Pregnant with TWINS- medical cafe on St John.

PatrickMcc · Post by **PatrickMcc** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:47 pm

After posting the previous message about flying with twins I realized that my main worry was medical care on St John if my daughter has a problem. She will be in her second trimester (five months) which I understand is the safest time to travel during a pregnancy. I have heard good things about the clinic on St John but I wonder how well they are equipped to handle pregnancy problems. I know this is a long shot but I wonder if anyone has had experience with the clinic- especially when pregnant.

needmesomesun · Post by **needmesomesun** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 2:48 pm

Firstly, Congratulations!

The last time I was at the clinic (I have been three times total in 10 years), there was a fetal monitor in the room I was seen in. That being said, I don't think that the clinic has any kind of L&D. I believe that women go to St. Thomas to give birth (unless it is a home birth). Perhaps this has changed in the last few years. I know you aren't talking about labor, etc., I'm just giving you a rough idea that it is a clinic, not a hospital. Your daughters doctor could also call the clinic and see how she feels about what they offer.

Twins typically automatically classifies the pregnancy as high risk. The clinic does appear to have some kind of high risk obstetric unit on site, but I found these quotes online (from the St. John Source) regarding the center and pregnancy related services:

"A high-risk obstetrician also comes monthly to help deal with problem pregnancies. And Myrah Keating has an affiliation with the Cleveland Clinic to provide telemedicine services."

"There is strong sentiment in the community about having babies born on St. John. However, a 1999 study by Higman Consultants determined that only about 20 women a year were likely to give birth at Myrah Keating Smith if there were a birthing center there, McDonald said. And, she said, should a medical emergency arise during what was expected to be a routine delivery, there would be no quick way to transport the patient to Schneider Hospital. "We don't have a helicopter," she noted, and the patient would have to be taken to St. Thomas on the hospital boat Star of Life."

Whether or not this is still the case definitely deserves a phone call. How advanced all of this may be, compared to what she is used to at home, can be a toss up. Depending on where she is in her fifth month, the closest NICU appears to be in St. Thomas, should one be needed.

I would really check all of this out with her Obstetrician and also, see how she is feeling closer to the trip. I know from experience that traveling to St. John with pregnancy sickness (the kind of morning sickness that lasts all day) is not fun, and sitting on a beach (or anywhere for that matter) in the heat, while feeling sick, doesn't make for a restful vacation. It is a very delicate time that you can't really decide on so far in advance. Some women feel great, some are sick the entire time, and it can change day to day.

You can also call MK clinic and see what they have to say. I think what it boils down to is how she feels about being away from her regular doctors during this time as well as how her doctors feel about her going.

PatrickMcc · Post by **PatrickMcc** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 3:09 pm

Thank you needmesomesun. This is all excellent information. The info about the Cleveland Clinic is reassuring but I am still nervous. Actually I might be more worried than the expectant mother or her husband or my wife. My advice is leaning toward not going just because you never know what might happen although even my wife says leave it to the doctor and then don't worry. Anyway, I will run all of your ideas past her and see what she and her husband think. I don't want to be a killjoy but they are young and worry a lot less than I do. Thanks again.

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 4:17 pm

But it's not like you can walk in and have a consult with the Cleveland Clinic - they have to be scheduled sometimes months in advance

Pia

PatrickMcc · Post by **PatrickMcc** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 4:51 pm

Thanks Pia- that is very good to know. maybe the doctor or midwife will just tell them not to go and that will solve the problem.

melmd · Post by **melmd** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 9:25 am

I don't want to worry you but I think I would tell me daughter to pass. My last pregnancy was in the summer and we went to the beach, I was 35 weeks along and went into pre-term labor from dehydration. Mind you I comsumed lots of water, but the heat and phyical activty just wiped it out of me. I was put on IV's and told to go home and do nothing. That sure would stink in St. John to be housebound or worse stuck in the hospital.

Save the trip for when the babies can fly. We took that little guy down when he was nine months and had a great time with the grandparents.

myluckydog · Post by **myluckydog** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 3:08 pm

There is one important thing to remember.
This is not a foreign country... the clinic takes care of scores of mothers to be.
I have lived on St John for more than 20 years, both of my children were born on STT and ALL of my excellent prenatal care came from Myrah Keating Clinic on St. John.

They have an OB/GYN staff that includes certified nurse midwives, who give wonderful care. My pregnancies were not difficult, but had complications and they were great. Other posters are correct in that they do not deliver babies here except in emergencies.

If your daughter is otherwise healthy, I see no reason why she should not enjoy a vacation in her second trimester here. The warm waters and clear skies should do Mom and babies good. If it makes you feel better, call the clinic and ask to speak with the midwives.

Just my 2 cents.

PatrickMcc · Post by **PatrickMcc** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 6:46 pm

Thanks my lucky dog. Her midwife (apparently midwives are common in Massachusetts now- they do work with doctors-not common when my kids were born) has given her the ok assuming there are no problems. At this point I would prefer she not go but all I did was point out that the medical facilities were not as advanced as Massachusetts facilities. I also mentioned the good things that were told to me on this forum. I have to leave the final decision to her and her husband. So now I will just hope that there are no problems and we have a great vacation on St John. I really appreciate the feedback from all of you.

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