Thursday's appt was probably my 2nd favorite to date (just behind see that 1st little heartbeat on the screen). We arrived at 9:10a and left right about 11a (EST). These people were thorough!
We did the general info, relatives' health survey thing upon our arrival. It was the strangest thing filling in spots with "mother" and "father" and actually be referring to ourselves! Craziness. Thankfully, I have a bit of background in genetics and knew that we didn't have to include every little health issue that uncles, cousins, and great-aunt-twice removed had. Allergies and vision issues are not something that you can pick up as defect on these scans!
We then were taken back with a genetic counselor to go over the family history and discuss risk factors and such. I'm such a dork and thought it was super awesome that she was drawing out our pedigree! None of the health issues anyone in either family has is considered a genetic/inherited risk or birth defect. She did reassure us though that it is definitely better to be thorough and do these types of checks than to "wait and see"- Better to be safe than sorry, pretty much. I pretty much found myself reiterating that the only defect we were actually concerned about the baby having is a heart issue. They asked if we were interested in any amniocentesis or CVS or other screenings. All I want to know is that the baby is healthy. Sure, it would be great to know if it had this or that disability to prepare.
And then it was time to go back and let the real fun begin! We were told to tell the tech right off that we were trying not to find out the sex. She said she'd do her best and have us turn away when they do in to scan that region. After she loaded my belly with what would be about 2 handfuls of jelly, we were off! Baby was in a great position for the scan, laying side to side in my belly, just folded in half with legs up and over the head. She was able to get awesome shots of the heart and everything looked A-okay and 100% normal! The rest of the scan was just icing after that.
We worked our way from head to rump (since baby was a sandwich). It was incredible to see the amount of detail they were able to get. We could see brain structures, each chamber of the heart, the stomach filled with fluid, the bladder, the kidneys the major blood vessels, each and every vertebrae in baby's spine, all the little bones in the hands and feet. Apparently, baby has the correct number of bones in its pinky finger even! The tech seemed to be mightily impressed that I had any clue what she was looking at as we went along. I'm no stranger to ultrasounds (not at this point) and I've done my research.
Baby was incredibly cooperative with it all and pretty much stayed in the exact same position throughout the scan, just moving the limbs a bit here and there. It did have its head tucked to chest which made capturing facial things a bit more difficult, but the tech was able to get what she needed. My favorite part was when she was checking the face for any defects (nasal, cleft lip/palate, etc). We got a shot of baby's chin, mouth and upper lip and nostrils. And then it swallowed! Not only was it adorable, but it showed that baby has that ability and that the fluid was going where it was suppose to since there was fluid in the stomach.
We finished the scan with the all important between the legs shots. We turned our heads, closed our eyes, and held each others hands.
I'm not going to lie. I'm not some great fortress of patience and resolve. I was so very very VERY! tempted to just turn my head and see. I one point I opened my eyes. Just in my peripheral vision I saw some red and blue flashes. The imaged flow of blood. Most likely from the umbilical cord. It took every single ounce of self-restraint I had to not look up at the screen. Heck, I strained to see if I could make something out from that side glance! After a few seconds of only seeing a grey and black haze of jumbled shapes, I squeezed my eyes shut until she cleared us to look.
The tech was great at the secret keeping though. She didn't label the images as Boy or Girl. Just Gender. That way parents-to-be couldn't count key strokes. She even filled out the info to send over to my OB as "Gender- normal" rather than any confirmed sex so that they wouldn't accidentally spill the beans in excitement. I will also admit that I'm really glad she set the screen back to the start of the scan, because I was 100% trying to see if one of the pics on the monitor showed the all important "parts". Not that I could make out any details from the ~1in pictures, but I tried!
The perinatologist then came in and talked with us about everything from the scan. he agreed that everything looked great, normal, and healthy. He did ask if we were interested in a fetal echocardiogram, just to make sure that there isn't any irregularities that the anatomy scan didn't catch. Those things are even more refined and high-def than this Level2 scan was and would pick up any slight rhythm variation, murmur, hole or flow issue. As it is also non-invasive and we really want to make sure baby's heart is 100% a-okay, we scheduled that too. Plus, it will be another opportunity to see the little. That's in 4 more weeks.
I was pretty nervous going into the scan, though. Not that I thought the baby wouldn't be alive like for previous scans. I'm reassured often that that is not the case with the little bumps and thumps I can feel now. I was just so scared to know or find out that the baby had some misdevelopment that would make living on its own without my body as its life support system either impossible or extremely difficult. The fact that everything was completely normal and average was a larger relief that I think I can put into words. All I can keep thinking is "healthy."
