Exactly 38 weeks pregnant today. Not too much to tell, we're basically in waiting mode.
One very annoying thing though: the itch is back. Aarghhh! My own fault. I took a bath on Sunday night, to relieve some BH contractions - used calendula bath oil, which is supposedly for sensitive skin, but I remembered (stupidly only after taking the bath) that during the 'itchy period' it always seemed to make the itch worse, instead of better. And so yes, since Sunday night the horrible itch is back and making me miserable. I hope it won't last too long.
The OB called me yesterday to say that she had good news for me regarding the 'pôle physiologique': she had discussed it with the hospital team (so apparently my comments made her rethink what she had told me during Friday's check-up) and now a midwife will call me on Thursday to discuss things further. So I'm really happy about that, and I can then also already tell her I'd like to deliver the baby on my side (hubby told me I should have mentioned that to my OB today too, and of course he's right, but I somehow forgot...).
So this weekend I was like 'let the baby come', now I'm telling it to stick around for at least another week, so I can get this organized with the hospital before we come in for the delivery.
I'm also contemplating whether or not to go for a pre-birth acupuncture session. A few women talked about it at last week's prenatal yoga class and were very enthusiastic about it. I did have some acupucture sessions three years ago, regarding our infertility. Although the acupuncture itself was OK, I had a weird experience where one time he told me, after the acupuncture itself, to go into his office for a small consult and to wait behind the screen, on the exam table, until he returned from giving something to his assistant. So I did, but when he returned, he had forgotten about me and had brought another patient in, whom he then also directed behind the screen, where we said an awkward hello and the OB/acupuncturist quickly took the other patient away. He otherwise has a great reputation for acupuncture with pregnant women and everyone else whom I talk to is super enthusiastic about it. So...what to do?
Showing posts with label pregnancy complications. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pregnancy complications. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
36 weeks - miscellaneous stuff
36 weeks pregnant today! Anxiety over possible early delivery that I had just after my OB appointment almost two weeks ago has subsided a bit - which also means I'm probably doing more stuff than I should, but hubby keeps reminding me to take it easy. No relaxing in the hammock today as it was raining, but it promises to be better weather by the end of the week again, so good relaxing times are ahead!
Not much news. I'm doing some more yoga and exercises I learned during the birthing classes at home now, to be well prepared for the big event and also in an attempt to sooth this stupid back pain - it's the same pain between my left ribs that I had early March after my bout with the flu - then it was caused by all the coughing, and luckily it disappeared after a few weeks. But now it's back for no apparent reason (other than a heavy belly pulling on it), since about two weeks, and there has been no improvement at all.
I've gone for treatment to an osteopath (the to-go-to- therapy here in France. In Holland I would have gone to a physical therapist, in the US to a chiropractor. Every country its specialist/style, I guess...), to whom I'd already been three times before for some pregnancy-related lower back pain. He was able to do something about that lower back pain, but this pain between my ribs seems to be untreatable. It really hurts when I try to lie on my left side, when I want to turn around in bed (which isn't easy anyway with a big belly), when I sneeze, cough, blow my nose, or go to the bathroom - so I'll probably have some additional pain when pushing during labor too... ugh.
Other than that, I'm feeling fine. Quite some contractions lately, mostly painless, except for when I feel them in my lower back, but that's luckily only rarely the case. Besides that, the baby seems to really like to stick his foot in my right side, in a sort of slow-motion movement, while moving his butt/back to the left - it's funny to see my belly go in all different shapes, but the feeling can be a bit less pleasant, especially when I'm trying to sleep!
Not much news. I'm doing some more yoga and exercises I learned during the birthing classes at home now, to be well prepared for the big event and also in an attempt to sooth this stupid back pain - it's the same pain between my left ribs that I had early March after my bout with the flu - then it was caused by all the coughing, and luckily it disappeared after a few weeks. But now it's back for no apparent reason (other than a heavy belly pulling on it), since about two weeks, and there has been no improvement at all.
