Physical Exam

Today was an interesting day. So, I get to the hospital and do the weight and temp check. Then, I sit in the room and wait for the doctor. He comes in and we discuss my visit yesterday. As we are talking, his nurse comes in and says something about the lady yesterday giving the wrong paperwork. I caught on that they didn't like the way the lady yesterday handled things and so I chirped in. I told them how I had waited in the waiting room and was skipped over, how she told me to get blood work when I said I already did that last week, and how my doctor told me I can get a seven week ultra sound--she said I couldn't, they don't do ultrasounds that early, I won't be able to tell anything anyway, etc. My doctor and nurse exchanged glances and then handed me a comment form! My doctor was upset that she made me get blood work, didn't listen to me--seven vials of blood! He said it was all unnecessary because I already did it last week, which is what I told her! Then, he was not happy that she gave me such a fuss about getting an ultrasound that my doctor had promised me! Plus, the fact that I had to wait. They said the lady yesterday doesn't have her crap together! I agree.

My HCG levels as of today are 1,636. That is good because it means they are doubling as they should. I have gained two pounds since last week's visit, which is also good because my doctor says I already needed to gain weight prior to the pregnancy, so I'm working on packing on the pounds. :) 
We discussed the Rhogam shot, as one of my reader's was asking, what exactly does this mean? Okay, so here is what this means. If you are negative blood type you need to discuss the Rhogam shot with your doctor because, after a first pregnancy (or miscarriage in my case) you body builds up antibodies which fight with the babies. If the baby is positive blood type and you are negative, your body thinks the baby is foreign and tries to terminate. My lab work shows my blood is officially as of today, B positive. However, my mother does not seem to think that is correct! Both of my parents are negative blood types. So, now we are looking into this to see if the labs misinformed on the paperwork, my mom has lost her marbles :), my blood has changed?! (surgery and whatever the doctor put into me can do this rarely), or what the deal is!

A few other questions, before we get to the good stuff! Caesar salad dressing made in the store is processed, meaning it should not contain raw eggs, therefore, is safe to eat. If you are making your own dressing with raw eggs, you are best to avoid it. According to my doctor, fifty percent of raw eggs contain salmonella, which, can cause problems in your baby. He told me if I have been eating it before, I can still eat it if I'm aware of the risks. And the last question I was asked by a reader is how high your heart rate can get while working out during pregnancy. You take 220 and minus your age. Then, you take 70% of that, and that gives you the highest target heart rate you should be at while pregnant. It is also really important not to get too hot during exercise.

So... all of my labs looked good. My doctor told me my back could be a major concern upcoming and he is referring me to a gynecologist to make sure I will be able to properly deliver a baby with my back. He said pregnant women's backs curve in as their body changes, and obviously, my back is fused and barred and not going anywhere! So, this could be a potential difficulty. Then, we did the physical exam. I will spare details while still trying to be informative. He said my cervix is blue, which is good, meaning it's full of blood for the baby and obviously pregnant. He then checked my uterus and said it was of proper size for six weeks, about the size of a pear. He then took my hand and showed me externally how to feel my uterus. It was crazy because I could definitely tell something was there, after knowing what to look for!

My doctor then sat down with me and told me there is no reason to believe I cannot have a successful pregnancy resulting in a baby at the end. He said I need to eat eat eat and gain gain gain. He really thinks this time will be it. My doctor is great, he really takes his time with me and talks with me, listens to me, and makes sure that I am good with everything before leaving. He told me to show up for my ultrasound this week and take a VHS tape (old school!) with me for them to record it, as well as a camera. Then, he said to come back in six weeks to see him again. Which works out well because I will be gone that long on my trip.

Water water water! Food food food! Now, this morning I went to IHOP and I had stuffed french toast. Hard for me to eat a lot, I get full really easy! Then lunch I had Dairy Queen chicken strips. And my new thing is Dairy Queen Arctic Rush, basically a slushy. :) Best thing ever! Now if I would stop feeling sick long enough to enjoy it all!

Tonight is dinner with two of my navy wife friends. After being robbed of all my extra blood, I'm thinking a steak will do well!

So far so good!