On the 21st of January Phil and I get to fly over to Oahu for a doctor's appointment. Between 18 and 20 weeks they do an ultrasound and blood work to look for the three most common fetal disorders: Down's Syndrome, Edward's Syndrome, and Spina bifida. Also at this appointment they will be able to sex the baby, which Phil and I are opting to do! We are a little nervous about the any possible complications, but are really excited to learn the sex of this little bean!
A little note on health care in Hawaii. Although we live in the biggest city on the Big Island, that means very little in terms of accessibility to health care. There is definitely a shortage of health care professionals on the islands, and especially of medical specialists. There are very few specialists on the Big Island, and so many patients take the 45 minute flight over to Honolulu if they need to see anyone other than their general physician. There is also no intensive care unit for infants on this island (or for anything else really), and so, again, the really sick and their families are flown over to Oahu for medical care.
Living on an island has a lot of perks, but it can sometimes feel isolated and optionless. Alas, these are the adventures of living in Hawaii.
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i found that the health care for prenatal rocked in HI compared to here...it is true we went to oahu for many things re; prentatl care esp around the chromosomal stuff..but HMSA rocks over so many other health plans. so you are stoked. I am trying to find a place like waimea here and it is HARD!!!so i miss that aspect of that totally friendly loving supportive awesome place also the pediatrican shortage i thought was only in HI but it turns out to be here too!!! REMEMBER TO SIGN UP FOR ONE NOW! the good ones close up sooo fast...I FOUDN THIS OUT WAY TOO LATE...THEY SAY TO DO IT ONCE YOU CONCEIVE
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