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...
Thursday, January 21, 2010
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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