I've gone for treatment to an osteopath (the to-go-to- therapy here in France. In Holland I would have gone to a physical therapist, in the US to a chiropractor. Every country its specialist/style, I guess...), to whom I'd already been three times before for some pregnancy-related lower back pain. He was able to do something about that lower back pain, but this pain between my ribs seems to be untreatable. It really hurts when I try to lie on my left side, when I want to turn around in bed (which isn't easy anyway with a big belly), when I sneeze, cough, blow my nose, or go to the bathroom - so I'll probably have some additional pain when pushing during labor too... ugh.
Other than that, I'm feeling fine. Quite some contractions lately, mostly painless, except for when I feel them in my lower back, but that's luckily only rarely the case. Besides that, the baby seems to really like to stick his foot in my right side, in a sort of slow-motion movement, while moving his butt/back to the left - it's funny to see my belly go in all different shapes, but the feeling can be a bit less pleasant, especially when I'm trying to sleep!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
32 weeks - miscellaneous pregnancy news
I'm 32 weeks pregnant today!
Since about a month, my perineum often feels like I've just returned from a 3-hour bike trip. According to the midwife it's because the baby is putting pressure on it. Together with some intermittent lower back pain, I sometimes walk a bit like a duck, especially when I'm just out off bed.
The midwife also told us to try to make the perineum more supple by applying arnica oil twice a week - the only problem I have with that is, although the real itching is gone - it's still all really sensitive down there and I'm afraid that the itching will return once I start to apply this oil regularly, but on the other hand I would also like to try it, as it might prevent tearing during labor...
Hubby is slowly getting used to the fact that I'm now also working, so he should help out a bit with making breakfast and dinner.
The baby is moving a lot, many times my belly is a bit asymmetrical because he's installed himself to the left of my belly button. I'm getting a little bit anxious about Thursday's u/s - he should have taken the final position by then, head down preferably! Also hope my placenta has moved up since the last u/s (at 21 weeks), because it was at 2 cm from the cervix at that time, which was deemed marginal (should be at least 2,5 cm).
Most nights hubby talks to the baby (close to my belly) before we fall asleep. I love it. It's a moment the baby's always quite active. Last Sunday hubby could also for the first time hear the baby's heartbeat by just putting his ear on my belly. Magic.
Turning around in bed has become quite difficult, which I find strange (even though I can understand it's because of the belly I have to move with me, but still).
Despite eating lots of grains, dried prunes, taking homeopathic medicine, etc, I'm still struggling with constipation. One day a few weeks ago it hurt so much, I almost thought I had appendicitis! Luckily it's getting better again.
Also still have regular bouts of nightly leg/foot cramps, even though they're mostly quite mild. I took the soap bar out of the bed, because I found it very annoying (and it didn't seem to help much). Still taking the homeopathic stuff though, and trying to drink more milk.
It often annoys me that I cannot do everything that I did before. I make these to-do lists for household chores, only to realize that after having done two things I'm already completely wiped out... I also get scolded regularly by hubby who thinks I'm walking to fast, moving something to heavy, etc. Sometimes that almost makes me cry (because I do try to take it much easier).
Since about a month, my perineum often feels like I've just returned from a 3-hour bike trip. According to the midwife it's because the baby is putting pressure on it. Together with some intermittent lower back pain, I sometimes walk a bit like a duck, especially when I'm just out off bed.
The midwife also told us to try to make the perineum more supple by applying arnica oil twice a week - the only problem I have with that is, although the real itching is gone - it's still all really sensitive down there and I'm afraid that the itching will return once I start to apply this oil regularly, but on the other hand I would also like to try it, as it might prevent tearing during labor...
Hubby is slowly getting used to the fact that I'm now also working, so he should help out a bit with making breakfast and dinner.
The baby is moving a lot, many times my belly is a bit asymmetrical because he's installed himself to the left of my belly button. I'm getting a little bit anxious about Thursday's u/s - he should have taken the final position by then, head down preferably! Also hope my placenta has moved up since the last u/s (at 21 weeks), because it was at 2 cm from the cervix at that time, which was deemed marginal (should be at least 2,5 cm).
Most nights hubby talks to the baby (close to my belly) before we fall asleep. I love it. It's a moment the baby's always quite active. Last Sunday hubby could also for the first time hear the baby's heartbeat by just putting his ear on my belly. Magic.
