So starting in two weeks we will be going to the OB every 2 weeks. They will gradually get closer and closer together until we are going twice a week at the end. I am so thankful that I now have OHIP coverage. It has been such a blessing the past few days to attend appointments without paying a penny out of pocket.
Yesterday I had to get an annual exam as I have not had one since 2005. It was painful due to things moving around down there and repositioning. They also took some blood which I didn't know about in advance and since my appointment was at 11am my blood sugar was low and I almost passed out. It was a new experience for me. In the past few months I have felt light headed and this is completely different. I am glad to have been able to experience the difference in a medical environment where I was well looked after vs. at home alone.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday's Ultrasound
Not sure if I blogged previously about the choroid plexus cysts or if I notified certain persons on an individual basis. Either way, they are NO longer visible. After 8 weeks of suspense I am so pleased to now know that we have a healthy baby on the way.
If it had been God's will for us to have a down syndrome child I know that he would have given us the grace. As he has certainly put an abundance of love in our hearts for our unborn bundle of joy!
We finally found out the gender. IT'S A GIRL! I was beyond thrilled. I thought that I had come to terms with the fact that you don't always get what you want. But my God is good and he takes care of me and my heart. After all, he did put that desire there.
I have been babysitting for a local family for almost 14 months off and on and they have two young daughters. I just got a phone call from her for me to come on over and take whatever I want. She has a basement full of stuff and is eager to get rid of it instead of have a yard sale. So I am waiting for this load of laundry to finish so I can put it on the line and head on over to the Crew residence to load up on cute stuff!!!
If it had been God's will for us to have a down syndrome child I know that he would have given us the grace. As he has certainly put an abundance of love in our hearts for our unborn bundle of joy!
We finally found out the gender. IT'S A GIRL! I was beyond thrilled. I thought that I had come to terms with the fact that you don't always get what you want. But my God is good and he takes care of me and my heart. After all, he did put that desire there.
I have been babysitting for a local family for almost 14 months off and on and they have two young daughters. I just got a phone call from her for me to come on over and take whatever I want. She has a basement full of stuff and is eager to get rid of it instead of have a yard sale. So I am waiting for this load of laundry to finish so I can put it on the line and head on over to the Crew residence to load up on cute stuff!!!
Monday, April 26, 2010
OHIP Coverage
So as of yesterday I have OHIP coverage. The card still hasn't come in the mail but that is ok. We went downtown and I got a print out of the number that claims can be filed under.
We go for the 3rd ultrasound tomorrow and I am so excited to hand over that number and not have to pay anything out of pocket!! Yay!
We go for the 3rd ultrasound tomorrow and I am so excited to hand over that number and not have to pay anything out of pocket!! Yay!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
I am a permanent resident of Canada!
Better late than never. A week ago Marc and I went for our immigration interview and finalized my residency. Of course not without running into someone who knows Marc's famiy. We were called into one of the tiny rooms and the first thing out of the interviewers mouth is, "I know the Labbes of Belle River!" of course you do. Turns out she went to school with Marc's older brother Tom and not only that but she is a distant cousin of theirs. So the interview that I had expected to be stressful turned out to be mostly her talking to Marc about the family and community and occasionally she would turn to me and tell me where to sign a certain document that she had been working on!
So excited that things are nearly done with this process. We still wait 4-6 weeks for a card but I have supporting documents on hand from her for in the mean time.
Coming soon!
Sunday April 25th my OHIP is effective!! So we are waiting for the health card to come in the mail in the next few business days.. going to check the mail in a few minutes.
Tuesday April 27th we have our next ultrasound. The first treatment that will be covered 100% by OHIP yay no dipping into our pockets this time! Of course this will be an amazing day if we get to find out the gender of the baby.
Wednesday April 28th is my next OB appointment which will also be covered by OHIP. From what I gather this will be my last monthly visit and we will start going every 3 weeks.
So excited that things are nearly done with this process. We still wait 4-6 weeks for a card but I have supporting documents on hand from her for in the mean time.
Coming soon!
Sunday April 25th my OHIP is effective!! So we are waiting for the health card to come in the mail in the next few business days.. going to check the mail in a few minutes.
Tuesday April 27th we have our next ultrasound. The first treatment that will be covered 100% by OHIP yay no dipping into our pockets this time! Of course this will be an amazing day if we get to find out the gender of the baby.
