1st OB appointment

Back to baby. Hey, it's a big deal!

So today was my 1st OB appointment, and it was, rather...anticlimactic. I suppose it was to be expected...I mean, I'm 6 weeks...what were they going to do?

So I'd read online (because this is what I do) about what can be expected at the 1st appointment, and had asked when I scheduled it if there would be an ultrasound. I was told then there would not be. They kept that promise, which is fine.

Dr. Google said that I could expect to give a urine sample, a blood sample, and to endure, yet another, pap smear. (guess it's time to get used to a lot of people hanging out down there...) But I loathe pap smears. For one thing, they're VERY uncomfortable, and more often than not, painful for me. I've been told it's because I have a tilted cervix. Cool. Could we just not hit it with the speculum please!?

Anyway, the good news is, I gave the urine sample (on cue like a champ! that's what training can do for you...and drum corps...I used to have a real problem with giving urine samples...anyways) and then a little bit later was called back and congratulated. Well thanks! But I'm still not 100% sure anything's really growing in there...I mean, other then some light cramping that comes and goes...and the missed period...the GINORMOUS boobies...and WAY sensitive sniffer...I don't have any symptoms! (what I really mean is, I'm not puking like most people I know...so that makes it seem less real, but I'll try not to complain)

Right, so where was I? Ah yes, they called me back, took the ol' blood pressure and then the "doc" came in and asked a few questions, told me a bit about what to expect, what to look out for, and then answered my list of questions (prepared a la Dr. Google). She gave me hand outs about what not to do/eat/etc. and what to expect and who to call if anything seems to be wrong...and then sent me down the hall to have my blood drawn.

Here's where it gets a little more interesting (thank God, right?). There's a small waiting room with 6 chairs, 5 of them filled with people...I walk in and take the 6th. And everyone stares as you're wont to do in a small waiting room...but then I noticed something. To my right was a young woman...maybe 23, and an older woman I would assume to be her mother. This older woman is looking at me with...pity is it? concern? She looks ready to cluck at me and shake her head in gentle dismay. Do you know this look? I didn't think too much of it at the time...and didn't have much time to suffer her pity because almost as soon as I sat down her daughter was called up to get her blood drawn. Then they left and it was my turn. And the phlebotomist (the one that sticks ya and takes your blood) kind of had the same look. And when she told me to have a seat, she added Sweetie on the end.

So here's the part where I explain that even though I am 26 years old (26 and half even - I know, that's still young, right? please tell me that's still young!) and have been married for 3.5 years and am a PhD student...I look...maybe 20. I've always looked young for my age, which was always a fun irony because I was also always mature for my age, making the discrepancy that much more concerning for the casual observer I suppose. But I forget all the time that I do, in fact, probably, look a lot younger than I actually am. I'm fairly small in build, and just have one of those faces. It's a good thing, and I know I'll appreciate it as I continue to get older...but here's where it's going to be frustrating and fun all at the same time: when I'm visibly pregnant and in public. I've joked before about how people would be judging me (thinking I'm a teenager) but it seems this might actually be coming true. I never would have expected to encounter it so soon...and maybe I'm being paranoid? But I really believe that those 2 women thought I was too young. Not to mention that my wedding ring is understated and I wear it sans engagement ring...so they probably also assume I'm unwed.

haha! jokes on them! :) I think I'll like this at first...but I imagine I'll tire of it pretty quickly...