marc and michelle

Pregnancy

If you missed the pregnancy announcement...as some of you said you didn't know what I was talking about in my last post, scan down to the video of Jackson (a few posts down. It is titled "Jackson has something to say...")


I am still trying to figure out my doctor situation, it has definitely been a stress to figure out what doctor to go to in a a brand new place. I was excited to hear that there is a great doctor that most of the girls in the ward go to, only to be crushed when I called his office and found out that he isn't taking anymore patients. I will just have to keep asking around and I know it will all work out eventually.

But in the meantime...

Marc called a OBGYN clinic, that is for resident doctors at UCLA, and found that I could go there for FREE! So I quickly made an appointment so I could finally get some answers and know a little more about how the pregnancy is going. (you might be wondering why I don't just use this clinic...well, it makes me a little nervous... 3rd year medical students see you at all of your check-ups and then a resident student doctor delivers you...not so sure I like that idea).

Anyway, it turned out to be quite the traumatic experience.

First they pulled me in to ask me all sorts of questions...I think they must get a lot of young student girls in there who didn't "plan" on getting pregnant. I realized this when they were asking me questions to make sure that Marc treated me well and to make sure I had considered adoption, instead of abortion. I quickly let them know that we were both really happy and we were planning on keeping the baby. After about an hour of questions, she took me into another room to draw my blood.

Let me preface this next part...if you know me, you know that I have a body part that most people probably don't even take notice of. It has terrified me to have it touched or even talked about at times. I'm weird, right?! I know, but seirously, yuck. Anyway, I fondly refer to it as my "elbow pit", the inside of your arm, behind your elbow. So I *used to* HATE HATE HATE having my blood drawn. The very first time I had to have my blood drawn with Jackson I started bawling before they even did anything and the girl asked if another girl would come and hold my hand...baby...who me?! ha. I got a lot better about it when I was pregnant with Jackson because they draw your blood so often and haven't made a fool out of myself with this one for a LONG time!

So my blood drawing experience....
She had me sit on the edge of a folding chair and put my arm across the table to take my blood. She poked me with the needle about three or four times before she told me that she wasn't going to be able to take my blood because I have "rolling veins". I have never had anyone complain about my veins before! Anyway, other woman came in and quickly took my blood, with no problems. Except that for me, while the second woman was taking my blood, I realized I was going to pass out. I told her before it happened and laid my head on my arm. Apparently I was out of a while and my blood pressure really dropped so they were worried. As I was coming to I suddenly realized I was going to throw up. I told them and luckily they were able to get a bucket in front of me before it happened. There were about 5 people in the room when I woke up from passing out. It must have been some great excitement and a learning experience for all those resident student doctors. :)

After all that excitement they put me in a room and wouldn't let me drive home until Marc came to get me. Luckily Marc was able to get me. I was really glad I had left Jackson with one of the girls in our ward. The "quick" doctors appointment turned into a 4 hour ordeal and I am sure Jackson would've been traumatized by seeing me pass out and throw up! :)

Anyway, I am still on the look out for a doctor, but at least I survived my first doctors appointment! :) I will have to let you know if anything else exciting happens! :)

****Oh, I am about 16 weeks along and due at the end of March. Until I have an ultrasound though I won't know my "actual" due date. So just keep your fingers crossed that I can figure this out soon and get into a doctor for an ultrasound! I want one so bad. (oh, the clinic that I went to doesn't do ultrasounds...shucks. Wouldn't that have been great?!)We have definitely been enjoying the beach. Just a few pictures of some of our trips there. You have to look at somethign after reading that long post about my pregnancy.