Turning around in bed has become quite difficult, which I find strange (even though I can understand it's because of the belly I have to move with me, but still).
Despite eating lots of grains, dried prunes, taking homeopathic medicine, etc, I'm still struggling with constipation. One day a few weeks ago it hurt so much, I almost thought I had appendicitis! Luckily it's getting better again.
Also still have regular bouts of nightly leg/foot cramps, even though they're mostly quite mild. I took the soap bar out of the bed, because I found it very annoying (and it didn't seem to help much). Still taking the homeopathic stuff though, and trying to drink more milk.
It often annoys me that I cannot do everything that I did before. I make these to-do lists for household chores, only to realize that after having done two things I'm already completely wiped out... I also get scolded regularly by hubby who thinks I'm walking to fast, moving something to heavy, etc. Sometimes that almost makes me cry (because I do try to take it much easier).
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Third trimester
Has it started for me or hasn't it? According to the US calculations it did so last week Tuesday, at 27 weeks, but according to the French calculations I have to wait another week. Why do the French always do everything differently..? Anyway, since I'm now half way between the US and French versions, I consider myself officially in my third trimester.
Everything's going well, some minor lower back pain and rather frequently recurring leg (and sometimes even hand) cramps, but managable. I'm still taking magnesium for the cramps and am now also trying some homeopathic granules (cuprum mettalicum - yes, I'm taking heavy metals, but very very diluted) and put a bar of soap under the bed sheets, like someone suggested on this blog a while ago and my yoga teacher also adviced. As I've started both the homeopathic stuff and the bar of soap at the same time, it's hard to say which of the two is most effective, if at all (you just have to believe it!)...
Everything's going well, some minor lower back pain and rather frequently recurring leg (and sometimes even hand) cramps, but managable. I'm still taking magnesium for the cramps and am now also trying some homeopathic granules (cuprum mettalicum - yes, I'm taking heavy metals, but very very diluted) and put a bar of soap under the bed sheets, like someone suggested on this blog a while ago and my yoga teacher also adviced. As I've started both the homeopathic stuff and the bar of soap at the same time, it's hard to say which of the two is most effective, if at all (you just have to believe it!)...
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
20w check-up
Today was my 20w check-up and I was sooo glad about being able to go see the doctor, because since yesterday late afternoon I'd been having constant abdominal cramps again and I was freaking out a bit. I did lay down, drink lots of water, use a heat pad etc, but it didn't really help. Seemed that getting up was actually making me feel a bit better (which should not be the case when you're having contractions - so maybe it was intestinal, but my uterus did feel rock solid) and I also felt the baby moving around quite happily, so both reassured me a little bit, but still, I didn't sleep much during the night and was not happy at all when I woke up this morning and it wasn't gone...
Called the OB to see if there might be a possibility that I could come in earlier (my appointment was not until 2pm), but that didn't work. She told me to lie down and take it easy. Hubby was very sweet and decided to work from home this morning, get my results from last Friday at the lab and come with me to the appointment with the OB this afternoon.
So, first thing she did was take a urine sample to check for infections. Result was negative. Friday's results from the lab were negative too. I told her the itch was still not gone (although barely noticable yesterday and today, but I won't say it's gone until it hasn't appeared for at least a week) and she said it probably would stick around for the remainder of the pregnancy, nothing we can do about it. Asked me if I maybe had some constipation - yes, not super bad, but still (I already decided to decrease my extra iron-intake again because of this). OB said that that's probably causing the belly aches and advised to drink a specific water brand that has lots of magnesium in it (but apparently doesn't taste that great) and eat prunes...
Then the usual check-up: gained 1 kg since last month, BP still fine at 112/60, baby's heart rate was 136 bpm. Uterus height OK, but I'm apparently carrying really low. Uterus felt very tense/present/tonic (no kidding!), she asked if that was always the case, I responded that yes, at least yesterday and today. So those are small contractions, but apparently the baby doesn't care ("il s'en fiche", she said) because it was moving around happily. On to the cervix, which was maybe worrying me the most - I already saw myself on bedrest, having to cancel our trip to the US etc... but no, my cervix doesn't care about my contracting uterus either and remains long, strong and closed!
