At the beginning of my 2nd trimester I saw my OB here in Pretoria a few days before I flew back to the states for a 5 week vacation. I asked my OB if she wanted me to see my OB in Kansas City for the 20 week check up and ultrasound and she had some questions. "Who does the ultrasound?" "Where is the ultrasound performed?" "Is it a regular OB or a specialist?" I explained to her that the ultrasound tech does the ultrasound right in the regular OB's office and then the OB comes in to verify everything is good. My OB here in Pretoria had a puzzled look on her face when I explained this and said she would prefer that I just wait until I return at 22 weeks to get the ultrasound in Pretoria. She explained I would see the same OB specialist that I saw at 12 weeks and she would feel better about it. I told her that was fine with me but was thinking "I never hear of anyone questioning medical care in the states, especially from Africa". Since I was happy with my 12 weeks ultrasound I was happy to wait until my return again.
Of course if you read some of my previous blogs, you know how my flight back to Pretoria went. Otherwise my 5 weeks in the states went well. Upon my return to Pretoria I did see the OB specialist here for my ultrasound. I felt the doctor did a great job of explaining all the different aspects she was measuring and checking on. It was a very thorough ultrasound, actually better than the one I had at 20 weeks with Adalyn in the states, and good news to report all around. Two weeks later I saw my regular OB in Pretoria for a check up and of course another ultrasound. At this appointment she said I would need to schedule my glucose testing at the lab.
I scheduled my glucose testing at 26 weeks and luckily I have a friend over here that is due 3 weeks before me so I can ask her about what to expect. I was surprised to hear that South Africa does not do the traditional glucose screening test but instead does the longer glucose tolerance test. So instead of coming to the lab, drinking the orange glucose drink and getting my blood drawn an hour later, I got to enjoy the lab for 3 hours, thankfully my friend told me to bring a book. Upon arriving at the lab the nurse took my blood and asked why I was getting my glucose tested. She said it was not routine for pregnant women in South Africa to get it tested unless their OB thinks there may be an issue. I told her my OB recommended it like it was routine and since it is in the states, I had no problem doing it again.
After my first blood draw, the nurse mixed up the glucose liquid in someone' s used coffee mug (not the container I would prefer but I have learned to let a few things slide while living in Africa). After drinking it down I waited an hour, gave my 2nd blood sample, waited another hour and gave my 3rd blood sample. At least this 3 hour process only cost me $17.30 which insurance picked up as usual. Thankfully I passed otherwise if I had to repeat it I might just bring in my own coffee mug next time.
At 28 weeks I had another appointment with my OB which included an ultrasound again. I have quite the collection of pictures which I love. It is also nice to have the visual affirmation that the baby is doing well. Plus the doctor measures every part of the baby so I get constant updates on how big he/she is growing. This little one is measuring ahead 2.5 weeks but we will see, you never know when they are going to arrive, and measurements later on are not always the clearest. I was suppose to get my Rogam shot at this appointment as I am O- and Mark is 0+ but South Africa is having a shortage of Rogam so it is only to be given when absolutely necessary. My OB stated that we would wait and I would receive a larger dose after the baby is born if he/she is O+.
Right now I am a few days shy of 30 weeks along and very pleased with my medical care and how my pregnancy is progressing. The baby is currently lying transverse, Adalyn did the same up until 34 weeks, so hopefully this baby will turn head down as well. Adalyn is very excited for the baby to arrive and asks daily when it is coming. She has requested a girl and is not happy when we try to tell her that we need to be prepared that there is a 50% chance it could be a boy. She has picked out the name, Babe, regardless of it's gender. Sadly she will be disappointed when we don't go with her chosen name. The baby's nursery is ready and hopefully we are too.
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