Second visit to the obstretrician

My partner and I had to wait over half an hour before we could see the doctor. Hope it's not so long next time.

First of all we discussed the results of my blood test and the scan. As far as the blood test was concerned everything was normal. However streptococcus B had been discovered in my urine sample. I was very worried about this as it can be very dangerous to the baby during a natural birth if the mother isn't give antibiotics as soon as labour starts. The doctor told me I would be tested again at the 36th week. I've thought about this since and wonder why I need to be tested again if the infection isn't going to be treated. I will ask about this at my next appointment. Oh yes and I was also told I didn't have aids. As no one had asked my consent for this test I was rather surprised as I think they ask you to sign a consent form in the UK.

The results of the scan were ok and the nuchal scan had come back normal. The doctor told me I had to decide whether to have the amniocentisis test or not. Again I asked about alternative methods of screening such as a blood test but she said that I would have to pay for that and anyway it wasn't very reliable. She didn't tell me how to go about getting it if I decided going for that option either. I asked her advice about the amniocentisis test but she gave me no counselling, advice or reassurance whatsoever.

I was weighed and then she tried to listen to the baby's heart beat but couldn't find it which was a bit disconcerting. Luckily I had read something about this in one of my pregnancy book and new that it was quite normal.

I came away from the appointment a bit disappointed with the feeling that my questions hadn't really been addressed. I hope it goes better next time. In the meantime I had to make up my mind about the amniocentisis. Something which posed a big dilemma for me and a lot of sleepless nights.

The First Scan

My appointment for the first scan was on a Friday afternoon at 4pm in the local health centre. The thing I was most nervous about was whether I was pregnant with twins or not as I knew that we were going to find out.

When we arrived the healthcentre was deserted, there were only a couple of cleaners there. Both my partner and myself thought it was a strange time for the appointment as normally all appointments are between 9am to 2pm. We went to the place where I was supposed to have the scan and there were about 5 couples sitting in a line in silence, all the women were at various stages of pregnancy. We took our place alongside the couples. The nurse came out of the room and took my form (called a volante in Spanish) then she disppeared again. Just 5 minutes later I was called in for the scan before all the others who had been waiting when we arrived.

I had to lie on a bed in a dimly lit room and the scanner was placed on my uterus. It felt very uncomfortable, which surprised me as I hadn't expected any discomfort. My partner sat next to me, both he and the scan operater had a good view of the screen meanwhile I couldn't see a thing! Immediately the foetus could be seen on the screen - as I was informed by my partner, who told me it was kicking and moving its arms about. The first thing the scan operater told me was that it was singular - I felt very relieved. He moved the screen a little so I could see it, but I still had to twist my neck in order to get a glimpse.

The scan lasted about 15 minutes because it was difficult for the scan operater to get a good view of the nuchal pad. Eventually he got the view he'd been looking for and told me it was normal.

At the end of the scan I was given a hand written report and a print out of 10 photos from the scan to take to the next appointment with the obstretrician.

First visit to the obstetrician in Spain

What to expect the first time you go to the obstretician when you are pregnant in Spain.

I was a bit nervous before my first appointment with the obstetrician or 'tocologo' as they're called in Spanish. I asked some English friends who have had children here what to expect. Their answers were a bit vague so I was none the clearer.

I woke up with a splitting headache that morning so decided to take just one paracetamol as my GP had told me this was ok when you're pregnant.

I met my partner at the health centre and it wasn't too long before we were called in. First of all I was asked the date of my last period. Then the doctor went through my medical history and that of my partner and made notes. She asked me how I was feeling and if I had any morning sickness, I mentioned that I had a headache and had taken a paracetamol. She said that I shouldn't have taken anything (contradicting the advice given by my GP).

The doctor also gave me a consent form for the amniocentesis test which is automatically offered to all women over the age over 35 here. I wasn't informed about any possible screening tests I could have as an alternative. I asked about whether I would be given the nuchal scan (this is when they look at the foetus's neck - it give's an indication of the possibility of Down's syndrome). She told me that this would be done during my first scan. Had I not asked about this I don't think I would've been informed. I asked whether this meant that the amniocentesis test wouldn't be necessary if the result came back as satisfactory, given that the amniocentesis test carries certain risks. Her reply wasn't very reassuring, she just said that it gave an indication that things were ok and that even if that was the case I would still be offered the test automatically due to my age (37).

The nurse took my blood pressure and then weighed me. Following that I had to have the physical examinations (something I wasn't looking forward to). Everything was fine up to now which was reassuring.

The doctor told me to make an appointment for my first scan and told me to make another appointment in a month's time and explained that I would be seeing her every month throughout my pregnancy.

I also had to make an appointment for a blood test. The appointment was made for 9.30am the following Tuesday. I was told that I could't drink or eat anything beforehand. When the day arrived I woke up starving. I had a small cup of tea and one small piece of toast with marmite. On arriving for the blood test I told the nurse what I had eaten and she told me that I couldn't have the blood test and was told to make another appointment! This time I made sure it was much earlier (it was made for 8.30am) and didn't eat a thing beforehand. I was told that I would find out the results at my next appointment with the obstetrician, unless there were any problems in which case they'd ring me.

My appointment for the first scan was in three weeks time.

Discovering I am pregnant in Spain

At 37 years old I was quite surprised and a little bewildered when I didn´t start my period. I´d only been trying to get pregnant for 1 month and had never expected to get pregnant so quickly. My partner thought that it was nerves so we waited a couple more weeks. By then I suspected that I could be pregant so decided it was time to do the pregnancy test.

Having always been very careful in the past I had never actually done a pregnancy test and didn´t even know what it was called in Spanish! In Spain you have to get a test kit from the chemist's and ask for a 'prueba de embarazo' which costs 12 euros. Then you have to wait til the following morning to do the test. Needless to say I had a sleepless night but when I did manage to sleep I dreamt that I had done the test and could very clearly see the two pink lines (which means positive).

As soon as it was morning I did the test and although it says you have to wait 5 minutes the lines appeared immediately. I went to tell my partner who was still asleep and we both looked at eachother both feeling a mixture of emotions shock, joy and also amazement. The next thing I did was to phone my family. The first person I spoke to was my middle sister whose reaction was to burst into sobs...a little disconcerting until she explained they were sobs of joy!

I made an appointment with my family doctor for the following day. That appointment was just a formality and all that happened was that I had to then go and make an appointment with the 'tocologo' (strange name) which means obstetrician in English. The doctor also advised me to only eat very well cooked meat. When I explained that I didn´t eat meat or fish either she was quite shocked and told me it was necessary for a balanced diet. I´ve been a vegetarian for 20 years now so her comments didn´t really worry me.

Luckily the tocologo in my health centre is a woman as in Spain you don´t get any choice of who you see and you just get the person who works in that health centre. That appointment was scheduled for 3 weeks time...