Pfew.. sigh of relief! I'm already feeling better, even though the belly and lower back aches are still there.
Before we left I asked her about our travel plans to the US and she said that was no problem. Also asked about midwife/birthing classes, but she said it was really early for that and we would discuss that next month. But what she did already say was that the hospital would probably not be the best place to go to for the classes, because there would be too many people in the class with a less quick understanding of things, so I would be bored...
Called the OB to see if there might be a possibility that I could come in earlier (my appointment was not until 2pm), but that didn't work. She told me to lie down and take it easy. Hubby was very sweet and decided to work from home this morning, get my results from last Friday at the lab and come with me to the appointment with the OB this afternoon.
So, first thing she did was take a urine sample to check for infections. Result was negative. Friday's results from the lab were negative too. I told her the itch was still not gone (although barely noticable yesterday and today, but I won't say it's gone until it hasn't appeared for at least a week) and she said it probably would stick around for the remainder of the pregnancy, nothing we can do about it. Asked me if I maybe had some constipation - yes, not super bad, but still (I already decided to decrease my extra iron-intake again because of this). OB said that that's probably causing the belly aches and advised to drink a specific water brand that has lots of magnesium in it (but apparently doesn't taste that great) and eat prunes...
Then the usual check-up: gained 1 kg since last month, BP still fine at 112/60, baby's heart rate was 136 bpm. Uterus height OK, but I'm apparently carrying really low. Uterus felt very tense/present/tonic (no kidding!), she asked if that was always the case, I responded that yes, at least yesterday and today. So those are small contractions, but apparently the baby doesn't care ("il s'en fiche", she said) because it was moving around happily. On to the cervix, which was maybe worrying me the most - I already saw myself on bedrest, having to cancel our trip to the US etc... but no, my cervix doesn't care about my contracting uterus either and remains long, strong and closed!
Pfew.. sigh of relief! I'm already feeling better, even though the belly and lower back aches are still there.
Before we left I asked her about our travel plans to the US and she said that was no problem. Also asked about midwife/birthing classes, but she said it was really early for that and we would discuss that next month. But what she did already say was that the hospital would probably not be the best place to go to for the classes, because there would be too many people in the class with a less quick understanding of things, so I would be bored...
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Update on my various pregnancy discomforts
A quick update on my recent pregnancy-related discomforts:
1) The itch (which I talked about here, here, here and here) is still not gone! It tricks me about once a week in thinking that it's almost over, only to come back in full force the next day. Consulting Dr. Google doesn't give me any answers, because all I find gives 'yeast infection' as result, which the lab test showed I don't have. I've already banned panty liners, shower gel and soap. I'll now also ban fancy undies (since the last time it returned it was on a day I was wearing those) and will stick to the simple cotton ones, even when I think the itch is (almost) gone. On bad days I now take some homeopathic anti-itch cream, which seems to give more relieve than the cream the doc first gave me (the other cream, which was more of a anti-fungus medicine just gave me a burning sensation). I really hope it doesn't stay with me for the rest of the pregnancy...
2) The cramps (see this post) are a lot better. Fortunately I've only had the horrible nightly leg cramp once. I elevated the foot-end of the bed with a pillow, as suggested in one of my pregnancy books, and am making sure I'm getting enough calcium, potassium and protein (and I'm already on magnesium B6 supplements). I've been free of belly cramps too (knock on wood), just some round ligament pain, but nothing serious.
3) The near-fainting spells (see here and here) have not been back either since the last event at the post office on Monday. I've upped my iron intake, so maybe that's why. Thursday's prenatal yoga class was great (I think partly because I made sure to take it easy in the morning and had a relative early lunch which allowed me a 20-minute nap before going to yoga), I could even do the bend over without getting light-headed.
4) Fatigue - I'm still taking afternoon naps, but don't have to set the alarm anymore, I now usually wake up after 20-40 minutes.
So all in all I'm doing pretty well and my belly is growing at a rate of about 1 cm a week. Next checkup on February 3rd, next u/s on February 13th.
