By Alex: 014
In July my husband and I started trying for our first child. For me it was a long time coming, but we had an agreement and a rough plan for when we thought I should give birth, so July it was.
At 29, I was anxious about my fertility and really keen to fall pregnant before the big 3-0. Hindsight makes me feel like a crazy person, but at the time I was so anxious about declining egg-counts and the fact that we really had no idea how long it would take to get pregnant, that I thought my worry was more than justified.
To say seeing those two pink lines in August was a shock, would be a severe understatement.
I took the test two days before my period was due. That ‘two week wait’ between ovulation and the much hoped for no-show period is torturous at times. I was analysing every twinge, every possible symptom, and after disappointment the first month I was trying so hard not to get my hopes up too high.
But I broke and tested early, expecting it to be negative and that I would have another few days of agonising waiting.
I did the test after coming home from work, with a cheapie basic test, and was astonished to see that second line come up so quickly and so clearly; especially at such an early point.
After showing my husband, I don’t think either of us was convinced. I don’t know why, as the line was clear, but we wanted a blood test to confirm before we actually believed it was true.
The next day I went to the local clinic (GP equivalent), and said I think I am pregnant. They did one of their own urine dip tests and it was negative, but I insisted on a blood test. Insisted.
A few days later I went in for my results, thankfully my husband came too because I was terrified - little did I know that this would be the first in a seemingly never ending parade of nervous waits at clinics and hospitals. Being the glass-half-empty type really makes the abyss of unknown that constitutes pregnancy quite the thrill ride.
The blood test was positive.
The doctor was stunned because I hadn’t even missed a period yet, and I immediately made a mental note to find another one – shouldn’t she know that it’s not so strange, in fact it is entirely possible, to get a positive before a missed pregnancy. Biological knowledge is surely vital in a doctor? Apparently not in Qatar.
And so began the long journey to getting decent prenatal care that I feel comfortable with and have confidence in. Now, 15 weeks into my pregnancy and enjoying the relief of the second trimester (okay, partial relief – no more nausea, debilitating headaches, or loss of appetite….but hello constantly needing to pee, engorged breasts, and ceaseless hunger!), that journey is still on-going.