July 5: A sigh of relief
In my dream world they would have a huge [pink?] sparkly stamp on each of the first-time moms’ medical files. It would read “First time mom. Please at least try to be nice".”
I hadn’t heard back regarding our genetic testing and it had been over a week. They told me I’d probably hear back by the end of last week, but when I didn’t hear anything by Friday, or Monday, I figured it was because of the 4th of July holiday. After getting through this morning with no call, I decided to call the office to see if they had the results.
During the ultrasound, the tech said that everything looked great and healthy, but still, in the back of my mind, I really want to know what the blood test results were. The actual results would combine the blood test with the ultrasound and determine a risk factor for Down Syndrome and other anomalies.
I called the office, told them my name, birthdate, when the appointment was, and the lady on the other end of the phone put me on hold.
A pit started to form in my stomach as I waited.
She got back on the phone and said
“Um, you’re going to need to talk to a genetic counselor.”
Click.
I thought she was transferring me to said genetic counselor, but she had indeed hung up.
So naturally, I called back.
“Hi, I was just speaking with you on the phone and I think I got disconnected as you tried to connect me to the genetic counselor.”
“Um, no. I left a message on her board for her to call you back.”
“When do you think I can expect a call?”
“I don’t know. Maybe this afternoon.”
Click.
WOW.
Immediately, the pit into my stomach grew into a full-up boulder and I called the Pilot. I was shaking as I called him—convinced that the woman on the phone had seen the test results, and couldn’t believe we would have to wait all day to hear back from them.
Being the calm-under-pressure guy that he is, he assured me that if they had news for us on a positive test they would have contacted us more quickly and that everything would be fine.
While I was talking to him, call waiting from an unknown number flashed up on the screen.
“I’ll call you right back, I think it’s them”
At this point, I’d stopped shaking but was still anxious.
“Hello?”
[Pleasant, cheery female voice] “Hi, is this Angelina?”
“Yes, this is she.”
“Hi this is so-and-so from blah-blah clinic and we have your test results from the Nuchal translucency screening and everything looks absolutely fantastic so far.”
She went on to go over certain statistics for my age and said that the risk for Down Syndrome was originally 1 in 700-something and after my test, my personal risk dropped to 1 in 8000-something. She kept talking, and I can’t remember what she was saying, but it was a huge relief to hear that everything came back normal. Of course, we wanted to do the test to be better prepared and research in the case that the test came back positive, but just to hear the results was comforting.
The number one reason I did the testing –I’m at low risk since I’m in my 20s- was so I could get a free ultrasound, since our insurance only covers a few and covers this test.
Was it worth the stress?
To see that little baby, flipping, moving and waving on the screen: 100% yes.
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Jeeze, I’d like to punch that lady in the face! Glad everything is A-O-K. 🙂
right? so rude
YAY! Phew! (And I never knew your name was Angelina!)
Phew – glad everything came back normal. I remember my sister being really nervous about that as well.
Sorry you had to deal with such rudeness in the meantime – some people!
It is terrible that such rude people work in health care. I have encountered so many of them, they all are miserable and hate their jobs. So sorry she put you through such stress for nothing. YAY for a healthy baby!
Wow people are so rude! Glad everything turned out well though!
Ay yai yai!!! You should complain about that lady… but so glad to hear everything is great! Now you can enjoy the weekend 🙂
I’d be freaking out too — but I always expect the worst! Good think the Pilot seems to be able to look at things calmly!
Oh my goodness!!!!! I cannot BELIEVE how rude that first person was on the phone. I think that warrants a comment the next time you actually see your doc. That’s intense, I had a super similar situation when I was waiting on a skin cancer biopsy result. I think that since they deal with this kind of stuff every day they forget what it’s like for the person on the other line 🙂
So glad to hear the nugget is doing well! Now you can enjoy the weekend 🙂
I’m so glad everything came back okay! My cousin just went through a crazy pregnancy where her baby ended up having CMV, but that is SUCH a rare thing. I knew you’d have nothing to worry about. 😉
I haven’t had to deal with a lot of doctors as of yet, but I find in general that a LOT of people just seem to have really bad phone/customer service manners lately. I’m always as sweet as possible when dealing with people in any service industry because I find that it gets you better results than being a b*tch, but sometimes people make it REALLY hard! 🙂
Am I the only one who can’t get over how effing rude that woman was to you on the phone? She HUNG up on you? Sheesh. She deserves a talkin’ to.
