Today I saw my doctor to find out where we go from here, after our BFP this past weekend.
For one, when I asked for HCG levels to make sure it's doubling appropriately every 72h, she looked at me like I had two heads. Apparently, this is not a normal request and she never orders HCG levels.
After some begging and foot-stamping, she decided I could have my HCG levels drawn, but I should be aware that the results may be "inconclusive or even stressful" for me.
Ummmmmmmmmmmm, okay? How was my miscarriage in March not stressful? Riiiight. I do realize that the doubling won't really tell me that this pregnancy will progress healthily, but I still need a little bit of assurance that things are okay right NOW.
And then, there's the little issue of the ultrasound. Because my cycles haven't been exactly clockwork in the past two months, I qualify for a dating ultrasound to find out exactly how far along I am. Good news! I can have my ultrasound in week 7 instead of waiting until week 9.
Well, that sounds great - what am I bitching about then? The issue is booking the ultrasound with the aforementioned special ultrasound clinics with bouncers named Bubba. The ABSOLUTE earliest they can "squeeze" me in for a dating ultrasound is 7:45 am on July 21, 2009. When I will be in week 10. Is that not INSANE!!?!?!??!??
I now have to phone every day and find out if there's a cancellation that will mean I can get in earlier. I am all too cognizant that any cancellation will likely be a result of some poor woman having her ultrasound cancelled due to miscarriage.
Oh, and I wasn't able to go to the lab today to get my HCG levels drawn either. Because there are no appointments available until tomorrow.
Le sigh.
Like I said, the free healthcare thang certainly has it perks. But considering how much us poor over-taxed Canadians pay in taxes and monthly healthcare premiums, I would think that the whole machine would be a little bit more well oiled.
Sounds frustrating. I hope it all works out for you.
ReplyDeleteOur stories are exact! I too miscarried in March and am currently approximately 5 wks 2 days pregnant. I had a HCG level taken last Monday and it was 70 and a second last Wednesday with an appropriate rise to 139. They had me schedule a Dating Ultrasound for 7/6, and until then I'm holding my breath. Time seems to be going SO slowly. Good luck to you.
ReplyDeleteAudra
Seattle
I hear you on the limitations. I keep reading about all these women in the US that get early ultrasounds (like 6 weeks) and get HCG levels drawn and it seems to be the norm....but here we get nothing like that. I have to wait until 13 weeks for my first ultrasound and its driving me nuts!!
ReplyDeleteI had my first ultrasound yesterday and Im 5 weeks. My Dr wanted me in to make sure everything was ok. I miscarried in March so he just wanted to make sure everything was growing correctly! And it is!! My Hcg was 1811 At 4 weeks and 4 days. When I was 4 weeks last time my Hcg was 25!
ReplyDeleteSo we are on the right track!!! yay!!!Baby dust to all of you! And keep us updated!