Wednesday April 28th is my next OB appointment which will also be covered by OHIP. From what I gather this will be my last monthly visit and we will start going every 3 weeks.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
gDiapers.. and my obsession with them!
I don't think I have mentioned on here yet that I am obsessed with gDiapers. They are a hybrid cloth diaper that allows you to use washable reusable inserts or biodegradable inserts that can be composted, flushed, or tossed.
I was not interested in cloth diapering in the beginning. I am known to be stubborn and refused to even spend the time doing the research. One day for some unknown reason I decided to look online at cloth diapers. I'm not sure in what order I researched www.gDiapers.com but as soon as I saw their home page I was hooked. You pull it up and the first thing you see is this cute baby bum sporting a gDiaper. Needless to say, cloth diapering today is NOTHING like what our Mothers were doing decades ago.
Along with everything else, cloth diapering has evolved...
I was not interested in cloth diapering in the beginning. I am known to be stubborn and refused to even spend the time doing the research. One day for some unknown reason I decided to look online at cloth diapers. I'm not sure in what order I researched www.gDiapers.com but as soon as I saw their home page I was hooked. You pull it up and the first thing you see is this cute baby bum sporting a gDiaper. Needless to say, cloth diapering today is NOTHING like what our Mothers were doing decades ago.
Along with everything else, cloth diapering has evolved...
Baby kicks him in the butt..
Funny thing..
Marc was the first one to feel the baby kick. Yes, that's right, it's in my body and he felt it first. I had felt a lot of fluttering and movements for a few weeks prior but never a true "kick". I was asleep curled up behind Marc and the baby must not have liked the pressure on my belly and kicked Marc in the butt. Apparently Marc wasn't asleep and felt it and woke me up right away wanting to know if that was my hand, which it of course wasn't.
The next night the very same thing happened except I was the one awake and Marc was asleep. I couldn't stop giggling for a long time after. Since this made two nights in a row that the baby had literally kicked Marc's butt.
The baby is most active around 10-11pm. When I am trying to wind down he/she is just winding up. A couple of nights in the last week I haven't been able to sleep well and I am sure it is because the baby is having a dance party while I am trying to sleep!
Marc was the first one to feel the baby kick. Yes, that's right, it's in my body and he felt it first. I had felt a lot of fluttering and movements for a few weeks prior but never a true "kick". I was asleep curled up behind Marc and the baby must not have liked the pressure on my belly and kicked Marc in the butt. Apparently Marc wasn't asleep and felt it and woke me up right away wanting to know if that was my hand, which it of course wasn't.
The next night the very same thing happened except I was the one awake and Marc was asleep. I couldn't stop giggling for a long time after. Since this made two nights in a row that the baby had literally kicked Marc's butt.
The baby is most active around 10-11pm. When I am trying to wind down he/she is just winding up. A couple of nights in the last week I haven't been able to sleep well and I am sure it is because the baby is having a dance party while I am trying to sleep!
Jetta needed a new water pump
Last week I was stranded at home. Tuesday I called and ordered a new water pump and it was in the next morning. Marc was so exhausted he said there was no way he would be able to touch it until the weekend. I was pretty disappointed because I had hoped to be able to drive into Windsor on Friday to have lunch with Marissa on her birthday. I canceled the lunch and Friday night Marc started working on it. Apparently it is a huge job especially for one person working off of the driveway. I went and picked him up Friday night and he was frozen and even more exhausted than I had seen him all week.
Saturday morning I got a call that the family I uses to babysit for needed me for the day. I had spoken to Trish earlier in the week and had said that I was feeling tremendously better. Seeing as how they have already fired 2 sitters since I left we all knew it was time for me to get back on the horse.
So while I was babysitting Marc attacked the car again. By the time I was done at 4pm Marc there to pick me up in the now operational Jetta.
So thankful for my man that will work his butt off all week and then work his butt off on Saturday in order to make me happy!
Saturday morning I got a call that the family I uses to babysit for needed me for the day. I had spoken to Trish earlier in the week and had said that I was feeling tremendously better. Seeing as how they have already fired 2 sitters since I left we all knew it was time for me to get back on the horse.
So while I was babysitting Marc attacked the car again. By the time I was done at 4pm Marc there to pick me up in the now operational Jetta.
So thankful for my man that will work his butt off all week and then work his butt off on Saturday in order to make me happy!
Marc is now a union man!
