First Appointment!

Today we had our first appointment. The way our clinic does it is that you have an extensive visit with a nurse to go over health history, current medications, current health habits, nutrition, exercise, etc for the first visit and then you see the doctor at 10 weeks. My husband and I both went and thought the nurse was very thorough. I thought the appointment was really overwhelming though too. I didn't expect to have to decide about a variety of genetic tests at this appointment (I guess I thought the doctor would do that) and I also didn't expect to get asked who the pediatrician would be, or if I am going to breastfeed and then be given pumping tips. I also did not want to see the cervical dilation chart. WOW.

When we go to the nutrition part, my husband let my infatuation with cheese slip. "Well, be careful because that can make constipation worse". Literally 5 minutes later, she was telling me to eat cheese for a mid-morning snack. She also shared a recipe for chicken with a can of pace salsa dumped over the top. I bit my lip and did not tell her how revolting chicken has been sounding to me!

Another part of the visit that I found amusing was the emphasis on only gaining 20-25lbs. I realize that you may not know what my body type is, but I am tall and thin. I run so my body fat % is in the "low" range. In other words, I'm not really in danger of having a weight problem. The nurse mentioned that the doctors are asking her to stress that 20-25 pounds is the maximum weight gain because of the overweight/obesity epidemic. Ok, I get this. But really? Is this something that I really need to be concerned about? Geez.

As I mentioned before, there was a lot of information given about the post-natal period. I found this to be a little TMI given that I am at 8 weeks pregnant. After an hour and a half of talking and pointing out directions to the birth center and when we can tour the birth center, etc, my husband asked when the nurse felt that we could announce the pregnancy. I don't want to speak (er..type) for him, but I think he was thinking, "Wow, we're in the clear. She's already talking about breastfeeding! We must not really have to wait until the first timester is over to start talking to people". Her response: "Oh, I would definitely wait until after your first trimester screen (at 13 weeks)." Sigh.

After the consult, I had to go submit a urine sample and do the requisite blood work. Rh factor, cystic fibrosis screen, and about 8 other tubes that I didn't know what they were for. I do not have the greatest track record with giving blood. In fact, 9 times out of 10 I will totally pass out. I warned the phlebotomist about this and she sort of shrugged and tied my arm. Then she started pulling out numerous tubes in various sizes. As she was filling them, I felt really bad. The next thing I remember is waking up in a lounge chair with an ice pack on my neck. Yep - passed out again. The occupational health nurse was called and felt for my pulse. "Are you a runner?" he asked. "Yes". "That is what I assumed b/c your pulse is 50 and you look like a runner". The phlebotomist announced, "She is also pregnant". Ooooh. The double whammy. He did say that I should tell phlebotomists that I don't do well with blood draws so they can have me lie down. Um, hello?! Didn't I do just that?! A glass of apple juice later and I was good to go. Thankfully I passed out near the END of the collection and she was able to finish. I vaguely remember asking her what all the blood was for, but I can't recall the answer right now. She did tell me that the first time is usually the worst in terms of blood draws provided there are no pregnancy-related complications. I'm totally banking on this!

For anyone that has passed out before, you know how gross you feel for the rest of the day. Compound that with pregnancy-related nausea, and again, Double Whammy.

I keep repeating the nurses line in my head, "Nausea is usually a sign that everything with the pregnancy is going well!". Another bonus of my clinic: free issues of Fit Pregnancy!