Friday, February 5, 2010

The things we do....

One of the funny things about pregnancy and parenthood is that you get to cross a lot of things off of the "oh, I would/could NEVER do that" list. You know, things like giving birth, kissing your kid after she spits up, etc. etc.

Last night, we crossed an item off the list which has scared me ever since I started reading about baby care. Something I never thought I could do. Something that makes me cringe every time it happens to our cats at the vet. That's right, folks: the rectal temperature.

The Chicklette was super-fussy and miserable yesterday, and felt a little warm to me. I knew if we called the doctor they'd ask if we'd taken a rectal temp, so we had to suck it up. And you know what? It was easy! Easier than breastfeeding! Or changing a diaper! And the baby didn't care! (She did have a temp, by the way, but it seems to be gone this morning. And how do I know that? Because we took her butt temperature again! It was just that easy!)

Why do I post about this, you ask? C'mon, there have got to be other people out there just as terrified about sticking a foreign object in their baby's butt. And I'm here to tell you: YOU CAN DO IT.

(Sorry about all of the exclamation points. I think I might have put a little too much caf in my half-caf coffee this morning.....)

9 comments:

siiilllygirl said...

Hi! I have been following you for a few months, but this is my first comment. btw, CONGRATULATIONS!!

So... here is what I want to say... I used to baby sit this one girl, she was 9 and one day she did not feel well and I wanted her to measure her temperature and she was like ok. She took the thermometer and put it in her but, right in front of me.. I was sooo shocked!! Then a few minutes later, she was like - "here. can I go now?" I could not talk for like 10 minutes...

anyways, I know your baby is not going to do that.. but I just thought it was a funny store and worth sharing.

Have a good day! Thank you for you blog. I love your posts. I am 27 weeks along and learn a lot about what to expect next ;)

leahjane8 said...

Haven't gone there yet. done the armpit a few times, but never so worried that I had to go to the rectal. Thanks for the pep talk! I know we'll have to bite the bullet someday.

Sue said...

Giggling!!! DH and I took a trip to Target to get some of the baby care items that we didn't have and I reached for the rectal thermometer because I was told it is the most reliable method, etc. He was like, "no way!" but I convinced him (though secretly envisioning your scenario and being scared myself). You just made me feel better about that:-)

IF Optimist, then... said...

**Applauding** Good for you! I expect that while nerve wracking, it is the best method and made you feel all doctor-like.

Emily said...

I hear they can spray poop everywhere when you do that - the whole thing freaks me out! Though I have been sprayed with poop and pee simultaneously already and all I could do was laugh hysterically :)

Brooke said...

Oh gosh!! I have not taken Coltons temp yet and no I dont want to stick anything in his butt. I am sure that when the time comes I will be freaked and wonder why I was so freaked later. lol Glad little one was just fine and you got that Mommy thing over with!

Kerri said...

I have to admit that I was a little nervous about my first rectal temp experience too...especially because before we left the hospital, the nurse mentioned that some new mothers puncture their baby's rectum! I didn't even know this was possible?? But yeah...it's one of those things that seems like a huge deal and then it turns out to be way easier than expected.

Is she sleeping better for you now?

Anonymous said...

I missed all that stuff. my baby was 15 months when he came home. but i know what you mean about things that were once considered disgusting mean nothing.

Donna said...

I finally broke down and bought one but haven't been brave enough to use it yet!

I did break down and use the nose bulb this morning though. Those things completely disgust me!!! (But it did help him breath better!)