Monday of last week Marc went to the union hall to talk to the office manager. He was going as a beginning of the season, "Hello, I am still around and available. Put me to work". Mike, the office manager, stated that he could probably have him working in a couple of weeks. We couldn't ask for any better and we were extremely thrilled at the idea that the wait had finally come to an end. Marc has been waiting for a complete year for this opportunity.
Tuesday morning at 9 am the phone rang. It was Mike. He was calling to say that he had to be somewhere at 10:30 am and if Marc could make it to the union hall before he had to leave that he could be working that day!! So of course Marc got his butt in gear and headed to the other end of town to the union hall. I called Marc's cell around noon to ask what the plan for the day was and if everything was going smoothly. He said that he made it to the job site around 10:30 am and was put to work right away.
Marc said that he told Mike Monday that we were pregnant. I am not sure if that played a part in getting Marc to work sooner. But in case it did, Thank You Bebe Labbe!
Wednesday evening when Marc came home he said that he found out that they weren't going to pay him what he thought they were. He stated that they were actually planning to pay him over $3 per hour more. Needless to say we were thrilled.
Wednesday evening we went to the grocery store and my poor Hubby could hardly walk around pushing the cart. He was exhausted. Brick and Stone masonry is really hard on the body. Folks say it's not a trade that can be done for a 30 year career. He is certain that his body will adjust sooner or later which it has had to do in the past. I just hate seeing him that way. It makes me all the more grateful for the work that he does in order to support me financially.
Tuesday morning at 9 am the phone rang. It was Mike. He was calling to say that he had to be somewhere at 10:30 am and if Marc could make it to the union hall before he had to leave that he could be working that day!! So of course Marc got his butt in gear and headed to the other end of town to the union hall. I called Marc's cell around noon to ask what the plan for the day was and if everything was going smoothly. He said that he made it to the job site around 10:30 am and was put to work right away.
Marc said that he told Mike Monday that we were pregnant. I am not sure if that played a part in getting Marc to work sooner. But in case it did, Thank You Bebe Labbe!
Wednesday evening when Marc came home he said that he found out that they weren't going to pay him what he thought they were. He stated that they were actually planning to pay him over $3 per hour more. Needless to say we were thrilled.
Wednesday evening we went to the grocery store and my poor Hubby could hardly walk around pushing the cart. He was exhausted. Brick and Stone masonry is really hard on the body. Folks say it's not a trade that can be done for a 30 year career. He is certain that his body will adjust sooner or later which it has had to do in the past. I just hate seeing him that way. It makes me all the more grateful for the work that he does in order to support me financially.
Immigration Appointment
Gotta love these brown recycled paper envelopes that bring news from the government...
I got a letter from immigration last week stating that we have an appointment set for April 15, 2010 at 10 am with Immigration Canada. Pending approval from this interview I could potentially leave that office as a permanent resident of Canada! Something that we have waited a long time to have happen. So please keep us in your thoughts and prayers that morning and leading up to it!!
I got a letter from immigration last week stating that we have an appointment set for April 15, 2010 at 10 am with Immigration Canada. Pending approval from this interview I could potentially leave that office as a permanent resident of Canada! Something that we have waited a long time to have happen. So please keep us in your thoughts and prayers that morning and leading up to it!!
Long time no blog...
Hi Folks,
Sorry for the delay. My laptop died on me about a month ago and we have just gotten a replacement. I have had internet access on an ancient laptop that we have but it doesn't take to kindly to typing long things.
In case you didn't already know, my March 2nd ultrasound did not tell us the gender of the baby. I was poked and prodded for over 45 minutes by the ultrasound technician to no avail. The baby was in a ridiculous position and she was unable to get most of the information that the doctor requires. We could have rescheduled for sooner but since my OHIP coverage is effective as of April 25th we have decided to wait until after that date for the repeat ultrasound. It is scheduled for April 27th. I will be so ridiculously excited to share the gender with everyone once we find out.
It was really disappointing hearing that she was unable to find out the gender. I was so disappointed that I literally had to go home and crawl in bed. My emotions must have been super loopy that day.
Ten days after this ultrasound I got a call from the OB office. I was told that the baby has choroid plexus cysts on his/her brain. From what I have seen online this happens in 1%-2% of fetus and in 99% of those cases the cysts have dissolved long before the baby is born. In some cases before the end of the second trimester. It has been about 4 weeks since my last ultrasound and for all we know the cysts are already gone. I won't go into it any more than that, it's just something that we are waiting for the next ultrasound to be told if they are gone yet or not. Feel free to research these cysts online for more information.