1) The itch (which I talked about here, here, here and here) is still not gone! It tricks me about once a week in thinking that it's almost over, only to come back in full force the next day. Consulting Dr. Google doesn't give me any answers, because all I find gives 'yeast infection' as result, which the lab test showed I don't have. I've already banned panty liners, shower gel and soap. I'll now also ban fancy undies (since the last time it returned it was on a day I was wearing those) and will stick to the simple cotton ones, even when I think the itch is (almost) gone. On bad days I now take some homeopathic anti-itch cream, which seems to give more relieve than the cream the doc first gave me (the other cream, which was more of a anti-fungus medicine just gave me a burning sensation). I really hope it doesn't stay with me for the rest of the pregnancy...
2) The cramps (see this post) are a lot better. Fortunately I've only had the horrible nightly leg cramp once. I elevated the foot-end of the bed with a pillow, as suggested in one of my pregnancy books, and am making sure I'm getting enough calcium, potassium and protein (and I'm already on magnesium B6 supplements). I've been free of belly cramps too (knock on wood), just some round ligament pain, but nothing serious.
3) The near-fainting spells (see here and here) have not been back either since the last event at the post office on Monday. I've upped my iron intake, so maybe that's why. Thursday's prenatal yoga class was great (I think partly because I made sure to take it easy in the morning and had a relative early lunch which allowed me a 20-minute nap before going to yoga), I could even do the bend over without getting light-headed.
4) Fatigue - I'm still taking afternoon naps, but don't have to set the alarm anymore, I now usually wake up after 20-40 minutes.
So all in all I'm doing pretty well and my belly is growing at a rate of about 1 cm a week. Next checkup on February 3rd, next u/s on February 13th.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
A day of cramps
Pfew, today is not a really good day... It started around 3 am when I woke up screaming from a horrible leg cramp. No hubby around to massage it (or to scare for that matter - I will have to warn him when he comes home in case it happens again tonight), so I tried to stretch it, which was no fun. I've still been feeling it all day.
Then after showering and dressing this morning I got abdominal cramps, more or less like menstrual cramping. I got a heat pad, drank water and did a slow round to the market. It took about 3.5 hours before it was over. But then it started again while I was taking a nap. So again a heat pad, postponed the plan to clean the apartment (yet again) and consulted Dr. Google. Didn't help much: it could be round ligament pain, but that's usually sharper and more to the sides. It could be something worse, but I have no other bad symptoms and that's just not something I want to consider... The pain ebbed away about 2 hours later.
And maybe weirdest of all, I even briefly had a cramp in my left hand after I'd taken the water pitcher out of the fridge...!
I'm already taking extra magnesium (since I had similar abdominal cramps around weeks 10-12) so I don't know what else to do besides drink lots of water and take it easy. Maybe it's just my uterus growing (too) fast. I always had extremely horrible menstrual cramps, so it seems like a usual reaction for my body if something is happening in those parts.
My belly feels rather 'present' right now, a bit hard. Maybe that's caused by constipation/bloating because I've been taking some extra iron the last two days to avoid more near-fainting spells? I'm trying not to freak out, but of course I'll keep a check on it and if it doesn't go away I'll call my OB tomorrow.
I'll do some leg stretches before going to bed tonight, and maybe eat a banana and drink some milk or yogurt, apparently that helps too...
Then after showering and dressing this morning I got abdominal cramps, more or less like menstrual cramping. I got a heat pad, drank water and did a slow round to the market. It took about 3.5 hours before it was over. But then it started again while I was taking a nap. So again a heat pad, postponed the plan to clean the apartment (yet again) and consulted Dr. Google. Didn't help much: it could be round ligament pain, but that's usually sharper and more to the sides. It could be something worse, but I have no other bad symptoms and that's just not something I want to consider... The pain ebbed away about 2 hours later.
And maybe weirdest of all, I even briefly had a cramp in my left hand after I'd taken the water pitcher out of the fridge...!
