1/5/11 - My "Retro" Uterus

Written on January 5, 2011

Upon further reflection of my appointment, I can't help but marvel at how bizarre and surreal the whole thing was.  I mean, a doctor was feeling my internal organs and commenting on them!!!!  How do so many people go through this and not remark about it?  Is it because they are embarrassed? Or because it's so normal that they don't think anything of it?

For example, let's consider the absurdity of the following conversation.

Doc: "Oh yeah, that left ovary is really enlarged.  I bet that's the one that released the egg.  Does this hurt?"

Me: "No, not really."  (Thoughts: Other than the fact that you're squeezing my ovary....)

Doc: "Good, that means you probably don't have tube pregnancy because that would hurt. *pause during exploration* Ok, and the right ovary feels good.  Good, good.  Oh, has anyone ever told you that you have a retroverted uterus?"

Me: "Nope." (Thoughts: Who in the world would tell me that other than someone from your office!?!?!)

Doc: "Well, you do. It's backwards.  But don't worry...It occurs in about 30% of women.  Completely normal. Completely normal."

Me: "Ok." (Thoughts: Great.)

Doc: "Wow! You have a nice pelvis!  You shouldn't have any problems pushing out a baby with that pelvis.... that's a real nice pelvis."

Me: *Silence*

What in the world do you say to something like that?  "You have a real nice pelvic bone, mam."  Should I have said, "Gee! Thanks!" ???

I realize that I need to prepare myself for a whole lot of more conversations like this one.  I'm guessing that soon enough, these will seem completely normal to me and I won't even think anything of it, but for now, I'm still amazed.  This is going to be an interesting ride!