Healthy.
It's more beautiful a word than pregnant to me these days.
Showing posts with label ultrasound. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ultrasound. Show all posts
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Caving
I caved. I gave into the fear. I admitted it and just gave into it.
I've purchased a home fetal doppler. It should be here tomorrow.
I thought I could be strong and just make it to my next appt at the end of the month. Heck, millions of women don't even get to see the baby on ultrasound until this point. I've already seen it twice.
And yet, millions of women get early ultrasounds and have already heard the heartbeat several times by now. I feel left out. Sure, I've got 2 really good u/s with things being just as they should and measuring right on target. But I've only seen the flicker of that little heart. I haven't experienced the the woosh-woosh-wooosh that so many women, both fertile and not-so-fertile alike, have had the joy of experiencing. I can't wait 23 more days for that.
I know I may not hear it right away, but it is completely likely that I'll hear it before my next appt. According to the Ob I saw on Thursday, my uterus is tipped forward. Maybe that will make it easier to pick up sooner? All I know is I'm very eagerly awaiting the arrival of the $56 piece of equipment. My birthday gift to myself.
In other news, my "morning" sickness has amped up a bit more the last few days to the point I have made Contingency Plans in case I need to up-chuck during work hours. I've come to terms with having to actually use the bathrooms at work these days, but I don't know if I can bring myself to get face to face with them.
Also, it seems that my ALT and AST liver function levels are slightly elevated. I go in for a redraw/recheck next Monday. This worries me a bit. I found out from the boss when I filled him in on my "condition" that one of the lab members has Hep B. My blood work came back negative for Hep B, but still... On top of that, the Boy received a blood transfusion during an operation as a little baby. Yes, before 1982. He had "elevated" liver enzyme levels from a function test years and years ago, while we were dating. An Internalist said most likely Hep C, but didn't take into account several of his medications that impact liver function. His neurologist hasn't raised any concerns over these levels before, as he monitors them for medicinal toxicity. I know I'm probably freaking out for no reason, but yikes. I mean, it is obvious we had unprotected sex (duh!) so I could have contracted Hep C if he actually did have it. Just like everything else on this journey, I'll just have to wait and see.
I've purchased a home fetal doppler. It should be here tomorrow.
I thought I could be strong and just make it to my next appt at the end of the month. Heck, millions of women don't even get to see the baby on ultrasound until this point. I've already seen it twice.
And yet, millions of women get early ultrasounds and have already heard the heartbeat several times by now. I feel left out. Sure, I've got 2 really good u/s with things being just as they should and measuring right on target. But I've only seen the flicker of that little heart. I haven't experienced the the woosh-woosh-wooosh that so many women, both fertile and not-so-fertile alike, have had the joy of experiencing. I can't wait 23 more days for that.
I know I may not hear it right away, but it is completely likely that I'll hear it before my next appt. According to the Ob I saw on Thursday, my uterus is tipped forward. Maybe that will make it easier to pick up sooner? All I know is I'm very eagerly awaiting the arrival of the $56 piece of equipment. My birthday gift to myself.
In other news, my "morning" sickness has amped up a bit more the last few days to the point I have made Contingency Plans in case I need to up-chuck during work hours. I've come to terms with having to actually use the bathrooms at work these days, but I don't know if I can bring myself to get face to face with them.
Also, it seems that my ALT and AST liver function levels are slightly elevated. I go in for a redraw/recheck next Monday. This worries me a bit. I found out from the boss when I filled him in on my "condition" that one of the lab members has Hep B. My blood work came back negative for Hep B, but still... On top of that, the Boy received a blood transfusion during an operation as a little baby. Yes, before 1982. He had "elevated" liver enzyme levels from a function test years and years ago, while we were dating. An Internalist said most likely Hep C, but didn't take into account several of his medications that impact liver function. His neurologist hasn't raised any concerns over these levels before, as he monitors them for medicinal toxicity. I know I'm probably freaking out for no reason, but yikes. I mean, it is obvious we had unprotected sex (duh!) so I could have contracted Hep C if he actually did have it. Just like everything else on this journey, I'll just have to wait and see.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
I can't even think of a good title
I feel like such a bad blogger. I've been meaning to post an update about the days I was at my parents and my family's reactions. Things just kept coming up, but mostly, I just kept laying down. I feel horrible posting my symptoms because it feels like I'm complaining about them. I'm really not! I truly hope no one thinks for one second that I am not thankful for every dry heave, cramp, bathroom trip or lack thereof, and headache. Because I am so very thankful and almost relish how strong these things are at times.
