Living in New Zealand as a doctor...

[@cheekyb71]

As a former student midwife here in New Zealand who left before graduation because of some of the things you mentioned, thank you for acknowledging how hard midwives work!! It is such a skilled yet under appreciated profession - and often even our ob/gyns fail to acknowledge it (you can't see the water in your own fish bowl)

[@OrWhatWeHave]

Is it true that all midwives in NZ are basically what we would call MGP (midwifery group practice) midwives in Australia? I.e. caseload care and on-call for births?

[@cheekyb71]

@@OrWhatWeHave not all, it's almost a 50/50 split between caseloading and core (hospital based). And it is common for midwives to cycle back and forth between the two over their career 😊

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

As a Brit with 4 kids, all born in different places (though the last two I was in the same house, #3 was a hospital delivery, #4 was at home with my regular midwife and another I'd met), I absolutely *loved* my midwives! I can't tell you how much the consistency of care makes a _massive_ difference. I had to move to a completely different place when I was 8 months pregnant with #2, and had the local and hospital midwives not been so brilliant, I would have been a total mess! I promise you, the *vast* majority of mums are incredibly grateful to our midwives.

[@cathy997]

Don't know if you'd be interested, but there's an interesting series on the yt channel Our stories about midwives in UK. Amazing people, and they work so hard, it's a shame they don't get acknowledged and recognized properly, especially financially.

[@jimrodarmel8512]

Bit of a tangent, your aphorism about water in your own fishbowl made me think about a bit of astronomy news that they're just now beginning to suspect that our solar system is moving through the cloud from a recent supernova.

[@ailsaphinoir5130]

It sounds harsh but I'm really, really glad you've managed to get out of the USA especially with what is going on there right now. Your kids will be safer, will have much better access to healthcare, good education etc. You've made a brave decision and a strong one.

[@resQfurppl]

i never thought i’d want to leave the state’s, thinking i live in the‘best country in the world’. since the big orange dump (trump) was in office, he ruined everything, corrupt people in every office … taking all our rights … it’s not the country i’ve known & grew up in 😢 i think often of leaving & what country i would want to live in. it’s not very realistic since i have 2 daughters & 5 grandchildren - it would be hard to live far from my whole family. NZ is beautiful & i think i could be happy there, but it’s SOOOO far from the east coast of America 🥺

[@nursejill1474]

So sad and true. Getting worse by the minute.

[@MiracleFound]

Yes. It is so true, you are so much better off.

[@catyburnam2915]

IKR? If i win te lottery i may move to NZ! I lived tere for 3 mos in 2000 and 2001.

[@AilsaPehi]

I breezed over your name and read your comment and thought hmmm, I don't remember making this comment 🤣. Name is so similar.

[@lillysanders2998]

Oh my lord! I am from Aotearoa born and raised and seeing your family completely embrace the Maori culture and Te reo maori. We are such a lucky country to have you here practicing. Nga mihi.

[@aarontorkil3556]

you're practicing culture appropriation which is racist, oh and was a name made up by a British colonist to go in a poem ..

[@MAORIguy25]

@@aarontorkil3556 kia Ora bro That’s not cultural appropriation. It’s cultural appreciation. Appropriation in NZ typically implies a foreign body financially benefiting from our (Maori) culture, without consulting us or having any dialogue about it I know ‘cultural appropriation’ is a bit of a buzzword rn, but it’s a term that has real meaning and use. If you’re gonna condemn someone for something, know what you’re talking about first

[@angb6616]

@Aaron Tor Do you need a hug? How are you feeling emotionally today?

[@aarontorkil3556]

@@angb6616 Well honestly kind of sad that the last settled land mass on planet earth with plants and animals had a group of humans arrive 700 years ago and burn the forests down and push the last remaining creatures from the Jurassic age to extinction , and how they would stab 12 year old girls through the chest to pin their bodies to the sand as they slowly bled out and died , to declare this land is now ours to the previous indigenous population

[@MissUnknown0071]

@@aarontorkil3556 i like how you get offended on behalf of others

[@hellokristi]

Hearing a doc express appreciation and concern for their staff is magical to me. As someone who has worked with snarky surgeons who belittle everyone in their perimeter this is so refreshing!

[@pjk1714]

They don't last for long here if they behave that way. Contact gets cut and so does paycheck.

[@hellokristi]

@@pjk1714 sadly my perpetrators were also the ownership of a private practice which meant no consequences for being a Dr. D!(k#3@d. I had to get out instead!

[@pjk1714]

@@hellokristi if it's a private group practice you can report to state medical board and hospital. We ousted a Dr that way with threats of insurance being cancelled due to 3 separate complaints. I refused care after what they did to another patient. Still sad even necessary.

[@hellokristi]

@@pjk1714 oh for sure! These guys were lovely to their patients and then jerks/abusive to staff. Patients were happy but their turnover is 40% annually.

[@allister.trudel]

Among surgeons is one of the highest rates of sociopathy. I don't remember the numbers but the only other one close to it is like CEO. It's really scary to think medical professionals can be sociopaths.

[@youiswhoyouis3304]

I can see the pain and discomfort in your voice at the thought of coming back to a post-Roe US. I'm so sorry that there are so many dedicated, caring, and well- educated physicians who feel threatened by this SCOTUS ruling... not just legally, but also for the safety of themselves, their families, and their patients. We'd love to have you back, but frankly... we're just happy to have you!

