Today was my first Dr.'s appointment. Well, actually, it was my "intake" appointment (something new for me, but I guess it's the Pittsburg way?). I only met with a nurse today, there was no Dr. there. She had me pee in a cup, took my weight & blood pressure, and asked a million family history and pregnancy history questions. We left the appointment after 45 minutes knowing nothing more than we knew when we went in today. We have no better idea on our due date than we did when we went, and we have to go back on Thursday when there is a person there to run the ultrasound machine for our sonogram to determine due date and number of baby/babies. I was a little disappointed with the appointment, because I felt like if I didn't ask a question, then the information wasn't going to be offered to me. I don't like directing my care - that's why I go to a professional - I don't want to have to read all of the information myself and guide my care - I want them to do that for me. OK, so I'll get off of my soapbox, but I'm just a little discouraged at this point.
It has been 9 weeks. Today was the first that I saw of anybody (I called at 3 weeks pregnant) and today was the soonest that they could get me in. That was fine and understandable. However, they did have me in at 3 weeks to draw a blood test that told us absolutely nothing (apparently), because my hormone levels came back twice as high as they should have been. When that happened, they told us not to worry about it because that blood test wasn't reliable anyway. If it's not reliable, then why did we do it?! Then today (at my first "appointment" they had to draw blood again - it's routine to get a CBC at the first appointment). Did they not know that was routine when we drew blood six weeks ago? Oh well, another stick & another bill - just pay it and move on, right?
Also, it dawned on them today that Dr. likes to see patients for the first time around 10 weeks (that's next week for those of you having trouble doing the math 1+9=10). Apparently 3+7=10 didn't make sense to the staff 6 weeks ago when they were scheduling the sonogram with a technician instead of the Dr. Now she is booked for Thursday, and can't do my appointment then (I'll have the sono with a tech, not the Dr.), so now I have to go back on Monday for a "Dr.'s appointment"! That will make Tuesday, Thursday, and Monday back to back appointments! I should be a pro at hitting the cup by next Tuesday! I'm just a little frustrated (in case you can't tell) by the lack of communication going on in the office. Right now, I feel like I am being followed by a poorly trained office staff instead of a well trained physician. I'm not sure what they are going to find out differently within a five day span other than how much my weight fluctuates with meals!
Anyway, the good news is that my urine was clear, my blood pressure was 106/72 (seems a little low - that nurse always gets a low reading on me - but good, none the less), and I have gained 5 pounds so far. I was pleased, actually, with the weight gain, because I was afraid it would be more. I have been very nauseated, and the only thing that seems to help is to keep food in my stomach. I have been trying to snack on healthy snacks, but it still seems that I am constantly eating! My waist already measures at 36" around at the biggest point. That's depressing that it already takes an entire yard of fabric to go around me! Also, we tried to hear a heartbeat today with the Doppler, but I am not quite far enough along to hear anything yet, so we just heard a bunch of movement in there.
I went to eat lunch with the girls at school today after my appointment. That relieved all of my stress from the appointment and allowed me just to enjoy some time with them. It was a nice way to break up my day, and it is always good to see their smiling faces during the day!
Stay tuned for Thursday's update for more info on the whole baby/babies scenerio!
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