Its not just you. I’m fuming right now. I had to read that over 3 times and I think its going to bother me for a while. I don’t understand why someone would choose to be in a profession like that and be so horrible with people.
The amount of doctors, but more so admin personnel IN doctors offices without personal skills amazes me.
SO unfortunate that people are so rude in a profession that sincerely requires kindness!
Glad everything is okay and you can have a nice weekend without worry 🙂
I would definetly call and complain about that lady that is rude no matter the circumstances! I’m gladd all is well for you and your little guy/girl!
You are absolutely right. People don’t realize how nervous first time moms are.
We all knew it would be fine!! You are one healthy Momma pumpin’ out a baby!! Keep smiling my friend!
xxoo
I’m so glad that you have peace of mind now! I can’t believe how rude that lady was and she works in a medical field! She should know that when dealing with health, especially the health of an unborn child, she should be a little more compassionate, or at least helpful. I would definitely say something to her supervisor. It could prevent another mommy-to-be from going through the same thing!
Tricare in general sucks butt, I hate hate hate the team I have here in VA Bch. I’m So glad that while I’m in Fl with my family while my Husband is on deployment that tricare doesn’t have an OB office for me to go to and I can see my old doc from prior military. I still won’t give birth here, it’ll be back in VA but that part wasn’t so bad.
it’s just funny because the midwives i’m seeing are AMAZING, and everyone they refer me to for outside stuff (like the ultrasounds and testing) sucks.
I never knew your name was angelina, either! I thought you were going to say that they were looking at the wrong person! haha. Congrats on everything being great! I’m sure any mother will tell you that worrying is part of being a mom, but the good news is, most of the time, everything is 100% fine. Good thing the pilot can calm nerves. What a guy!
he’s a genius at it. even when i’m totally fired up about something, he relaxes me
Yay! I’m so happy you guys got fantastic news! Peace of mind is worth so much. I’m a firm believer in karma, so the person who hung up on you better learn a few manners 😉
Gina, you’re a better woman than me. Why? Because had that woman hung up on me a second time without a good bye or a thank you or whatever along with the attitude, I WOULD have called back to tell her I would be speaking with her supervisor about her insane incompetence when it comes to speaking with patients. I’m sorry, but that would NOT have flown with me. You have more patience…I commend you.
I’m glad you got your sigh of relief, though. Pilot’s right…had it been bad, they would have called you much sooner. That receptionist, though…what a tool. It’s VERY hard being a first time mommy, and it doesn’t necessarily get easier with each kid. It just gets…you just get used to it. But every pregnancy is the same…same worries until you find out something’s wrong. Then there’s more. My second baby’s heart beat never showed up in the first ultrasound. Then, two weeks later, it did. She’s been the one that put me on a fetal heart monitor (and was FINE!) and she’s been in the ER with boo boos, been the one with lower iron. But she’s healthy. Just keep reminding yourself that you are a first timer and the nerves are natural…:)
<333333
Oh, rude people. Gosh, that lady should know better – I am certain that you aren’t the first firsttime mom that she has dealt with….Geez.
So glad to hear that everything is okay!!
I’m so happy to hear everythings fine. It’s horrible when people are rude like that… especially over something so sensitive.
I actually think that they SHOULD be aware when someone is a first-time-mama… 🙂
My husband calms me down too. I go from zero to sixty way too fast. Could be cause I’m a redhead. Could be cause I’m a psycho. :p
Please, please find a way to complain about Little Miss Hang-Up. Write a letter, send an email, make a phone call, whatever suits you best. Her behavior was out of line and actually, she SHOULD be kinder and gentler to people who are getting test results. You’re not calling to find out when the brakes will be fixed on your car.
And congrats on the great results! YAY!
So glad everything is okay but so sorry that lady was so horrible!
Good greif, how rude!
I never knew your name was Angelina, I love that! I love these family posts because they let us see a different (but equally wonderful) side of you.
I’m glad your results came back that everything was fine. That lady sounds horrible! Did she never learn that it is polite to actually say goodbye to someone on the phone?
Awesome news! And what a tool that receptionist was! Arg.
What an awful experience! But I am so glad it turned out to be good news. My sister in law just found out today that her placenta previa has moved up so I’m so excited and relieved for her and now you too! I can’t believe how awful that woman was though. I honestly wonder if she knows how much fear she can strike into a person by not putting an effort into how she words things or if she just doesn’t have a clue. There really is no excuse for that kind of rudeness.
