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Waiting for appointments
We try to stay on time, but a wait of 30
minutes (or more) does happen. We ask that
you try to be on time, because we often do
run on time and want to be able to spend
adequate time with you at your visit. We
have a comfortable waiting room with soft
couches. Often children play together with
our toys and look at our fish tank, while
moms read or chat together while waiting. If
the wait is going to be long, we try to let
you know what is going on so you can decide
what to do. Of course we also have midwives
who suddenly have to go to the hospital or
have been up doing a delivery for 24 hours.
Sometimes we have to call you and reschedule
your appointment- thank you for
understanding!
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Maine Coast Woman Care
306 Main Street,
Ellsworth
664-5650
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Our Patients say...
"This is a great place
to go while pregnant. The staff truly care and make
delivery very personal and less stressful"
[click to read more]
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First
Prenatal Visit
There is a lot of paper work to fill out
before the first visit- if we have mailed it
to you, please fill it out and bring it with
you- if you have to fill it out at our
office, please come 20-30 minutes early.
This visit takes about an hour in our
office, and then about 20 minutes to go over
to the hospital to get blood drawn. At the
first visit we talk about a lot of things-
who you are, who we are, how you feel, your
medical and family history, previous
pregnancies, previous deliveries, nutrition,
things to avoid in pregnancy, medications
you might be on, your last menstrual period
(and decide if a dating ultrasound is
medically indicated), we will perform a
physical exam (usually including a pap
smear). Once you are dressed we will take
your photo for your chart if that is OK with
you (it helps us at first to put a name with
a face), then we will set up ultrasound, if
needed, your next appointment back with us,
and send you to the lab for the blood work.
Unless an emergency problem is found, you
would not have the ultrasound on the same
day as your first visit. We welcome children
of all ages in our office. If possible, it
is nice to bring a helper with you for
toddlers at this first visit, as they get
pretty cranky and bored!
Following Prenatal Visits
We allow 30 minutes in the “schedule” for
each follow up prenatal visit. Sometimes you
will need more time than this, or sometimes
you might need less. We want you to feel
listened to and comfortable about the amount
of time we spend with you. We are interested
in personal parts of your life, and hope
that you feel as if you can share your
feeling with the midwives. You are welcome
to bring partners, friends, relatives, and
children to your visits. We also encourage
you to come alone, especially if there is
something private or serious that you need
to talk about. You can also ask your
companion(s) wait in the waiting room at
first, and then we can ask them into the
exam room to hear the baby’s heart beat. For
most women, the visits occur about every 4
weeks until 28 weeks of pregnancy. After 28
weeks (the start of the third trimester) we
will see you every two weeks. In the last 4
weeks of the pregnancy (from 36 weeks on) we
will see you weekly. It is very important to
keep your prenatal visits, or call if you
must cancel and change your visit.
At
Night or on Weekends
A midwife is on call for the practice at all
times. Call the labor and delivery floor at
664-5464 if you have a problem when our
office is closed. A labor and delivery RN
will take your call and either answer your
question, refer you to the emergency room,
or page the midwife on call. Even with a
severe problem, it is best to call the
hospital first to say you are on your way.
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