Love to the Doctor

I had my annual "female" doctor appointment yesterday, and it was the first time I'd been back to my doctor's office since my 6-week postpartum check-up after Will was born. When you are pregnant, you visit this doctor way more than you ever dreamed possible. It starts with monthly visits and progresses to weekly visits towards the end of the pregnancy. All of this equals much time spent at your doctor's office and with the cast of characters that works there.

Since it had been almost seven months since I had been there, I found myself downright nostalgic about the whole thing. Seriously. Here's how my thought process went while I was there:

Pulling into the parking lot: "Hi, parking lot! Remember how I used to come here and drive around endlessly until I got a spot close up so my big, pregnant self didn't have to walk far? That was fun!"

Getting into the elevator: "Hi, elevator! Remember when I could never remember which floor my doctor's office was on and how several times, if there was another passenger in the elevator with me, I'd get off on the wrong floor but pretend that's where I intended to be? That was fun!"

Getting off the elevator: "Hi, hallway bathroom! Remember all those times I used your facilities right before my appointments even though I knew I was going to have to give a urine sample during my appointment, but I knew it didn't matter because my big, pregnant self was going to have to pee again in 2.5 minutes? That was fun!"

At the doctor's office: "Hi, nurse! You and I were pals. Remember all those moments we shared, with scales, blood pressure cuffs and funky gowns that bare all? (Note: not even sure the nurse remembered who I was, but she played along with my "So GREAT to see you!!"). That was fun!"

Leaving the doctor's office: "Hi, lady that works in Accounts Payable! Remember how my insurance company was so messed up and we spent countless hours on the phone trying to get bills paid? That was fun!"

Most disturbing thought of the day, while leaving the doctor's office and driving by the hospital (no joke): "I sure love that hospital.” Seriously? Seriously?! This coming from a woman who had to be given morphine to prevent her from ripping off the contraction monitor belt and running down the hallway screaming after spending a week on bed rest at said hospital.

So the lesson learned is if you want to enjoy going to the doctor and actually feel like you miss the doctor upon leaving, have a baby, get a little loopy from sleepless nights and let seven months pass by. You will love your doctor, too.