[@loriheller2500]

Well said!

[@pjk1714]

It's a different pace and mindset there. I'm glad as a joint venture, she and her husband can experience.

[@Happycactus-s1q]

Why? She ditched the US where the issues are, so she essentially ditched all her patients, as an OBGYN when she should be fighting for people to have their rights. She’s pathetic.

[@valley5530]

What?

[@PumpkinQueen1313]

@@Happycactus-s1q she left well before Roe vs Wade was overturned. Was she supposed to predict the future? Your Supreme Court has now made an OB/GYN's job practically impossible to do. And it was already rather difficult to do due to an insurance company-controlled, capitalist, overly saturated by church-owned hospitals, health system. If you're going to be entitled enough to expect her to uproot her family again and go back to the US (during a freaking pandemic), just to watch her patients be harmed and/or die, and risk jail time herself if she provides necessary healthcare, maybe you should get off your arse and fight for abortion access and medical privacy too. You're angry at the wrong person. Be pissed at the christofascists infiltrating every aspect of the US government and forcing the greater public to live by their " Christian morals" no matter the harm it causes.

[@jamesarchibald923]

My wife is a midwife here in New Zealand and it’s so nice to hear the appreciation for her vocation as often it feels like no one really understands or appreciates how much of themselves they pour into their work.

[@voltiss]

I'm Australian and it's so nice to hear about how positive the relationship with indigenous people in NZ is with those settled there. I know it's not perfect but it's leagues better than here.

[@anovemberstar]

absolutely. Trust me, it is def not all roses here, racism is still rife, although much of it is hidden, or subtle which makes it hard to challenge, BUT seeing how Aboringal people of Oz are treated, with the utter lack of attempt of the govt to engage with them, to work on solving issues created by colonisers, and basically doing nothing to improve health outcomes, is seriously depressing. That issue alone, makes us kiwi an Aussies much more long long far removed 82nd cousins rather than our anzac bros in arms.

[@eklectiktoni]

Can't be worse than what we have going on in the States 😬

[@JCHK.]

I was born in Australia but grew up in Fiji and NZ. I really love the Maori culture so much and felt so involved. Coming back to Australia as a 17 year old it’s very sad that there isn’t anything close to what we had in NZ.

[@bittersweet340]

@@anovemberstar NZ is still ahead in leading the indigenous rights and integration in our community, businesses and schools.

[@kahri8488]

Fellow Aussie here and YES!

[@chronicmanda]

As a born and bred New Zealander, I love that you are making such an effort to respect our culture here, to integrate into our society and to pronounce Te Reo correctly. It's wonderful.

[@sopyleecrypt6899]

I’m a Kiwi, I didn’t name my babies until after they were born. We had shortlists of names that we liked and spent the first few days getting to know our babies, and trying out the names to see which ones suited them.

[@eph2vv89only1way]

I’m Canadian and my son and my middle daughter had names before they were conceived! I told my then fiancé that I had considered naming my oldest a particular name but ended up going with another name. He said he liked the name and suggested we give our first girl together that name and I agreed. Then he suggested a name if we had a boy and I agreed to that name. Our son wasn’t conceived until about 9 months later and our daughter was conceived about 2 1/2 years after the conversation

[@carissajane9784]

I’m a kiwi too. I found out via an amniocentesis that I was having a girl so never even thought about boys names as I refused to let myself think about names until I knew if my baby was compatible with life. Once we knew we had thought of lots of different options and had a shortlist. As soon as she was delivered I took one look at her and new her name was Amethyst (not sure how much was due to the fact she looked purple and that’s where my brain went after being awake for 4 days straight labour for 3 days followed by an emergency C-section) I mean it was definitely on my list but not at the top until that moment. Interestingly her dad never saw her looking purple at all and he had a better view than me

[@alexawermuth1219]

Youre...a kiwi?

[@sopyleecrypt6899]

@@carissajane9784 Amethyst is a beautiful name, and my birthstone 🤩 I also felt that somehow naming my babies before they were here and safe was somehow unlucky? I’m not normally superstitious but it just felt safer to wait.

[@carissajane9784]

@@sopyleecrypt6899 thank you. Yes that makes sense. I have only really known one person who had fully committed to a name before their baby was born

[@susanhammond2724]

As a Kiwi, I had the sane midwife for my three pregnancies over a 7 year period. and she was amazing. Nothing was ever a problem. Midwives and Nurse's should definitely be paid and appreciated a lot more. They have a hard job.

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hello 👋 how are you doing?

[@Robert-cu9bm]

A SANE midwife they're far better than those insane ones.

[@karencorban607]

@susanhammond I hear you and I’m a kiwi who lives in Australia and is a Midwife

[@roisigillypuff]

I'm American and have temporarily moved to New Zealand (for a year to be an Au Pair) and I'm so fascinated by the linguistically differences. I would also like to mention the school difference of vacation time. The school year is split into 4 terms with two weeks off between each term (besides the school end around the holidays which gets more time off). I like this system better, feels like burnout wouldn't happen so much (I was a preschool teacher back home and toward the end of year there is a lot of burnout).

