Hopefully you can forgive me but I just really think typing this up will help me to feel better. ha ha. I hope I am right. If you don't have a decent amount of time, you may want to stop. I will understand. :)
I am just very irritated with my doctor's office. Let me start at the beginning. I made my 20 week ultrasound appointment quite a while ago. My thinking behind this was we could arrange it around Eric's schedule so he could be there. I was wrong. Apparently they only to "those" ultrasounds 2 days a week for a few hours each day (a lady just comes to the office for that amount of time just to do the 3D ultrasounds). Well that sucks but not much I can do about it. I was irritated that they are not more accommodating with something that is a pretty big deal in my opinion. I got over it and we just decided that I would go to the appointment, take a CD for them to put it on and I would not look when they looked to see what it was. This would SUCK but I didn't want to know before Eric and he didn't want me to find out without him. So my appointment is on a Wednesday and I would just put the CD away and forget about it (yeah right) until Eric could get home the next night. We didn't have much of a choice.
Then, a light came on in my brain! I have a regular appointment just a week and a half before the 3D ultrasound and it is on a Friday so Eric would be home. Surely my doctor could do just a regular old ultrasound, like she did at my first appointment, to tell us the sex of our baby. They would be more than happy to help me out with my dilemma and would totally understand and want to do what they could so that we could find out together, at the office. Right?! Well not really.
I called and talked to a nurse, explained my situation, and asked if that would be doable. "Well we really like you to wait until 20 weeks to make sure we can tell the sex." and "You would have to make sure your insurance would cover it or else you will have to pay out of pocket." and "Why don't you wait until after your 20 week appointment to find out." "If you talk to your insurance company and work it out, then we would be happy to do that for you." THANK YOU!!!
First off, I know of SEVERAL girls that find out a few weeks before 20 weeks so don't try to tell me you won't be able to see. Second, fine, if you want to charge me extra for a 15 minute ultrasound, whatever. We have a high deductible that we have to meet regardless so it can just go towards that. I have a separate HSA account that we pay medical bills out of anyways so it really will not even phase me to have to pay. Third, waiting until AFTER my 20 weeks appointment totally defeats the purpose. We would already know by then.
I talk to Eric, he says to go ahead and let them know we want to do it (after all, if I am willing to pay, they are "happy" to do it.) So I call back and talk to billing to find out how much it will be. $50. That is less than I was expecting so that is fabulous. She transfers me back to the front desk so that I can let them know to plan on doing the ultrasound when I come in. I explain to the receptionist. (I am pretty sure I have dealt with her before and she is even more onery then me. ALL THE TIME.)
"Dr. B doesn't have any openings that day." I tell her AGAIN, I already have an appointment and just need them to plan on doing the ultrasound that I discussed with the nurse. "Well your appointment is only for 15 minutes and that will need a 30 minute appointment." Oh okay. And people NEVER wait at the doctor's office. In fact, if I remember correctly, I waited an hour for my first ultrasound, only to have to leave and come back several hours later to get it done. They owe me. ha ha. She proceeds to tell me she will make a note that I want one but can't "make any promises". And "You do know you will have to pay for that up front. I believe it is $250." Well actually, yes, I know that and yes I will be prepared, but it is only $50 thank you very much.
Oh I am fired up at this point. What a witch! Her tone was so nasty too. Wouldn't you think to be the receptionist at this kind of an office, you would be kind, helpful, excited (or pretend to be) and try to act like you give a crap? Last I checked, I was forking out just a small amount of money to come to this office. I am pretty sure it will be okay when I actually go. My doctor is wonderful, her staff just needs some help. I am pretty sure she will be sympathetic of my situation and be glad to help. At least I hope. My plan is to make sure and pay as soon as I get there so if they try to tell me no, I can say, but I already paid for it. :)
Wow, I feel lots better. Anyone still with me? ha ha. If not, I totally understand. This was massive and full of negative thoughts and feelings :) But like I said, I feel lots better. Anyone else ever been frustrated with the way you were treated while pregnant? I hope I am not the only one and I hope this is the only time. (Well the last time since it happened once before.) Grr!
This is my attempt to "zoom" in to make it, you know, clearer. I tried.
This one looks kinda funny but this is why we could not get a good face shot in the 3D. He kept his little self all nestled up to the placenta. Maybe this means he will be a snuggler?! I hope so! She even shook the heck out of my tummy trying to get him to move his face but it was a no go. He was probably wondering what the heck was happening. I know I sure was! As soon as she would think she had him, he would move right back to this position.
