A Mommy Story

Yesterday was my first OB appt. for this pregnancy. I met with the doctor who had delivered Cordelia, and we spent a few minutes catching up. I was a participant in a research study for her after Cordy was born, and so I got to see her every three months, usually armed with new pictures of Cordy to show her. I really enjoy seeing this doctor because she is warm and very easy to talk to.

My starting weight for this pregnancy was a bit of an embarrassment, and after seeing the number on the scale, I vowed to eat healthy and exercise a little more to keep from gaining a lot of weight. Don’t worry, I know some gain is needed and healthy, and I’m certainly not going to diet.

Then it was on to the other usual stuff: blood pressure (excellent), pee in a cup (difficult for some reason), blood work (always difficult with my bad veins), then strip down for an exam.

My doctor then asked if I had given any thought to delivery options with this child, since I had a c-section previously. I took a deep breath, then said, “Yes, I’d like to go for a VBAC, assuming I have no high-risk complications of course.” I really wasn’t sure what her response would be. I mean, I was pretty sure she supported VBACs, but I needed to be totally certain.

Her response: “That’s fine. I’ve seen several successful VBACs, and I think the risks are minimal. I think you could do fine with a VBAC, as long as this one cooperates and turns the right way.”

Woo-hoo! We then discussed one of the more recent research studies done at this hospital that proved that repeat c-sections and VBACs have about the same risk of complications, and recommended that hospitals encourage VBACs.

Then it was the moment of truth. Over the past week I had been having nightmares that I was having twins. I mean no offense to those who do have twins – I think you’re superwomen, honestly. But while the idea of twins is an exciting thought to a first-time mother, after having a single child and seeing how hard it is, the thought of two at once makes me feel faint. I needed that ultrasound to quiet my subconscious.

Thankfully, there’s only one fetus. And it is in a good location and growing right on track. Of course, at 6 weeks, there’s not much to see. But I will give you all the first look at what I can only describe at the moment as, the blob:

The dark egg-shaped area surrounded by a lighter area is the gestational sac. On the right border of the sac, between the two markers, is the fetus. It took some effort to hold the ultrasound wand very still and in just the right position, but we did get to see the tiny flicker of the heartbeat. At this point, it looked like the entire fetus was flickering.

So, not much to see at this point, but I am happy to see that everything looks good. My next appointment is in five weeks, at which point I have another ultrasound for genetic screening.