[@emilyfeagin2673]

I think the term system would be wonderful The US system is based on the antiquated ideals of Americans all being farmers

[@roisigillypuff]

@@emilyfeagin2673 I have heard that

[@YamiHoOu]

@@emilyfeagin2673 wasn't it actually based off the richer families not wanting their children to be in hot schools over the Summer? Cause harvest times are usually Autumn

[@jeringatai3156]

the end of the year holiday is about 6 weeks. Tbh even as a kid 6 weeks felt long 😂 I would miss the other kids, not just my friends but the ones I were "competitive" with

[@kahri8488]

The school set up is the same here in Australia too :)

[@persistentfantasy]

I'm an Aussie, and my husband and I drove around the South Island of NZ for our honeymoon, and were blown away with how WELL the country treats the Maori people and culture. I'm sure there are still issues, but there are many countries (Australia certainly included) who could learn a thing or two dozen about respecting Indigenous culture!

[@millykay3209]

As a fellow Aussie I 100% agree, I wish our indigenous culture was integrated into our daily lives the way New Zealanders integrate the Maori culture into their lives.

[@Asharra12]

Got that right!

[@mfanwelikeit3760]

I can say, working in education, there is a much bigger focus now for educating our kids on indigenous culture vs 20 years ago when it was all English culture and English colonising perspectives. Getting there, but a lot more work needs to happen. We can’t have the local language as a second language unless it’s delivered by a First Nations person, so that really makes it hard for schools who want to teach it if they can’t find a qualified person. We need to really work on making future teachers in our indigenous population.

[@Asharra12]

@@mfanwelikeit3760 I'm in education as well, and while there is some progress in things like Acknowledgement of Country, most schools having an Indigenous Ambassador and similar things, the curriculum has changed very little with the exception of history. All the other subjects while they say they want to include Indigenous perspectives, the unspoken message is "don't include it". I remember wanting to design an arts unit in Uni that celebrated Indigenous culture. I had an Indigenous foster child at the time, and therefore, had a lot of contact and experience with Indigenous culture (for a caucasian person) and a bunch of contacts to help me design it well. When I explained my assignment idea to my unit coordinator (another caucasian for context), I was told to not do it because I would get marked down because there was no way to do it right, even with the resources I had knowing many people from Indigenous mobs and a few Elders. That was a repeated experience throughout uni and now in actual teaching. The closest you come to indigenous culture is dot painting in art, which is just so disappointing. They also do very little to equip non-Indigenous teachers with the communication skills needed to properly teach Indigenous students (such as lack of eye contact, revolutionary for wokring with these kids when I found that out). And while the polifieration of Indigenous officers in government areas is helpful, my foster child found they were less interested in helping and more interested in telling him how he needed to be Indigenous instead of letting him decide for himself, while providing little resources to actually help him connect with his culture (I found most of them for him). Australia could definitely learn a lot on this area from New Zealand because we do so badly with it

[@anonymous-cx7ng]

@@millykay3209 no

[@emppulina]

I recently learned that midwives were the first female profession to get (1 year) university training here in Finland. The government / king decided in the 18th century that midwives should be trained by a medical doctor at university. Medical dr's were relatively rare at the time and most health care (minor surgeries etc.) was done by male health-care workers (välskäri) with some training. The midwives were paid by the local communities / towns, and they got similar salary than those male health care workers. Poor people got the service free, while the wealthier ones paid some extra. Since 19th century there has been separate midwife colleges. They were one of the first specialised schools beside teacher training to exist. As far as I understand midwives were the easiest accessible health care workers in many localities. My granny used to talk of them with great respect.

[@lizhenderson9804]

I'm pregnant with my second and I chose to use a midwife this time. I filled out an online form with the practice and I was in. And the best part is, it's covered by Ontario (Canada) health insurance. Like you mentioned, if any complications occur, they'd still follow me, but refer me to an OB. I think it's a great way of doing things!

[@jennbeammakes]

UK antenatal care is midwife led too. I had consultant care with my second (thanks to a shoulder dystocia - Al fine in the end - with my first) but even then the vast majority of monitoring was with my community me, just a few extras with the consultant obs and gynae team

[@Kc-dq7zj]

That's real cool. I wish the US would do that.

[@Shridra]

I live in New Brunswick and there's been a lot of women who have recently moved here from Ontario and then been surprised that midwifery is not really an option here except in a very small area (a "pilot program" in Fredericton and area)

[@pjk1714]

@@Shridra I'm glad they finally put a pilot plan in place with shortages and timelines. It does work and our hospital welcomes them once certified to practice on site. Big help with floor.

[@Shridra]

@@pjk1714 unfortunately it's been a pilot program since 2016 and despite overwhelming success and wait lists for it they haven't expanded it at all

[@brightspirit1]

As an American doctor who has been in NZ since 2007, this is a very accurate assessment of life in NZ.

[@cymrugoch]

And thank you for speaking up for NZ midwives. They need more support.

[@brookeiscool101]

Your pronunciation attempts were admirable and super close! So nice to know some people in our beautiful country get to be seen by you while you are here

[@jacquilucquin8206]

Hi Dr Jones! I am a long-time viewer and big fan of your channel. I am also a NZer (but i have not lived there in over 5 years) so it is great to hear of your experience in Aotearoa, and your take on life, culture etc. I am so impressed with your commitment to embracing NZ and Maori culture and language... i recognise and appreciate your efforts with te reo on this video, though that is no surprise since how incredibly respectful you are in general. Thank you for this video, it is a particularly endearing video for me, combined with your usually friendly, intelligent and articulate self. 😍👍

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hello how are you doing?

