Today was Ada's 15 month well baby visit at the Pediatrician, and it was, as usual, rather traumatic. I did not even realize the appointment was coming up, but thankfully I received the helpful reminder call yesterday to let me know that we did, indeed, have an appointment at 10 am this morning.
The morning did not start out well because I was scrambling around trying to get both myself and Ada ready, and in the mean time, I noticed an entire bottle of milk turned upside down on the dining room carpet. As I was attempting to clean that up, I heard a knocking coming from the guest bedroom, where Ada had closed herself in. When I opened the door to let her out, I was greeted with a very unpleasant smell, and as I was dealing with that situation, Ada decided to pull out every single wipe. I couldn't really stop her because as soon as I move my hands from her legs, she wiggles away, dumping the contents of her diaper onto the carpet. So... I thought the wipes were the lesser of the two evils. As soon as Ada was wearing a clean diaper once again, I remembered that I had not finished cleaning up the spilled milk in the dining room. Just living the dream, folks, living the dream.
We finally made it to the doctor's office, and on time, I might add. I pulled out my wallet to pay the co-pay and realized that my debit card and driver's license were sitting back at my house. I looked at the receptionist, pleading with my eyes not to make us reschedule the appointment. It was a miracle that we made it there. She took pity on us, and she told me I could come by tomorrow morning to pay for today's visit. Thank you, thank you, thank you kind receptionist.
Well...we went through the general unpleasantness of Ada being weighed, measured, poked, and prodded, and she screamed so hard she couldn't breath. (She still weighs in under 20 lbs, but the doctor isn't concerned). But that was not the worst part. The worst part came when the doctor asked me if there were any concerns. And I said, yes, there is a concern (I apologize to non-parent readers for the following content), Ada continues to be constipated. She has been constipated since she was five months old. This is a significant part of our lives. So much so that I have been known to call Scott at work just to tell him that Ada had a dirty diaper because he is probably the only person on earth who will be as excited about it as I am. We have entire conversations about her dirty diapers, and this has become the norm in our marriage. Serious conversations about the contents of Ada's diaper. So... the doctor wants more details about her constipation, and I provide them, and he says to me in a very concerned tone, "Well you need to fix this." He said it as if it had never occurred to me that it was a problem. I really thought I might scream. I have been telling doctors since she was 5 months old about this problem. I have called nurses after hours when the doctor was not available to ask for advice. And I have heard the words peaches, prunes, and pears so much that I probably say them in my sleep. Doctor, believe me, I know!!!! He then tells me that she shouldn't be eating bananas and cheese. Again, I know...SHE DOESN'T!!! I said, I know it needs to be fixed, can you please tell me what to do to fix it. He said I would have to pay attention to her diet. Oh goodness, I thought I might scream again. I said I have been paying attention to her diet since she was five months old. I need more info. than that. And here is what he said, give her straight apple juice. Don't water it down, and give her a lot. There is something I can work with, ya'll. I have limited her juice intake, and I have watered it down when I give it to her. So from now on, Ada will be getting straight juice. Apparently the sugar will get things flowing. If not, we are headed back to the doctor.
The good thing about today's visit was that a doctor finally listened to me when I told him about Ada's constipation. The bad thing is how he spoke to me as if he was the one who first noticed the problem.
Just another day of motherhood. Just another day of motherhood.
6 comments:
I can't help but laugh although I know in the situation it is no laughing matter...believe me I've been there too! Let's hope that apple juice works. Grant wouldn't poop for the longest time when I was nursing. So I drank apple juice and it worked like a charm on him! What a glamorous life we live!
I can so relate to the whole constipation thing. Both my daughters suffered and still suffer with it. One really bad, she has gone 5 to 7 days without going before. Which is obviously bad. Now that they are old enough to understand and tell me how they feel it is much easier. Try some prune juice. Now I know it tastes really bad, but try if she will drink it. Try mixing it with other juice. Maybe a 1/4 or less of prune juice the rest other juice. Or even mix it in with her milk if she will take it that way. Also, not to discourage you too much but apple juice makes one of my girls worse. Everyone is different but just be aware that what works well for one, may not for others. I also had to and still do, watch the dairy intake. It really makes things bad. If she drinks more than a glass or so of milk a day it is bad. But that is hard with a baby. :) I hope you can figure it out. I really do know how miserable it is to deal with.
I feel your pain! Don't you just love it when doctors talk to you like you are a child. At Wyatt's very first pediatrician appointment, the nurse trated me like a horrible mom because his little penis was bleeding a bit where he was circumsized, like I wasn't trying to take care of it! I was so tired and frustrated that I just started sobbing, right there- MEAN old nurse!!
David has those constipation issues too. He has at least one full sippy cup of not watered down apple juice per day and it seems to work well. He'll still have about 1 bm a day that is hard and marble like, but 1 that is more 'normal'. The juice is the only thing I have found that actually works.
friend, you are DEFINITElY living the dream:) i will be curious how the juice works. as for me, if i have a shot of espresso, i am literally running to the bathroom. maybe you and ada could go to starbucks, order a double shot, let her slam it down, and then make a run for the restroom? seriously, we need to talk...
Hi! Bryce had really bad constipation and it got so bad he was throwing up. The doctors gave me the run around big time.
Finally a nurse helped and told me stick with the P foods--peaches, pears, peas, sweet potatoes, ect. Also, my doctor (the smart one) said to double his fruit intake.
I feed Bryce black beans or baked beans at lunch every day and I think it helps...he loves them. I feel for you!
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