Waiting for a Junebug

I’ve been trying to think of how to break the news. Especially since I know this is something that’s going to take up a bit of my time and I’ll probably be posting about it here and there. It already has taken up a whole lot of my time and I’m sure it’s just going to get crazier.

Anyway, we’re expecting and I, like KC over at Niente di nuovo avviene sotto il sole, am going through the odyssey of being pregnant in Italy. She’s in the homestretch now, I’m in the beginning – it’s 12 weeks this week.

It started out as being pretty adventurous. This is a pretty small town, so I didn’t just want to walk into the pharmacy and ask for a pregnancy test. If no one was there it would be fine, but if there were someone else in there I would just have to turn around and walk out otherwise, it would be all over town in the blink of an eye. Not good. So, since we were going to Rome to pick up my parents at the airport, we decided to pick one up at the pharmacy in the airport. After all, what could be more anonymous than that? Unfortunately, we were so excited about it and chitchatting that we missed the airport exit and had to do the whole loop around Rome again, finally arriving at the airport after they had already gotten their luggage. Since we didn’t want to mention anything until we were sure, we figured we’d wait and get one when they weren’t with us. Later that evening, while they were sleeping off some jet lag, we took a run into San Salvo and got one at the pharmacy there.

The test, of course, was positive, so that started a new odyssey. First, it was off to my doctor here in town since I had no idea how to proceed from there. She sent me for a test, then gave me the number of a private OB/GYN. She advised going the private route since the public system leaves much to be desired in the prenatal area. She said every time you go for a checkup you would see a different doctor and I just didn’t want to deal with that, so private route it is, even though it costs more.

The next morning, with my impegnativa (prescription for the tests) and urine sample in hand (yes, you have to bring it with you – they give you little bottles when you go to keep at home, just in case), I was off to Gissi. Fortunately, the clerk there told me I could wait for the results. Once I returned, I made an appointment with the doctor that was set for 3 weeks later. Then, I had to go back to my regular doctor for another impegnativa for blood tests. The next day it was off to Gissi again where they did the tests and told me I could come back in ten days to pick up the results. So, ten days later I was back to pick them up, but they never received the blood type results. So, I had to return the following day. Yes, it was a little frustrating.

The first visit with the OB/GYN was at 6 weeks and, having an ultrasound machine right in his office, he did it right away and I was able to see a little moving blob of light. He pointed out that the movement was the heart beating. He then gave me all my records, which I have to carry with me every time I go, plus a paper to take to my regular doctor, so she can send me for more blood and urine tests. So, the next day it was off to my regular doctor, etc. etc. Can you see how annoying this can be?

Of course, this whole time my parents were wondering why I was going on my “spy trips” since I wouldn’t tell them anything. After the visit with the OB/GYN though, we broke the news to them and O’s family.

My second visit was last week. O and I got to see the baby again and this time we saw more than just a blob. It was arms and legs and head. Plus, we got to hear the heartbeat. It was all pretty exciting. Of course, I have another piece of paper that I have to take to my regular doctor so that I can go get more tests. But, I can wait a few weeks for that. My next appointment will be in another six weeks and I can’t wait to see how much he’s grown by then!

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