So within those 10 days I went from being borderline bitter that we weren't able to find out the gender to not caring if we find out, the priority is finding out that the baby is healthy.
Everyone says they don't care what the gender is they just want a healthy baby and I understand that statement now like I never thought that I would.
Sorry for the delay. My laptop died on me about a month ago and we have just gotten a replacement. I have had internet access on an ancient laptop that we have but it doesn't take to kindly to typing long things.
In case you didn't already know, my March 2nd ultrasound did not tell us the gender of the baby. I was poked and prodded for over 45 minutes by the ultrasound technician to no avail. The baby was in a ridiculous position and she was unable to get most of the information that the doctor requires. We could have rescheduled for sooner but since my OHIP coverage is effective as of April 25th we have decided to wait until after that date for the repeat ultrasound. It is scheduled for April 27th. I will be so ridiculously excited to share the gender with everyone once we find out.
It was really disappointing hearing that she was unable to find out the gender. I was so disappointed that I literally had to go home and crawl in bed. My emotions must have been super loopy that day.
Ten days after this ultrasound I got a call from the OB office. I was told that the baby has choroid plexus cysts on his/her brain. From what I have seen online this happens in 1%-2% of fetus and in 99% of those cases the cysts have dissolved long before the baby is born. In some cases before the end of the second trimester. It has been about 4 weeks since my last ultrasound and for all we know the cysts are already gone. I won't go into it any more than that, it's just something that we are waiting for the next ultrasound to be told if they are gone yet or not. Feel free to research these cysts online for more information.
So within those 10 days I went from being borderline bitter that we weren't able to find out the gender to not caring if we find out, the priority is finding out that the baby is healthy.
Everyone says they don't care what the gender is they just want a healthy baby and I understand that statement now like I never thought that I would.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
March 2
I scheduled my 18-20 week ultrasound and it is going to be on March 2nd. This is the ultrasound where we will find out the gender of the baby and they will be able to check the baby's rate of growth.
We are super excited for this appointment and are counting the days!
We are super excited for this appointment and are counting the days!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
New Due Date...
So I met my OB today and he changed my due date that was given to me by the ultrasound technician. So it has changed from August 6th to August 2nd. So today I am 16 weeks and 2 days pregnant.
Monday, February 15, 2010
I have a work permit!!!
I am a little late with this entry but that lessen the importance of the fact that I now have an open work permit!!
I got my work permit in the mail Wednesday of last week and have not been able to stop my mind from racing ever since. I am eager to find a job that fits my criteria for what I consider to be a healthy job for the baby and I. I applied on Thursday at the retirement community that is almost across the street from our house. I was pretty disappointed to hear that they had already conducted 2nd interviews for a position that I would have loved. I have several other places to apply to here in Belle River that would be walking distance from home. I have never had to actually look for a job from scratch before. I have worked for a few staffing agencies and have always either not liked the job and changed assignments or have had my contract bought out by the employer. It feels like such a shot in the dark every time I think about applying for a job. No one knows me here and my professional references are over 3.5 years old.
Time to get some rest to take on the world tomorrow!
I got my work permit in the mail Wednesday of last week and have not been able to stop my mind from racing ever since. I am eager to find a job that fits my criteria for what I consider to be a healthy job for the baby and I. I applied on Thursday at the retirement community that is almost across the street from our house. I was pretty disappointed to hear that they had already conducted 2nd interviews for a position that I would have loved. I have several other places to apply to here in Belle River that would be walking distance from home. I have never had to actually look for a job from scratch before. I have worked for a few staffing agencies and have always either not liked the job and changed assignments or have had my contract bought out by the employer. It feels like such a shot in the dark every time I think about applying for a job. No one knows me here and my professional references are over 3.5 years old.
Time to get some rest to take on the world tomorrow!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Feeling Productive
Today Marc and I went to Windsor and I got the fingerprinting done. The equipment and software are very finicky and it took about an hour. I needed blood work done and had planned to go to a different lab but the lady there said that I could just stay and do it out of that office and not have a long wait somewhere else.
Yes, the office that did the fingerprinting also does blood work.
