Pregnancy Confirmed (Tuesday, 14 November 2006)

Today Michael and I went to see Dr. Capalbo, a gynecologist, to get confirmation of the pregnancy and a pelvic exam. A nurse ushered us into an exam room, requested a urine sample to confirm the pregnancy, and took my vitals (blood pressure 120/80, weight 137).

A few minutes later, the nurse poked her head back in and said “Congratulations, you are definitely pregnant!”. Dr. Capalbo came in, introduced herself, and said she no longer performs deliveries so could not be our Ob/Gyn throughout the pregnancy, but would administer the first exam and order the relevant tests. She congratulated us on being pregnant, but warned us not to get our hopes up until we had passed the 12-week mark as it is possible to miscarry or experience a ‘chemical pregnancy’. On the positive side, she indicated that my pregnancy symptoms (nausea, tiredness, tender breasts) were good signs that the pregnancy was healthy. We told her we estimated we were about 5-6 weeks along based on the honeymoon dates.

She performed a PAP smear, took blood, did a manual exam and said my uterus was soft and enlarged – another good sign that the pregnancy was healthy. She prescribed a transvaginal sonogram (ultrasound) and sent us on our way, wishing us luck.

Discovery (Monday, 6 November 2006)

A 5-day road trip (business) started today, and the first stop was Dallas, Texas. I woke up this morning feeling nauseous and off-kilter. Par for the course these days since we got back from the honeymoon and Sydney trip in October.

It isn't normal to be nauseous for two+ weeks. Did I catch a parasite from petting stray dogs and cats in Tahiti (honeymoon)? I haven't had a proper physical in at least 15 years. Is there something wrong with my head/brain? (Worst fear.) Before heading to the airport, decided to take a pregnancy test. This is the one positive possibility I could come up with to explain nausea, dizziness, and the need to pee frequently that I can diagnose from home.

For the test I took, a positive result would reveal two lines, and a negative result would show one line. My test stick showed two lines, but one line was very faint, so it was difficult to interpret the result.

After landing in Dallas and checking into the hotel, I went to a pharmacy and bought a variety of pregnancy tests, including a test with a digital readout that would say either “pregnant” or “not pregnant”. No room for confusion with that one.

$110 dollars, 20 minutes in the bathroom, and 4 pregnancy tests later, all said ‘positive’!

SO excited but struggling to believe this! The medical information about fertility for women over 35 indicates that it can take longer to conceive, so Michael and I expected to ‘try’ for at least 6-12 months, or possibly even need fertility treatments. We haven't started ‘trying’ yet. Hard to believe this has happened so fast. While hugely excited, am trying not to get hopes up until this is confirmed and we get through the first three months. If it is true, we are lucky.

Also realized that the honeymoon could now be the first and last big trip we took (and will take?) as a married couple without any big responsibilities… There could be three of us before the first wedding anniversary.

The first call was to my parents. Dad answered his cell phone and said they were on a shopping trip at IKEA. Mom and Dad sounded truly pleased and excited by the news (though not nearly as surprised as we are?!).

The next phone call was to Michael, who is on a business trip this week. He was thrilled, but we agreed to see a doctor before getting our hopes up.

Lastly, I rang Emma, who became a close friend after I moved to New York. She married Alan in California and they moved to New York a few months after I arrived in New York in 2005. Emma and I miss California and bonded over the challenges of trying to find a routine and a new circle of friends in NY. Emma was my sidekick to find a wedding dress, and has been a great friend this first bumpy year in Manhattan. She and Alan have a handsome boy - Senan - who will celebrate his first birthday early next month. She was very excited for us, encouraged me to make a doctor appointment as soon as possible, and told me what to expect on the first visit.