I’ve done a lot of multitasking while pumping over the past few years, from working out on the elliptical to blogging, from cooking breakfast to driving. However, I’ve now marked another exciting event off my pumping bucket list – pumping while getting a pap smear. HA!
So here’s what happened…
I work at a family practice medical center, and I had been thinking for months about how I needed to get my annual physical done because I hadn’t had a pap smear done in 4 years. It’s covered by insurance so why the hell had I not done it? I also needed to get a referral to a GYN so I could get an IUD put in.
On Monday mornings we have a NP who is here a half day strictly for women’s health exams, and she’s the only person I’d really feel comfortable having do my pap smear now that I work here. My (male) boss used to do them, but it’s just different now that I’m his employee. I’m a pretty open person, and I loved having a male midwife, but there are some lines I just don’t want to cross if I don’t have to!
At any rate, the NP had a light schedule last Monday, and spur of the moment I decided to put myself on her schedule during my normal pump break time so I could kill two birds with one stone. My coworker (and friend) took my blood pressure, heart rate, etc. while I started pumping, and then I continued pumping when the NP came in and we discussed my health history, concerns, etc. SO funny. Luckily I was about done pumping by the time I had to lay down for the breast exam and pap smear, so I set all of my pumping paraphernalia on the table and laid back down. The NP was a little hesitant to do a full breast exam on me because she didn’t want to accidentally express me and get a milk shot in the face (HAHAHA) but all went smoothly, nobody got shot in the face with warm breastmilk, and I checked out A-OK. 🙂 I now have an appointment scheduled on the 18th to get a copper IUD inserted (no hormonal birth control for me). It is SO WEIRD to think about using birth control after being TTC for so many years!
Haha, I was wondering how you managed to pump while lying down! I still crack up at that picture of you driving and pumping. I was cleaning out our basement yesterday and just found my hands-free pumping bra; that sure would have been nice to have this past year! You’ll have to let us know what you think about the IUD. I’m still waiting for JJ to get to the doctor, but I have no plans on getting on birth control of any sort. He’s said he’s gonna do it, but only time will tell.
I haven’t been able to find my good hands free bra this time either! NO IDEA where I packed it away to. GAH!
Hahaha! This is awesome!
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: you are one dedicated momma! 🙂 It’s crazy to READ about you talking about birth control; I can only imagine how it must feel for you!
SO WEIRD, but like I mentioned the other night via text, SO NECESSARY. 🙂
I so was wondering how the hell you were pumping laying down! You are good with all that multitasking! Be prepared for cramp city for a bit with the IUD, I used to have that one. I have Endo but the cramps were pretty persistent for a few days!
Ya, I rarely get a period anyway (thanks PCOS) so I’m not too worried. Seems like a better alternative than masking symptoms with hormones for me. :\
Lol, too funny
You’ll need to tell me more about the IUD thingy as I don’t really want to go back on YAZ while breastfeeding baby girl. (email me though, don’t reply here as I might not see it). And you are officially my most ballsy friend for snapping that pic on the highway. Love it! 🙂
Brilliant! So chuffed you managed to multitask this!