#4.2: From Pre-Op to Ultrasound
January 2, 2018
I walked into the doctor’s office a few days before my scheduled surgery for my pre-op appointment.
I checked-in at the front desk. I was asked to fill out the clipboard of paperwork and give it to the nurse when she came to get me for my bloodwork.
I began completing the forms.
Name: Allison Mari
Age: 32
Birthdate:11/17/85
Insurance: BCBS
Any chance of pregnancy: No (I wish)
Date of last period:_____
“Hmmm… Wait a minute. When was my last period? I’ve always been like clockwork, so why can’t I remember?,” I questioned.
I looked back to the previous question, “Any chance of pregnancy?”
“Could it be? Surely, not. Right? But, why can’t I remember?”
My appointment continued with a blood draw and surgery instructions. What to do in the days leading up to and after the surgery.
But, my focus had shifted. I could only think about one thing….Could it actually be possible?
I couldn’t get it off my mind. I tried everything to remember when my last cycle had been. Then it hit me. I didn’t have a period last month! Did I have one the month before? I had been so wrapped up in preparing for my surgery, that it didn’t even register.
I ran to the store to pick up a pregnancy test. The instructions said to take it first thing in the morning.
When I woke up the next day, I ran to the bathroom. Spent what seemed like forever trying to get the pregnancy test out of the stubborn foil, stumbling with nervous excitement. Finally! I got it out. Then... I waited.
That two minutes seemed like two hours.
I was scared to look and scared to look away at the same time.
But, there was no mistaking...appearing before my eyes was a plus sign!
OH. MY. GOSH.
Not sure what to do next, I took a picture and texted my best friend (my matron of honor that I told you about).
“OH MY GOSH,” she replied.
I ran to the bedroom. Chris was still asleep. This couldn’t wait!
“Babe! Wake up!”
“What’s wrong?,” Chris asked sleepily.
“We have to cancel my surgery!”
“What do you mean?,” Chris managed with his still half asleep voice.
“I’m pregnant!.”
That got his attention.
My parents were due to leave the next morning to meet me for my surgery. I needed to call my mom. But, first - I FaceTimed my sister who confirmed that yes, I need to call mom right away!
“Mom, I don’t need you to come up for the surgery anymore,” I said nonchalantly after she answered the phone.
“What do you mean?,” she asked confused.
“I’m pregnant!”
“WHAT!”
That’s when the tears started falling and the reality started to set in. Instead of having a spinal fusion, I was going to have a baby! (At least I thought.)
I called my doctor. I wanted a blood test to confirm.
The plan: confirm through a blood test and then cancel the surgery. Except, on the way to the appointment my phone rang. It was the surgeon’s office calling to tell me that literally a day before my surgery was to take place they were just informed that my insurance denied coverage for the surgery. What in the world. It didn’t make any sense, but I had other things on my mind.
I arrived at the doctor. They drew my blood, and verified what I already knew! My hCG (aka- the pregnancy hormone) confirmed that I was definitely pregnant! The only outstanding information was to figure out how far along I was. We were guessing 8-12 weeks. I needed an ultrasound to find out.
Because of my back, I was referred to a high risk OB in the city. They could fit me in on Monday.
After making the appointment, I ran to the bookstore! I wanted to surprise Chris with a “dad book”. I couldn’t wait to see him become a father!
When Chris came home from work that evening, I gave him his little present and he surprised me with a bottle of sparkling grape juice and a dozen roses.
I was over the moon as I downloaded a handful of pregnancy apps which told me that our baby was the size of a peppercorn. We nicknamed the baby Pepper, and the next day went window shopping for baby gear.
