By Amalah of Alpha Mom
Oh wise Amalah,
I feel like I'm going insane. My sweet hubby and I recently found out we are pregnant. Barely pregnant (5 weeks). (We're SOOO excited!!!) We haven't told anyone yet as we feel it's still a bit too early, but without being able to talk to anyone I'm going crazy! I can't tell if what I'm experiencing is normal or something to run to the doctor about. I'm most concerned about the cramps and mild spotting. I thought the spotting would only last a couple days during implantation? Did you experience any of this when you got preggers with delicious little Noah? How soon did you go for a doctor's appointment? Also, how did you decide on a doctor?
Not yet nauseous,
M
I called my doctor the day of my positive pregnancy test. (Okay, two days later, because I took the test on a Saturday and had to wait until Monday, and by then I was certifiably insane from waiting.) They told me to come in that Friday for my first prenatal appointment. I was, like you, very very newly pregnant.
(You can read a little about my first doctor's appointment here, by the way. And also read about how totally flipping insane I was in those early days.)
(*Was!* HA. I am funny.)
Now, some doctors don't start prenatal exams until a few weeks later, but these days most women see a doctor as soon as possible. Just call your regular old gynecologist for now "you have plenty of time to change doctors" and make an appointment. Especially if (and please don't freak out please don't freak out) you are spotting.
Spotting CAN be totally normal. My sister, for example, spotted (like, a lot) the entire first trimester of both of her pregnancies. I spotted once at 11 weeks, with what turned out to be a run-of-the-mill-yet-raging urinary tract infection. I remember cramping A LOT around weeks five and six (uterus expanding and all that), but only a doctor can tell you if what you're going through really is normal usually by whipping out the cooch cam, so uh, be prepared for that.
But here's the thing, you are PREGNANT. It's okay to run to the doctor about every little thing that scares you. Trust me. Your doctor downright expects it. (In fact, if your doctor DOES seem bothered by your fears and phone calls, well, that's flashing neon sign #1 to GET ANOTHER DOCTOR.) I stuck with the GYN I'd been seeing for years because I loved the nurses at his office and the fact that he downright insisted I call him anytime, day or night, if I was unsure about any of my symptoms made me decide to stay with him for the pregnancy.
If you don't have a regular GYN you're comfortable with, ask for recommendations from your friends or any mother you know (trust me, we looooove talking about that sort of crap, and also scaring the pants off you). Make sure you're okay with a doctor's office policies (everything from emergency numbers to insurance billing practices). Ask about his or her opinions on inducing, episiotomies, ultrasounds. And if you envision anything other than a hospital birth, find out if the practice works with any midwives or other birthing centers.
And then get a pedicure and a facial. Everything is going to be okay.
More of Amalah's juicy advice can be found on her weekly Pregnancy Calendar.
