Talking to the Big Guns


Last week I went to the Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist office and I met DrGav.  He seems like a very intelligent and thoughtful man.  My ObDoc loves him, says he’s a sweetheart.  I started off the appointment by answering a ton of personal and family medical history questions with the MFM nurse who stayed during our appointment the whole time.  MrBeep was with me, sitting opposite in a chair, his serious face set and ready.

DrGav arrived and looked over my medical and family history.  We discussed my heterozygous MTHFR issue with the added knowledge about my brother’s thrombosis a couple months ago.  He said that he was glad to know my homocystine level was normal, that was a very good thing.  He was also glad ObDoc kicked the folic acid dosage up and that I was taking a baby aspirin per ObDoc’s instructions.  He said that he didn’t want to put me on any heparin for now because he thinks the baby aspirin and folgard will do fine.  He does want me to take 2 baby aspirin per day instead of 1 because I am carrying twins.  So one in the morning and one in the evening.  Taking two baby aspirin is means the kiddos will get a daily dose of aspirin. They’re so small.  This makes MrBeep nervous which therefore makes me nervous, but we will go with his expert advice.  He said that in order to monitor the babies, we’ll get an ultrasound at 16 weeks and then compare it to future ones to make sure their growth seems on track.  If it is not, then we will assume the MTHFR is causing placental problems and I will go on heparin or lovenox.

They took more blood to check my thyroid.  The results showed all is fine and normal.  DrGav did notice that I had a slightly elevated pulse.  He seems convinced that I will get high blood pressure during this pregnancy because my mom had high blood pressure before her kidneys finally gave out.  I don’t know.  I guess it may be likely.  I have, on his recommendation, bought a home blood pressure monitor (so we can see if it is slowly elevating over time) and I am also cutting out excess sodium.  The blood pressure pre-judgment frustrates me because I have always had normal or low pressure. My mom had it from the time she was in her early twenties, she smoked a pack a day, etc.  I know it can still happen but c’mon.  Honestly it is really hard to take someone’s advice you have just barely met, but I have done my research on this practice and the specialists and they are top notch.  I must admit I agree with him it is important to monitor and try to prevent a serious condition before it happens.  A proactive approach is wise. 

I talked to my mom and my brother and jokingly whined at them that their health problems are causing me grief from my doctors and would they please take better care of themselves.  They promised to do their best.  I see my ObDoc on Wednesday afternoon for a routine check-up.  It’s been three weeks since I heard the little monster’s heartbeats.  Every time I get close to a doctor’s visit I get extra nervous.  Anyone else crazy like that?

It’s interesting how many nice comments say things akin to “Wow. 15 weeks sure did fly by.”  I want your time machine folks because my weeks seem like they are really dragging.  I alternate between nervous terror and excitement.  A small part of me wants to go to sleep and wake up 15 weeks from now, but most wants to savor every minute.  I lay awake in the quiet of the night and try to feel them move.  Sometimes I think I can sense a fluttering and other times I’d swear it’s just my pulse.  C’mon my monsters, Mommy is looking forward to Squirmfest 2010.

19 comments on "Talking to the Big Guns"

sunflowerchilde on January 5, 2010 at 1:33 AM said...

I know exactly what you mean about getting nervous before a doctor's appointment. It's been three weeks since my last appointment, and another week to go before the next one, and I'm getting nervous.

And I know what you mean about time flying, too. Time is going quickly for me because I'm on vacation, but I know when I get back to real life, it will drag.

I hope you get to feel the monsters soon!

'Murgdan' on January 5, 2010 at 3:10 AM said...

No, seriously. YOUR time is going by so much faster than MY time. So I'm hanging on to that...because you're going to lap me any day now. :-) It's just a weird pregnancy thing I've noticed. I mean...it took me two years to get to 23 weeks, while your 15 passed in a blink for me.

Anonymous said...

I get nervous before every appointment and hold my breath before each ultrasound - every time.

My first trimester until about 14 weeks drug slowly along - now, all of a sudden, I am almost 29 weeks - wha????? - it flew.

I cannot wait to see a new pic of the monsters!

Kate on January 5, 2010 at 6:14 AM said...

He sounds very thorough. I still get a little nervous before appointments, though nothing like in the first tri and early second tri. The monsters had better be behaving themselves in there!

..al on January 5, 2010 at 6:20 AM said...

Well, I am so happy that your appointment went well.