Great news, congrats!!! I hear ya on the level of professionalism at these offices, it really does appall (sp?) me…but i find you can get the most caring, professional individual and then in the same office someone has the attitude you experienced. You are right, there should be a big red flashing bulb to these people, but really, if they work in a place that deals with pregnant women and they do very serious ‘tests’, you would think they should have the common sense to know they need to be extra nice.
Sorry for the rant, i can totally relate. Anyway, glad it all turned out to be positive, that is the most important thing.
Have a great weekend!
A husband always have a way to calm their wifey down. It amazes me how calm mine can be in high stress situations. Congratulations on everything being okay and perfect!
Yay congrats! I can’t believe how snotty some people can be, geez!
Glad everything is okay. I’d like to smack that lady on the phone! RUUUUUDE!
I had no idea your name was Angelina, love it! I am so sorry you had to put up with such a rude person but I’m glad that at the end of the day you got good news 🙂
Such effing bs. I can’t believe they did that to you!!!! When we met with our lady we even gave her permission to leave results via voicemail. Anyway, she called us like 3 days later (after I had to do the blood work twice since they lost my first vials) and told us everything was fine. I can’t believe they made you wait that long/ made you nervous by saying the counselor had to call you back and NOT stating it was just protocol or something. BS!
Happy to hear everything is a-ok!
I’m so sorry that happened. I got a phone call the day after we found out the sex that I was a CF carrier. Talk about taking the wind out of my sails! Everything turned out fen but when you are a first time mommy they really should have a bit more sensitivity or in my case better timing !
You’re gonna call back, right? And call her out? Or, tell the office manager, or SOMETHING?
Seriously. Hanging up on you TWICE and being inept…she doesn’t deserve to get away with that.
p.s. THRILLED that all is well and that you got the news before the weekend.
First time mom or not, that lady sounds snarky. I am glad everything was good news though!
WOW, I can’t believe that woman. I know her job must be busy, but she could at least ask if there was anything else and say goodbye before hanging up… how rude. I even worked as a file clerk in a doc office before, and while the staff was super rude, the nurses were really sweet. I bet she was staff, and just pulled up your info and saw a memo that you needed to talk to someone and that’s all. So glad everything’s ok! 🙂
So glad to hear the good news on your little one!!!
This could be your 100th child and there would still be no reason for that woman to be so rude. That’s ridiculous!
Girl, I’ve been there…when I was maybe 10 weeks pregnant, I was having some spotting, and even though my doc had told me it was normal I called our health plan’s 24 hour nurse hotline for some reassurance. The nurse was a total B! She actually said, “even if you ARE miscarrying there is NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.” Whaaat? I ended up going to see another doc (not mine) and he said the same thing, the same way. I was SO upset – it’s not like I had done this before, and it’s also not as if I was running to the doc every five minutes. Some people are turds to first time pregnant ladies!
Glad everything was fine. I remember the nerves I had for that test as well. And my doc made me come in to the office to tell me all was fine! Talk about worry! And how rude of that girl…I would be so happy if I worked around pregnant women all day! Well, minus the hormones, of course! 😉
I just wanted to chime in since I too am going through the first-time pregnancy thing and have tricare insurance (although I saw you clarify above that your issues are mostly with peeps on the outside). My first couple experiences with admin staff have been less than stellar and I was about ready to call it quits and do my stuff through a civilian hospital. I was getting annoyed with how inefficient/incompetent they all seemed to be, plus they kept reminding me that calling the office with question was a “no-no” (not that I had called, but seriously, if I have an issue, I’d like to know someone might be inclined to pick up the phone). But we had our first appointment with the midwife a few weeks ago and she was awesome and so was the nurse. So, it seems like it’s definitely hit or miss…hang in there!
your name is angelina?? so cuute!! i love it! Thank God everything is fine…yes your risk is def low since you are in your 20s.
Wow! What is with these people? I can’t believe how rude to just hang up like that!!!
Congrats! I didn’t know your full name was Angelina! I was so confused for about 8 seconds 🙂
I felt this way too when I prego with my little boy. What is it with Dr office ladies? I think they go to bitch school before they start work. I have NEVER been in a doctor’s office where the receptionist was nice. NEVER.
So happy results were good. It is totally terrifying being a first time pregnant lady and mom.
at first i was like.. ‘who the heck is angelina?!” but i got it now =] haha
Holy Moly…that nurse needs a slap in the face! What was she thinking saying that?! Glad to hear everything is a-okay 🙂
Wow, how rude. I can’t believe she just hung up on you!
But I’m glad to hear everything looks good with the little one! 😀