I went to the emergency room this morning. I had been having stabbing lower abdominal/pelvic pains yesterday all day after the gym. All I did at the gym was walk on the treadmill but I didn't sleep at all last night fearful I had somehow harmed the baby. This was five days after the gynecologist had given me a stern warning about what I could and couldn't do at the gym (she said the treadmill was fine, though...). I alternately rested and paced the house from about 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. I checked everything I possibly could on the Internet. Not able to get my gynecologist on the phone this morning and not wanting to bother Cristiano at work, I called my mother-in-law who insisted I go to the emergency room. Actually both in-laws took me to the emergency room as today is the first day of "vacation" for them (they are preparing to leave for Cape Verde). In fact, I felt horrible bothering them but I was in somewhat of a panicked state.
At the emergency room, they sent me immediately up to maternity, which made me feel safer. At least I'd be visited by a specialist. I was met by a gynecologist who told me she'd see me as soon as possible. After about 45 minutes she and another female gynecologist called me in. There were no rooms available so they saw me in one of the delivery rooms with a very pregnant woman being monitored for contractions. Fortunately they kicked her husband out of the room. Being in a room with others at the hospital has been my fear but honestly in that moment, I didn't care. I just wanted to know what was wrong with me and know the baby was fine.
Overall, I'm fine as is the baby. I was told that I can walk as exercise but no longer on a treadmill and that I should try swimming or yoga instead. They also think I have a urinary tract infection and gave me a medicine to knock it out of my system. The combination of exercise and the UTI sent me into contractions. The only problem is that I need a follow-up urine test and visit in ten days after I've finished my medicine...but in ten days I will be in the United States where I have no insurance aside from fairly extensive "emergency coverage," which we just bought last week for the sum of 256 Euros for two adults for two weeks in the U.S. Today I'm taking it easy and will not do much of anything in the next few days until the contractions stop.
I have to say the emergency room visit was not a bad experience. Yes, it was completely chaotic but I was out of there in 90 minutes and the gynecologists and nurses who attended to me were professional and very sweet. And it was free. Where will I go in the U.S. for my follow-up visit? And how much will it cost?
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- Michellanea
- I am an American journalist living in Italy but this is by no means an homage to my "bella vita" or a compendium of recipes. I like Italy but I don't have that full-on Italophilia that many others seem to have. I love and miss my country but I often don't like it. These have been the overriding themes of my life in the last few years, so I thought I'd share the confusion and contradictions.
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19 comments:
Michelle, I am so glad to hear that everything is fine! I'm also glad to hear the hospital experience was positive, that's very reassuring. I really recommend swimming. When I'm in the water I don't feel any of the typical discomfort in my belly, and it's so easy to move around. It's a good way to keep cool, as well.
Ciao Michelle, I don't know how many weeks along you are, but I'm glad your baby is well. I remember your other post quite well, so this time your good experience was nice to hear :)
Wow, the first sentence of this entire post made the hairs on my arms stand straight up. I am so glad to have read that everything turned out OK! Don't ever feel like you are bothering someone when you don't feel well, especially when you are in this state. Better to have a false alarm then it turn out to be something worse. Try and take it as easy as you can. Can't you just have your follow up when you return back home? If it has to be done in 10 days, maybe there is a 'planned parenthood' type clinic that you could go to for your follow-up? Just a suggestion. I can't think of any other place that would take someone who isn't a regular patient.
I am glad your ok and that your experience at the hospital wasn't complete chaos! :)
Glad to hear everything turned out OK. I was worried by the first part of your post. I understand being concerned about how much things are going to cost in the US. Planned Parenthood may be a possibility though. Take care!
Glad everything is all right and things went well in the Emergency Room.
Don't scare us like that! I'm relieved that everything is ok. It's hard to know how your body will react to even simple exercise. Glad you're taking it easy now. Swimming sounds like a nice option, esp. with this heat!
As for the States... well... do you think it might be something that an urgent care clinic could do? I know they are general practitioners not ob/gyns, but when I needed non-emergency care in the States during times when I didn't have health insurance, I relied on urgent care clinics and usually got good health care for around $50 a visit.
PS I also think Planned Parenthood is a good option, at least they could probably point you in the right direction if they couldn't do the follow up visit themselves. Lots of people without insurance go there, that was where I did annual exams when I didn't have health insurance.
Thanks for all the comments. Today I'm on bed rest. Back tomorrow and hope to be feeling better.
Michelle
I'm happy that mommy and baby are ok. I had to go on bed rest too, back in May, but for different reasons. Believe me, it's worth it :). Keep us posted on how you're both doing.
I'm relieved to hear you're both ok. No more going on that treadmill! Can't you go for the check up just before you leave for the States or would that be too soon? Or if you have to have it done whilst you're away, would it cost that much?
Make sure you relax as much as you can!
Okay, that post freaked me out! I'm so glad the result was positive for you and the baby.
Take care!
Hey Michelle!
I'm so glad to hear that things went ok for you, I was (like everyone else) very worried for you. Of course I understand your doubts and concerns about the pregnancy/birth experience here. It is great to see that you're taking it upon yourself to have the best possible experience.
Hopefully you are resting and comfortable. I will miss not reading your blog entries, but it's much more important that you are well.
How was the aperitivo? I ran into Yasmina the other day and she said that she is having serious PdiS problems. Poor thing.
Hope that all is well. Take care of yourself! Tiff
We have been discussing symptoms like yours in my nursing school in the U.S. Its likely that it wasn't premature labor but braxton-hicks. See these links.
http://pennhealth.com/health_info/pregnancy/000131.htm
http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,4566,00.html
If you are lucky when your delivery time comes you'll deliver as easy as the one I witnessed today. Un bello bambino!!!
It has been a while since I've read your blog, so I'm a little late in hearing your news. First of all, auguri!, and secondly, if you have any questions about having a baby in Italy or if you just want to complain and don't feel like doing so in the blogosphere, you can email me. Just say the word, and I'll send you my email address. Di nuovo, mazel tov!
Sono contenta che vada tutto bene, riguardati!
Un bacio, Chia (k)
That was so scarey! I am so happy to hear that you and the baby are OK now. It is good to hear that your trip to the pronto soccorso went well too. As far as needing to have a follow up visit back in the States, I am thinking of the "County health department" kinds of clinics where you can be seen for usually much less money than at a typical gynecologists office. That might be worth checking out. Best of luck!
Thanks everyone! I'm up and around (with caution) today. Nobody told me I had to stay on bed rest per se. I was just told to "take it easy," which I'm trying to do so I can leave next Wednesday for the U.S. without any problems. I'm feeling better though very tuned into to every twitch and twinge in my body, which is quite nervewracking as pregnancy brings with it many twitches and twinges. Thanks again!
Michelle
While you're in the States, run, don't walk to the nearest bookstore and buy "The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy." I learned everything I needed to know about birthing babies from that book. The author also wrote "The Girlfriend's Guide to the First Year," which I recommend as well. She writes very humorously about the ways and means of pregnancy, and she doesn't make you feel paranoid like the "What to Expect" cabal.
I'm glad you're feeling better.
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