[@melindacousins8148]

New Zealand is beautiful. I'm in Australia and my care with my 3 pregnancies was shared between my GP, OBGYN and Midwife from the hospital l was delivering in. I had long labours and two emergency c sections so l had the OBGYN step in. My last baby was a planned c section. My partner is American from Pennsylvania so l have a small understanding of how healthcare and schools work in the US. He's moving here permanently later this year. Thank you for the vlog MDJ. Edited to add that l am glad to live somewhere where women have access to legal abortions. I feel for my American sisters.

[@pedanticm]

I had a friend who lived in New Zealand for a bit, docking lamb's tails at farms for room and board. She said the people were the most beautiful, loving, understanding people she'd ever met. I'm glad you're having a similar experience.

[@AL-cg4vb]

Omg that's a horrific poor animals

[@shannoncarlile385]

@@AL-cg4vb it's needed, prevents fly strike that can kill a sheep

[@hopetikvah4906]

@@AL-cg4vb It's for their own wellbeing. Don't judge practices you aren't educated about.

[@jessmPS]

Its so fun and wonderful how much the kids are adapting to the Maori language in their day to day lives

[@knotheadusc]

Love the little musical interlude with the kids! So cute! I am an American in Germany. Been here almost 8 years, and don't want to leave anytime soon. The USA is becoming more nightmarish by the day.

[@nevadag606]

An American who visited Germany,.. I wish I could move. It seems so heavenly compared to the debacle that is happening here

[@va.1943]

My husband is Texan and I'm German, we chose to raise our kid in Germany. His main compliant is the lack of ACs here 😄

[@robynw6307]

I'm across the ditch in Melbourne, Australia, so hearing the comparisons was interesting. Our medical system isn't identical to NZ but it's much more similar than the US system. I hope you and your gorgeous family decide to stay in the Southern Hemisphere for a few more years.

[@ydoowj]

I love the phrase "across the ditch"!

[@biancajc]

Does AUS also have free health care?

[@FionaEm]

@@biancajc Sometimes it's free and sometimes we pay. Depends on the doctor & whether you see them through the private or public system.

[@AstralAu]

@@biancajc AUS - It is free if you go through the public system. This is funded by Medicare in Australia, which is a universal social access programme to let people be seen and treated in a public system with minimal to no costs directly to the person. This also provides SOME free visits to the GP (Family physician) if they agree to "Bulk Bill" meaning they will only charge Medicare for the appointment, not the patient. Sadly, as the Federal Government hasn't really increased the payment figure of Bulk Billing per patient, it is getting more difficult in some more expensive places to find a GP who is able to Bulk Bill. You can also take out Private Health Insurance which is very similar to the US system. Essentially, they will pay for you to be seen at a Private Hospital, but you may have to pay an Out of Pocket fee for the surgeon and anaesthetist. PHI also helps cover other things such as glasses, dentist appointments etc if you take PHI Extras (You can select Hospital and / or Extras cover). On the point of Dentistry, in Australia, Medicare does not cover working adults. Only school attending children, and adults who are on low incomes or welfare, can access public dentistry. In NZ, I believe there is no Bulk Billin to visit the GP, and everyone has to pay a fee unless again, they are a school attending child, and I am not sure about adults on welfare?

[@DunkleNacht15]

With all the shooting, and other bad things happening in the USA, why would anyone ever wanting to go back... And New Zealand is such a beautiful country

[@harvestmoon_autumnsky]

Funny (but not really) how I've had multiple conversations with people who have family outside of the US that are considering moving. We are a sinking ship.

[@Frau.Kanzlerin]

For me it is family ties keeping me here. We rely on our families for support in various aspects of life including child rearing and even employment. I work for my parents' company, so I have an advantage here in that regard. These factors are gradually becoming less essential given the state of our country, especially since I live in Alabama specifically. 😅 I would find it very difficult to even move to another state, much less another country. Another thing is how difficult I assume it is to immigrate to such a lovely country and the costs associated with that. Seems like you'd have to be in a really good financial position to pull that off. Also I think my family (extended) would absolutely freak out because we see them several times a week at the moment. But that's just my personal situation. I can see why others would find it much more immediately desirable. Ask me again in two years LMAO

[@RandomEdits084]

Try New Zealand cost of living. 😂🤣You think $4/gallon gas is bad? Try double or triple that. NZ is a beautiful country, if you can afford it. As far as I know, most of people are struggling financially and lives a bill after bill life around me.

[@DunkleNacht15]

@@Frau.Kanzlerin I absolutely understand that, in that situation would stay too, but if your all ready outside, why go back?

[@DunkleNacht15]

@@RandomEdits084 ooooh Okey didn't know that 😅😅 ther are other Beautiful places to live, outside the USA 😅😅

[@jennbeammakes]

I miss working in NZ so much watching this! I did my second postgraduate year in Christchurch before I started surgical and later GP training back in the UK. This video has made me very homesick for NZ.

[@Seamstressy]

Thank you so much for trying to pronounce the Māori words. It looks like you're using great resources to help you and you're getting better with practice. So cute to hear that your kids are picking up the local language and intonation too. I think we used to have Benadryl here in Aotearoa when I was young. All the instrument name changes sound hard to get used to! So much learning! You've already been through our summer, but I really encourage you to take good care to protect yourself and your family against our UV outside of winter, since it is a big killer here. I look up UV index forecasts to get an idea of what protection I need. I'm glad you're enjoying it here and I hope you can all stay for longer if you'd like to. I was so excited to see that you were moving here!