They aren't glamorous. They aren't fun. They do make me feel pretty crappy.
But I wouldn't wish them away for anything! Except for maybe an accurate crystal ball or a window straight into there so I could actually see that everything was going great at any time I wanted. Every single time I find myself having to focus on not revisiting what I last ate or how uncomfortable I may feel, I mentally thank my little, growing worm for being so strong and healthy to make me feel this way.
My greatest fear right now is that my body is/will send me all these "reassuring" signals and going forward with things, but my little worm has stopped. Just thinking that a) the baby has gone, or b) all this is for nothing, is almost too much for me to even handle. Thankfully, these thoughts are usually soon followed by the need to pee or some other fluid related bodily function and I'm back to thanking the baby for them again.
Since I've graduated from the RE, have had good blood work and, now, a good ultrasound at my Ob's office, I'm not having any further (medical) reassurance for another 4wks. I know that if something happens or I desperately need it, I could call and schedule another appt or u/s, but I really really don't want to be one of "those" patients - the crazy, bothersome, overly worrisome, pregnant women that thinks the world revolves around their uterus. So until June 30th, I'm just going to take as much continued comfort in the morning-noon-night sickness, the dry heaves, the smells/food aversions, all the bathroom situations, wild emotions, and everything else my body decides it wants to add to the mix. They are signs of a healthy pregnancy, what I've been striving for since last July. They are the gifts from my baby. I will appreciate them as much as I do that little life growing like a weed inside me.
They aren't glamorous. They aren't fun. They do make me feel pretty crappy.
But I wouldn't wish them away for anything! Except for maybe an accurate crystal ball or a window straight into there so I could actually see that everything was going great at any time I wanted. Every single time I find myself having to focus on not revisiting what I last ate or how uncomfortable I may feel, I mentally thank my little, growing worm for being so strong and healthy to make me feel this way.
My greatest fear right now is that my body is/will send me all these "reassuring" signals and going forward with things, but my little worm has stopped. Just thinking that a) the baby has gone, or b) all this is for nothing, is almost too much for me to even handle. Thankfully, these thoughts are usually soon followed by the need to pee or some other fluid related bodily function and I'm back to thanking the baby for them again.
Since I've graduated from the RE, have had good blood work and, now, a good ultrasound at my Ob's office, I'm not having any further (medical) reassurance for another 4wks. I know that if something happens or I desperately need it, I could call and schedule another appt or u/s, but I really really don't want to be one of "those" patients - the crazy, bothersome, overly worrisome, pregnant women that thinks the world revolves around their uterus. So until June 30th, I'm just going to take as much continued comfort in the morning-noon-night sickness, the dry heaves, the smells/food aversions, all the bathroom situations, wild emotions, and everything else my body decides it wants to add to the mix. They are signs of a healthy pregnancy, what I've been striving for since last July. They are the gifts from my baby. I will appreciate them as much as I do that little life growing like a weed inside me.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Heart and Soul
Last night was one of the longest nights of my life. I haven't been sleeping well to begin with, but the fact that I couldn't turn my brain off only made it way worse. After waking up at 6am, I just laid there and enjoyed resting against my slumbering husband.
In a surprise turn of events, we were both ready early, made it to the appt early, and got called back early! The boy got to witness the fantasticness that is the RE office wardrobe and Senor Wando.
But ya'll aren't here for all that. Ya'll want the news. The 411. The full scoop. Or whatever they are calling it these days...
There is a gestational sac, a yolk sac and a little blob-baby in there.
AND A FREAKIN' HEARTBEAT!
We weren't able to hear it but could see the rapid little flicker of it on the screen. I was measuring at 5w6d +/-2d, so right on target for being 6w by calculations today. Since everything looked great and there was a heartbeat, I've been released back to my OB. My 1st appt there with a nurse for the full work-up is next Thursday. I can't think of any better present for my 28th birthday! The following week, I go back and have an u/s and appt with 1 of the Drs as they do a rotation.