I had already expressed my hesitancy to this person about getting blood drawn and all of the problems that folks had been having getting blood from me. She took my right back and the same lady drew my blood. She was very kind and swift. She found a good vein right away. I didn't even feel the needle go in my skin, no prick or anything. She was done before I knew it, kept asking if I was feeling ok and was generally very thoughtful.
It took her a matter of 45 seconds and she was done. I was planning to give up if this attempt didn't work. Hopefully the doctors will have the results that they are needing to see and that I will not have to have more testing done any time soon.
Yes, the office that did the fingerprinting also does blood work.
I had already expressed my hesitancy to this person about getting blood drawn and all of the problems that folks had been having getting blood from me. She took my right back and the same lady drew my blood. She was very kind and swift. She found a good vein right away. I didn't even feel the needle go in my skin, no prick or anything. She was done before I knew it, kept asking if I was feeling ok and was generally very thoughtful.
It took her a matter of 45 seconds and she was done. I was planning to give up if this attempt didn't work. Hopefully the doctors will have the results that they are needing to see and that I will not have to have more testing done any time soon.
Like getting a golden ticket for a tour of the Wonka factory...
Thursday we received the golden ticket from immigration. It was our first stage letter of approval for permanent residency. With that letter I was able to go Friday and apply for OHIP. There is a 90 day waiting period which started from the date on that letter, which put us 10 days closer to full medical coverage. Once I my file received the first stage approval my application for an open work permit was reviewed. I was told Thursday by an immigration officer that my application for the work permit was already approved and the permit was issued and mailed Tuesday of that week.
It's hard to put into words the excitement that I felt when I got that letter. I couldn't wait to open it and see what they had to say. I opened it while standing at my P.O. Box and I felt like I could shout it from a mountain top. I instantly felt like everyone should know. I wanted to explain everything to the strangers around me so that they could be happy with me. I managed to finish the rest of my errands and I called Marc the second that I got home. We had a lot of unanswered questions and a general, "what do we do now" feeling. I called immigration and was assured that all of our ducks were in a row. All that I needed to do was to have digital fingerprints done that would be sent electronically to the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), for a final police clearance.
It's hard to put into words the excitement that I felt when I got that letter. I couldn't wait to open it and see what they had to say. I opened it while standing at my P.O. Box and I felt like I could shout it from a mountain top. I instantly felt like everyone should know. I wanted to explain everything to the strangers around me so that they could be happy with me. I managed to finish the rest of my errands and I called Marc the second that I got home. We had a lot of unanswered questions and a general, "what do we do now" feeling. I called immigration and was assured that all of our ducks were in a row. All that I needed to do was to have digital fingerprints done that would be sent electronically to the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), for a final police clearance.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Loving the company..
For those of you who may not know, my sister in law Marissa is pregnant and due August 5th. One day before me. This is also her first child. It has been great for me to have someone to share my thoughts with. Someone who can completely relate right at that moment. We had very different first trimester symptoms and it was very interesting to see how very different every pregnancy is. I love getting advice and info from my friends with kids but there is something special about having someone to share this with who is in the moment as well.
Maternity leaves in Canada are paid by the government and last for 1 year. I have been very excited knowing that Marissa will be home and that our companionship will continue after the babies are born. Last week she let me know that two of her friends are also pregnant, both of which live here in Belle River. One is due a few weeks after us, the other is due approximately 2 months after. I have met them and they are very nice, they also each have 1 child. I am looking forward to potentially being able to spend time with them and get advice whenever I can.
At one time I would have considered a maternity leave to be very lonely, especially with my Mom and friends in another country. But I am gradually seeing exactly how big of a support system I am actually going to have here in Belle River. Another good resource will be my good friend Sylvie who is a teacher and will have approx. 6 weeks before school starts when the baby is born.
It will also be invaluable to have Marc's Mom close by. Marc is the youngest of 10 and his Mom was a stay at home Mom. They live half a mile from us and if we move then it will be less than 100 feet.
Maternity leaves in Canada are paid by the government and last for 1 year. I have been very excited knowing that Marissa will be home and that our companionship will continue after the babies are born. Last week she let me know that two of her friends are also pregnant, both of which live here in Belle River. One is due a few weeks after us, the other is due approximately 2 months after. I have met them and they are very nice, they also each have 1 child. I am looking forward to potentially being able to spend time with them and get advice whenever I can.
