It is hard to believe another year has passed since the day that probably 99 percent of the women out there dread. Oh, how I loathe my annual exam, but I am happy to report that two things happened to make it not so awful this year.
Through the apparently thin walls, I could hear the heartbeat of an unborn baby.
I have no idea what that instrument is called (the one that allows you to hear the heartbeat of an in-utero baby), but as I heard that sound from so long ago, my eyes immediately watered. The memories of that whoosh-whoosh-whoosh noise, from over eight years ago, came flooding back, and I was immediately reminded of the first time I heard Jordan's heart beating from inside by stomach. At the time, I had no idea what the sound was, and I had to ask the nurse if that was my baby's heartbeat. She said yes, and my eyes welled with tears.
I also remember the next time, when it took awhile for the instrument to pick up Jordan's heartbeat. I was supposed to get a sonogram that day, and for a moment, I was utterly panic-stricken, thinking my baby was not okay. I remember Brian had a pretty concerned look on his face. But then came the whoosh-whoosh-whoosh sound, the tears started flowing, and I thanked God.
Yesterday, I tried to imagine how the pregnant woman in the room next to me was feeling, assuming she was pretty happy. Maybe relieved. Perhaps even scared. But, man, it really is something to hear. (And, no, it did not make me want to have another child.)
The other thing that made me smile?
The doctor asked me how I stayed so thin.
Unfortunately, my weight was up a few pounds since last year, and I told the doc (technically, a CNM) I would like to drop a couple (enough to put me safely back on the other side of the 150 notch). The doctor then said she had no idea where I would lose that weight from. I contemplated jumping up and hugging her, but, considering the (ahem) position I was in, I opted not to. Regardless, even though I am fairly comfortable with my body (those two pounds not withstanding), it was nice to hear her say that.
Of course this trip did not end without a minor irritation, in the form of a specialist copay. Last year, I ranted about my having to pay a $25 copay instead of a $15 one, because apparently my annual exam was considered a specialist visit. I disagreed that there was anything special about my visit, and one of my readers disagreed with me. Ultimately, I ended up with a $10 refund a few months later, which I assumed was because I was right.
Well, we all know what happens when you assume.
I guess I will just have to wait to see if I get a refund this year. After all, I was seeing a certified nurse mid-wife, not a gynecologist, so one would assume she would be considered less of a specialist than a gynecologist.
Okay, I am done assuming now.
Through the apparently thin walls, I could hear the heartbeat of an unborn baby.
I have no idea what that instrument is called (the one that allows you to hear the heartbeat of an in-utero baby), but as I heard that sound from so long ago, my eyes immediately watered. The memories of that whoosh-whoosh-whoosh noise, from over eight years ago, came flooding back, and I was immediately reminded of the first time I heard Jordan's heart beating from inside by stomach. At the time, I had no idea what the sound was, and I had to ask the nurse if that was my baby's heartbeat. She said yes, and my eyes welled with tears.
I also remember the next time, when it took awhile for the instrument to pick up Jordan's heartbeat. I was supposed to get a sonogram that day, and for a moment, I was utterly panic-stricken, thinking my baby was not okay. I remember Brian had a pretty concerned look on his face. But then came the whoosh-whoosh-whoosh sound, the tears started flowing, and I thanked God.
Yesterday, I tried to imagine how the pregnant woman in the room next to me was feeling, assuming she was pretty happy. Maybe relieved. Perhaps even scared. But, man, it really is something to hear. (And, no, it did not make me want to have another child.)
The other thing that made me smile?
The doctor asked me how I stayed so thin.
Unfortunately, my weight was up a few pounds since last year, and I told the doc (technically, a CNM) I would like to drop a couple (enough to put me safely back on the other side of the 150 notch). The doctor then said she had no idea where I would lose that weight from. I contemplated jumping up and hugging her, but, considering the (ahem) position I was in, I opted not to. Regardless, even though I am fairly comfortable with my body (those two pounds not withstanding), it was nice to hear her say that.
Of course this trip did not end without a minor irritation, in the form of a specialist copay. Last year, I ranted about my having to pay a $25 copay instead of a $15 one, because apparently my annual exam was considered a specialist visit. I disagreed that there was anything special about my visit, and one of my readers disagreed with me. Ultimately, I ended up with a $10 refund a few months later, which I assumed was because I was right.
Well, we all know what happens when you assume.
I guess I will just have to wait to see if I get a refund this year. After all, I was seeing a certified nurse mid-wife, not a gynecologist, so one would assume she would be considered less of a specialist than a gynecologist.
Okay, I am done assuming now.
Comments
I keep meaning to call about the copay thing, but what that person said last time did not seem to be true, so why bother.