What would you do?

[jerseyjay]

Hey everybody! Got a couple questions for you all, if you have the time to answer.

My wife and I have been to St. John twice, and we both absolutely love it. We were hoping to get back there in the end of April for 5 days or so.
However, we found out that we are having a baby!!!!! Woohoooo! The doc says that traveling/flying is fine, just be careful that she doesn't get dehydrated. And also be sure not to go to a place where it would take awhile to get medical assistance if need be.

My questions are, do any of you have any experience with the Community Health Center?
Guys, would you take your pregnant wife to St. John? Ladies, would you go if you were pregnant?

Jillian will be about 4 1/2 months along. We don't anticipate any problems. I realize something could happen anywhere, at any time, whether we're on St. John or not. I just want to be sure I'll be able to get good medical assistance for my wife and unborn baby, if God forebid something happens.

I value your opinions, and have really enjoyed reading all your posts and comments. This forum has been an invaluable tool in helping us plan our previous two trips! We love St. John, but we want to make a wise decision.
Thanks for your input. And have a great weekend!

[Carolyn]

Congrats and I say go for it. I don't have personal experience w/ the health professionals on island but have read positive reports on this forum from those who have. As a female, who has had a couple kids as well as lost a few pregnancies, I would DEFINITELY travel at that time in a pregnancy if there were no known issues. I think it would be a fantastic time to travel. Enjoy and relax while you can! I am certain those w/ first hand experience will reply. Good luck!

[SOonthebeach]

Ditto Carolyn. I have been fortunate enough to not need medical help during our many trips on island, but have heard good things. I have had 2 kids and travelled a bunch during both pregnancies, including internationally, and 4 1/2 months is an IDEAL time to travel assuming no known risk factors. It would be a perfect trip, in my opinion. Hopefully others with experience with the STJ medical system will give their advice, but I say go for it!

[sasky]

We were in a similar situation with our last trip (8 weeks pg on island). We didn't think twice about going. I don't even think I asked my doctor about traveling at that point! I was not high risk and there's very little that could keep me from going to STJ.

However, I did end up having some complications 15 weeks in to my pregnancy. Never previously having one in my life, I had 3 seizures in the matter of a 24-hour period which required an ambulance ride to the ER, a week-long stay in the hospital, and constant monitoring throughout the pregnancy.

Knowing that now, I just asked my husband if he would think twice about going to STJ (or anywhere as remote) if I were to be pregnant again. He said he would have to really think about it.

Personally, I would still go! But I would take the route you are taking and look into the medical facilities on island. As long as she is taking good care of herself, she should be fine! But you just never know what can happen.

Good luck and congrats!

[pmk]

There are two family practitioners who work together in Cruz Bay and I've heard they are good. I'm told that most people go to STT to give birth.

pmk

[byado18]

Have travel insurance and something like Medjet http://www.medjet.com/ in case you need to get to better health care in FL!

[hugo]

Our St. John clinic staff is excellent, especially the Midwife/Women's health specialist, Veronica Powell. Pregnancy is something we get a lot of here, and I've never spoken to anyone who felt they needed to be somewhere else duringthose nine months.

[ifloat]

When we traveled to St. John I made a list of emergency telephone numbers for many of the medical facilities across the island, and emergency numbers like the paramedics. Didn't need them, but I felt better keeping it with me.

[darkanddietwithlime]

I don't have an answer for you jerseyjay, but it looks like you got some great information. Have a wonderful trip if you decide to go.
ifloat, I have a question for you. Our trip is coming up soon and my parents, 82 and 83 years (young) are joining us for a week. I would love it if you would share your list of emergency numbers with me. Not expecting any problems but it would be nice to have that information. Thanks.

[BillVT]

Over the many years we have been traveling to St John, on three occasions we have to avail ourselves of the services at Myra Keating Health Center. Neither of those times involved a pregnancy but I can vouch for the quality of care and the professionalism of the staff. On the two occasions that our visit involved me, I felt that I had been in competent and knowledgeable hands. I don't think you should hesitate to go.

[mahojim]

Jerseyjay-
Congrats, wonderful news; another STJ loving forum family member, I'm sure!
My advice would be to follow through with your vacation plans. After the winter we're going through here in Jersey, the soothing sounds, sights, scents, and sensations of STJ will be a very rewarding retreat for your beloved.
We're there 4/24-5/01,-hope to see you there!
Congratulations again, and always
Smiles-
MJ

[melmd]

As a mother and a lover of STJ I would say go for it. Like everyone else said have emergancy numbers handy and stay close to Cruz Bay.

Make sure she stays hydrated! I got dehyrated and ended up in premature labor and it was very scary!!!

PS: To IFLOAT

I would love those emergancy numbers to. Would you mend posting them.

[jerseyjay]

Thanks for the info and opinions everybody!
I think we might go for it! Not positive yet, but we'll see!

Hugo, I hope I didn't offend you in any way. I realize with so many permanent residents on St. John (of whom I'm incredibly jealous), that a pregnancy or two must happen from time to time. haha
Anyway, please accept my apologies if I did offend you, or anyone else who lives on island.

Thanks again!

[hugo]

Not at all. There are some ares that we may be a little less than perfect on (medically) but we do babies VERY well !