At one time I would have considered a maternity leave to be very lonely, especially with my Mom and friends in another country. But I am gradually seeing exactly how big of a support system I am actually going to have here in Belle River. Another good resource will be my good friend Sylvie who is a teacher and will have approx. 6 weeks before school starts when the baby is born.
It will also be invaluable to have Marc's Mom close by. Marc is the youngest of 10 and his Mom was a stay at home Mom. They live half a mile from us and if we move then it will be less than 100 feet.
It's February.. 2nd
Today I am 13 weeks and 3 days along. The turning point into the second trimester was huge for me. Within a couple of days of that milestone I was feeling tremendously better. I have left the house several days in a row with no complications. I am still sleeping a lot and not well until after 5am. Or in last night's case not until after 7am. Not sure why this is. Just on a really strange schedule these days. It is starting to take its toll on Marc so I think we are going to have to force some changes soon.
Yesterday Marc packed up the Christmas tree and we went to the store for a new storage tote. I was having an incredible urge to buy dozens of them but contained myself to only the one we went for. I was already envisioning stacks of them well labeled and easy to find, full of anything and everything from around the house that I have been dying to store away for years. No need to mention the visions started with things like 0-3 months, 3-6 months, etc.
This week my brother Matthew said that he wants to spend his spring break visiting us here so we are super excited about that prospect. That would mean him here in a month.
I have been having a lot of neck pain at night lately. This is the kind of thing that prior to pregnancy would have triggered a migraine for me. It is stronger on the left side whereas before it was always stronger pain on the right. I have no had a migraine and consider myself very lucky. But it is still a discomfort that I cannot medicate. Since it is mainly at night, waking up in the middle of the night with this, I have just been getting up and putting my Bucky buckwheat pillow in the microwave (Thanks Mommy!) and it has been a life saver.
I have only thrown up once in the last week and am very thankful for that! I am still fairly careful about what I eat but have had an obsession with chicken shawarmas this past week, Marc said the baby must be Lebanese!
Yesterday Marc packed up the Christmas tree and we went to the store for a new storage tote. I was having an incredible urge to buy dozens of them but contained myself to only the one we went for. I was already envisioning stacks of them well labeled and easy to find, full of anything and everything from around the house that I have been dying to store away for years. No need to mention the visions started with things like 0-3 months, 3-6 months, etc.
This week my brother Matthew said that he wants to spend his spring break visiting us here so we are super excited about that prospect. That would mean him here in a month.
I have been having a lot of neck pain at night lately. This is the kind of thing that prior to pregnancy would have triggered a migraine for me. It is stronger on the left side whereas before it was always stronger pain on the right. I have no had a migraine and consider myself very lucky. But it is still a discomfort that I cannot medicate. Since it is mainly at night, waking up in the middle of the night with this, I have just been getting up and putting my Bucky buckwheat pillow in the microwave (Thanks Mommy!) and it has been a life saver.
I have only thrown up once in the last week and am very thankful for that! I am still fairly careful about what I eat but have had an obsession with chicken shawarmas this past week, Marc said the baby must be Lebanese!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Appreciating the little things...
eating without throwing up
gagging without throwing up
bowel movements - however few and far between
sleeping restfully for more than 1 hour increments
washing the dishes
doing some of the laundry
no longer gagging at the smell of cat food
ice cold delicious tap water
to be continued...
gagging without throwing up
bowel movements - however few and far between
sleeping restfully for more than 1 hour increments
washing the dishes
doing some of the laundry
no longer gagging at the smell of cat food
ice cold delicious tap water
to be continued...
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Upcoming end of first trimester
The past few days I have found my appetite. I realize that I need to eat when the nausea hits. I have to eat as soon as I wake up which is totally opposite than before pregnancy when I usually skipped breakfast.
After a few days of eating more I have a substantial amount more energy. This afternoon I was actually able to do some housework. Up until now I couldn`t even do the dishes or laundry for more than 5 minutes without needing to stop to lay down. I am very excited about these recent changes! It`s now 4 days since the last time I left the house. Something tells me that Marc isn`t going to let me make that 5. It`s really hard to leave the house when you feel at any moment you could throw up. I had a really hard time going to the grocery store a week and a half ago. I am usually car sick and motion sick and combined with the nausea it is at least 10x worse. It is just hard for me to validate that kind of discomfort in order to leave the house at this time.
