Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Just call me u/s queen.

For any infertile seeking treatment, you know you become one with the monkey wand. U/S are nothing new and you know if given the chance, you can do the thing yourself, don't you?

I had my first OB appointment today.

I guess it ended up being a little early, as my RE hasn't released me yet, but I was under the wrong impression when I first made the appointment. See, my OB is a busy guy and that first appointment takes some time to get in. Plus, I know the first appointment is made around 8weeks and ~everything~ after that revolves around the "every 4 weeks" from appointment #1. With my first, I had my first appointment at 8 weeks, so my BIG u/s appointment fell on my 20 week appointment (as they do the big u/s on whatever appointment falls around 18-22). With Allie, my first appointment was at 7weeks, so my big u/s was at 19 weeks. Great. I definitely wanted to get in before 8 weeks this time! When I first got the bfp, I asked the nurse at RE's what the schedule was. It seemed that I'd be released after the hb appointment, which was at 7weeks exactly. Therefore, I went ahead and made my "8week" appointment. But at my hb appt, RE said he was keeping me for longer, so I just preemptively saw my OB. Oh well, more appointments can't hurt, right?

Anywho, today's appointment was the big boring first appointment. Pee in a cup, weight, medical history, hand up the hoohaa to feel cervix, swipe for STDs, give me big bag of presents and tells me to make an appointment in 4 weeks. BUT this time, I had a few surprises!

~ The first was she asked me if I wanted to take a peek at my little peapod. Crazy, since they don't do early u/s here, but she said she liked to and she wouldn't charge my insurance. Sweet. I'll never give up an opportunity to see the baby. Little peapod has graduated to looking like a gummy bear. Big head and little arm and leg buds. Aww. I have a picture, but the u/s machine was a crappy one, as when it froze for a picture, it was way fuzzy. Just trust me, it was the first u/s that the blob was cute.

~ The second was the fact of my age. I am over 35 so I am now considered "Advanced Maternal Age". Yipee. Which means I am immediately referred to the Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist. Which, they already called me to make the appointment. It needs to be done between 12 and 13 weeks, so it's imperative to get the appointment done on the right date. My appointment is for July 15th and I'll be 12w4d. I have to get the first trimester ultrasound, genetic counseling and the nuchal translucency test. Scary.

I just can't believe how many u/s I get this pregnancy. I had about a bajillion u/s during the IVF/FET cycle, then the u/s during ET. Then the sac u/s when beta hit 1,000. Then the hb appointment. Then the "peek" at first OB appointment. Then another u/s on friday with RE. Then the "you are an old mom" u/s appointment. Then finally, the "big" u/s at 20 weeks.

But, no matter how much I love seeing the baby, I hope the big u/s is my last. U/S later on tend to be for scary reasons and I just don't want any more rides on the roller coaster. Really.

17 comments:

SAHW said...

Not only can I do it myself, but I prefer to too...sometimes they let me. :) Hoping your last U/S will be the big one and everything will be safe and healthy throughout!

Via NCLM.

Chastity said...

I love me some ultrasounds. I'm 20 weeks, and I'd say I've probably had 12 ultrasounds so far...at least. Between my RE during the first trimester, my OB, and the high risk docs I'm scanned all the time...and I like it! It's always fun to get a little peek.

Anonymous said...

You know that you could deny ANY of those tests that they "make" women 35 and older get. You don't have to do anything you don't want to. No one is forcing you.

jenn said...

How great! I'm glad you get so many early on & get your reassuring peeks at your little gummy!

Tricia said...

I am glad you go to see the baby today! I hope you have a happy and healthy nine months!

Kaci said...

I had a lot of u/s during my pregnancy with Matthew, but I don't think it compares when you include yours during the cycle. I had a ton after the big 20wk one due to his clubfoot, so not too scary a reason, but not one I would wish on anyone either. Congrats on getting to see the peapod again today!

nancy said...

Anon,

Yes, I know I don't have to. But there is no reason not to get an u/s.

I didn't think I made it sound like I was being "forced".

lol.

Jenera said...

I have had three already and I'm just barely fourteen weeks. I had the same screening you will be having so that counts for one. The other two were for monitoring the heartbeat due to the previous miscarriage. I have my BIG one in July.

Sarah said...

Aw, I wish I could've seen my babe as a gummy bear!

I had my big u/s at 18w5d (don't ask me how I remember the exactness of it).

I didn't think I'd get a 2nd one, but I did! The doctor told me at one of my appointments that he thought the baby had flipped breach! So we gave it a few weeks and then I had a 2nd u/s at 35? weeks. Luckily, he had flipped back to head-down (I felt it a couple days before the u/s).

Geohde said...

I've honestly had so many scans that I've lost count. But that's okay because it never gets boring:)

Glad your gummy bear is hanging out in there just fine

J

Jamie said...

No! No more roller coaster rides for Nancy!! I think you have had more than your share!!

Anonymous said...

Great to hear that the ultrasound went well...

Wordgirl said...

Nancy -- I can imagine how scary it is -- being of 'advance maternal age' as well...

I will be following and reading, as always lady...

Pam

Nadine said...

my dh often jokes that there is no need for the doc to be present for the wandings as he can do it himself!

Lee said...

There's nothing more reassuring than getting visual confirmation of healthy peapod / gummi bear!

Miss Feisty said...

Congrats on the upcoming arrival!

I'm not even pg yet & I'm already an U/S pro! Sad, I know!!! Gotta love IVF and all that comes with it :)

Jen said...

Hi Nancy!! I just wanted to drop by and thank you for the Braces Bunch card! And yes, I do like being thanked, even if I didn't do a damn thing. :)