Overall, I would say my assessment of the appointment is mixed. My ob/gyn was not as cool and magical as I'd remembered her to be. Maybe because I haven't seen her in over a year and she didn't really know who I was. Maybe too it was late in the day and I annoyed her by mentioned "the Internet" one time too many (but when she asked me how I knew about NT scans, that's the honest answer). A couple times when I asked her questions, "She said, I don't have that figure memorized. If I had known you were going to ask that, I would have looked it up before I came in." (about miscarriage rates -- which having had one, I'm nervous about -- jeez). "I'm not in that field. If I had studied that, I would be practicing that now." (basically saying that I should direct that ? to my RE, who I don't see anymore... SORRY!). So it was weird. BUT, she let me take as long as I needed and it was a long visit. She also does the u/s herself and really let me watch the baby for a long time. Heartrate was 161, lower, but I'm assuming fluctuations are normal. She also pounded on my stomach (practically) to wake it up and so we got to see the gummy bear dance a bit. Even though the aforementioned put me off a bit, she did offer to assuage my nerves by letting me have another u/s in two weeks. So I appreciate that. It's so weird when at CCRM you are there all the time and they monitor every little thing to now be so isolated and on your own for so much of this. Just a waiting game now.
In other news, I am wearing a belly band for the first time. Mostly because my pants (having gained 10 lbs this year) were already on the verge of not fitting before the BFP. So between my prenatal hamburgers and those 10 lbs, I can barely wear anything except for elastic waistbands comfortably. I don't feel right digging out my old maternity clothes yet and who knows how dated and sketchy those look (being from 6 years ago). The jeans are probably light colored. : ) Anyway, I am feeling good, down to my one endometrin per day (with Friday being the last day) and am wearing just a single Vivelle patch, which is the last one. Really nervous about the wean with no monitoring. I asked my ob/gyn about that and she said they don't monitor progesterone and estradiol and that I should just trust Dr. G or ask for a consult. I was hoping that they could squeeze that in among all the other bloodwork I have to get done. Poo. I'm tempted to bug/beg CCRM for one last blood test.
I'm also ready to start telling people, but I'm definitely going to stick to 13 weeks to tell coworkers, FB friends, etc. I'm just really excited to tell DS and other family members, but mostly DS.
Okay, gotta get back to work. Hope 2012 is off to a great start for everyone!
Mixed feelings for sure on the OB appointment. Perhaps CCRM recommends some local OB's you can use instead. My local RE gave a list of some they recommend. I am going to my first OB appointment next week so we will see if I need to switch or not. All my pants are tight too from weight gain prior to BFP, can't wait to actually be big enough to need maternity pants.
ReplyDeleteGee, it must be so hard to be held accountable for the knowledge you're supposed to have. Doctors hate the internet because it knows more than they do, and therefore if you spend years researching crap, you know a lot too which makes you a difficult patient. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad everything looks good! :)
Oh yes, I'd be asking for the blood test too. I wonder why they don't monitor that at the OB? I've never gotten that far so when I do I'll be asking all sorts of questions at the appointments. Isn't that what the doctor is there for? They need to be able to answer our questions.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear your little one is doing well. I would give your OB one more chance then maybe look for a new one if it doesn't get better. An OB should know your chart ahead of time and try their best to ease your mind. Maybe I am just spoiled with my OBGYN. He has an amazing bedside manor in the office and I have seen him in action at my friend's labor and delivery. You gotta be happy.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice, I will do that, thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI was able to pester the nurse at the RE's office and they will grant me another P/E2 test, yay!
ReplyDeleteAlot of docs are put off by the internet, but I like to be informed. I had a NP tell me not to look at the internet and I made a mental note to never tell a doctor that I was getting my information off the internet. I was even scared to tell my current OB about my home doppler, but somehow it slipped and she was really nice about it and told me a way to get a better reading. Also my OB was very accomodating about the supplemental hormones I was on and even offered to do the labwork, but I declined her offer. If you don't click with your OB next time, I would consider finding a new one. Maybe she was just having a bad day.
ReplyDeleteSo there are different types of 1st trimester screenings. I basically went in for the u/s or NT scan at 12 and they measured the NT fold and it was fine, then they took my blood. The clinic called me a couple of days later to tell me the blood test looked good, but this is not conclusive until you go back 4 weeks later for another blood draw. I guess they compare the numbers on the lab. I think our test was 90% conclusive that our baby does not have downs, trisomy 18 or neural tube defect. If the first blood draw had indicated a problem then we probably would have done CVS (which is invasive) to see if there was a problem. I think the FDA is in the process of releasing a new blood test for Downs sometime this year.
So sorry to hear that the first OB appt was a bust! Hopefully the next will be better, but don't feel bad if you decide to switch doctors/practices.
ReplyDeleteNext time should be good. Keep it positive.
ReplyDelete