(pregnancy update, chatter, random mommy talk ahead)
Hey all!
This week (at least the back end of it) has sort of come up to bite my in the a-hem. I can’t believe it’s Thursday already! But more importantly, I can’t believe that FRIDAY is tomorrow, when I get my second u/s to see how this little bean is doing in here.
I want to continue to thank you all for your supportive comments over my total-freak-out-fear-fest that was this last week. I’ve been better this week. I know some of it has to do with the onset of morning sickness and random ligament stretching that tells things seem to be ‘doing what they do’. But more importantly, it’s me just CHOOSING to embrace this pregnancy for every day that I’m blessed with it.
How refreshing.
So, in the spirit of that embrace, I had my first perinatologist appointment today. It was supposed to be next week after I got the ‘looking good’ u/s, but they had a cancellation, so there I found myself. I arrived early, since I’ve never been to this particular hospital before, so I could figure out how the heck to find my way around. That part was easy.
I took my son with me, since he’s pretty much a veteran to all these appointments anyway. Plus, I figure, it’s an OB office…they’ll have toys and stuff right?
Wrong.
I DID bring him some things, I mean I’m not a totally inept parent. But one little draw/sketchy thing, a pack of flash cards, and a few random snacks does not hold a 3 year old’s attention span for THREE HOURS!!!!!!
Yes, I said 3 hours!
Apparently there were some medical emergencies warranting my doc’s attention. Gotta love a high-risk OB practice! So, luckily the staff was as nice as could be while my son went through alternating phases of following my directions, NOT following my directions, serving time-outs, and so on.
Finally I got to meet Dr. KeepMePregnant (that’s his name until I figure out something more creative). He was a super nice guy (and I’m pretty picky about ‘nice’ doctors since my experience with Dr. Nice himself). He even gave my son a stethoscope to bang on while we talked.
So the run down is this: I’m definitely at-risk for hyperemisis (severe morning sickness) and pre-term labor again, but he’s wants to be very proactive about each issue. So I left the office with three (COUNT THEM…THREE) prescriptions to manage my nausea and vomiting since he doesn’t want me to have any of the weight loss that I experienced with my first pregnancy. Then he discussed that I will start having progesterone injections (called 17P shots) starting at 16 weeks pregnant to help manage my pre-term labor. He said he may be aggressive with limiting my activity (and we both sort of chuckled at this, because as he was saying this, I was wrestling the stethoscope out of my son’s hands since he found it necessary to swing it around like a sling-shot) at even the slightest sign of cervical change or uterine cramping. He also suggested I stay at a high-risk doctor my whole pregnancy versus consulting with the peri and then going back to my regular OB.
I left feeling sooooo good that I had a doctor who was going to ’stress’ about all my complications for me! If it were not for the fact that my nerves were SHOT from dealing with my silly son for the better part of 4 hours, I might have even felt relaxed.
So, I go back in two weeks for another ‘well check’.
Now if I could only get some sleep today before my u/s tomorrow. Hmmm, maybe I could have my son whack me over the head with that stethoscope?
Dang, we gave it back.
13 comments
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September 10, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Melissa
Wow, I would say he was worth the wait!
I can’t wait to hear about the beautiful heartbeat tomorrow 
((HUGS))
September 10, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Alana-isms
Three hours? Bless your heart! (And your heiny for sitting that long! And your patience for trying to entertain a 3 year old with minimal toys…yikes!)
“Dr. KeepMePregnant” LOVE the name (and hope to “steal” it from you one day! ) I am thrilled for you…sounds like he listened and is truly placing you and your Baby’s best interests first. Yea!
Can’t wait to hear how the u/s goes.
September 10, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Shannon
Other than the long wait, with a 3 year old, sounds like your appointment went GREAT! can not wait to see the good news from your u/s tomorrow!
September 10, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Kellie
Good luck tomorrow with the u/s. I had pretty bad morning sickness and Zofran helped a little. Did they give you that one? Just becareful your caboose doesn’t…um…not really sure how to put this nicely. Do you see where Im going with this? ; ) If not send me a message and I’ll spell it out.
