Medical mayhem

This week has been a whirlwind of emotions. Anxiety, terror and relief. 

ANXIETY
I have been getting intense stabbing pains on my left hand side, on and off throughout my pregnancy. The last week or so, it has been getting more and more intense. I kept putting off going to the doctors as it kept coming and going - so I kept thinking it had gone away. The pains lasted around half an hour and some were so debilitating - I was doubled over in pain. So, Tuesday, I phoned the doctor to ask their advice - thinking they'd just say it was normal and to get over it - but instead then booked me in for an emergency appointment. 

The doctor was absolutely lovely. She spent a long time asking questions, feeling my tummy for pain points and was considering doing an internal examination (my first thought was - uh oh, I haven't shaved my legs!). She then revealed that she was worried the pregnancy could be ectopic and growing inside the fallopian tube and so was going to refer me to the Early Pregnancy Unit at the hospital. I was not expecting that! 

TERROR 
I had an appointment through for the very next day and went along with my husband. The waiting room was pretty distressing. There was a couple who had obviously just had some bad news and the girl was in floods of tears. Then there were other ladies with kids running amok around the small waiting room! Anyway, after a tense hour wait, we were invited in to talk to one of the nurses, who went through my symptoms and explained that as I was only 8.5 weeks pregnant, they would be performing an internal examination (external examinations are done at 9 weeks onwards). Again - I was not expecting that! But this time, I had shaved my legs just in case!

RELIEF 
I was called in for the internal scan, whipped off my clothes and the doctor got to work. My heart was beating so fast - but we didn't had to wait long at all. Almost immediately she said that there was a baby and it was growing in the right place. She showed us the baby on the screen and we were able to see a tiny heartbeat and it wriggling around all over the place (which doesn't bode well for later on!). The doctor said that the baby is actually measuring at 9 weeks (my maths is obviously terrible!) so I could have had a tummy scan after all! Apparently the pain I have been experiencing is due to a cyst on my left ovary, which is where the egg that was fertilized was released from. The cyst is currently dying away and detaching itself, causing the pain. Most women don't even feel it. Anyway, we are both hugely relieved. I am perfectly happy to put up with the pain now I know that nothing is wrong with the baby - and also discovered I am able to take paracetamol for it! I had been under the impression that all drugs were a no go! 

The relief was huge and we are both so happy that everything is ok. I can't stop thinking about the couple in the waiting room, for whom the news wasn't so good. So very sad and difficult to get over. At 9 weeks pregnant I FEEL pregnant and I have fully accepted mentally that I am pregnant. To have that taken away from you must be so awful. 

The Waiting Game

Time is passing, but not quick enough! Everything about pregnancy seems to be about waiting! Once one milestone has passed, the next one can't come quick enough. The next wait is for the 12 week scan - only 4.5 more weeks to hang on. I know that is soon as the 12 week scan is done - the 20 week scan will be on the horizon! 

Everything seems to be going 'ok'. Though it's hard when you don't really know what 'ok' is! I am having sore cramps (like period pains) pretty much every day at various intervals and then occasionally rather more painful cramps in my left side. The midwife assured me that all of this was normal, so I'm trying to keep calm and not worry! I'm finding it to be quite an isolated, lonely place. I would normally be talking about something this important with all of my friends, colleagues and any other bugger would care to listen! So it does feel rather strange keeping this to ourselves. Again - ROLL ON THE 12 WEEK SCAN!