I hope that you continue to remain under expert and loving care, and Romulus and Troilus continue to do awesome.

Take Care!

Pie on January 5, 2010 at 6:42 AM said...

Sounds like a very thorough doc appointment. Which is good, I always like the cautious approach.

And yes, your time flies by, while mine tends to drag by. You must have some Earth-bending properties or something over West there. Ever seen "lost"? Maybe its some sort of time-flashing? :)

Kate on January 5, 2010 at 7:37 AM said...

I'm all for prevention/monitoring but sheesh, I do not think high bp is a foregone conclusion and that IS irritating. BUT that being said, I also think that monitoring makes sense. So you, where time is crawling, you are solidly in the second trimester and that feels so good to me! happy you'll have reassurance tomorrow and also totally get the worry before the appointment.

thinking of you, and wishing on you 2010 the year of the babies.
xox
kate

K on January 5, 2010 at 8:45 AM said...

Ahh, yes. I am usually anxious before doctors appointments. Finding myself in that mode now since I have one this week and I am certain something is wrong. (Mr. W says I need to let go of the disaster fantasies.) And I'm on watch for the BP issue too, thankyoufamilyhistory. And the time flying thing...I can't get a grip on any of it. My sense of time seems so off. Did you get my last email? Probably scared you off.

Photogrl on January 5, 2010 at 10:16 AM said...

I'm glad the appointment went well...but I'd be upset with the blood pressure comment, too.

Monitoring isn't a bad thing, but I hope you NEVER see a high number and it was all just for prevention.

Everytime before an appointment, I find myself preparing myself for the worst. You are not alone!

Sunny on January 5, 2010 at 11:24 AM said...

I'm glad to hear you have the experts on your team! I know what you mean about not being sure if certain treatment/monitoring is necessary... but I suppose if it's not to a ridiculous degree, then it's better to be over-watched.

I feel a similar doubt/anxiety about the twins that you feel before your doc appts, but usually it's before telling someone new about the pregnancy. Like I want to grab my doppler and check for two heartbeats before I spread the word about our two blessings.

Mrs. Gamgee on January 5, 2010 at 12:04 PM said...

So glad that the appointment went well. Even tho your doc is being overly cautious, I think the old cliche 'better safe than sorry' applies.

And time is a-flying by! Just last week you were talking about the film project that was going to distract you... seriously...

K on January 5, 2010 at 3:12 PM said...

Even though I can feel him doing the samba in my uterus I still am ready to throw up from fear at each ultrasound!

Just chiming in with my two cents for whatever they are worth, do you think its worthwhile to go ahead and take the lovenox just incase? As far as I know there is no harm to the fetus. I know its not my busines and you should do what your doctor says but I wanted to say since it was a thought I had!

The Steadfast Warrior on January 5, 2010 at 4:24 PM said...

Until I felt movement I was nervous ALL THE TIME, not just before appts. But once that movement starts, it can be very reassuring.

Sounds like your MFM is on the ball. I know they seem a litle paranoid about the bp, but trust me, you don't want it if you can avoid it.

kimbosue on January 6, 2010 at 6:16 AM said...

Can't wait for the pics! I was nervous too until I felt him move the first time!

G$ on January 6, 2010 at 3:34 PM said...

Glad you liked the MFM doc. Wow, 15 weeks already? :) Jk!

One Who Understands on January 7, 2010 at 3:26 PM said...

Your 15 weeks have flown by for me! Seriously where has the time gone? I hope you next appt goes well and they are able to keep everything balanced.

Can I just tell you that I love all the info you give me! Where would I be without you?? Unfortunately our RE isn't part of the ARC program. He is actually the best deal going, so we figured if we have to pay for it he was a good choice.

Thank you for being such a wonderful bloggy friend! You are simply the best!

JJ on January 8, 2010 at 5:38 PM said...

Happy 2010! What a year it will be for you :) Glad all is going well!

Kate on January 9, 2010 at 3:57 PM said...

hi sweetie pie, almost time to tell us all you are ok and the monsters are hanging in there.
I'd love to hear how your appointment went on wednesday--
lovelovelove
mekate

Clare on January 10, 2010 at 2:46 PM said...

Glad to hear all is well. Don't worry too much about the high blood pressure thing, otherwise it may actually happen! Are you doing any acupuncture during the pregnancy or massage? Maybe that will help keep the blood pressure normal??? Wishing you and the wee monsters well xxx

 

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