How I wish we could all just get along! Really! But apparently we can't. This office tells me that office is terrible and that office tells me the next office is worse! Let me tell you a story. I don't think I mentioned my trip to public health, but if I did, sorry. I'll try to keep it short.
I went to public health a few weeks ago. I was in the neighbourhood, waiting for the garage to be done with my car (what a fiasco THAT was), so I dropped in to see if I could get an appointment with a lactation consultant. I nursed X until he was 9 months, I plan to give it a go with twins, but as I've never nursed two at a time before, I have some questions! I wasn't expecting to talk to anyone, just get an appointment. The receptionist had me sit in the waiting room while she called for someone to talk to me, and a few minutes later a nice lady came out to call me back to her office. After some hmmmingh and hawing, she explained there is no lactation consultant employed by public health here. I'd have to drive 5 hours south. Why they could not tell me that at reception, I do not know.
She did have some "helpful" information though. Not only did she give me websites (like I hadn't searched them already) she was so kind as to inform me that the nurses at this hospital will steal my babies and formula feed them without my knowledge and then they'll never go back to the breast again. Awesome. She then further explained that it would be best if I went into labour before 36 weeks so they would ship me down to Edmonton. Then I could feed them with a syringe and pump in my room. But at least I would be away from the evil nurses up here. Then I asked a question that forced her to admit that she'd never visited the maternity ward here, and didn't really know how it was set up. After clearing my throat of the unkind words that arose I thanked her for her time and left.
On the other hand, my family doctor warned me that the support staff at my OB office was useless and mean. Good. I look forward to it. Not that I've had a super experience with the support staff in her office either! So yesterday I had another appointment with my OB. 3 weeks ago I was there for 4 hours, yesterday my wait was 2 hours for a 10 minute visit. But boy does he ever pack a lot into the visit! He assured me all my swelling and discomfort is normal, did a mini-ultrasound to look at the babies' heads, (both look good, he's happy), and called the head of the radiology department to get me in for a "growth scan" ultrasound. Remember, I'm high risk because I'm old. ;) When he got off the phone he explained that he's always had great success in getting things done while being nice! And he is a very friendly sort of guy. His secretary promptly informed me that the radiology dept. is picky, so wait until today to call for an appointment.
From the very nice girl on the phone in booking I learned this morning that they have not yet received any paperwork. They have a sticky from the head of the dept. telling them to expect the paperwork and have some instructions from him, but no order yet. So I call the office and low and behold....it has not been faxed yet. Grrr. Here's hoping that at some point the Doctor's mode of operation will rub off on his staff!
Now all 4 of these offices work for Alberta Health Services. Why are they not all on the same page? Frustrating.
Oh, the other thing the doctor told me is that we will be booking my c-section for 38 weeks, so that counter over on the right of the page? Subtract 14 days!! That means 59 days! Oh boy.
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