[@m.l.b.2908]

The Benadryl we have here is the cough liquid range. The Benadryl she's referring to is an antihistamine commonly prescribed to people for sleep etc... They're totally different products. It confused the hell out of me when I first encountered people from North America talking about it. I thought they were trying to find cough mixture with a high alcohol content so they could drink themselves to sleep for cheap, lol. I was like "What kind of doctor recommends this?!".

[@barbsmart7373]

@@m.l.b.2908 That is hilarious.

[@vanessaneal2758]

Yes, spring is when we are at most uv risk because the hole in the ozone is bigger in spring. So that is a timely reminder

[@allykatblue]

I agree with you, the midwifery system here needs massive increase in funding. It’s so important! When we think about midwives being the first health professionals caring for the new people coming into this world, it’s so important they are looked after, paid adequately and given all the resources they need!

[@jazelephant]

I lived in NZ from the ages of 3-16 and I’m in Austin right now. Seeing your journey is so cool and it’s like I’m reliving my time there. I’m so happy that you’re enjoying your time there, I wish I was back with my friends and family in Aotearoa. Life is so different and I preferred it way more than the average Texan life. Enjoy your time

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hello 👋 how are you doing?

[@seethaldoki448]

Would you want to move back if you could?

[@FrostyFate]

It made me so happy to see you speaking te reo! You're doing a fantastic job with learning pronounciation. It still needs work haha, but you care about putting in effort and after 6 months you're making teriffic progress. Ka pai e hoa

[@MP-dm1og]

I have been watching your channel for some time now, thank you for standing up for bodily autonomy and rights. I’m glad you like living in New Zealand. It’s truely a unique country.

[@emmajohson767]

So excited to see this. As a future doctor who wants to travel the world it’s great to hear that others are doing it as well.

[@momdownunder8125]

I am glad to hear that you are happy in New Zealand. When I gave birth to my child in Wellington, I found that quite a few of the midwives were trained obstetricians in their home country, but they found the process to convert their qualifications very difficult and then decide to rather train as a midwife.

[@tianabirmingham8606]

My Mum's family is from a small farming down about half an hour from Invercargill on the south island, and seeing that you guys have moved to that area really warms my heart!

[@abbybrown638]

Don't come back. We're a mess, it's heartbreaking to hear Dr's on the new share their stories. You don't deserve to go through that second hand trauma. No one does. Do you know if they need therapists? Im going to school rn. I'm trying to find a way tf out. Rubbish is a fun word.

[@EmilyEllis95]

There is a need for more therapists in NZ. I am from New Zealand and I am currently studying as well

[@maddieguise1309]

It's so good to have specialists coming in and staying in NZ. Dr Jones, welcome and please stay 😄 Our health systems has been struggling so much since COVID. We need more like you

[@sophieirwin3497]

New Zealand is exactly like the Uk; we pay National insurance that covers medical visits, but to get a specialist appointment you have to go through your GP. It wasn’t so bad until the pandemic happened; now getting a GP appointment for said referral is a minefield

[@RJHail]

I was thinking a lot of the way the healthcare, nursery hours (kindergarten) and school etc are set up is very like the UK.

[@jodishapiro9257]

I’m Israeli and for specialist appointments I also have to go through my GP but I can usually just send a message through the patient portal and I get the referral sometimes in the the same day.

[@Smudgie33]

NZ was under British rule and is part of the commonwealth so it’s very English. I always used to say it’s similar enough not to get homesick (I lived there 25 years ago and am from England) minus the negative parts of the UK. lol

[@XSemperIdem5]

I'm in the U.S. and I have to go through my GP for a referral too. Way back when I had Kaiser (one of our insurance companies that have all their own facilities) they did have an OBGYN at the regular clinic and the nurse's station could send you directly to ophthalmology (since it was in the building). But otherwise I have always needed referrals at every insurance company I've been with. I think the fancy insurance plans give you more flexibility to go straight to specialists and obviously if you pay cash as well.

[@MsPomeranianlover]

Except in the UK, GP visits are free.

[@lilicorn7963]

I am moving to nz at the end of the year and a little secret hope that I have would be to bump into you some day. I would like to tell you in person how grateful I am for your help and your content. You helped me understand a lot about my body and even made me realize what was ok and what was not regarding what doctors do to my body. I changed gynecologist to one that is much more respectful of my wishes and consent. So thank you so much

[@dabadllama]

Your pronunciation is good! Always good to practice but you are doing great. Ka Pai Mama Doctor Jones, keep up the great work. Health care is a hard career and we greatly appreciate having you here, kia kaha. Sending much aroha your way. From an appreciative kiwi who lives in Chrictchurch. X

[@lindabodewes7824]

I’m actually impressed that you’ve made such an effort to learn Te Reo and Māori culture.

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hello how are you doing?

[@baldydisco]

A really interesting Q & A thanks ! It's great to have dedicated and passionate medical specialists from overseas helping out in parts of NZ that are sometimes difficult to staff. It's great to hear you've been welcomed so well by the hospital and community and all the nice things you have to say about our country.