I'm already taking extra magnesium (since I had similar abdominal cramps around weeks 10-12) so I don't know what else to do besides drink lots of water and take it easy. Maybe it's just my uterus growing (too) fast. I always had extremely horrible menstrual cramps, so it seems like a usual reaction for my body if something is happening in those parts.
My belly feels rather 'present' right now, a bit hard. Maybe that's caused by constipation/bloating because I've been taking some extra iron the last two days to avoid more near-fainting spells? I'm trying not to freak out, but of course I'll keep a check on it and if it doesn't go away I'll call my OB tomorrow.
I'll do some leg stretches before going to bed tonight, and maybe eat a banana and drink some milk or yogurt, apparently that helps too...
Friday, January 9, 2009
I don't understand...
why this stupid itch is still there when the lab test shows that there's nothing wrong? No yeast infection, no nothing! This should of course be good news, but I don't feel that great, because if I would have an infection, then at least it could be treated, now I don't know what to do and I'm afraid the itch is going to stick around for the rest of the pregnancy... The cream I got on Tuesday is not doing anything yet. Have to take it twice a day until next week Friday, hopefully it'll have effect by then. I don't want to end up like the woman I once read an article about in the New Yorker who scratched her head open (completely through to her brain!) because she had a horrible itch that no-one could cure...
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
16w check-up
Today I had my 4-month checkup (at 16w0d exact). Gained 1,5 kg since last month, BP still fine at 120/70, blood and urine tests which I had yesterday came back OK too (still waiting for the T21 results though, which takes a few more days). OB said I looked great, which was of course great to hear too!
However, this stupid itch is still not gone (ugh!), so the OB decided to do a pap smear which is now at the lab for analysis to see if I have a yeast infection or not (probably yes - but then at least we'll know what kind and it can be treated). She still blames it on the Utrogestan, which I think is correct, and said that sometimes, when a yeast infection happens early in a pregnancy, you are more or less stuck with it for the remainder of the nine months, which I hope is not the case for me, cause I've really had enough of this itch!! Until the results come back from the lab, I have a cream that should already help (better than the cream I got three weeks ago, which was just to sooth, and didn't do much).
Back to good news... uterus felt good and very present, I'm apparently carrying pretty low, but that that doesn't mean anything medically she said - cervix is long and closed. She then got the doppler (or was it something else? I don't know really) out to see if she could detect a heart beat. In the courtyard behind the office someone was drilling away, so there was a horrible noise and she said that 16w would be very early to hear it this way, but... there it was!! How great!! I love it that I've had another sign of life from my baby (can't wait until I'll start to feel it moving, but that'll probably be another three weeks).
The OB was really enthusiastic that we got to hear the heartbeat and we were both all smiles. I kept smiling all the way back home.
Next check-up in four weeks.
However, this stupid itch is still not gone (ugh!), so the OB decided to do a pap smear which is now at the lab for analysis to see if I have a yeast infection or not (probably yes - but then at least we'll know what kind and it can be treated). She still blames it on the Utrogestan, which I think is correct, and said that sometimes, when a yeast infection happens early in a pregnancy, you are more or less stuck with it for the remainder of the nine months, which I hope is not the case for me, cause I've really had enough of this itch!! Until the results come back from the lab, I have a cream that should already help (better than the cream I got three weeks ago, which was just to sooth, and didn't do much).
Back to good news... uterus felt good and very present, I'm apparently carrying pretty low, but that that doesn't mean anything medically she said - cervix is long and closed. She then got the doppler (or was it something else? I don't know really) out to see if she could detect a heart beat. In the courtyard behind the office someone was drilling away, so there was a horrible noise and she said that 16w would be very early to hear it this way, but... there it was!! How great!! I love it that I've had another sign of life from my baby (can't wait until I'll start to feel it moving, but that'll probably be another three weeks).
The OB was really enthusiastic that we got to hear the heartbeat and we were both all smiles. I kept smiling all the way back home.
Next check-up in four weeks.
Friday, December 19, 2008
No infection
Got the results back from my urine test yesterday afternoon: no urine/bladder infection. But the itching hadn't stopped, so I was not feeling very relieved yet. How long before the anti-yeast infection stuff would take effect (it did say on the instructions that the itching could initially get worse)?
