Questions for Doc
I have been keeping a log of questions to ask the doctor at each visit and I had the brilliant idea to share them and their answers here. I don't know why I wasn't doing this all along...derp! Okay, so here are all of the question I have asked so far. These are my interpretations of what my doctor said, do not take them as fact or in lieu of asking your own doctor!
1. Why is it that sometimes my belly is hard and other times it's softer?
This was asked very early on, maybe around 12 or 14 weeks. His answer was just that they are still so small that when they shift around my body will change. Also he did tell me that if it happens a lot throughout the day and is accompanied by a tightening of the stomach, to keep an eye on it as that can happen as a sign of early labor also. I'm still not clear on what people mean by "tightening" of the stomach. I hear that it happens when you're in labor but it doesn't seem like an easy think to diagnose when your belly is already rock hard from growing babies. I will let you know once I've experienced it!
2. The age old question about the hazard of laying on my back.
He explained the different veins that are in the back and how when you lay on your back some of them get constricted and has LESS blood flow, it's not like it stops blood flow to your body. He said that early on it won't matter that much but as I continue to grow it will become more and more uncomfortable and I likely won't even want to lie on my back. Basically it doesn't seem as scary as I've heard on other boards.
3. Can I lay on my stomach?
I kept waking up finding myself on my stomach pretty early on and I was concerned about squishing the babies.
Doc says not to worry about it. They are protected with plenty of layers and fluids, lay however I want to get comfortable.
4. There was a period of about a week where I was getting horrible, awful headaches. I asked him if this was normal.
He says yes. It's all the hormone changes in your body, it can take it's toll. He recommended drinking more water and even more if I do any kind of exercise. I also went to see a Chiro for this which helped so much and I have only had one or two really bad headaches since the beginning of the pregnancy!
5. Why are my hips so achy when I sleep?
Again, things are moving and changing to make room for the babies and he said it's totally normal. He thinks that the body starts presenting with uncomfortable aches and pains to prepare you for not being able to sleep when the babies are born! haha :)
6. Are lemons okay to eat?
He says yes. I have eaten so many in this pregnancy and have not had anything weird happen.
7. In case I deliver early, should I go to Huntington (my hospital) which is about 45 minutes away or go to the nearest hospital?
He was very happy I asked this question. He said that the important thing would be to get to my hospital simply because it's the closest one around that is equipped with a top of the line NICU that can actually handle babies born 24 weeks and later. He said that if we went elsewhere the babies would just be air-lifted to Huntington anyway. Obviously this wouldn't apply if I was dying or something, but if I went into a normal but early labor, head to my hospital. I then asked what I should do if it's fast and the babies are coming out before I can get to the hospital. He said to rub their back and try to get them breathing and immediately do skin to skin also covered with a blanket and just get the eff to the hospital. If I remember correctly he said not to clamp or cut the cord if that happened. It was a scary conversation but a very important one.
8. My brother, and later verified by hubby, informed me that I have bad breath. Awesome. Since it's never been a problem I've had before, I asked the doc.
While talking to him I brought up that I also have a small amount of blood in my spit after I vomit (which is almost never now) and have since as far back as I can remember. Taking both things into account he said he would like me to see an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist. I haven't done that yet though. I had an appt but when I showed up the said, "oops...we actually do NOT take your insurance...". Dummies.
9. At my last appt it was discovered that I had lost 2lbs since last visit and I wanted to make sure that was okay.
He said, based on the weight I started the pregnancy, I should only expect to gain 15lbs or so the whole pregnancy and that he wasn't worried in the slightest. He kindly said, "You have plenty of nutrition to give them". Hahaha!