Rub that belly! : )
September 11, 2009 at 6:12 am
Eve
Yes, I know what you speak of with Zofran. And let me tell you, my doctor did NOT warn me about the constipation factor with that stuff last pregnancy! Yesterday, I got a script for Zofran (but sometimes insurance won’t cover as much as you need), so then Dr. KeepMePg gave me another one for daytime that’s a little less effective but cheap, and he also gave me Phenergen (sp?) but only for nighttime b/c it makes you crazy tired.
September 10, 2009 at 8:50 pm
babysmiling
Usually at the MFM I am the only one in the waiting room and get taken back within 5 minutes. But recently, there were 3 others in the waiting room (plus some partners) when I arrived. I was on bedrest — based on orders from the MFM! — and the only couch in the room was occupied by the one partner-less woman (couch hog!). I asked the receptionist if there was anywhere in the back I could lie down until my appointment, or if I should lie down in the car. She told me and DH that it would be at least a half an hour and we should go have lunch.
After 25 minutes they called my cell phone saying that they were ready for me, and I ended up sitting in that waiting room less than 5 minutes total. It was awesome. DH afterwards that the status quo of many doctors keeping people waiting for extended periods is totally unnecessary; since they know when they are behind, they could just call everyone and tell them to come later. He’s really into monetizing the value of his time and resents having to do nothing needlessly when he could be earning money.
Perhaps you could work out a similar arrangement the next time they are going to be 3 hours late (ahem, wtf?) and take your son to the park or something and have them call you.
Good luck tomorrow!
September 11, 2009 at 6:09 am
Eve
Yes, I think maybe doc’s should invest in those electronic coaster/blinking things that they give you at a restaurant! I had a hard time with bedrest and my appnts, too. Not because the doc ever ran late for them, but because the parking situation was TERRIBLE at the hospital where my doc was. I had to take myself to most of my appnts, and that meant I couldn’t get dropped off. Instead, I would have to walk the equivalent of at least a block or so when I was supposed to be on BEDREST. If I have to do BR again, I willl ask for a temporary handicapped sticker.
September 11, 2009 at 6:43 am
Lucy
Sounds like a great visit! GL today!!!
September 11, 2009 at 7:03 am
Amy from SK
Yay Eve…it sounds like your new Peri is going to take good care of you and they “know” what to expect from you and hopefully they can prevent some of the issues you had in your prior pregnant. At least that is what my doctor told me if we wanted to have another pregnancy. Once we saw that my body/cervix didn’t want to cooperate that well, they know how to better manage me the next time. As soon as dh heard “next time” he freaked out. That man thinks we are done after these twins, but maybe when they are older I can convince him that the whole ordeal was “fun” and we should try it again. LOL
Anyways, sorry for the rant but I’m so glad you are in good hands. Good luck at your ultrasound. I can’t wait to hear about it.
September 11, 2009 at 7:12 am
Chickenpig
I walked out on my OB TWICE when I was pregnant with the twins. The second time they left me sitting in the exam room for two hrs with my pants down and shirt up waiting for a growth US…and I had to eat, pee, and move. You just can’t keep a pregnant woman waiting that long! I yanked up my pants and went to the desk and told them to reschedule when they had someone available to see me. I’m glad the doc was worth the wait, but don’t let them make a habit of it, your time is valuable too.
I totally hear you about the parking thing. I live across the street from the hospital where my OB’s practice was, and I used to waddle over there rather than bother to take my car because the parking was so horrible. I wasn’t on bed rest, though, thankfully. Fingers crossed that you don’t have to go through THAT again
September 11, 2009 at 9:40 am
Beautiful Mess
Your doctor sounds great! Well, except for the wait. That was kind of a PITA.
Can’t wait to read an update today! Sending you lots of love!
*HUGS*
September 11, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Nishkanu
I am really glad for you that you have a pro-active doctor who is making sure to head things off before they get bad! Nothing like a plan in hand to reduce the anxiety level.
September 11, 2009 at 2:45 pm
MoDLin
This is a great post. I can see everything you went through so clearly. Those 3-4 hour visits are the pits! But I have to say I think your peri sounds fabulous. It’s great to know you’ll have an active, engaged partner in this whole process. Excellent!!!