My mom, sister and hubby all suggested that it might be due to the utrogestan (progesterone suppositories) I've been taking since egg retrieval (Sept. 30), which would not surprise me, so I consulted the French Dr. Google and indeed found a few forums where women were experiencing the same thing.
So I went to the OB this morning with the test results from the lab (normally they send them by mail, but I had said I would bring them myself) and asked to see the doc for a minute to ask what to do next. Luckily my regular OB was back, so I didn't have to deal with the very friendly, but rather inexperienced replacement (who doesn't even now what a progesterone suppository looks like). She listened to my question, looked at my file and said my body was probably fed up with the utrogestan and that she was pretty sure that's what caused the itching.
So, no more utrogestan, yay! Immediately felt less itchy after that news. Funny how that works...
My mom, sister and hubby all suggested that it might be due to the utrogestan (progesterone suppositories) I've been taking since egg retrieval (Sept. 30), which would not surprise me, so I consulted the French Dr. Google and indeed found a few forums where women were experiencing the same thing.
So I went to the OB this morning with the test results from the lab (normally they send them by mail, but I had said I would bring them myself) and asked to see the doc for a minute to ask what to do next. Luckily my regular OB was back, so I didn't have to deal with the very friendly, but rather inexperienced replacement (who doesn't even now what a progesterone suppository looks like). She listened to my question, looked at my file and said my body was probably fed up with the utrogestan and that she was pretty sure that's what caused the itching.
So, no more utrogestan, yay! Immediately felt less itchy after that news. Funny how that works...
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Hospital labels and a possible infection
Well, this morning was the early pregnancy information session at the hospital. But first I had to get my labels printed. They had told me to come about 15 minutes before the session would start, but as I'm always (way too) early, I was there 30 minutes before. No line, so that was good. Before they could make the labels, they had to start a file in my name (so they apparently didn't do anything with the info I gave them the day I registered...?!) and then I got a nice sheet with 30 tiny labels which include a bar code, my name, my DOB and file number.
Apparently these labels are the entry ticket to anything that has to do with checkups, prenatal preparatory sessions, etc. within the OB department. At each appointment you have to give a label and then they charge it to the state-run insurance. So my first label was for the midwife who held the presentation... I must admit that the French health care system doesn't stop to amaze me and it's quite unbelievable sometimes that it in fact runs pretty smoothly.
On to the meeting room. At 9:45am about half the room was full. Then more people came in, some with, some without labels - apparently the line downstairs for printing the labels had become rather long. The midwife tried to start around 9:55am - even more people came in - there were not enough chairs. Attending husbands were asked to bring in more chairs. People kept coming in (you did not need to register for the session). At 10:15am a woman came in telling that there was still a whole group downstairs waiting for their labels. The midwife told her to go and get them so she could finally really start. Still, even after that people kept coming in (I think the last ones arrived around 11am). The room was way too full.
Apart from this, the session was quite informative, but I did wonder if I could not have gotten the same information in 10 minutes from a doctor, nurse or midwife affiliated with the hospital, instead of spending more than two hours in an overcrowded room...
I initially thought that after this session I would have the afternoon off so I could finally get some administrative and household stuff done. But this was not the case. As the burning sensation around my girlie parts (see two posts back) had not gone away yet, I decided I should call my OB, because just reading books and the internet only made me worry too much. Had to wait until after 2pm, because of course no-one here in France is reachable between 12 and 2, not to be disturbed while having their nice and lengthy lunches. Got hold of the secretary at 2.20pm, she put me through to the OB (replacement) who said she would need to see me and might have an opening today, so she transferred me back to the secretary: the 2.45pm appointment had just canceled, so, did I live far from their office...?
I took the appointment, found a city bike (free bike system), flew downhill, and was at the office at 2.42pm. Didn't have to wait more than two minutes. OB asked me what exactly my symptoms were, which is always a nice challenge to try to explain in French - I did look up some words in the dictionary before I called, but forgot the word for itch again, as it is so weird (demangeaison), but luckily she understood what I wanted to say.
