Unexpected visit to the Doctor

I went to the doctor today. It was my first time to go at a time not regularly scheduled. I'm pretty proud of myself for making it 33 weeks without going in at an unscheduled time. If you know what a worry wort I am, you'll understand.

Anyway, I was just at the doctor for a regularly scheduled appointment on Thursday, and everything was great. Well, this weekend I started having this stinging/burning feeling on my right side really low when I walk. If I sit down, it goes away. If I keep walking, it gets worse and eventually starts burning down into my thigh. Very annoying. Yesterday, I was feeling around where it was burning and I could have sworn it felt puffy.

So I decided to call the doctors office today. I hate doing this, but I mainly wanted reassurance that everything was ok. Every other time I've ever called (only a few!) they've said, "That's normal. Take Tylenol." I assumed this time would be no different. Imagine my surprise when they told me to come in. I kind of freaked out.

I went in and waited for over 2 hours in a near-panic. I was half tempted to just go home and pray everything was ok. But of course I didn't. I finally saw my doctor, and she said she wanted to check me to make sure this wasn't the beginning of pre-term labor. Ahh! Thank God, it wasn't. I'm not dilated or effaced at all. So, apparently the burning is because Aubrey is more than likely sitting on my round ligament which is probably pressing a nerve. Lovely. There is nothing I can do except poke her and try to make her move. My doctor said even if she does move, babies get certain positions they like, and she'll probably move right back. It's ok though. I can deal with it as long as it's nothing bad, which my doctor assured me it's not.

I just want to take a second and say what a blessing it is to have a sweet doctor. Going to the doctor all the time during pregnancy can be stressful, especially for people like me who dread going to the doctor, period. Also, I'm always worried about the baby when I go, even if I've had no problems. So to have a doctor who is always sweet, takes as much time with me as I need, and shares stories from her own pregnancies makes the experience a little less scary. I felt stupid for going in today when everything was fine, but she said to never hesitate to come in if I have any question whatsoever. She said she'd rather see 1,000 women who are completely fine than miss that one who really does have a problem but stays home because she thinks her symptom is no big deal. She said if anything else pops up, to come on back. It made me feel a lot better and not so stupid. This is the kind of reassurance my personality needs. I'm bad about second-guessing myself. So I'm thankful that God provided the right doctor for me.

Anyway, all's apparently well. I may be doing a little less walking around for a while though. Only 7 more weeks to go! How crazy is that??