And there you have it! Those are the questions I've asked so far (at least that I had written down!) I will update with each appt's new questions :)
- Sausha
P.S. As a side note - EW! Lol
1. Why is it that sometimes my belly is hard and other times it's softer?
This was asked very early on, maybe around 12 or 14 weeks. His answer was just that they are still so small that when they shift around my body will change. Also he did tell me that if it happens a lot throughout the day and is accompanied by a tightening of the stomach, to keep an eye on it as that can happen as a sign of early labor also. I'm still not clear on what people mean by "tightening" of the stomach. I hear that it happens when you're in labor but it doesn't seem like an easy think to diagnose when your belly is already rock hard from growing babies. I will let you know once I've experienced it!
2. The age old question about the hazard of laying on my back.
He explained the different veins that are in the back and how when you lay on your back some of them get constricted and has LESS blood flow, it's not like it stops blood flow to your body. He said that early on it won't matter that much but as I continue to grow it will become more and more uncomfortable and I likely won't even want to lie on my back. Basically it doesn't seem as scary as I've heard on other boards.
3. Can I lay on my stomach?
I kept waking up finding myself on my stomach pretty early on and I was concerned about squishing the babies.
Doc says not to worry about it. They are protected with plenty of layers and fluids, lay however I want to get comfortable.
4. There was a period of about a week where I was getting horrible, awful headaches. I asked him if this was normal.
He says yes. It's all the hormone changes in your body, it can take it's toll. He recommended drinking more water and even more if I do any kind of exercise. I also went to see a Chiro for this which helped so much and I have only had one or two really bad headaches since the beginning of the pregnancy!
5. Why are my hips so achy when I sleep?
Again, things are moving and changing to make room for the babies and he said it's totally normal. He thinks that the body starts presenting with uncomfortable aches and pains to prepare you for not being able to sleep when the babies are born! haha :)
6. Are lemons okay to eat?
He says yes. I have eaten so many in this pregnancy and have not had anything weird happen.
7. In case I deliver early, should I go to Huntington (my hospital) which is about 45 minutes away or go to the nearest hospital?
He was very happy I asked this question. He said that the important thing would be to get to my hospital simply because it's the closest one around that is equipped with a top of the line NICU that can actually handle babies born 24 weeks and later. He said that if we went elsewhere the babies would just be air-lifted to Huntington anyway. Obviously this wouldn't apply if I was dying or something, but if I went into a normal but early labor, head to my hospital. I then asked what I should do if it's fast and the babies are coming out before I can get to the hospital. He said to rub their back and try to get them breathing and immediately do skin to skin also covered with a blanket and just get the eff to the hospital. If I remember correctly he said not to clamp or cut the cord if that happened. It was a scary conversation but a very important one.
8. My brother, and later verified by hubby, informed me that I have bad breath. Awesome. Since it's never been a problem I've had before, I asked the doc.
While talking to him I brought up that I also have a small amount of blood in my spit after I vomit (which is almost never now) and have since as far back as I can remember. Taking both things into account he said he would like me to see an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist. I haven't done that yet though. I had an appt but when I showed up the said, "oops...we actually do NOT take your insurance...". Dummies.
9. At my last appt it was discovered that I had lost 2lbs since last visit and I wanted to make sure that was okay.
He said, based on the weight I started the pregnancy, I should only expect to gain 15lbs or so the whole pregnancy and that he wasn't worried in the slightest. He kindly said, "You have plenty of nutrition to give them". Hahaha!
And there you have it! Those are the questions I've asked so far (at least that I had written down!) I will update with each appt's new questions :)
- Sausha
P.S. As a side note - EW! Lol
good questions! the only thing i've asked my dr recently is if i am allowed to have a hot dog this summer. one track mind i have. and that shirt... i dont know whether i love it or hate it! LMAO!! it's gruesome and awesome at the same time!!! bahahahaha
ReplyDeleteHahaha! I feel the same about that shirt! I also saw one that had an alien (from the movie Alien) popping out of her stomach. I would have totally done that if I was going to be pregnant during Halloween time!
DeleteEek…that shirt is all kinds of wrong but you can't help but be mildly amused by it. Great questions for your doc.
ReplyDelete