So I went to Madigan Army hospital yesterday, because I took three home pregnancy tests and they all came back positive, but the military needs me to do their test before I can see an OBGYN.
I first went to the registration office, because I was told that I needed to register before I could have anything done.
I waited there for about 30-45 mins because even though it was a small office, and I took a number, there was only one clerk, and uniformed active duty has priority, and they just kept coming.
Once I finally got my turn, she told me I was already in the system, and asked what I needed. I told her I needed to do a pregnancy test, so she directed me to the Family Care Center, said I had to talk to them first. I waited there for another 10 mins, then they said, no, I had to go to the blue team area for a walk-in pregnancy test appt.
I waited in the blue team waiting room for about 10 mins, then got called back to talk to someone, she asked me a few questions, then sent me to the lab.
I’d like to mention at this point, that I’d been holding pee for a while, because I didn’t want to have to guzzle water to be able to pee for the test. I got to the lab and was helped right away. I was told to go to station 13. I find station 13, and see that it’s set up for a blood draw. I think my bladder cried baby tears. I should have known.
So the guy who was there to stab me was very friendly, but I think he must have been new, or just dumb. I’ve given blood lots of times, so I know it’s usually my right elbow-pit that gives the best. I tell him this, he looks at it, then starts poking my left elbow-pit, digging the needle around, moving it in and out trying to find the vein. I was being a good sport, making idle conversation, but I was a little annoyed. He then decides that’s not going to give, so he wraps it up, and goes for the back of my right HAND.
I’d seen people do this before, but never had it done to me, so I figured I’d play along and see if it gave better than my arm (I do have large veins in my hands). He says “you know this will hurt a bit”, and I just laugh, thinking of all the times I’ve been poked with needles, and knowing it’s not that bad. As I watch him stick it in though, I realize it’s much more painful than the arm. Ouch. So he digs around there for a while, and gets a tiny bit, but not even enough to get through the tube to the canister. I notice that blood is starting to well up around the vein, and the area is swelling. He gives up and says he’s gonna call someone else to do it. I tell him that’s probably a good idea.
He wraps my throbbing hand, and calls someone over. She looks at my right elbow-pit, exactly where I told him to do it in the first place, and sticks it in and gets blood within 2 seconds. No fishing around for a vein.
I hate being rude, but I’m never letting that guy take my blood again.
My hand still hurts, but at least it doesn’t look swollen anymore. And I have a cool bruise…
Super grawr.
I called for the results a few minutes ago, and they confirmed, my eggo is preggo!
My first OBGYN appointment is February 10th, and hopefully I can find out what midwifery options there are, and get a due date (it’s prolly gonna be late Sept, or early Oct).
I’m gonna be a Mama!
~N
