April 20, 2009
13 Weeks Down
I had a prenatal appointment last Tuesday, the first one with my OB/GYN. When I arrived I gave the required urine sample and afterward the nurse rushed me into the exam room to take my blood pressure.
“You might want to wait a few minutes,” I said. “I have a history of high blood pressure and I really don’t want a false reading. I did rush to get here.”
No problem, she said and then told me to get undressed from the waist down, put the ugly gown on and climb onto the exam table. The thought of my impending pelvic exam made me panic and I started sweating. I’m sure my blood pressure skyrocketed at that point, too.
After the nurse left the room, I did as I was told and waited nervously for Dr. F to arrive. He walked into the room several moments later, with an intern following behind him.
“So, I have intern today,” he said in his Russian (Ukranian?) accent. “Okay?”
I said okay, but didn’t realize I was giving permission for this new guy to be in the room during this exam. After the usual niceties and general pregnancy questions (How are you feeling? You have any sickness? How is blood pressure?), it was time for the pelvic portion of this visit.
I won’t go into details because I’m certain you’ve all been in this uncomfortable position. After a few minutes the nurse asked me (while I’m being poked and prodded) if I was okay.
“Are we doing alright?” she asked.
“Umm, I think so…aside from feeling like George O’Malley is standing next to me….I think I can handle this.”
They all laughed. I didn’t think my Grey’s reference was all that funny. Maybe they hear that all the time. And then the nurse said, “Well, I suppose George is better than Korev, right?”
I just smiled and nodded. I wanted to put my clothes back on immediately. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve had this pap and pelvic thing done, it never gets any easier. I shudder when I think of the many more times I’ll have to go through that in the next six months.
When Dr. F was done, he grabbed the doppler and tried to find my baby’s heartbeat.
“Now, you measure a leetle over 12 weeks, and it might be too early for heartbeat, okay?”
“Okay,” I said.
“I’ll try, but I will push hard so take a breath, yes?”
“Yes,” I replied.
“Eef we don’t find eet, we do ultrasound. But don’t worry. We try.”
“Okay…” A feeling of uncertainty fell over me, but I tried to relax.
Dr. F was true to his word. He began pushing on my lower abdomen so hard that I gasped for breath. It took a little over a minute to find the heartbeat but it felt like an eternity, and I began to panic. Suddenly, the sound of galloping horses filled the room and tears began to stain my cheeks.
“Oh, there eet eez!” Dr. F said smiling. “We hear it!”
My baby’s little heart was beating at 160 beats per minute. I was so relieved, so happy, so thankful to God for keeping me and my baby healthy.
“Eet looks like you’re growing a healthy Wisconsin girl.” My doctor said.
“I think it’s a girl, too!” I told him as he helped me to sit up.
Dr. F has been so wonderful to me, so I told him how grateful I was that he is my doctor.
“Congratulations,” he told me, and gave me hug. “You’re pregnant! At last!”
It was kind of weird to have my male doctor hug me with my gown still on, but I was so happy to hear the heartbeat, and so thankful to Dr. F.
Ever since my appointment I’ve had dreams of the little girl (or boy) growing in my belly. I’ll be 13 weeks pregnant on Wednesday. The first trimester is almost over. I feel so relieved, but I’m also impatient about the next 27 weeks.
Typing that out makes me laugh a little. Only 27 weeks to go? Really? That’s all? I’ve got so much to do! Maybe waiting isn’t so bad afterall.
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April 20th, 2009 at 6:47 PM, Write From Karen Says:
Oh Dana, I’m so happy for you! Congrats! Enjoy these next 27 weeks, they will go fast!
April 20th, 2009 at 7:28 PM, feefifoto Says:
Congratulations! Here’s to a full term, healthy baby.
April 21st, 2009 at 7:56 AM, Mocha Dad Says:
When my wife was in labor with our first child, we had to wait several hours until the baby was born. The doctor took this opportunity to train scores of interns. She would bring in a new set every hour or so to poke and prod my wife. I after 6 hours of this, I got fed up and told the doctor that visiting hours were over.
April 21st, 2009 at 11:59 AM, Liz@thisfullhouse Says:
Congrats! A leetle girl? Wow, that’s terrific and gosh, but the intern sounds just like my dad…and my mom…well, you know
April 21st, 2009 at 5:32 PM, J from Ireland Says:
Aw, I am so delighted for you. Its lovely to hear the heartbeat, isn’t it? May you have a healthy 27 weeks!!
May 1st, 2009 at 8:57 PM, Mary Says:
I’m always so interested to hear about different prenatal care experiences.
My biggest worry about being pregnant was the pap & pelvic exams. I was pleasantly surprised when I basically didn’t have to take off my pants until the very end.
Since I had a “planned” c-section, for a brief moment I thought I might even make it through to birth without ever removing my underwear!