USVI-On-Line

My daughter has the ok to travel to St John in February from her doctor but was told she should have the name of a doctor she could contact if there was a problem. Does anyone know if there is one on St John or at the clinic? Thank you.

I pretty sure the answer is "no". You'll need to get the name of a doctor on STT.

From the web site for Myra Keating Smith medical center
http://www.rlshospital.org/About_Us/Thr ... enter.aspx

"The Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center offers high-risk OB/GYN, well woman examinations including PAP smears, complete pelvic exams, pre and post-natal care..."

(I can't imagine that every St. Johnian who goes into labor has time to take the ferry to STT.) I'd give them a call, or have your daughter give them a call if she has concerns.

Thank you both and I will follow your advice. She is pregnant with twins ut the doctor said there is no reason not to go- just have name in case.

StJohnJulie is very knowledgable in this area. There is also a relocation message board @ VirginIslandsonline that often speaks about OBGYN's on all three islands.

I'm jealous! I'm pregnant with our second STJ baby and the first time we were able to go on a babymoon to STJ...two trips in one year was fabulous! But I'm a stay a home mom now so we can't afford a second trip this year. I've been pouting about it for months.

chicagoans - yes you have to go to STT to deliver - many will stay on STT for the days/week leading up to their due date. We have no labour and delivery facilities on STJ and if you need to get to STT quickly they will use the emergency boat (Star Of Life was the old one I think the new has a different name - and it is not cheap)

We do have an OBGYN but I don't think she is at the clinic daily.

Pia

Thank you all again. I need to clarify. She will be in her second trimester and would not be able to give birth. The doctor told her there was no reason not to go but in case she had an issue she should know who to contact and where to go. Of course there is always a chance she might have a problem that requires medical care. Her doctor has been to St John.
Just an added story I like to tell sometimes. When my now pregnant daughter was 3 (1983) we took our first trip to St John and camped at Cinnamon Bay. One day she woke up from her nap and said she couldn't open her eyes. I took her on the taxi to the clinic in Cruz Bay all the while thinking why did I take my child to this remote island. While I was explaining her problem to the nurse (no doctor on duty) a man standing in the clinic said I am a surgeon at the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital-if you like I will look at her. I thought it was a miracle. He did and said she was fine but sunburned above her eye and it probably hurt when she tried to open them. Problem solved. Over the years we met a number of doctors who were on vacation on St. John and probably talked to more who didn't want it known they were a doctor. I am thinking that if you yell loudly, the doctor you need is probably on vacation somewhere near you on St John.

Pia wrote:chicagoans - yes you have to go to STT to deliver - many will stay on STT for the days/week leading up to their due date. We have no labour and delivery facilities on STJ and if you need to get to STT quickly they will use the emergency boat (Star Of Life was the old one I think the new has a different name - and it is not cheap)

We do have an OBGYN but I don't think she is at the clinic daily.

Pia

Wow! My son came really fast and would have been born on the boat! (All ten pounds of him!) Sounds like planning ahead is key when you live on a small island. Sadly not something I need to worry about (as I prepare to shovel the driveway...)