Baby Update

I had my first appointment yesterday at the Special Pregnancy Program Unit at Mount Sinai Hospital. I’ve never seen so many pregnant bellies in my life. It was almost amusing watching all the pregnant bellies waddling around. In a weird and twisted way, I felt like I belonged! I was amongst the big bellied waddling portion of the population. I actually blended in for a change instead of standing out in the crowd. Somehow a pregnant belly becomes an eye magnet and whether you like it or not, people tend to stare.

Feeling at ease and content with all the medical expertise and doctors around, I registered at the front desk. A few moments later, I was directed to a waiting room where a nurse sat down to talk to me. She was a lovely and sweet lady. We spent about a half an hour getting caught up on my pregnancy to date since she didn’t have all my records from Ajax yet. I was totally shocked at how much time she had to spend with me. I was used to the 5 minute appointments at my OB in Ajax where they post signs on the walls requesting you to limit your questions to two per visit.

After doing all the preliminaries, the nurse left, and shortly after, my new Doctor arrived. Yet again I was amazed at how much time they spent with me, and how I never once felt rushed, and I was encouraged to ask as many questions as needed. We had to figure out how I would be splitting my care between the doctors at Mount Sinai and my regular OB in Ajax. We decided that any sort of regular checkup routine in Ajax wasn’t necessary anymore since I would be going to Toronto once a week now, but that it might be a good idea to maintain my relationship with my OB in Ajax, so that in the event that the heart arrhythmia goes away before its time to deliver, my Ajax OB is still aware of everything and has been kept in the loop.

I started to get very emotional again during my visit with the Doctor. I don’t think I fully understood what “weekly follow up” meant. I sort of got the impression that my files were just being moved to Mount Sinai where they are better equipped to deal with baby heart problems and that I would continue to see an OB as normal where they would just listen to the heart beat, take my blood pressure, measure my belly and send me on my way.

It turns out that once a week I require what is called a Biophysical Profile Ultrasound on the baby as well as my regular OB care. The Biophysical Profile will help determine if there is any distress on the baby from her heart. I also have to continue having Echocardiograms on the baby’s heart every 3 weeks until she is born.

I don’t know why all of this news made me feel more nervous. All of these tests and precautions make perfect sense. Of course, to adequately monitor the baby and her well being more ECHO’s and Ultrasounds would be required. Like I mentioned earlier, I suppose I just didn’t really fully consider what the “weekly follow up” entailed, and I wasn’t mentally prepared with all this new information.

I haven’t been allowed to return back to work yet. I am now officially off work for at least two weeks, at which point I will be reassessed.

After my appointments yesterday I went to visit my boss. She was incredibly understanding and told me to just relax and enjoy watching Oprah! Although we don’t always agree on technical issues, she is a very compassionate and fair woman, and I’m lucky to have her as my boss.

Mark and I are trying to remain calm and think positive. We are mad that we have been so sad and scared this past week because the growth and arrival of Ava is supposed to be a happy and joyous occasion. I don’t want anything to take that away from us, no matter how she arrives in this world, it is still her special day and she deserves a happy one.