[@JosieMosietv]

Thank you so much for this video! I'm planning on studying midwifery (I'm a kiwi) and I love how you spoke about them and the healthcare system overall here in Aotearoa. This is a very real situation and it's great to here your perspective on it

[@angb6616]

Thank you for continuing to share your life. I felt the pain in your voice talking about Texas. We all have to see what happens here in the States and just knowing that you feel it too helps me. That being said, thank you for being as inclusive (as usual) as you can to the new cultures and having the corrected pronunciation in the edit. It is a difficult thing to get accent/inflection right but I think you’re doing great and respectfully. I loved your son saying “ I don’t care” about the move. So mind-meltingly adorable. 💖 Keep up the very much needed good works you do. I found it fascinating to learn that the midwives do so much but as you say, they really could re-evaluate that system so they don’t become overworked. It’s great you get to work on more specialized medicine than the mundane, but I’d still love you as my main doctor for every thing. I refer as many people as I can to your channel.

[@sophieirwin3497]

I was nameless for three days after birth. Basically my mum found out I was a girl and my dad didn’t want to know so when my dad brought up talking about potential names he cottoned on that my mum knew my gender. So they didn’t discuss it to not ruin the surprise for my dad. My mum did so well that my dad thought I was a boy! Then when I was born they had to brainstorm names for me.

[@cariwaldick4898]

I love the name Sophie--they chose well.

[@Hiforest]

My kids (other than my first who had a name before she was born) I took over 2 weeks to decide on. The longest wait was with my second, she didn't have a name for 29 days. She was concerned I hadn't named her siblings straight away until I told her she was nameless for nearly a month. She was "the bump" for 4 weeks after she was born until I decided. My Aunt calls her "Maria Bump" and she hadn't realised why until then. Definetly nothing wrong with waiting, although I was under pressure to hurry up and decide with all of mine (probably why 17 year old me just stuck to the first name I thought off).

[@cariwaldick4898]

@@Hiforest When my mom had me, the name she picked out was Corinne Michelle. They woke her up after the delivery, and asked her what she wanted to name her daughter. "Cari Bernice." She'd never heard the name before. Maybe it's good to take some time and think about it. Maybe there would be fewer weird names, if we had time to fall in love with the baby before calling it "Toycar, Blanket, Moon Unit, North, or Asshole (pronounced Ashoale`.)

[@Hiforest]

@@cariwaldick4898 My Mum desperately wanted to call me Prudence but everyone hated it and she called me Louise (which was the most popular name for about a decade before and after I was born - girls were either called Louise or it was their middle name). My grandparents hated me having such a popular name so they called me Lucy instead - I accepted I had 2 names growing up without question, but I wonder if it ever bothered my Mum they refused to call me by the name she chose.

[@Hiforest]

@@cariwaldick4898 I love the name Bernice, you don't hear it very often and it's very pretty. I like names that have become less common, it's a better option then weird spellings or inanimate object names.

[@stevieray5039]

So incredibly cool to see one of my KZbin idols that’s helped me get through my bachelors and aim for medical school in New Zealand! So much aroha for you and your family, and for you especially after seeing Roe v Wade get overturned. ❤️

[@miltonlee5510]

Loved this video, keen for another one like it! When I went to school here there was very little education on Te Ao Maori. I'm now starting a medical degree (at 33yo) and the younger generation are much more aware and educated in this space. I don't know what I don't know on the cultural context front and am keen to hear what you think healthcare professionals need to do to be culturally literate / help patients feel safe in NZ.

[@marciabinninger2840]

I used to work for an amazing OB GYN practice. I get the feeling you are awesome too work for. Introvert vs extrovert I get the feeling you are really down to earth and treat people the way you want to be treated.

[@StephanieThompson07]

Ka pai for your update. We love having you in Aotearoa!

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hello 👋 how are you doing?

[@randischneider23]

Yes! Been talking about your move to New Zealand with my OBGYN at appointments. We have both been waiting!!!

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

My eldest is a scientist, and the year before he got his PhD he was awarded a travel grant (he actually won it without applying for it 🤷🏻‍♀️) so he could go to conferences. One was in Auckland - he had about 48 hours there (from the UK!) - and totally fell in love with the country and its people. As a very outdoorsy person (recently married to a similarly outdoorsy lady; my new daughter ☺️), they love where they are but it would not surprise me in the slightest if they decided to emigrate. I wouldn't blame them at all! I'd miss them dreadfully but at least these days it's easy to connect. I'm glad you're having so much fun there. It's the only country I've ever *really* wanted to visit.

[@catherinekenyon7555]

Mandy, make it happen. :)

[@sarahdillman7069]

I’m so glad things are going well for you and your family in New Zealand!

[@savanahkelly1991]

I just want to say a massive thank you for every video that you do! I’ve just been diagnosed with stage 1 cervical cancer and go in for my hysterectomy next week (I’m 30 and don’t have any kids) your videos on HPV and the importance of the vaccine is something that I’m constantly showing my friends who are just finding out about my diagnosis. I did have the vaccines growing up but for the last 5 years have had abnormal paps and my old Gynocology never did a colposcopy. Thankfully I listened to my body that something wasn’t right and saw a new one who is incredible!

[@anevandyk2]

I am SO happy for you and your family. A lot of respect- making such a big move is incredibly hard. You are an inspiration 🤍

[@Miss_Dis]

Kiwi here! Knowing that you're trying your hardest with your pronunciation is plenty 😊 being genuine is super important and trying your hardest is plenty for us kia kaha xo

[@Safire-Blu]

I’m from New Zealand myself so I’m glad that you and your family are enjoying it here!

[@sophiafern]

Indigenisation of medicine is so so needed and it's great to see New Zealand take those first steps

[@lauramorgan27]

yea we definitely need witch doctors. it sucks when your appendix becomes possessed.

