As someone who works in women's health, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility patients don't have the best reputation when it comes to mental stability. While this is earnestly earned because you're an outlier in the population if you need help becoming pregnant. People assume you are crazy until you are proven right, and then you're just allowed to be crazy because you are right. As both an insider and patient, I feel I can support this theory as I am crazy.
So last Thursday, I had my blood drawn by Dr. Donesky and was given a sweet statuette. He told me again to stop by when I had a "good belly". I said I would see him next week...lol. My bloodwork came back where it was supposed to be, so I've not been invited back :( . I've managed to stay away so far, but I knew I had an appointment where I would at least get to officially hear the heartbeat in less than a week. Next week may prove more difficult...
I had my 2nd prenatal appointment with Dr. Bullen today. I had no clue what to expect, except maybe they would use the doppler to hear the heartbeat. So when the ultrasound tech came out and said, "Mary" I looked to see who also had my first name...Nobody did! It was like my name got called on the Price is Right!!! I got another ultrasound!!!!
So as I got ready, I realized I was husbandless and pretty confident Pico was dead. Tears started forming in my eyes. Refer back to first paragraph. Am I cramping? No... Am I bleeding? No...On the other hand, am I showing? No,..Do I have any symptoms...No...so clearly, baby must be dead because zero symptoms means missed miscarriage...because I read that somewhere, on something that I'm sure is the scientific equivalent of my baby's size being compared to a peach, lemon, fist, or nectarine this week. So with my eyes squinted and breath held I waited for something to show up on the screen. Lo and behold, squirmy little Pico was doing his or her squirm thing. The heart rate was 142, and Pico measured at 14.1 weeks. I thought I was getting pretty good at interpreting ultrasound photos, but Pico has once again earned the nick name. I saw an arm the opposite hand, a torso, and the back of his head...
But I was too captivated by the little heartbeat to really pay much attention to the 3D happenings. I was completely focused on that little flicker. I mean, it's been a solid 11 days since I've seen it. I am thrilled.
I met with Dr. Bullen which he looked over the ultrasound and said everything looked great. He then asked me if I had any questions, and I couldn't think of anything except 'when can I come back?' because I was all like "my baby is alive!" I did ask if he would order a progesterone level. He asked me if I really needed it, and I told him he could say no, 'but yes I need it.' He said, "No. [Stands up and walks away from computer.] We don't even know what it's supposed to be at this point, anyway." I'm sure I looked like I'd been hit by a brick, but he shook my hand and escorted me to the lab. BJ really likes Dr. Bullen. I do, too, in that he won't put up with my crazy. So that was that, and a few milliliters of blood later l was out the door. I'll find out if my vaccines have managed to work and my HIV status for like the 3rd time in a year (they're routine labs for us "crazy" REI patients, too). Oh, I passed my drug test...I've become so jaded, apparently I find my own results thrilling. NEGATIVE, YEAH!!!
Anyway, at 14.1 weeks, I am
Down another 2 lbs for a net gain of -13...Any other time of my life, and I would have gained 35 lbs by yesterday, lol
Feeling perfectly normal. I mean I have migraines from all these weather fronts coming in, and I have an abscessed tooth again...so for me...normal...only I'm pregnant, so I can't do anything but takeTylenol and antibiotics, which are little to no use for a migraine.
Craving...NOTHING...I'm going to start making stuff up for BJ to get...
Averse to...I'm not sure I'll ever eat Progresso soup again n my life.
In Love With...paddleboarding with the pup-pup. She's been my partner in crime the last couple of weeks, and I can't stand leaving her for work. Perhaps she can be the floor's part-time therapy dog...Emma Grace, I lub-a-dub you!!!
Peace, Love, and Just Say 'No' to Crazy...apparently,
Mary Katherine
So last Thursday, I had my blood drawn by Dr. Donesky and was given a sweet statuette. He told me again to stop by when I had a "good belly". I said I would see him next week...lol. My bloodwork came back where it was supposed to be, so I've not been invited back :( . I've managed to stay away so far, but I knew I had an appointment where I would at least get to officially hear the heartbeat in less than a week. Next week may prove more difficult...
I had my 2nd prenatal appointment with Dr. Bullen today. I had no clue what to expect, except maybe they would use the doppler to hear the heartbeat. So when the ultrasound tech came out and said, "Mary" I looked to see who also had my first name...Nobody did! It was like my name got called on the Price is Right!!! I got another ultrasound!!!!
So as I got ready, I realized I was husbandless and pretty confident Pico was dead. Tears started forming in my eyes. Refer back to first paragraph. Am I cramping? No... Am I bleeding? No...On the other hand, am I showing? No,..Do I have any symptoms...No...so clearly, baby must be dead because zero symptoms means missed miscarriage...because I read that somewhere, on something that I'm sure is the scientific equivalent of my baby's size being compared to a peach, lemon, fist, or nectarine this week. So with my eyes squinted and breath held I waited for something to show up on the screen. Lo and behold, squirmy little Pico was doing his or her squirm thing. The heart rate was 142, and Pico measured at 14.1 weeks. I thought I was getting pretty good at interpreting ultrasound photos, but Pico has once again earned the nick name. I saw an arm the opposite hand, a torso, and the back of his head...
 |
| Basically this, but from the back...photo from therubberboy.com |
I met with Dr. Bullen which he looked over the ultrasound and said everything looked great. He then asked me if I had any questions, and I couldn't think of anything except 'when can I come back?' because I was all like "my baby is alive!" I did ask if he would order a progesterone level. He asked me if I really needed it, and I told him he could say no, 'but yes I need it.' He said, "No. [Stands up and walks away from computer.] We don't even know what it's supposed to be at this point, anyway." I'm sure I looked like I'd been hit by a brick, but he shook my hand and escorted me to the lab. BJ really likes Dr. Bullen. I do, too, in that he won't put up with my crazy. So that was that, and a few milliliters of blood later l was out the door. I'll find out if my vaccines have managed to work and my HIV status for like the 3rd time in a year (they're routine labs for us "crazy" REI patients, too). Oh, I passed my drug test...I've become so jaded, apparently I find my own results thrilling. NEGATIVE, YEAH!!!
Anyway, at 14.1 weeks, I am
Down another 2 lbs for a net gain of -13...Any other time of my life, and I would have gained 35 lbs by yesterday, lol
Feeling perfectly normal. I mean I have migraines from all these weather fronts coming in, and I have an abscessed tooth again...so for me...normal...only I'm pregnant, so I can't do anything but takeTylenol and antibiotics, which are little to no use for a migraine.
Craving...NOTHING...I'm going to start making stuff up for BJ to get...
Averse to...I'm not sure I'll ever eat Progresso soup again n my life.
In Love With...paddleboarding with the pup-pup. She's been my partner in crime the last couple of weeks, and I can't stand leaving her for work. Perhaps she can be the floor's part-time therapy dog...Emma Grace, I lub-a-dub you!!!
Peace, Love, and Just Say 'No' to Crazy...apparently,
Mary Katherine
Congrats! I would highly recommend renting a Doppler from BabyBeats. My husband did for me and it really helped with crazy. It is a hard transition from weekly visits. I started listening at 14 weeks and easily found the heartbeat. It is wonderful between now and when you start feeling the baby move. It helps the crazy when you are convinced that something has happened. Rent the one that shows the HB in a digital readout. So even if you are not certain it's your heartbeat or theirs, you will know. Good luck and the crazy doesn't go away. You have to learn how to deal with it.
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