Prenatal care in the bush

As soon as we moved out here I thought it would be insane to be pregnant in the bush. The clinic here doesn't have doctors or P.A.s, but health aids. It's a different certification than CNA and that route. So, I'm still confused by their qualifications. Doctors and P.A.s do fly to villages and see patients for a week. Otherwise In order to be seen by a doctor you fly to Nome. It's 90 miles away and $200 one way on Bering Air.  I'm 28 weeks and it was time for the RHogam shot.  The clinic didn't administer it so I booked an appointment at the Norton Sound Hospital in Nome.

What the view was like most of the way to Nome.  I flew by myself!  That was a vacation all on its own.  I knitted and read a book instead of holding Crew!  It was amazing.  I parent 24/7 here so anytime by myself is heaven.

View of Nome 

As soon as I landed I got a taxi to the Norton Sound Hospital.  It was a lot bigger and nicer than I imagined.  This building stuck out like a sore thumb in this town.

On my way to Primary care, the Tribal Healer sign caught my eye and made me smile.

Blood drawn twice and waiting to be called back for my RHogam shot and check up. Baby boy is fluttering around!  We are currently deciding between Skyler, Kizer, and Titan for names.  We most likely won't decide until right before delivery.

Belly shot in the Dr office! And to prove I actually own clothes besides pajamas.  The last time I put makeup on was in January when we went to Anchorage and I love my lipsense!  Feels so good to feel like me today. 28 1/2 weeks.

Notice the three posters/pictures of natives. I love it, representing the culture the hospital serves.  Everything looked great, heard the baby's heartbeat and overall had a great experience.  If this was my 1st and not my 4th baby I wouldn't be as calm about only having 3 appointments in 28 weeks of pregnancy and with three different doctors in three different cities.  It has been a hassle transferring my records though.

Flying back to Elim with a great view of the village. And that's it! That one square mile to the left fo the airstrip is where 9 months of the year my life is spent.

And the next day I went to the Elim clinic for the glucose test!  I got my blood drawn 3 times, but since I live so close to the clinic I was given permission to walk home in between each blood draw.  This picture of the clinic was from last fall, we are currently still covered in snow!

AND in other news of my life...

We go to the school for one hour for reading group (rti). Kids are divided into their reading level not grades. Ila loves it!

Crew and I help out in the transition room as the teachers take kids out. Crew loves all the kids that will share their ipads.  It has helped him tremendously with being comfortable around people.  If someone put their arms out to hold him he would fall down in a trantrum.  It was so ridiculous.

We went to the school to help the iditabikers get food and rest up. 1000 miles on bike, in the snow, same trail as iditarod.

Iditarod winner's dogs eating and taking a quick break at Elim's checkpoint.

The vet checking on each dog.

This batch costs $73 at the village store. Shocking!! Even after two years I am still surprised each time, but I have gotten into the habit of not looking at the register price when checking out. That heals the pain a little.