[@SnaturallyMe1]

Doctor Mama Doctor Jones...thank you for being you. All of your advice has helped me so much. I'm currently trying to conceive and your videos have helped tremendously (as well as visits to my OBGYN). Again, your work is amazing and I will never be able to express my full gratitude for your time. 🥰

[@britainwh2700]

I loved hearing about your time in New Zealand and medical differences or lack of differences in medicine! Thank you!

[@ferninthehouse]

this was really interesting to watch, not just from the doctor perspective but just moving to another country. i would love to move to another country as im also from the US and also not thrilled with our state of affairs. im still young so im not in a place to go anywhere yet. but hopefully one day.

[@nfboogaard]

Get a good education, but expect the same degree outside the US to be of a higher level. Get your international employer to sponsor your immigration move. Or marry someone there of course ;)

[@A_nony_mous]

Look at preferred professions in the countries you're interested in moving to and start applying for visas sooner rather than later - the process can take a while.

[@KMFFrazier]

I'm a primary care PA in the US and I'm actually considering making the leap with my family. Seems like a much healthier environment for a healthcare provider who really values work-life balance and social/cultural support. Love it!

[@CorwinFound]

You look really great. Well rested and a bit glowy. NZ seems to be suiting you very well and glad to hear the rest of the family is thriving.

[@Trilling0Fong]

So glad the move has gone well and you’re finally in NZ! Gutted you’re aaaalllll the way down the end of the South Island as I’ve been looking for a good gyno for soo long now!!

[@sherihall4354]

Hey there, I just watched this for the second time and I wanted to say thank you so much for the care and effort you have made to learn about the Maori culture and the importance of recognising it in delivering health care services in New Zealand. I had tears in my eye as you spoke about it and about trying to do Te Reo Maori justice. Arohanui!

[@violetlefae7902]

This is so interesting! I'm glad you got out of the US right now and are loving it there!

[@auntiem0thman]

I love these little glimpses into your home life! Your kids are precious 🥰

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hello how are you doing?

[@BlueEagleNewZealand]

Thank you for your services and sacrifices. You and your family are blessings to NZ. 🇳🇿🇺🇸

[@cjlaw0137]

As someone in NZ who is currently under a hospital gyno care, the time it takes from getting referred to getting an appointment is hideous. It was almost a year for me, this is just to get my IUD removed because they couldn't get it out at my GPs office, and they cancelled and rearranged my appointment 4 times, and I only got in cos I actually made a complaint to the DHB. And I live in a non rural area. I love our health system, and the midwives in the community especially need way more support and recognition than they do get.

[@kinny.559]

As someone who is born and raised in Southland it's so nice to hear you are enjoying living there! It's a beautiful place and NZ is lucky to have your expertise. Thank you for your informative content 😊

[@Lightningboltracing]

Watching this in late July… would love to see your update on roe v wade with Texas in particular. So many horrible situations are happening for women every day.

[@kirstynweinberg]

Please do this Post Roe V Wade abortion ban. Mama Dr. Jones, you mentioned that you have strong opinions on the states of affairs in the post Roe world. I'm in NYS; we've been able to access safe reproductive health care since before RvW. We're still that way and are considered a safe haven state to the point where we're working on it now for the state constitution. My governor is female and is pushing hard for legalization. Contact me for more info and I'll get it for you.

[@theurbanfarm202]

This was totally fascinating!! Thank you for bringing us along on your journey!

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hello 👋 how are you doing?

[@jaclynkay237]

I’m sure you’ll never see this but I wanted to tell you how much I love your videos! I’ve had Gyno issues my whole life and ended up having to get a hysterectomy 2 years ago because of very painful endometriosis. I wish I would’ve found you before all of it, but I’m still thrilled to follow you now! 😊

[@michellewaters1246]

I enjoyed you video today about moving to New Zealand. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Would love to hear more.

[@althyastar]

Ahhhh I’ve been waiting for this update!

[@BreCheese000]

We are currently in nz now for a scouting mission since we have wanted to move here for awhile. Such an amazing place in everyway. We can't wait to move here! I'm an engineer and my husband is a Cad drafting and designer so our prospects are favoring us 🤞❤️

[@HelloMoto_]

Great video, thank you. Things are so bad here in the states that a huge goal of mine is to graduate and practice elsewhere. Raise my future kids somewhere they’ll be safe, and somewhere where there’s time for family, and to actually enjoy life. I really wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to come back. I think the pay cut is definitely worth the peace of mind.

[@summerholt112]

This was super interesting! My husband and I are seriously considering moving out of country with our children, largely due to the state of the country as it is and as it’s going. And I found this VERY informational! We have been more so considering Canada just because it’s still attached to the US lol but we want to keep our options varied

[@resourcedragon]

Australian perspective regarding the baby naming issue: quite a lot of the people I work with will say, "We've asked them not to tell us the sex of the baby," they've had an ultrasound but they want the baby's sex to be a surprise. So, in those families there's always some uncertainty about the baby's name until it's been born.

[@jayjames7502]

Welcome to NZ! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us! Xx

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hello 👋 how are you doing?

[@raeperonneau4941]

I’m soooo jealous! I would love the opportunity to live in New Zealand. It is such a magical place with beautiful people!