So after the little chat, on to the stirrups. She couldn't detect any cut like my OB had seen last week, but said that she saw a lot of white thick discharge, so it must be a yeast infection. But to me that discharge looked just like the remains of the progesterone suppositories, which I told her, so now she wasn't sure anymore. But she said it looked a little reddish too and the itching was pretty bad after she removed the speculum, so she did give me a prescription for something against a yeast infection (a vaginal capsule I have to take tonight). Maybe it is actually caused by the fact that I've been putting in progesterone suppositories for 11 weeks now...? Luckily only five more days of that left.
She also ordered me to go to a lab to have my urine tested for infection, preferably today, so we would have the results before I leave for Holland this weekend. So once I was out the door, I called the lab to see if I could come still come by. Yes, but for I would need to wait 2 hours since last bathroom visit, so had to go there around 5pm.
So I went to the pharmacy first to get the prescription (including a cream to sooth the itching) and then went back home. Took a nap for about 40 minutes. Got up, got another city bike and rode to the lab (slightly uphill this time). Results will be back tomorrow afternoon. Pfff...
Apparently these labels are the entry ticket to anything that has to do with checkups, prenatal preparatory sessions, etc. within the OB department. At each appointment you have to give a label and then they charge it to the state-run insurance. So my first label was for the midwife who held the presentation... I must admit that the French health care system doesn't stop to amaze me and it's quite unbelievable sometimes that it in fact runs pretty smoothly.
On to the meeting room. At 9:45am about half the room was full. Then more people came in, some with, some without labels - apparently the line downstairs for printing the labels had become rather long. The midwife tried to start around 9:55am - even more people came in - there were not enough chairs. Attending husbands were asked to bring in more chairs. People kept coming in (you did not need to register for the session). At 10:15am a woman came in telling that there was still a whole group downstairs waiting for their labels. The midwife told her to go and get them so she could finally really start. Still, even after that people kept coming in (I think the last ones arrived around 11am). The room was way too full.
Apart from this, the session was quite informative, but I did wonder if I could not have gotten the same information in 10 minutes from a doctor, nurse or midwife affiliated with the hospital, instead of spending more than two hours in an overcrowded room...
I initially thought that after this session I would have the afternoon off so I could finally get some administrative and household stuff done. But this was not the case. As the burning sensation around my girlie parts (see two posts back) had not gone away yet, I decided I should call my OB, because just reading books and the internet only made me worry too much. Had to wait until after 2pm, because of course no-one here in France is reachable between 12 and 2, not to be disturbed while having their nice and lengthy lunches. Got hold of the secretary at 2.20pm, she put me through to the OB (replacement) who said she would need to see me and might have an opening today, so she transferred me back to the secretary: the 2.45pm appointment had just canceled, so, did I live far from their office...?
I took the appointment, found a city bike (free bike system), flew downhill, and was at the office at 2.42pm. Didn't have to wait more than two minutes. OB asked me what exactly my symptoms were, which is always a nice challenge to try to explain in French - I did look up some words in the dictionary before I called, but forgot the word for itch again, as it is so weird (demangeaison), but luckily she understood what I wanted to say.
So after the little chat, on to the stirrups. She couldn't detect any cut like my OB had seen last week, but said that she saw a lot of white thick discharge, so it must be a yeast infection. But to me that discharge looked just like the remains of the progesterone suppositories, which I told her, so now she wasn't sure anymore. But she said it looked a little reddish too and the itching was pretty bad after she removed the speculum, so she did give me a prescription for something against a yeast infection (a vaginal capsule I have to take tonight). Maybe it is actually caused by the fact that I've been putting in progesterone suppositories for 11 weeks now...? Luckily only five more days of that left.
She also ordered me to go to a lab to have my urine tested for infection, preferably today, so we would have the results before I leave for Holland this weekend. So once I was out the door, I called the lab to see if I could come still come by. Yes, but for I would need to wait 2 hours since last bathroom visit, so had to go there around 5pm.
So I went to the pharmacy first to get the prescription (including a cream to sooth the itching) and then went back home. Took a nap for about 40 minutes. Got up, got another city bike and rode to the lab (slightly uphill this time). Results will be back tomorrow afternoon. Pfff...
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