I can't tell you everything there is to know about being pregnant abroad, but I can share some info that I had gathered along the way of my pregnancy.
I found out that I was pregnant after going into radiology for an ultrasound looking for cysts. My favorite Dr. Nellis called me with my results congratulating me. I'm pregnant! I scheduled an appointment with him, had another ultrasound and determined that I was nine weeks along.
After the initial doctor appointment, I sat down with one of the nurses, went through the pregnancy hand book they give you (the "Purple Book"). Learned about medicines I can and cannot take, what food to stay away from (like fresh mozzarella unfortunately), exercise, etc.. Also viewed a movie about what to expect, all good information especially if this is your first pregnancy like me.
I continued to see Dr. Nellis in Family Practice. You can switch over to OB, but unless you are high risk, need surgery or have other needs, they try to have you stay with Family Practice.
My next ultrasound was at the 20 week mark. Went to radiology and had the tech do an anatomy scan, to make sure everything was growing. We counted ten fingers, ten toes, no cleft lip, check the kidneys and of course found out that we were having a baby boy! Sadly the well experienced tech has recently PCS'd and there isn't a tech skilled enough to do the anatomy scans, so current pregnant patients are being referred out in town. I hear good things about the ultrasound out in town, and that you can pay for a 3D ultrasound (this is all hearsay, so don't hold me to it, it may not be true but you can always ask!)
Fleet and Family have a wonderful Lady on their team. Her name is Jennifer and she is a nurse. She teaches a few classes that are very beneficial. She has a great class called Labor and Delivery Relaxation Technique, I highly recommend it! You learn the different ways to breath through contractions, how to position to become more comfortable, and my absolute favorite is the massage techniques she teaches your partner. Other classes offered are Nurturing Touch Child and Infant Massage, and Becoming a Love and Logic Parent. All located at the Navy Lodge and absolutely free! If you swing by the OB clinic they have a list of courses offered by Marine Corps Relief Society. I didn't get around to taking their classes, but I know that they collect hand made baby blankets and give them away to new moms if you take their class. I crocheted a couple and donated them for other mommies.
All check ups were the same, check blood pressure and other vitals, talk about baby movements, measure the fundus height and baby's heartbeat, checking to make sure everything is still going well.
For patients who are High Risk, I believe you will be sent to OB for the duration of your pregnancy. If you are pregnant with twins, or in need of a NICU you will deliver out in town. The hospital will send a translator with you to help with the language barrier. Other than this I don't have any more info on delivering out in town.
If you for some reason do not want to deliver in Naples, or on Support Site I have heard of some women flying back stateside and delivering at "home." It is doable, the downside in my opinion is the time away from your partner. You gotta fly home around 2 months before you are due, so you can get a doctor, go to appointments and have an establishment before a baby decides to make his appearance. Then after the baby is born you can't just hope on a plane and come back to Naples, you have to wait for social security card, birth certificate, passport and then a no-fee passport. Also you want to make sure baby is old enough to fly 9 hours!
Back to having a baby here in Naples though!
I hit 41 weeks and my baby boy still wasn't making his presence known, time to be induced! The hospital will not induce you prior to 41 weeks if you and baby are healthy, but they will not let you go past 42 weeks. After 42 weeks the placenta starts to deteriorate so they like to get baby out before baby's health starts to be compromised. They will induce you early if medically necessary.
My doctor had perfectly planned a vacation when I hit 41 weeks so I was assigned to Dr. Arnold who is also wonderful. I had a check up with him, then he told me to come in a couple days later to be induced. Just go up to the top floor of the hospital and check in at the nurse's station the day you are to be induced and they will get you situated.
My delivery didn't go as planned, baby was too big, so a C-Section was in order for me. Dr. Maroney introduced himself and discussed surgery and complications (PS- He is a White Sox Fan, my husband is a Cubs fan... he was destined to deliver my baby haha). Again, another wonderful Doctor! Dr. Maroney is a well skilled surgeon, ask anyone in the hospital.
During my entire stay at the hospital, I felt like I was in extremely competent hands. All of the nurses took amazing care of me. I never once felt like I was receiving bad care. Not a single bad thing to say.
Getting pregnant in Italy was a bit scary at first, nerve-racking to say the least, but looking back at my experience I can confidently say that I had the best experience being pregnant here.
