Health
pediatrician visit
August 11, 2011
As of today, I weigh 7 lbs 15 oz and I’m 20.75 inches long :)
Today was a big day for little miss Graciela. We had our first visit to the pediatrician. So we got her all bathed nice and clean, put on her little footed pajamas, and headed off to the doctor’s office.
Once we got into the room, we were asked to get her down to just a dry diaper. I was busy filling out paperwork, so I asked Luis to handle it. So he took off her little pajamas and noticed she was a little wet. As soon as he took off her diaper to put on a fresh one, what does the little diva go and do? She pees all over the table! Poor Luis got a little frazzled and it took the two of us plus my mother in law to get both Graciela and the table back to a presentable condition.
The nurse eventually came back in to get me and the baby so we could get her measurements. When we were finished, the doctor came in, marveled at our wonderful baby who has both gained weight and grown since her birth, and chatted with us for a little bit. After he left, I was still trying to finish the paperwork and asked Luis to get Graciela dressed again. Knowing that her Papi was on duty again, what does little miss Graciela do? She spits up the vast majority of the bottle her abuelita had just fed her.
All in all, it was a very adventurous little outing to the pediatrician. After all of that excitement, Graciela came home and slept nearly the entire afternoon… pausing only to drink half a bottle.
specialist appointment
June 17, 2011
We went to see the specialist again today. Apparently the fibroid has gotten just a tiny bit larger, but nothing of great concern so we were told we don’t have to go back :) My mom was able to come with us to this appointment, which was awesome for me to have her there. Plus I think she enjoyed being able to see the ultrasound. The ultrasound itself wasn’t as amazing as the first couple we had because the baby is just getting too big to be able to see things as clearly, but it was still pretty neat to see here in there and see how much she is growing.
The father’s take on the specialist visit
April 8, 2011
I felt that Natala’s post from yesterday didn’t properly convey the anguish that SOME OF US might have been feeling.
During our normal doctor’s visit two days ago, after we had the ultrasound, the Tech said she’d show the doctor the what was found, and that we needed to wait. She came back and my heart sank when the tech told us the doctor wanted to see us again. So, we went back into one of the examining rooms and waited again.
Things didn’t much better when the doctor and a nurse marched in. They told us what was going on, letting us know that the specialist we were being referred to was going to call us TODAY. Again, a little scary.
The thing is, I’m a worrier… of the WORST kind. After leaving the office, I tried to promise myself that I wouldn’t look up what could cause low amniotic fluid… but I did anyway. Here’s what I came across:
Leaky or ruptured membranes
A small tear in your amniotic membranes allows some fluid to leak out. This can happen at any point in your pregnancy, but it’s more common as you approach delivery. You may notice the leaking fluid yourself if you find that your underwear is wet, or your practitioner may discover it during an exam.A ruptured membrane can increase the risk of infection to both you and your baby because it provides a way for bacteria to enter the amniotic sac. Occasionally, a tear will heal on its own, the leaking will stop, and the fluid level will return to normal. (This is usually the case if the leaking happens after an amniocentesis.)
Placental problems
A problem with your placenta, such as a partial abruption, keeps it from supplying enough blood and nutrients to your baby and causes him to stop recycling fluid.Certain medical conditions
As mentioned above, certain conditions — such as chronic high blood pressure, preeclampsia, diabetes, and lupus — can result in low amniotic fluid levels.Fetal abnormalities
If you’re found to have low levels of amniotic fluid in your first or second trimester, it may mean that your baby has a birth defect. If his kidneys aren’t there or aren’t developing properly (Potter’s syndrome) or his urinary tract is blocked, your baby won’t produce enough urine to maintain the level of amniotic fluid. A congenital heart defect can also cause this problem.
The next day (yesterday) my anxieties began to kick up a notch. I was scared that something could seriously be wrong. My mind began to spit out visualizations of all sorts of scenarios, and it frightened me.
