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13-5-2008 - My first doctor's appointment...in Japan

My mood while writing this blog: Ok

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Well I FINALLY was seen by a doctor yesterday. The medical system here in Japan is so different than the one in the States, but definately not worse. There really isn't a private doctor system, most patients go to the closest hospital to be seen (however there ARE private practices and tend to be much more expensive from what I hear). So I make it through morning rush hour traffic, park my car in the parking deck and manage to find my way to the main entrance of the medical building. Mind you nearly no one speaks English so there was a lot of pointing along with my shaky Japanese to find my way around. First you fill out a form (surprisingly just your name, address, phone number, DOB, and signature) and turn it in to the first desk for new patients with your insurance card, and wait for your file to be made. Then I took my file and went to the OB/GYN department and *Hooray* someone spoke English! So, come to find out there was a mix up with my appointment (on my end, my coworker was supposed to have scheduled it for me), BUT they managed to fit me in. So weight check (ok gained about 4 or 5 pounds), BP check, and urine sample (can't say much for the hygine in the bathroom, not that it was filthy, but no soap, no paper towels or dryer...) then wait...waiting....still waiting....ok so after about 40 or so minutes the English speaking nurse and another doctor took me into an office to get my medical history (not a very detailed one). Then back out to wait a lot more....so an hour goes by and my name is finally called. I'm taken into a room with big monitors and lots of curtains (not a private patient room like back home but i assume they only allow 1 patient at a time). So the doctor introduces himself (he didnt speak English, but bless him he simplified his Japanese so that I could understand), and the nurse takes me into a small curtained room and instructs me to undress from the waist down and sit on the chair (yes CHAIR, no bed). Now, i've never seen a chair like this so it was a little confusing to sit on. The whole time I'm wondering "HOW are they gonna do a vaginal exam in a CHAIR...?" Well soon my question was magically answered...the chair magically rose into the air and spread my legs....it didnt even take me on a date first. But once I realized what was going on it hit me...this is MUCH more comfortable than "lay on your back and scooch your bottom to the end of the bed." No sturrups for your feet because your legs are spread apart by support under your thighs. Plus there was a curtain between the doctor and I which makes it even more relaxing and the sonogram monitor was to the right just above my head...So first the pelvic exam....uterus is normal and a good size, then the vaginal sonogram...I think I noticed my little one before the doctor did because it showed up immediately when he inserted the sonogram dohicky (no I dont know the term...scope would be better I guess). I was amazed at how quickly and clearly I was able to see my baby, head, arms and legs...and then I noticed the heart beat...OMG what an amazing undescribable feeling. I almost cried, which is saying a lot since i'm not the mushy sappy type, even with all the hormones rushing around in my right now. Then the exam was over and I cleaned up and got dressed. The doctor said everything looks great, nothing to worry about then handing me my first picture of my baby. I can't stop looking at it...My close friends all seem to say "wow, there's a baby in there!" as if they were expecting something else.

I'm really glad I was able to get some piece of mind that everything is good so far, and it all made it even more real to me to see my sonogram. All I can say right now is "Whew!" with a warm heart and a BIG smile on my face.

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