[@kennedeesmith3114]

I’m quickly learning that even in my own country 🇨🇦 that money doesn’t mean much if you’re not happy. Taking a pay cut and loving your life makes a huge difference on my mental health. You’re living my dream. I’m glad you and the family are doing well. I hope to one day even visit NZ but to move there is a dream.

[@roor6846]

It's interesting about the naming babies. As far as I know, in Ireland it's typical to have a few names narrowed down but then when the baby arrives the selections might not "fit"; I was unnamed for about a week, as was my niece. Probably varies from family to family, sometimes the selection is more certain, my cousin has loved a particular name since we were about 12, I remember having a conversation about it. She had her first child at 30, that name stuck.

[@jeringatai3156]

in NZ the parents will discuss baby names with each other. so most will already have a few names before baby is born but even then wont name the baby until days or even months later. the only time a baby will be named before is if they are being named after someone.

[@aearnshaw9800]

I just ordered from Amazon Australia for the first time and had the products within four days of ordering. I hope you stay here in NZ....we need you. Thanks.

[@ange76prkr]

It sounds like the NHS when it comes to referral to specialists. There's a lot more structure now, but it felt like the system hasn't changed all that much at a GP level since before 2020. The waiting lists can be frustrating but thanks to watching your videos I've been able to advocate more for myself.

[@lauraharlow2088]

The amount of effort you’ve put in to learning the culture and educating people about it, with Maori culture and language, and with your family! The respect you show means so much and is so nice to see ❤️

[@vivianeharalamb]

Thanks you I m working on a dissertation for my master on telehealthcare in rural countryside in my country and what you described is the organisation the state wants to install. So thanks a lot I'm going to look after research papier on rural healthcare in NZ . May I say you're work on YT is the best.💛💚💙💜

[@katiemarshall4340]

Hi MDJ, wanted to talk to my mum first before watching. NZ is the same as here in the UK. Mum being a now retired midwife it is hard but if it's properly funded the job is so rewarding and fulfilling. Mum actually went to her in union rep to change the shift structure and won, woohoo Go Mum! It's so good to see you having a great time in Aoteroa.

[@arcticxabyss]

it's good that you and your family are enjoying life in New Zealand.

[@NZKiwi87]

Thank you for trying with Te Reo! It’s really seen and appreciated 👍

[@souledout08]

My brother moved to Turkey last year (he'd worked there for several months intermittently before, but this was the whole enchilada - minus citizenship). He visited for a few weeks recently and made an absolute point of getting as much California Mexican food as possible! :)

[@MsAlien911]

Oh, hi. 😊 Just ran across this, and normally i shun foreigners talking about my country on youtube, but i did watch your whole video. Very good. Welcome to NZ. We are lucky to have you. Subscribed.

[@salamanda11]

I’m glad your family doing well in NZ! 🧡

[@montyollie]

LOVED this. Thank so much for the peek into your life. Love that you are loving it.

[@Nikkilou36]

So glad yall are having a great experience there! I would love to visit one day, bc it looks absolutely gorgeous! I hope things keep going well and yall get to stay longer 💙💙

[@jeunessedelrosario5814]

I grew up in NZ! It's such an amazing environment and the people are so nice. I am so glad you've enjoyed your time here!

[@caitlindayman2469]

That’s interesting about the baby naming process. I live in Australia and even though I picked my sons name around 16 weeks we didn’t commit to it or announce it until my son was born. I wanted to make sure it suited him 😊

[@jimrodarmel8512]

Thanks for another fascinating video. I especially liked the little examples of how your kids are easily learning aspects of the unique culture and language there. I'm sure their lives will be much richer for it, however long you all decide to stay there. I liked how your youngest said "I don't care" to the question of moving, so many kids are resistant to any change in their routine. I was struck by the special spookiness of three kids in quarantine playing a game that commemorates a deadly plague from long ago ("ashes, ashes, we all fall down!") I also want to commend you for working around your difficulty with foreign language pronunciation by looking up sound clips of the proper examples. So many people on the internet just blow it off if they have difficulty with names and phrases. Your care and sensitivity was refreshing to me, as I work to get these things right in my own speech and writing.

[@shannoncarlile385]

As a new Zealander can I ask, is it different living here than visiting? I feel vistors always think we're a picture perfect country when things are a lot different

[@gingeezus27]

I'm an American who moved here 8 years ago when I was 21 and although I can see faults in NZ I also think it's WAY better than when I lived in the states when it comes to health care, government help, and work culture.

[@seraramsbotton781]

I hear you Shannon. Especially when Americans have moved here post 2020 it's almost like they're unaware of so many realities that exist. Especially for those who live where I do ( in Northland). It's not even really fair to compare our tiny (land and population) to much larger ones. Our health services especially can't keep up with our needs right now even.

[@LorraineinPNW]

I saw this video this morning and had to watch! How exciting that your family is thriving and loves it there!

[@stormchasingirl1133]

I have always thought I didn’t belong in the US. I am LOVING this NZ story. Please tell us more.

[@jamie6078]

An interesting note on returning tissue and Māori tikanga/customs is that the word 'whenua' translates to both 'land' and 'placenta'. Māori have deep spiritual connections to the land they are born in, and it is customary for the whenua/placenta to be buried where the infant's body would eventually be buried. Just thought you'd be interested in the connection!

[@AC-cg4be]

The US has this culture of "I LIVE TO WORK AND THAT MAKES ME AWESOME!!!!!" It's really not. There's a reason Americans are so freaking unhappy. I'm glad to see your work/life balance is better where you are.