Unlucky in London

WARNING: If you want to read something upbeat and positive, then don't read this post. I'm having a Negative Nancy Day about life here in the UK.

I'm not like this ALL the time, though Scott might tell you differently. However, on days where we have to deal with housing or baby, it pretty much ruins my day.

Yep that's right, we DID NOT get the flat. So, the search starts again sometime this week. Thursday, I believe.

Oh, you want to hear the reason??? Apparently the landlord thinks that her property is not large enough for our longterm needs. And do you think we were ever asked what kind of lease we wanted to sign?? No. Of course not. I'm too tired and frustrated to research the laws in the UK, but pretty sure this is not a reason that would fly back at home OR here. She said her current tenant was leaving for the same reason, she outgrew the place with a child. I was told by the estate agent that the tenant had been there for four years. Pretty good run if you ask me. So... strike two. Either the next is "third one's a charm" or "strike three, you're out." I'm in a pessimistic mood today, so you can probably tell which way I think it will go.

...and all of this took over two-weeks to find out. More time wasted.

Here's a topic I've managed not to write much on. NHS. I've been waiting for a happy ending so that I can post and have something positive to say, but looks like that may not happen anytime soon. So why take a sourpuss thread and turn it around, now???

For those that are not aware, the UK offers NHS (National Healthcare System). Free healthcare for all!! Just don't be in a hurry.

We do have private healthcare through Scott's company, and though we knew it wouldn't cover childbirth, we've recently found out that it doesn't really cover bupkis. If memory serves, that was from his HR person at this branch (minus the word "bupkis"). Yes, that's right... it does nothing. It might get you to the front of the line in an emergency, but for all needs, you must go through NHS or pay to get your own doctor.

My last visit with my doctor at home took place the week we left. I was in his office every two weeks for blood pressure observations and having my fibroids measured via sonogram every month.

I thought once we got here that in two weeks, I would begin my search for a GP. Giving myself plenty of time. The GP is the general doctor you go to for everything. Then if it's out of his hands, he refers you to someone else. In my case, a midwife and hospital.

To get in with a clinic and GP, you must have a permanent address here in the UK. So, knowing that they might ask for this, I asked the hotel to write me a letter stating that this is my permanent address and the date I moved in. All good. We went up there and even got in that hour (so far, I like!). The GP referred me to a hospital and faxed my information over. I asked the guy at the front counter what step to take next and his reply was, "Wait for hospital's call." Me, "I don't contact a midwife?" Him, "Wait for hospital's call." Me, "I do nothing else??" Him, "Wait for hospital's call."

Okay. So, I wait for hospital's call. About five days. Nothing. I call the GP's office and they tell me to call the hospital to see if the fax was received, so I do. The fax was NOT received. So, I call the GP and they fax it over. I call the hospital, yes... they got it this time. Then I get the, "We'll call you." So, three days later I get a call and all they ask me is my address. WHICH IS ON THE FORM. Hello?? That's it, nothing else. I wait two more days and decide to call them. The booking lady tells me that she is working on bookings and will call that day or the next. Do you think I've heard?? No. That was week ago. So, with the advice of an expat board, I've been trying to get in touch with PALS (Patient Advisory Liaison Services). Okay, are you ready??? The phone line is open M-F from 10AM until noon. Oh, and they experience heavy calls during those hours. ARE YOU SURPRISED??? Nor am I!

Seriously, at this point it's become a joke. Today is a bank holiday (Memorial Day in the US), but I call thinking... it's a hospital, they don't close! Guess again... booking is closed, PALS is closed, Antenatal Clinic (prenatal in the states).... all closed.

Maybe a good time to mention that when driving past the hospital that they have referred me to, I notice that the sign reads, "Guys and St. Thomas Hospital: Open 24-hours for you!" I looked at Scott and questioned why a hospital had to advertise that they were 24-hour? Shouldn't they all be?? Do emergencies only happen during the day in London?!?!?

If you've been keeping up with a calendar next to you, then you know it's been about five-weeks since I've seen anyone that knows anything about pregnant women. The GP did take my blood pressure, and we went down and bugged him to do it again the next week. At least that has remained steady. Shocking. But, no monitoring of the baby or blood work. Thank goodness I have my friend, Laura Super RN, who's been keeping me calm by giving me all the signs to look for to rush to a hospital if need be.

So, begins a crappy day tomorrow of calling and calling. I feel like I'm going to have to adopt that American attitude that we are stereotyped to have by Europeans. Loud, pushy and obnoxious. I'm beginning to realize why we have this stereotype. It seems that nothing else gets any kind of answers or assistance.

Though Scott's boss is willing to do "whatever it takes" to make things work for us, I'm afraid that these are things that are out of his control. Unless of course, he's willing to pay for a private birthing center and perhaps threaten to break the legs of landlords refusing our offers of MORE than asking price.

We have eight weeks before our baby arrives, and that's if I carry to term. Time is not on our side... and if we don't find a place this week available to move in soon, we might be out of options.

Also, I said I was not going to have an opinion on any kind of US national healthcare until it was in place, but too late... my opinion is formed. I think you know what it is.

I want to say that I would not post these things, but my intentions of this is to inform others that are considering taking this step. So, my suggestion would be not to move here if you are already pregnant (or as far along as I was at the move). I'm posting the good with the bad. Though most seems bad, right now... I am still trying to keep my chin up that things can work out for us.