My hope is that the second trimester will include much less nausea and much more energy. Everyone says that you feel the best during your second trimester and I am looking forward to that chance to get a job and organize our house.
After a few days of eating more I have a substantial amount more energy. This afternoon I was actually able to do some housework. Up until now I couldn`t even do the dishes or laundry for more than 5 minutes without needing to stop to lay down. I am very excited about these recent changes! It`s now 4 days since the last time I left the house. Something tells me that Marc isn`t going to let me make that 5. It`s really hard to leave the house when you feel at any moment you could throw up. I had a really hard time going to the grocery store a week and a half ago. I am usually car sick and motion sick and combined with the nausea it is at least 10x worse. It is just hard for me to validate that kind of discomfort in order to leave the house at this time.
My hope is that the second trimester will include much less nausea and much more energy. Everyone says that you feel the best during your second trimester and I am looking forward to that chance to get a job and organize our house.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Ultrasound pictures plus a special one
Pierre scanned these in for us and couldn`t resist himself with photoshop (the first one, obviously).
Let me know if anyone is unable to download from the blog and I will send in an email.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The Big Question.. How do I feel?
Well, I am starting to feel better. When I say better I mean better than 100% Crap! Now maybe only 80%. I have spent more than 4 weeks extremely tired and nauseous. I have been surviving off of the most bland low nutrition foods you can think of. Just in the last week things have changed for the better. I am now eating oatmeal, yogurt and fruit, and mashed potatoes. My diet is greatly increased with these new findings. Compared to my previous life of toast and crackers. Obviously these poor eating habits have contributed to my lack of energy. I have also regained my appetite, it`s still not 100% but 60% is better than nothing. I was spending as much as 15 hours a day sleeping and that has recently been reduced to 12. I have not been sleeping well at night and have been having hot flashes. Last night without Marc knowing I turned the furnace down and slept like a baby. My vomiting has not completely subsided. I do still find myself freezing mid-stride to breath deeply and reassess. The doctor wouldn`t prescribe me anything since I have already survived 4 weeks and the first trimester will be over shortly.
First Ultrasound
You would think by now that I would have a little bit more faith in the prices that I am given. Yesterday I went for my first ultra sound which is responsible for setting my due date. The cash cost of the ultra sound was an astounding $54.25. That`s right. Another minimal fee for a health service. It was mildly painful with the pushing in order to get the best view. I was uncomfortable for the rest of the day. She took her measurements and then called Marc into the room. She then turned the monitor to where I could see it and gave us the best image of the day live. She also turned on the speakers and allowed us to hear and see its heart beating for the first time at a rapid 171 beats per minute. We could physically see the heart beating out of its chest. The arms and legs will lengthen within the next couple of weeks to include knees and elbows. It will be interesting to see how long he or she ends up being especially with the height of its Father and Uncles.
Results :
Due Date August 6, 2010
Length about 4cm = 1.6 inches
I do have the ultra sound pictures however I do not have a scanner. We will plan to get them scanned within the next 48 hours for everyone to see.
Results :
Due Date August 6, 2010
Length about 4cm = 1.6 inches
I do have the ultra sound pictures however I do not have a scanner. We will plan to get them scanned within the next 48 hours for everyone to see.
God Bless Dr. MacKinnon
Tuesday I was seen by Dr. MacKinnon. He was very kind and considerate. Had amazing bedside manner and went out of his way to do everything that he could on my $40. He explained to me that even though I was able to do without health care for the first bit of my pregnancy, that he wasn`t.
He left the room to speak with a Nurse Practioner and came back with great news. He explained to me that she was a government salaried employee and that there was no billing involved with seeing her. He proceeded to say that she has agreed to see me as my regular physician throughout my pregnancy. That she makes a journal of the names of the people that she sees and that no one asks for their health card information, she will put my name on this list and no one will ask if a payment was received. I have yet to meet her but apparently she is highly trained and virtually a midwife. My appointment with her is in 2 weeks.
God Bless Dr. MacKinnon
He left the room to speak with a Nurse Practioner and came back with great news. He explained to me that she was a government salaried employee and that there was no billing involved with seeing her. He proceeded to say that she has agreed to see me as my regular physician throughout my pregnancy. That she makes a journal of the names of the people that she sees and that no one asks for their health card information, she will put my name on this list and no one will ask if a payment was received. I have yet to meet her but apparently she is highly trained and virtually a midwife. My appointment with her is in 2 weeks.
