(Written: October 27, 2020)
This is week 10!! So, I must say in this journey my symptoms have been the same. I threw up one other time after having my pomegranate juice. I don’t think our son likes that very much. Anywho, this natural birth process from a medical perspective has been a challenge. There are not many people who have home birth facilities. In fact there is only a few birth center facilities in the surrounding area. Since I am a first time mom, I won’t be able to do an at home birth but instead at a home where I will be partnered with a midwife and a doula. The plus also is that there are childbirth classes provided along with the full cost which is way more inexpensive than a hospital birth which averages around $10k. To have a birth center birth it would cost $5300 with my insurance and they actually consider them “out of network” births so the cost is lower but not covered. The good thing about my birthing center is that we can apply for birth center births through an “in-network” exception. In that case if approved I will only be paying $2900 out of pocket for my pregnancy.
Now the problem. I contacted my insurance October 16th and provided all the details for the exception and explained that I wanted to have a birth center birth and not a hospital birth to be accompanied by a midwife and because there were no center’s in my area that is why I was requesting the exception. Well I call today because yesterday I had my first consultation with my birth center and they did not receive any update on approval or denial for my request. Come to find out I got denied. Now, I’m upset because they said it got denied on October 21st…So why was nobody contacted with the update, especially me. So I’m frustrated and asking questions and turns out they said they had no “valid contact”. Even though I provided them with the fax and phone number for the facility, and they claim it was not given or on file. Typical. The fax number they even shared was correct but for whatever reason did not work. However, it does not explain the why in not telling me when they clearly had my phone number on file. Then they had the nerve to deny me because they said there were doctors in my area that were in network that could provide the services that I needed. Never did I receive that information. So when I did get the 2 REFERENCES on what “doctors” they had. The recommendations were a midwife and OBGYN that both were in a hospital, NOT a birth center. So again, I tell her, this is exactly why I applied because these people and others I researched were in a hospital. So by now I’m pissed because it was like they just denied me, didn’t tell me or try to communicate with the birth center and said 'oh well we have 2 references'. However, that’s not the birthing journey I want, which I explained.
Of course my husband had to step in and go off and ask how do we re-apply or fight this because this was an error on their end. We can’t reapply for the same thing because we were already denied. So the only thing left is to fight and have my doctor contact the Medical Doctor on staff to explain and fight for my approval.
Thankfully when calling my birth center back, they were very understanding and took all the information I got from my insurance and contact info to call the doctors. Hopefully there is an update by tomorrow on what is done. It’s sad that it got to this point when it shouldn’t have to get this far in the first place. Having a baby and choosing your birth journey shouldn’t be this hard. The plan and purpose is to be able to go in for an early ultrasound and see how our baby is doing, but without certainty on this insurance and what they plan to do; I’ve been just anxious. They said 20 weeks is when they check on everything but I want to make sure things are ok because some days I feel like he’s not there and my symptoms are gone. I just want what is best for our child (can you tell I'm "that" mom lol).
I did get to exercise and do some back exercises today. It was very easy going and just trying to build my muscles and support for my back and preparing my body properly. I had a protein shake along with prenatals and ate PB& J. I did take a nap again. I’ve noticed I get sleepy midday and need a recharge. Evening run is next on the agenda, and very important since I did not get to go yesterday. I’ve been able to keep up my 3 mile run so that’s still a blessing! Hopefully we can have our ultrasound set for next Tuesday, Election Day and hear our son’s heartbeat for the first time and get some photo memories. Until then, let’s pray for great news.
