High Risk Doctor's Appointment

Well...here it goes. The appointment started out pretty well with having the ultrasound first and being able to see our little one on a big screen tv as he/she waved hello at us. Then they moved us to an exam room where we waited for the doctor, and waited, and waited. The doctor was very nice and apologized for taking so long. Then I heard good news that I wouldn't have to have the Lovenox shots I had been dreading.  
Unfortunately, the good news quickly turned to not so pleasant news as he changed his mind and said I needed to do the Lovenox shots. I had to have bloodwork taken which is an entirely separate story (waited almost an hour to find out that lab didn't do that test, so had to drive across town to wait longer and get stuck twice because I "wasn't bleeding much"-whatever!). I felt myself wanting to run from the room when he started talking about my morbidity with DVTs and how much I am at risk for miscarriage if I do or don't do the Lovenox. I knew I was about to start crying, so I tried to just shut that out of my mind. I know they have to tell you everything because you have to be informed, but I am already nervous enough and I simply didn't want to hear that.

Now we sit and wait for the test results to come back in a week to two weeks to find out if I will have to have two shots per day (therapeutic) of Lovenox or if I can remain on the one shot per day (prophylactic). I will then have to switch to Heparin at 35 weeks and that will be two shots per day. Then after the delivery I go back on Lovenox for at least six weeks. While the shots themselves don't bother me, it's the effects of them on my belly because I pretty much look like a drug addict shooting up in my stomach. I know it's the best thing for both me and baby, but it's still not any fun. Trying to keep a positive look on things, because I know it could be so much worse. If these tests do come back positive, it will mean Coumadin for the rest of my life.

Who knew that ten years after all my heart cath stuff and blood clots that this would be rearing it's ugly head again. I am thankful to be alive. I have the awesome opportunity to help care for people who are going through the exact same thing I did ten years ago. It is a pretty amazing feeling. I do think I will empathize again a little more with my patients each time I have to give them a Lovenox shot. I have already told them that I have had these shots before and I know how they can burn. I'm not quite sure they believe me, but it makes me feel a little better to let them know that I don't enjoy sticking people, but I know the benefit outweighs the risk. 

Well, I think I will try to go back to sleep for a little bit. I've enjoyed three days off and now I go back to work tonight. Check out the most recent sono pictures from yesterday on my fb. They really do look like a baby now. He/she is standing on it's head. So silly already. We go to see the regular OB next Friday, so will post more info after that.

Mommy-to-be,
Angela =)