First Visit..

This morning was my first official appointment with my holistic doctor. I get really anxious before doctor’s visits. My stomach knots up and I can never eat beforehand. That’s probably another reason atmosphere matters so much to me when it comes to anything medical. Since this was a long appointment, we dropped Daisy off with Ryan’s sister and her 2 boys. I was very thankful for the chance for Ryan and I to focus on the “baby-in-the-oven” for a morning.

The office amazes me every time I go in. It’s like walking into a hardwood floored, earthy house. Big comfy couches, plants, lamps and photographs. We were soon taken to an office and it was just as nice as the one we saw last time. 3 big windows, Ivy plants hanging from the ceiling, a nice sheeted bed and another huge couch. I’m pretty much in love with the whole place.

I saw Dr. Lisa this time and immediately she put me at ease. She’s very soft and calming. I went in prepared to have a pelvic exam but we actually talked for so long we decided to reschedule for the next visit. I’m totally ok with dodging that bullet. Anyway, we talked about family and medical history as well as Daisy’s birth. I told her my entire birth story and one of the most traumatic parts being that I was jabbed over 10 times while the nurse tried to put in my IV. She said she was shocked my midwife allowed that, and said she’s putting a special note in my file saying I have very small veins and if an IV doesn’t work on the first try they will call the IV Team to do it themselves and not a nurse. She said it should never take that many sticks. What a relief that is! It makes me feel like she’s already taking care of me in ways I wouldn’t have thought of on my own.

I actually learned a lot about supplements and helpful things I should look into taking. I’ve never been huge on taking a lot of pills, but these really make since. First, when I’m out of this bottle, I’m switching from my Nature Made prenatal to Rainbow Light (?) Prenatal. I’m also going to go on a fish oil supplement, calcium and a pro biotic. The pro biotic has shown to decrease skin rashes and eczema by 50% in kids whose mom’s took it while pregnant. That’s amazing and I wish I had know that with Daisy because the poor girl has such sensitive skin. Hopefully now I can spare the next baby most rashes.

We talked about my horrible experience trying to breastfeed and dealing with postpartum depression. She said they greatly prepare women for nursing and even help with it after baby is born. She said support and encouragement is vital to nurse successfully. They obviously really mean it too because she said they have a 95% success rate in helping their moms exclusively nurse! She said they’ve always had women be able to nurse at least 6 months! How freaking awesome is that?

We talked about postpartum depression and ways to help with that. She weighed me and according to her scale I’ve lost a pound which puts me at no weight gain so far (and next week I’m in my 2nd trimester!) She said it’s totally fine I haven’t gained anything yet and actually gives me a nice buffer zone. In fact, she said I could gain a pound a week until I deliver and still be within a healthy weight gain. I DON’T plan on doing THAT lol! But it definitely takes a load off.

After that, We put goop on my belly and within seconds found the heartbeat. Such a miraculous sound. Any worries I had about this pregnancy just “woosh-woosh-woosh’d” away. In that moment I didn’t care at all if it was a girl or a boy heartbeat. Just the fact that it was there, healthy, beating and mine was good enough for me. It was 170bpm, strong and lovely

I don’t think I’ve ever been so RELIEVED and felt so good after leaving a doctor’s office. I’m totally sold on them. I’m extremely lucky I even got in, she said I was the last one they took for February and they’ve already had to turn several women away. I DO have to get blood work done at a lab, but the nice thing is I can go whenever I want, between now and my next appointment. So whenever I have some free time and am feeling brave I’ll just stop by.

I’m pretty confident now that this is the perfect place for us. I really felt at ease and I feel really good going forward with them. Especially knowing I’ll receive so much support after having the baby as well.

29 weeks to go!