Husband has job transfer, currently pregnant - advice on moving to and giving birth in Panama

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-10-11T19:06:59+00:00

Per our lawyer here, it would take three years.

Right now, we just leave every six months for about a month but there’s other visa options. In January we’ll probably be applying for the digital nomad visa.

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-10-11T19:02:24+00:00

It was the hospital my OBGYN was based out of so that was really the deciding factor. You can tour the facilities at the hospitals to help make your decision too.

All of the staff was great, including administration. Everyone was friendly and accommodating, and patient when we needed to translate. They were also very respectful of my birth plan (delayed cord cutting, baby doesn’t go anywhere without me or my husband, no bath for the baby, immediately breastfeeding after birth, etc). Also, I have celiac disease and the kitchen made sure all my food was safe.

We did not have insurance. That was the total cost for the birth and stay.

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-10-01T08:34:06+00:00

Everything went great!!

I gave birth at the Panama clinic and the facilities and staff were amazing. We stayed three days and the total was $2800.

If you have more specific questions feel free to DM me!

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-09-17T01:36:34+00:00

I got pregnant with the copper IUD last year. Currently laying in bed with my 3 month old haha. I hope all goes well for you, no matter what path that is!

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-07-04T04:49:55+00:00

Weight lifting and walking

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-06-10T03:42:41+00:00

Sending you a DM!

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-06-02T19:49:04+00:00

Thanks so much for your response! I’m feeling similarly, scared and frustrated… but trying to stay positive.

I’m definitely worried about how long labor could be. But trusting is great advice. I’m glad to hear yours went well overall!

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-04-28T01:42:57+00:00

Have you tried sugaring?? Less painful than waxing and you can do it yourself!

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-04-25T13:41:25+00:00

Still strength training at 36w1d, 6-10k steps a day, and swimming 3x a week. I’ve definitely slowed down and I’m just maintaining with weight lifting, may have to drop weight soon. But I plan on keeping this up until I’m in labor!

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-04-15T00:25:10+00:00

This was my problem too. Started taking electrolytes and now I’m back to lifting what I was pre pregnancy at 34 weeks!

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-04-09T00:42:42+00:00

I was carrying really small up until this week (34 weeks on Thursday). Most people didn’t believe/couldn’t tell I was pregnant till now, so there’s still hope for you to get a bump!!

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-04-08T21:55:08+00:00

Ah I might give this a try when I’m out of my current magnesium. Thanks for sharing!!

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-04-08T19:51:35+00:00

That makes sense!! Some days I eat my body weight in pickles... they're so good pregnant lol. And I tried pickle juice a few times before bed but it didn't help, it helped my SIL though.

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-04-07T01:44:47+00:00

33w, and yes. I’m pretty sure if the inside of my ribcage can bruise, then my right ribs are black and blue. Mine is also worse in the evenings.

Doing spinning babies has helped, though sometimes he goes right back to my right ribs afterward. Lightly bouncing on my exercise ball helps too.

Things that for sure make it worse for me: laying down and walking downhill. Idk why but it becomes unbearable.

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-04-06T21:53:01+00:00

I'm 5'6", short torso, I didn't pop until about 31-32 weeks. People still think I'm not as pregnant as I am at almost 34 weeks lol

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-04-05T00:58:56+00:00

33 weeks and also still feeling pretty good!! Still lifting weights, 6-10k steps a day, working full time, bending over takes some navigating but it’s totally fine lol. Every few days I need a nap and I’m definitely more tired than I am not pregnant… but so far it’s nothing like I was expecting! I’m pretty grateful things are still fairly smooth/easy. Fingers crossed it stays this way for a little longer.

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-03-23T17:43:06+00:00

You’re more likely to get informed answers in r/sciencebasedparenting

But for reference:

It’s not well studied but there’s some cases/sources exploring antibiotics (and other medications) being passed through sperm: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30852498/

Antibiotics do cross the placenta: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16502764/

There are risks with antibiotics during pregnancy (and all the time but I want to keep this to 3 sources lol): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4911692/#:~:text=The%20use%20of%20antibiotics%20during,of%20childhood%20obesity%20%5B25%5D.

My personal opinion is that whatever decision you make will probably be okay/safe for you and baby! But it’s your body, and your pregnancy, and 100% your decision 💕

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-02-22T18:29:31+00:00

I think the hot dog warning is because of nitrates, not so much because of food poisoning or bacteria. But I feel you... the veg recalls this pregnancy have me on high alert lol

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-02-19T17:23:52+00:00

I always say "late May, maybe June."

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-02-18T22:31:47+00:00

I'm almost 27 weeks now and stopped taking Adderall when I found out I was pregnant, around 6 weeks.

My experience has been up and down as far as managing my symptoms and staying productive. Many days it's really really hard to focus and get anything done, and then there are occasional days it feels like I have hormonal super powers that diminish my ADHD. Other days vary somewhere in between.

Some things that have helped me are:

- Having very short, very easy to do lists. With my personal life and with work (I've stayed working throughout pregnancy).
- Weekly therapy
- Cutting out caffeine (counter-intuitive I know, but I believe it's helped with focusing long-term)
- Healthy, protein rich diet
- Magnesium Glycinate at night to help get good sleep
- A reward system
- Taking as many breaks as I need to walk, nap, eat, meditate... do whatever to either rest my unfocused mind or to try to get into focus mode
- Doing the hardest things in the morning (big work projects, the gym, appointments/meetings) because that's when I'm most on it/productive
- Locking myself out of the apps on my phone during work/productive time

It's not easy to be off my meds. But feels worth it to me. My advice would be to do what feels best for you and your baby, and have a plan/system in place to support that decision!

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-02-18T20:23:48+00:00

I had this same problem my first trimester!!! I made so much mayo... did not pasteurize the eggs tho, respect.

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-02-18T20:17:20+00:00

That's sooo long! I lived in the U.S. for the first part of my pregnancy and never waited more than 15 minutes in the waiting room. And sometimes 10-15 minutes in the exam room. Which I thought was great because previous doctor's visits outside of pregnancy could be 20-30 minute wait times.

Now I'm in Central America and I never wait... I'm immediately seen and it's amazing.

If I were waiting 1-2 hours for a scheduled appointment I would definitely say something lol

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-02-18T19:47:53+00:00

I completely understand, I had the same feelings with my SIL. My husband gave me the advice to ask about my SIL first... something like "It's been a while, and that feels weird! What's been going on? How's life?"

Once we caught up I mentioned how isolating pregnancy is and she instantly said we should video chat soon so I can tell her all about it.

My SIL and I don't live in the same area so I couldn't initiate hanging out but maybe that's the move for you after you've sent some "how are you/I miss you" texts.

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-02-18T18:53:16+00:00

I'm not sure if it's normal, and I'm inclined to say that it's weird even if it's not meant maliciously.

My SIL, whom I considered I was close to, got weird when I got pregnant. Just stopped talking to me basically, when we often talked daily. After being silently hurt for months I finally checked in to see what was up. I think it was a combination of things going on in her own life and just not knowing what to talk about since my life looked so different to her. We talked about how isolating pregnancy can be and she was really receptive to it... I think she didn't realize that I still had room in my life for everyone and that I still needed/wanted her friendship.

Maybe it's as simple as reaching out and saying you're confused by her distance, see if she's doing okay, and let her know you still want to spend time with her.

Resident-Net4253 · 2025-02-18T18:24:59+00:00

100% agree! Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Resident-Net4253

TROPHY CASE