I just found today that I'm pregnant. I don't know what to think...

My boyfriend of 4 1/2 years and I just broke up about a month ago because he wanted to move away and I didn't. We didn't want to lose each other but I didn't want to move and he didn't want to stay here.

So.. now he's staying...

Before I knew I was pregnant, I did drink quite a bit. Not every day or anything but on the weekends I went out. So I'm worried about that.

I don't even know what to do right now... I don't have health insurance and neither does he.

Ahhh! Well... thanks for listening. I just wanted to tell someone! I've had 2 miscarriages in the past so I'm not telling any family or friends for awhile.

If anyone has any advice, please share!!

Quit doing anything that could be destructive to the baby, drugs, drinking, smoking, find a good doctor or a free clinic and start getting taken care of. Maybe now would be a good time to start thinking about marriage too.

I know... I'm done drinking. And I have never smoked or done drugs of any kind. My ex is also going to stop drinking.

My head is spinning...

Well, as I'm sure you know, you should get to a doctor and keep going regularly throughout your pregnancy. I don't know how much you drank, how far along you are, but if you didn't like down a bottle of vodka every weekend, then hopefully it won't have a horrible effect, but I think its more towards the last trimester that it really hurts. Best of luck!

Get with the social services and see what benefits may be available

If there is a babies r us near you, go there. They have free magazines. They are called something like american baby or parents or something like that. If you go toward the back, they have an ad section in the mag. One of the ads states something to the effect of " pregnant and no insurance" and there is a number in it. If I come across one of my old ones I'll post it on here for you.

Odds are baby is fine from the occasional drinking you did prior to knowing you were pregnant... obviously it is wise that you are quitting now. Make any other lifestyle changes you know are healthy... start on a prenatal or multivitamin with folic acid in it (most have 400 mcg which is the minimum suggested in pregnancy), eat healthier foods, avoid being around cigarette smoke as much as possible, get some regular exercise, etc..
I don't know where you live but, in the US, Medicaid offers coverage for women during pregnancy, and other funded programs, such as Healthy Start, will be very helpful... your doctor should know about them.

I don't think I'm eligible for Medicaid. I think I make too much. Before taxes, I make about $24,000 a year. From what I have read, it looks like that's too much.

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Originally Posted by dunno

I don't think I'm eligible for Medicaid. I think I make too much. Before taxes, I make about $24,000 a year. From what I have read, it looks like that's too much.

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You'd have to inquire directly for where you live... also, income is just one consideration, so it would definitely be worth looking into. There are other programs your doctor or health department should be able to refer you to as well. Check out this site:

How Medicaid Works: Pregnancy Insurance

Thank you! I'm checking that web site right now!

Geez... for my state, I make about $14000 a year too much. AhhhH!!

Get a pregnancy magazine. They have ads for maternity cards where its 70/30 or 80/20 meaning they pay 80% and you pay 20% so that's better then nothing. Or call your hospital, there are other state and government insuarnces that you may qualify for. It's a happy time, it'll get better. You will see. Congratulations

If you stopped drinking, your baby should be okay. I agree go to social services, they can help to pay for medical expenses.

You might be able to apply for an hmo, it won't be free but the monthly price should not be so high. In the meanwhile, you have a planned parenthood near you because they can referred you somewhere for parental or go to a city hospital and they can help as well. The hospital where I work has a clinic and see people regdardless of health insurance and gives you medicine if needed for free. My friend who 8wks went there and they give her 1st prenatal car checkup, pap smear, blood work,everything. Then gave her all her prenatal vitamins and is helping her with insurance.

Also, when you see a doctor be truefull about your drinking because they can do a gentic test to make sure your baby is forming right and check to se if there anything wrong, this is a special test for people who have drunk or smoke during pregnancy, because the 1st trimster is the most important. For the time being drink plenty of fluid, eat fruits and if possible eat the skin, i.e pears, apples, peaches, stay away from fried food, just eat right. You can Google baby help and many sights will come up or Google lamaze parents(many articles about your pregnancy).