Military doctors and hospitals..........?????????

Hello ladies,
I know we have at least a few military families here........I need some info if you have it.
If you remember about 6 months ago I was very ticked off that Tri-Care wouldn't let me see the dr. of my choice.....well, I got that all fixed and was seeing my doc......now, hubby and I have moved into our new home and we are only 2 miles from the base. Meaning I have to now go to a dr. here!!!!!! I really don't know anything about their dr's here or the hospitals. I'm almost 32 weeks pregnant and changing dr's and hospitals now is very scary. I'm not even going to get a chance to know the dr. before it is time to deliver, then again who says I will even have a dr at delivery that I've had at an appt? How do they work on base?
What about a midwife? When I was enrolling for a dr here the insurance guy said they had a very good midwife here, is that something I should check into?
How long will they keep me and the baby in the hospital? Will they abide by my wishes like a civilian hospital would? Will they allow me to breastfeed?
So many questions and no one to ask since the military installations are so darn busy........makes me wonder if they will even have time to deliver my baby.......
Just worried I guess, any info you have would be great.
Oh, and if I go to the hospital will they show me around before the baby comes?
What about child birthing classes? Are they usually offered on a military base or are we just suppose to be tough and know what the heck to do?????
I guess the good thing is that I'm only about 15 minutes from the hospital.
Hugs,
Vikki

[nurse12hr]

While I know nothing about military hospitals, of course you will be "allowed" to breastfeed.

And nothing can be done to you against your will.  It is still a hospital, after all, and you are a citizen of the United States.  

Good luck, and hopefully someone can answer your other questions!

[Melissa Prevost]

my sister inlaw had her first child in a militery hospital she said it sucked lol not trying to make things worse or anything but she said that it was horriable she didn't go into detales but just told me if Coby ever wanted to go into the military to make sure I have all the babies I want first lol well I hope it goes better for you then it did her...

[hther]

When I was pregnant last year (ended in m/c), I had looked into NOT having care at the base where I live though it was mandatory through Tricare. All that was required was a letter written and signed by my husband to the hospital administrator explaining why I wanted to go an outside doctor. My reasons (which can vary and usually if they are reasonable they will be approved without headache)were:

1. Had numerous sugeries and I was unable to endure the 20 minute car ride to base. (I did have recent surgeries, however, I honestly could have endured the ride if there were NO other options but they didn't need to know that.)

2. The difficult experiences I have heard from other mothers and the care given at military facilities I felt was questionable. (These horrible experiences were my mother's when she had all of us, but again, I gave no details.)

One thing I would do is to ask the Obgyn clinic there on base what you have to do to get approval to go off base and then do that. I realize time is not in your favor as you are so far along. The letters take NO TIME at all to get approved. Maybe the Obgyn on base can't even get you in. They usually are booked solid around here. If that happens, you get referred. Also, Did you move far away from the previous doctor you were seeing? If you didn't change duty stations just a different location within the same remote area, I don't think Tricare can FORCE you to stop seeing your current doc.

If you choose to write the letter (dh can take it in or you can to save mail time) be sure to include your reluctance and how you are uncomfortable parting from this doctor of yours (or if you can't see that doc cuz you moved too far away, just state how you need a personalized relationship with a provider)and how the effects of being seen by 18 million different docs could be emotionally detrimental to you.

I know my letter was a stretch of the truth, but from my other experiences at the hospital here (there have been many bad ones) I did what I had to do.

As far as your other questions go about how they work. I have never carried a child to term, but I do know that this hospital here works just like any other. They just cut costs and time spent with you. They do offer the birthing classes several times a month and I think you can just show up. So I can't imagine how crowded they could be.

Good luck to you,
Heather

[TONIA24]

MY SISTER IN LAW HAS TRICARE AND IS GETTING READY TO HAVE AN U/S ON BASE DO YOU THINK THEY WILL GIVE HER ANOTHER ONE AT THE END OF HER PREGNANCY SHE IS 20 WEEEKS PLUS IS IT A 3D U/S OR JUST A REG ONE WE HAVE NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH MILITARY HOSPITALS BEFORE SO ITS ALL NEW TO US AS WELL

[Still a mom]

I would look into the midwife if I were you.  Midwifes usually are more understanding about breastfeeding and know a little more about it.  They will be able to help you start and give pointers. I don't mean that the doctors would not be helpful, but they do have other patients and this way you will get more one-on-one attention. Keep us posted.

[Angel4JohnnyB]

Thanks everyone!!!
They didn't seem to have too much trouble getting me in.........about three weeks but that is how booked my other doctor always was too........
we did move to far away to be able to stay with my doc of 6 years........we are about 100 miles away.
I think I will check into the midwife,IF I can figure out how. It's so hard to get ahold of the people you really want to talk to. They have ONE number to call where they book ALL appointments for all the clinics so it isn't like you can call the midwife directly.
Guess I need to start calling around and see if anyone can find the number for me.....I need to try to find out where they hold the child birthing classes while I'm at it.......
While I'm busy stressing over a new doc and only 8 weeks, one day to go..........hubby keeps asking, "when do I get to take my classes".........LOL. I've never seen a man so excited about going to any kind of birthing classes.........
Thanks again ladies.
Hugs,
Vikki

[lynnaz]

Hi Vikki,
I really don't like military docs at all.  I get to have the baby at a Civilian hospital, but the mil. docs that run the women's clinic will deliver.  I've had 2 appts & both were w/ different people.  My next is 4/12/04 and that's with someone else completely different.  follow the advice and write a letter or look into the midwife.  Also, they should have childbirthing classes on base, I know the base (Air Force) that we're at, they have them.  Also, you can just go into the office and speak to someone if that will make you feel better.  Good luck w/everything.

Lynn

[hther]

When you say you call one number and they schedule all the appt's for all the clinics, are you referring to the 800 # for your tricare region or like the Family Care place that does the scheduling? If I were you, I'd go to the hopsital and go to the Obgyn department. You will def. get your answers there by the front desk staff. I had to do that on occassion when I couldn't get answers or call backs. Good luck!

Heather