Second OB Visit - Meeting Dr. John McAmis

So today I went in for my 2nd OB visit.  This visit is to meet the OB-Gynecologist who will take care of me over the next 5 months until I am due to give birth. 

Before I go into the details, a few days back I asked Jan, Ryan's step mama if she can recommend a good OB-Gyn from Blount Memorial.  You see Jan works at the Radiology Dept of Blount for the last several decades (# of years and age are deemed confidential hahaha) so I presumed that she would know someone really good in the field.  The first thing that she asked me is "Are you comfortable with a male doctor?"  PAUSE.  OK, Ryan and I had several conversations in the past about male OB-Gynecologist.  He is not too comfortable about the idea.  I really have no preference as long as they are good, professional and caring.  CONTINUE.  Anywho, I told Jan I don't care.  So she told me about Dr. John McAmis, who has been her OB-Gyn for the last several years (again, Jan's age deemed confidential haha) and she is very happy with his service and gave me her great recommendation and feedback about him.

So to go back to my original story, I went to my appointment with Dr. McAmis today at 845AM.  He is to perform several checks and consult with me about my case (since I am already 4 months into my pregnancy) and make sure he understands everything so he can take care of me.  Breast Exam, Thyroid Exam, Pelvic Exam came out really well.  We listened to baby ham's heartbeat once again using the fetal doppler.  Again the sound f my baby's heartbeat is soothing to my ears! 

He performed a PAP SMEAR and routine HIV test and I should get the results within the next two weeks.  I hate that I have a mild yeast infection which according to him is common for pregnant women.  He prescribed just a generic yeast infection medication that I can buy from any pharmacy.

We discussed my medical history and he recommended that I get a check up  with UT Medical in Knoxville.  The UT Medical OB-Gynecologist team handles the high-risk pregnancy cases.  Whilst my vital stats are showing that I am doing well so far, WCG would like to take precautionary measures to ensure that I get tested on everything.  I am not exactly sure what all kinds of test the UT medical will perform on me but Dr. McAmis said that they should be able to check everything.  Which I would rather go through to ensure that everything will be fine.  So this coming Feb 16th at 930 AM, Ryan and I are going to meet Dr. Mark Hennessey for my high-risk obstetrics test.

It was a good visit with Dr. McAmis today.  There are several test that he mentioned that is optional coz 1) These tests are only recommended if there are certain illnesses or ailments that are prominent genetically like lung, heart, pancreatic, gastric in nature and 2) it is super expensive.  One is called Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Testing which cost almost US$500.  I think that is an expense and risk test that we can forego for now since there are no known major problems that we have in both our genes.  There are other test that he does not really recommend but is optional. 

So far I have been doing pretty well this week. I am still constipated but I think I am over the period of my morning sickness, considering that I am already in my 2nd trimester.  I tend to get tired and sleepy most of the time and sometimes experience back side pains.  Other than that, nothing of those crazy pregnant antics that some pregnant moms experience.  Thank God!

Ryan and I really have no preference on what gender the baby would.  Somehow I feel that Ryan would like to have a little princess that he can spoil and call a daddy's girl.  But what's most important for us right now is to have a healthy normal baby.  And we are not worried because we know our little ham will be gorgeous and super awesome!


P.S.  For more information on WCG, visit http://www.blountmemorial.org/body.cfm?id=55 and look for Women's Care Group under the Practice Name field.


P.S.S.  More information about Dr. McAmis can be found at http://www.blountmemorial.org/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=55&action=detail&ref=180 

Women's Care Group - Blount Memorial Hospital

So yesterday, February 7th, I went to the Women's Care Group (WCG), the Obstetrician-Gynecologist Department of Blount Memorial Hospital for the first time to get my very first check up.

For everyone's 411,  WCG will be my 2nd home over the next several months as I go through my pregnancy with our little hamburger.  WCG is located at the Blount Memorial Hospital which I am happy to say is only a mile away from our house.  So it takes approximately 2-3 minutes (give or take running into several red light) to the hospital.

To start of, I went through a thorough medical history review with one of the head nurses and an OB named Dr. Melissa Biller.  Aside from the medical history review, I am impressed by the orientation given by the WCG on pregnancy and motherhood, which covers diet and nutrition, healthcare, medications, services offered, expectations, etc.  I got a good volume of literature to read about the orientation and several free prenatal vitamins. That medical review and orientation took almost an hour and a half.   I think the amount of literature that I got will keep me occupied until my due date hehe

There are several items we discussed about DOs and DONTs because I was very particular in mentioning about what happened with my first pregnancy.  So I appreciate that the OB is very attentive to the details too.  Things that I wanted to avoid this time around is fatigue, stress, excessive weight gain and swollen ankles haha.

After that, I went to get my pregancy test again through urinal exam and a transvaginal physical exam with Dr. Biller.  As confirmed, I am 17 weeks and 1 day pregnant!  They had me blood tested and i think this is the most vials of blood to ever be extracted from me (15 small tube/vials!!) since they want to get me tested on everything.  it was explained to me though that just because I am farther along in my pregnancy and this is the first time that i am getting my check up, will require this much thorough of a check.  Which I would rather have anyways.

Then the funnest part begins when I went for my pelvic ultrasound.  I was so nervous because the last time I had an ultrasound was not the most pleasant experience.  I am so wishing Ryan was with me yesterday when I saw the profile of our baby fetus and heard the heartbeat!!!  Heartbeat!!! The most wonderful sound in the whole wide world!

According to the sonologist, our little hamburger is looking really well.  She did confirmed that the baby is right on 17 weeks and 1 day and my due date is July 17, 2011. :)  The baby is now at 6 ounces (average for 17 weeks is 4-7 ounces so rock on!), my uterus and placenta is in great shape and the baby's heartbeat is normal.  I am so happy to hear all this.  I saw the ribs, the arms, legs.  She said she could tell me the gender but I would rather have Ryan on the next ultrasound with me so we can know together. :)


It was a great first visit.  First I am very impressed by the WCG, everyone is very polite, friendly, professional.  The system is superb, the facility is huge, clean and very modern.  Second, I am happy the ultrasound went well.  And third, it's not difficult to schedule/change/move appointments!  Today at 845AM, I will be back to meet for the very first time with an OB for full consultation / check up.  So I hope today goes well too!  Unfortunately, Ryan will not be able to come with me because of his work.  Hopefully starting next week when his schedule changes, we should be able to go to the OB together. :)

For more information about the Women's Care Group Obstetrician-Gynecologists practitioners, visit their website at http://www.blountmemorial.org/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=55&action=list