Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Ultrasound #3

With no power last week, my Tuesday's doctor's appointment was also a no-go. The doctor's office had preemptively called and canceled on Monday, and said I could reschedule on Wednesday. Except, I couldn't. On Wednesday, all I could get was the frustrating "all circuits are busy" recording that accompanied every call I tried to make. On Thursday I finally got through, only to find out that they still had no power. However, the doctor was going to go to the main office, print out a hard copy of the schedule, and I was told they would call on Friday morning to make the rescheduled appointments. Of course, they didn't.

Finally, by 11, I was done with waiting (really, by 9:30. And then I polled my mom and sister who also agreed and told me to call right away. However, I wanted to appear sane, so I figured 11 was reasonably within the "no longer in the morning" part of Friday and thus justified a call). Turns out, they still did not have power. They told me to call back next (now this) week. However, this week I also had scheduled my first regular OB appointment, so I asked the receptionist if I should cancel that, or should I miss my last RE appointment and only go to that. She put me on hold to ask the doctor and came back with the best news possible - Doctor O could see me today (Friday) if I was free!  You better believe I was (the alternative was sitting in my dark house doing puzzles by head flashlights with D*...trust me, I would have gotten a pap smear to get out of the house, let alone for something this good).

D and I rushed over. It was very weird being there. The lights and heat were not working, and Dr. O was in an extremely foul mood. Apparently, the main office still did not have power and, since she was the doctor on call, all calls, not just emergencies, were getting redirected to her cell phone. This caused it to keep dying. Since there was no power, that requires sitting in the car for a recharge. This resulted in lots of yelling. It was interesting because she is normally so cool, calm and unflappable and this was in stark contrast. I suddenly felt very very guilty for being there at all. We were still in the waiting room, and D whispered to me if I wanted to ask her about our frozen eggs (we  had been debating about their status with the extreme lack of power) but I communicated to him with frantic eyes that we were not  going to ask the doctor any questions - we were there to be easy patients.

Soon we were called in. Despite the lack of lights and heat, the generator had the ultrasound machine working. So with my winter coat still on, I climbed on the table and hoped for the best. Immediately, Dr. O exclaimed that it was a big baby, and that she had to zoom out to see it better (which, while relieved still there, made me worry immediately that it was too big. However, Dr. O clarified that the baby is still measuring on track). This week was even better than last. Dr. O was able to point out the head, the feet and "a little flipper". She thought the baby looked like a panther - I don't see it, but D swears he does too. He promises me that he will scan in the picture and outline it so I can see what they are talking about (and maybe then I can figure out how to post it on here too).

The other great news was we got to hear the baby's heartbeat again and this time it was so much clearer. At 8w3d it was up to 177bmp - much faster than last week's 133 bmp. I asked if this was a concern, but the dr. assures us it will go back down (and I suspect it might be in part to my recent addiction to sugary treats...especially skittles and starbursts).

After that, we were done and ready to go on our way.  I did ask her about telling my new Dr. about the T-shaped uterus and she was dismissive, which I thought was odd because when she diagnosed it, she said I would need to tell the general ob when I went because it would look like it implanted weird (not the technical term she used but I actually forget what she said). However, I will still mention it, especially because I know cervical length can be an issue. Honestly, I am not sure Dr. O even remembered what I was talking about since it was a very flustered kind of day.

And that was it. Our last appointment with the RE. It was somewhat anticlimatic since our favorite nurse was not there, and it was done in the dark and very rushed. But I am so grateful they got me in and I am forever thankful that they did what D and I could not do on our own - got me pregnant. Seriously, there are not enough words for how indebted I feel to that clinic. They are wonderful.

Now, we are moving to the regular OB. Of course, I would not be me if I was not still nervous; however, the balance is definitely starting to tip in favor of excitement. Today I am 9 weeks, which is mind-boggling amazing to me, but still very far from the safety zone. I had to cancel this week's appointment due to my school schedule changing so I won't go to the new Dr. (Dr. F) until next Tuesday, 10 weeks. It is going to be a long week to wait. In the meantime, I am going to just try and relax and enjoy it.

-----
* yes, D and I really did do puzzles by headlamp during the power outages. We completed two 750 piece puzzles (one of which was extremely challenging - or at least seemed it in the dark). I am now assured we will be compatible well into our 60s and 70s, doing puzzles and rocking back and forth. Just hopefully in the future, we will do it with heat.

11 comments:

  1. So happy to hear baby is still doing well. I am so sorry that your last RE appointment had to be so chaotic! Wonderful about the puzzles!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! And yes, I guess it is good to have a hobby :)

      Delete
  2. Wow! What a story to tell your little one when he/she is older! So glad to hear that the ultrasound went well and that you have officially graduated to an OB!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Only 4 more days until my regular appointment...I am very curious to what it will entail (and very much hoping I will get an ultrasound...I've been spoiled!).

      Delete
  3. Congrats! So happy for you...but I can't imagine the blackout being abut good at all. So glad the doc saw you and don't feel guilty about it. Congrats on you graduation!

    ReplyDelete
  4. You graduated. You graduated! The blackout, the weird conditions for this last visit, the puzzle madness- it's all part of your baby's story. I'm beaming like a proud auntie over here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! As if this baby did not have enough stress in their story :) You know your support means the world and I am rooting for you as well.

      Delete
  5. What an adventure just to get your ultrasound!

    I'm so glad that everything is looking good. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was! And I have to say it brought a whole new level of worry all week as I wondered about the effects of cold, gas stoves, poorly defrosted food, etc. It was such a relief to go in on Friday and see that heartbeat!

      Delete
  6. Congrats on your graduation! Mine went very similarly -- my doc was pretty tired/distracted by the hurricane mess.

    My baby's has been in the 170s-180s lately and I have been told that's great -- it is crazy, though, how fast is!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! It is always good (and reassuring) to hear similar stories. And honestly it was such a crazy week, I am just grateful they saw me at all!

      Delete