After leaving the specialist appointment, though, and discovering that everything was going well, I was quite relieved and grateful. I imagine, this is the first of many scary experiences I will be facing as a parent.
specialist visit
April 7, 2011
Yesterday Luis and I went to my regular check up with my regular doctor. We have these regular visits every 4 weeks (once we get to 28 weeks, it’ll be every 2 weeks). The visits are usually really quick.
- We check in at the office, pay the co-pay.
- Wait 5 minutes, get called back. I give a urine sample.
- The nurse weighs me and checks my blood pressure.
- Then I am taken to a room, where the doctor comes in, uses a doppler to check for the baby’s heartbeat.
- She asks me if everything is ok.
- And normally that is the end of the visit.
This time around, she also asked if I was feeling the baby move. I explained that I sometimes think I might be feeling the baby, but that I don’t know for sure and that it might be gas or something. The doctor said it is most likely the baby and that it is totally normal for me to not be feeling too much movement because I have an anterior placenta (meaning the placenta is located in front of the baby acting as an extra cushion).
But just to be sure everything was fine, the doctor sent me to get a quick little ultrasound. The super nice ultrasound tech checked everything and said that everything looks fairly normal. Size and development are perfect. But the amniotic fluid was looking a little low. I was referred to a specialist and was told to make sure I stayed hydrated. I spent the next 24 hours drinking glass after glass of water and going to the bathroom about a million times. Luis and I “researched” possible problems associated with low amniotic fluid, which includes a ruptured amniotic sac and poorly functioning kidneys for the baby. Possible treatments included bed rest (which is one of my nightmares considering the fact that I need to work), I.V.’s, or even amniocentesis.
Fortunately, the specialist was able to see me this afternoon. We had another ultrasound performed. This time, it was a little more high tech and we were able to see things really clearly, including all 4 chambers of the heart, kidneys, lungs, etc. It was confirmed that the baby was in fact still a girl (despite a dream I had a couple of nights ago). Her growth is exactly on target, and her fluids were perfectly normal.
I know I complain a lot about being sick all the time. And believe me, it is not fun. Especially when you want to get things done (like setting up a closet) but are unable to finish the task because you feel like you’re going to faint from exhaustion. But I am so grateful that our baby is doing well, and that for now we don’t have to think about NICU’s, hospitals, bed rest, or needles.
Luis: Stay tuned for MY take on the events.
prenexa
March 2, 2011
At my very first doctor’s appointment, the doctor prescribed a prenatal vitamin for me to take. I had already been taking an over-the-counter prenatal, but she prescribed this one for me to try. So I went and filled the prescription. Lo and behold, it cost $60 with insurance. Usually our co-pay for prescriptions is only $10, so I was a bit put off. But the doctor prescribed it so I went with it. Well, later
I went to look up the prescription prenatal to weigh the benefits of continuing to take it vs. just sticking with something over the counter. And guess what I found? A coupon for $30 off! I wish I had known the coupon was out there before I filled the first prescription, and I wonder how many other suckers there are out there who are paying the full $60.
more blood work
February 19, 2011
After my first appointment, the doctor ordered a bunch of tests. One of the tests was to be a glucose screening since we have a family history of diabetes. So I dutifully went in, guzzled down the orange sugary drink (it tastes like an orange popsicle that has been melted and left at room temperature), waited 1 hour, and then had a nurse take my blood for all of the tests. 13 vials in all.
Then came my follow up doctor’s visit. Many of the tests had not been returned. And the all-important glucose screening? The lab reported that they told me to wait 1 hour and I did not return. How is that possible? I waited and they took my blood for all of the different tests. Remember, 13 vials? So my doctor had to send the lab a complaint and send me back for another glucose screening.
This time, the glucose screening would be accompanied by an optional genetic screening. I had no desire to do the genetic screening. It is not like they would be able to do anything for the baby if they found out that it has downs syndrome. But Luis wanted the peace of mind. So I did it. And the glucose. Once again, same procedure. Drink the orange sugary drink, wait 1 hour, get blood drawn. I double checked with the nurse that they wouldn’t need anything else from me. She said no. So I left.
My next appointment is in 3 weeks. If there is no glucose results waiting for me at the doctor’s office, I am going to be really annoyed.