refer to your insurance information/plan.

[genddob 10]

Congrats on the pregnancy

As mentioned, most docs won't even see you until you are >8 weeks pregnant. As stated, pregnancy is counted from last menstrual period so if she's 8 days late then she's counted as 3 weeks pregnant. She's a US citizen so I am sure she's eligible for Medicaid at the very least. There is no problem though waiting until your insurance kicks in after a month. If she has problems before that, go to the ER; the law dictates that she has to be provided with emergency care regardless of insurance status.