God Bless Dr. MacKinnon
Health Coverage
Once you find out that you are pregnant the nerves start up instantly. Especially if you do not have health coverage. This is the point where I beat myself up about being unable to work and provide myself with health benefits. Then I have to remind myself that I wouldn`t get those kinds of benefits from a job here anyway. In Canada the government provides its citizens and permanent residents with a very efficient health system. Your employer supplements with dental and vision coverage. There is no option for health benefits unless you are a citizen or a permanent resident and qualify for the health plan.
I have been in the country for 3.5 years and am still considered neither. We are however seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. My application for permanent residency has been stamped for review January 26, 2010. That is only 12 days away. I will get a letter in the mail that will tell me that I have received a first stage approval. I will then be able to take that letter downtown and apply for my OHIP card, the Canadian health care plan. Unfortunately, there is a 90 day waiting period once that card has been issued in order for it to become active. If all goes to schedule it will be the first of May before I will be able to use that health card to receive health coverage. By the first of May I will be over 26 weeks pregnant.
Having experience in the American health care billing field. I understand that the sky is the limit as far as medical expenses. I have had to tell patients their 6 figure balance after unplanned uncovered health problems have occurred.
This being said, I was not prepared for the answer that I received when calling our local clinic here in Belle River. Needless to say, medical receptionists here in Canada are not used to someone asking for the cash price of a service. They simply ask for the patients` health card which they thoughtlessly hand over and all is well. There is no bill to dispute, no coverage to analyze, no pre-authorization necessary. That card is more powerful than Visa.
I asked the receptionist for the cost of a preliminary family doctor visit to confirm pregnancy with a urinalysis and to also receive referrals to specialists. Her answer : $40. Was she missing a zero.. no. Then I inquired about the separate fees for testing. Her answer : No additional fees.
Obviously I am in doubt. This cannot be true. With doubt in our minds Marc and I attend our appointment with a much larger sum of cash at hand for the 3 digits worth of fees she didn`t account for.
Treatment Received :
25 minutes with the Doctor
urinalysis testing for pregnancy
urinalysis testing for sugar
urinalysis testing for protein
Total Cost :
$40
Awe.
I have been in the country for 3.5 years and am still considered neither. We are however seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. My application for permanent residency has been stamped for review January 26, 2010. That is only 12 days away. I will get a letter in the mail that will tell me that I have received a first stage approval. I will then be able to take that letter downtown and apply for my OHIP card, the Canadian health care plan. Unfortunately, there is a 90 day waiting period once that card has been issued in order for it to become active. If all goes to schedule it will be the first of May before I will be able to use that health card to receive health coverage. By the first of May I will be over 26 weeks pregnant.
Having experience in the American health care billing field. I understand that the sky is the limit as far as medical expenses. I have had to tell patients their 6 figure balance after unplanned uncovered health problems have occurred.
This being said, I was not prepared for the answer that I received when calling our local clinic here in Belle River. Needless to say, medical receptionists here in Canada are not used to someone asking for the cash price of a service. They simply ask for the patients` health card which they thoughtlessly hand over and all is well. There is no bill to dispute, no coverage to analyze, no pre-authorization necessary. That card is more powerful than Visa.
I asked the receptionist for the cost of a preliminary family doctor visit to confirm pregnancy with a urinalysis and to also receive referrals to specialists. Her answer : $40. Was she missing a zero.. no. Then I inquired about the separate fees for testing. Her answer : No additional fees.
Obviously I am in doubt. This cannot be true. With doubt in our minds Marc and I attend our appointment with a much larger sum of cash at hand for the 3 digits worth of fees she didn`t account for.
Treatment Received :
25 minutes with the Doctor
urinalysis testing for pregnancy
urinalysis testing for sugar
urinalysis testing for protein
Total Cost :
$40
Awe.
Welcome
Welcome to the blog. Not going to take too much time as an intro. My name is Rachel, I am 25 years old. I am married and live in Belle River, ON Canada. As of today I am 11 weeks pregnant and am looking forward to sharing my ups and downs with you. This will be our first child. Along with the pregnancy we are also currently seeing the light at the end of the tunnel of our 3.5 year struggle with Canadian Immigration. I am American and Marc, my Husband, is Canadian. I have been unable to work, attend school, or receive Canadian health care during this time.
Rachel
Rachel
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