How are things done in the US and other countries?

Question

Canada as you know has their "world famous" health care system, which isnt all its cracked up to be -

But IF you live in the USA or another country, how does your medical plan handle maternity? When I had my kids I stayed in over night with my son, he was a so-called "natrual delivery" and for two days when I had my daughter, a cesarean.

A friend of mine went into labour 24 hours ago, her water broke, and she went to the hospital. Labour wasnt progressing so they sent her home, that was 24 hours ago, She is having contractions 7 mins apart and has been told to NOT come back until they are 3 mins apart. She was also told she could come for something for pain and they would send her home again.

She is a first time mother, is at home with two bozo's, my son and the babies father, both 20 something who dont have clue to be honest, she is dead tired, hasnt had any sleep in 24 hours. I was just over to see her and she was in tears, she looks like hell, but they wont admit her.

20 some years ago when I had mine, you went into labour, you went to the hospital, you were admitted and if it took 27 hours, as it did with my son, it took 27 hours and they checked on you, and took care of you. I also had a midwife with me -

These days its like McDonalds, dont come until you are ready to pop that kid out, and then they kick them up a few hours after delivering.

Personally I think thats terrible. Other countries have materinity hospitals where mothers are treated with some kindess and given some medical care.

How is it dont in your country? Keep in mind this couple WOULD have medical coverage through work even if we didnt have this govt plan, that really sucks IMO.

Women's health care has been sacrifised completely to keep costs of the medical plan down.

ooops meant to say "kick them out" not "kick them up"

i just phoned the hospital and had a "word" with them, the expectant mother is supposed to call labour and delivery and talk to them and see is she can come in -

Canada SO sucks when it comes to Health Care, especially for women.

They wont admit her, I am worried sick about her AND the baby. This is like the dark ages, even in China they have a beautiful maternity hospital and my friend there was kept for five days to make sure baby and mother were healthy. And it was a normal birth, no complications, big baby, by Chinese standards -

Answer 1

Just sounds so backwards.....once your water broke, they always WANTED you in the hospital. Same thing with contractions being that close. Can't understand them sending her home....at that point, she should be monitored...not left on her own. I'm answering this almost 9 hours after your post, so I sincerely hope this little nightmare is over for her and that she was finally able to be taken care of. Let us know, ok?

Answer 2

My experience is probably not the norm. But, I'll relate it anyway. We had four children. Only one was born in a military hospital. The others were born in civilian hospitals and I had to pay about $25 for each of those births out of pocket. The benefit covered maternity care, the delivery and well-baby care as well.
As a man who served 12 years in health care administration in the U.S. Navy I'm well aware of Canada's Medicare System. It seems to be marvelous for preventive care. The problem seems to be with hospitalizations and some use of the latest technology. But, that is true in every country with a national health care scheme. Even my ancestral home of Norway, awash in tax revenues from the oil rigs in the North Sea, has a waiting list of a quarter of a million people for elective surgery in a population of less than eight million.
The delivery of health care is one of the last contracts of unequal bargaining power left these days. The provider decides what is wrong, what it will take to fix it and what it will cost. The consumer has little sway in any of those decisions. What it will cost can be borne from tax revenues, but it doesn't change the basic imbalance.

Answer 3

With my first child I got to the hospital 6 minutes before he was born, because I didn't know what "labor" was and it was 2 months early. Second one, I went back and forth to the hospital 6 times and finally had him after 26 hours of labor. Now it is "drive-by" delivery time. go in at the end of labor, have the baby, get out within 24 hours. This is not a good idea, many babies have a high level of bilirubin in their system and need photo therapy, mom's need rest! And someone to care for them. The first child is supposed to take the longest for delivery, I hope they can admit her and administer some pain relief.
Has she tried walking to speed up labor?

Answer 4

VERY much the same in the US! These days they kick you out of hospital for just about anything - even major surgery! Blame the insurance companies!

Childbirth? A day maybe two at the best if there were complications. There has been a uproar in certain segments of the community who say babies are being sent home way too soon [before any possible complications can be determined]

Answer 5

When I had my kids 25+ years ago, I had to wait until either my water had broken or when contractions were 3 minutes apart before being admitted. I stayed in the hospital less than 24 hours.

Answer 6

In California she would have been in the hospital about 20 hours ago, {with or without insurance} or when the contractions became regular. 24 hours is way to long..the baby needs to be monitored, and mom needs to be checked to see if she is dialating..Moms are usually not allowed to labor for 24 hours..she may need a section..I hope not..She will be held 12-24 hours post delivery, depending on how well she and the baby are doing.

Answer 7

AT 7 minutes, she would be in a hospital, for some the contractions can speed up very quickly.. with my first, my wife called me at work at 4:30, said she felt funny, by the time I got home, got her to the hospital, she was within minutes of crownig! She had ONE real labor contraction and that boy was out! She wasn't so lucky with the second, false labor a month before, then about 20 hours of ugliness before he was born..you just never know..but on the other hand, every extra minute you are in a hospital, you take your life in your hands. I swear, most of us survive a hospital stay IN SPITE Of the hospital, not because of it. Love and peace, Goldwing

Answer 8

Well being Canadian, I kinda like our health care system. Yes there are wait times and of late because so many children, especially preemies are being born we've had to transfer women to the nearest provincial or american hospital . But the US has wait times as well and people leave your country to have procedures done too.

I had a heart attack last year , and yes I went to two other hospitals for care but I wasn't left waiting for hours in a waiting room. They triage the sickest from the people who are not as sick and those who aren't as sick wait the longest . I know that happens in US hospitals as well.

Every system has it's glitches, but most of the glitches are generally due to bad FEDERAL policy and not funding enough, putting other things like corporate welfare ahead, cutting down at medical and nursing schools and sending troops overseas to fight with the US who started the war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

At least all our citizens are covered from cradle to grave with some kind of health system that works for most of the populace. The queue jumpers in most cases are spoiled rich people who haven't learned that their wants and needs aren't the center of the universe.

Answer 9

All maternity treatment is free in Australia. Drs visits, specialists, ultrasounds, blood tests, hospital stays, c section if needed. There is NO WAY they would send a woman in labour home!!! Thats just crazy.

Answer 10

in the California, and Oregon area, they get admitted if they have insurance or not.
my Daughter in law, went in 24 hours before Hannah was born, and if she had of been in labor any longer they would have performed a c section.
Most of the hospitals in this area are afraid of law suits, if they don't do everything right.