I'm not going to lie. I teared up* a bit seeing that little white flutter on the screen. And have been still each time I look at the u/s print out. It is too surreal feeling still, but I can't ignore the surge of emotion I'm feeling towards that little blip on the screen...We are all set and prepared to tell the parents - we'll be visiting his this weekend (if PG-SIL doesn't go into labor, then they'll be up here) and then mine next week/end.
I think I might be getting strange looks for repeatedly pinching myself...
*Edit: I think the only reason I didn't have full-blown, streaming tears and the works is that it doesn't feel or seem real. I think I'm in either denial or shock.
In a surprise turn of events, we were both ready early, made it to the appt early, and got called back early! The boy got to witness the fantasticness that is the RE office wardrobe and Senor Wando.
But ya'll aren't here for all that. Ya'll want the news. The 411. The full scoop. Or whatever they are calling it these days...
There is a gestational sac, a yolk sac and a little blob-baby in there.
AND A FREAKIN' HEARTBEAT!
We weren't able to hear it but could see the rapid little flicker of it on the screen. I was measuring at 5w6d +/-2d, so right on target for being 6w by calculations today. Since everything looked great and there was a heartbeat, I've been released back to my OB. My 1st appt there with a nurse for the full work-up is next Thursday. I can't think of any better present for my 28th birthday! The following week, I go back and have an u/s and appt with 1 of the Drs as they do a rotation.
I'm not going to lie. I teared up* a bit seeing that little white flutter on the screen. And have been still each time I look at the u/s print out. It is too surreal feeling still, but I can't ignore the surge of emotion I'm feeling towards that little blip on the screen...We are all set and prepared to tell the parents - we'll be visiting his this weekend (if PG-SIL doesn't go into labor, then they'll be up here) and then mine next week/end.
I think I might be getting strange looks for repeatedly pinching myself...
*Edit: I think the only reason I didn't have full-blown, streaming tears and the works is that it doesn't feel or seem real. I think I'm in either denial or shock.
Monday, May 16, 2011
On Pins and Needles!
I promise this isn't another PIO post! (I'm doing well with those, except for some mild sciatic nerve compression from the tissue irritation. I'll live).
All I can think about today was tomorrow morning. Almost all Sunday, I spent the day on the couch (feeling a bit cruddy and tired, gracias!) googling everything I could about embryonic development at 6wks, 6wk ultrasounds, and when the heart beat can typically be seen and/or heard.
I would be over the friggin' moon if we heard the heartbeat tomorrow. It is not something I've ever been exposed to, except through TV, movies or the internet. I've never had the pleasure of being in the room when a sonogram or u/s of that nature is given. I will be overjoyed if we get to see the heartbeat flickering on the screen if it can't be heard. I'll be thrilled to see the baby is growing on target.
More than anything, I'll be happy just to know that there is a baby alive in there.
I am truly blessed to have as amazing a husband as the Boy is. He couldn't take the day off, but he told his bosses that he would be in late. He is adamant about making this appt with me. I don't know if I could stand it for him not to be there. Good or bad, we are going to be there together tomorrow, holding hands, supporting one another.
Tomorrow is a full moon. They have always been my fertile time and have been kind to me in general. I'm hoping that holds.
** I'll update everyone how things went tomorrow morning after I get home from work. I won't have the opportunity to bring my lap, so won't be able to share the news until the evening. **
All I can think about today was tomorrow morning. Almost all Sunday, I spent the day on the couch (feeling a bit cruddy and tired, gracias!) googling everything I could about embryonic development at 6wks, 6wk ultrasounds, and when the heart beat can typically be seen and/or heard.
I would be over the friggin' moon if we heard the heartbeat tomorrow. It is not something I've ever been exposed to, except through TV, movies or the internet. I've never had the pleasure of being in the room when a sonogram or u/s of that nature is given. I will be overjoyed if we get to see the heartbeat flickering on the screen if it can't be heard. I'll be thrilled to see the baby is growing on target.
More than anything, I'll be happy just to know that there is a baby alive in there.
I am truly blessed to have as amazing a husband as the Boy is. He couldn't take the day off, but he told his bosses that he would be in late. He is adamant about making this appt with me. I don't know if I could stand it for him not to be there. Good or bad, we are going to be there together tomorrow, holding hands, supporting one another.
Tomorrow is a full moon. They have always been my fertile time and have been kind to me in general. I'm hoping that holds.
** I'll update everyone how things went tomorrow morning after I get home from work. I won't have the opportunity to bring my lap, so won't be able to share the news until the evening. **
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