Monday, November 23, 2009

A Normal OB Patient

I remember the first time that I was pregnant. I was shocked, shocked, shocked when they said that they didn't want to see me until 8 weeks and even more shocked, shocked, shocked that there would be no ultrasound until 11 weeks. ELEVEN.

Well, we all know that it ended up being irrelevant what week they wanted to see me at, because I lost the baby long before the 11th week came up. Or the 8th for that matter. Which is probably why the don't schedule people for ultrasounds any earlier, now that I come to think of it.

When I was pregnant with Will, I thought waiting until 6 weeks, 2 days for our first ultrasound was torture. This morning, I called my OB's office. I explained my situation and requested an early ultrasound.

Nope, no way. My first ultrasound will be on January 5, 2010.

Apparently, my OB is way overbooked and understaffed, and because I delivered a healthy baby, I am now considered a "normal" OB patient.

I know, that's great. Right? Right.

I still don't feel normal, I still feel very scared. I know seeing the baby on ultrasound guarantees nothing, even if we see a healthy heartbeat, it doesn't mean that we will have a healthy baby. I learned that lesson the hard way, when Gummy Bear died. I know that things can still happen, but a quick little peek would have helped rest my worries just a tiny bit.

Well, here's to being normal. . . and to January 5. I guess it will come sooner than I think?

Edited: There is a reason why I love my OB. . . a few minutes ago, his nurse called to congratulate me personally AND schedule me for an early ultrasound on December 9 at 3:30PM. I will be 7 weeks, 2 days pregnant then. We should see a heartbeat and know more about the health of this pregnancy.

9 comments:

Ms. J said...

I think you have two options . . .

(1) Find another practice, pronto, that takes you seriously. And outsources their u/s to another place (mine does - so it's no skin off them whenever I want an u/s, so long as I am willing to pay for whatever my unmet deductible says) I made it quite clear with my practice (I have been with them for all of my m/c's) that "part of you managing my care as your patient is also helping me to manage my anxieties, too."

(2) Uh, fake some ailment that will guarantee an u/s? Severe cramping, maybe?! That may seem like jinxing but it's the only other alternative I can see.

Geohde said...

Oh, that is a rough wait.

They do schedule them later for the reason you say, but I think with your history that is a bit cruel.

g

Red said...

Yay that you got an early ultrasound! Plus, being classed as 'normal' is a little comfort. You do have a great OB.

I don't know what I'll do about ultrasounds next time I get pregnant. With my first miscarriage we didn't get far enough in to get an ultrasound because we were not high risk. The next time we had a heartbeat at 6 weeks only to loose the baby before 11 weeks anyway. Don't know if I want that potentially false hope. I bet I do take it if offered though. Waiting would be harder.

Best of luck for the 9th - a little over 2 weeks to wait, although I am sure it will seem like an eternity.

HereWeGoAJen said...

Oh, good. I had a huge sigh of relief when I read your update. It's so nice to know.

Mrs. Piggy said...

How on earth did you end up pg right away!??!! You are unbelievable!!!
Congrats! I say switch practices!

Anonymous said...

"Normal." It just sounded so... insensitive! Until I read the edit, I was going to say the same things as Ms. J (find an outpatient center or just cross your fingers for good karma and fake a reason).

Best of luck to you with this pregnancy. Will is going to make a great big brother!

Joy@WDDCH said...

I'm glad his nurse did that!!! What a sweet person they are! Keep yourself busy; it'll help the time pass.

Still praying for you!

Laura said...

Yay to being normal! And YAY to the early u/s.

Ms. J said...

Okay, now I will "heart" your OB, too :o)

I give you permission to stay, hee hee!