Freaking out

About incompetent cervix!

Okay, maybe I read too much about stuff that could happen. I've found out that incompetent cervix happens in 1 out of 100 pregnancies. Around the 13th week, the cervix slowly dilates - without symptoms until the water breaks - and the baby is born too soon to survive. One of the risk factors for an incompetent cervix is a D and C - which I did have last year. And incompetent cervix isn't diagnosed until after one or more second trimester losses.

Why am I freaking out over this? I'm definitely asking Dr. S. if he could measure my cervix - just to be sure - at my next appointment (June 23).

On a happier note, we have our BIG U/S on July 7. Can't wait!

Scary Moment

Dr. S. couldn't find the heartbeat yesterday. He tried for about 2 minutes, got a worried look on his face, then said, "Let's go to the ultrasound."

At first the ultrasound showed just an empty sac with no baby. But Dr. S. moved the wand around and finally, a baby came into view.

Me: Oh good, it's still there.

Dr. S.: Not only is it there, it's giant!

Me: Is the heart beating?

Baby jumps around the screen.

Dr. S.: With it moving around like that? I'll give you one guess.

Me: Huge sigh of relief

That was a scary moment. Silly chicken! Don't scare momma like that again, okay?

NT/1st trimester screening results came back normal/negative for everything, but my blood pressure was high and Dr. S. was NOT happy about that. If it doesn't come down, he's going to put me on medication for the rest of my pregnancy. Anything for a healthy chicken! We love you!

NT Scan Yesterday

My OB does not do NT scans, so I had to go to a different office for the scan. Jodi, the ultrasound tech was all business. No small talk, no smile, just, "lay down and pull your pants down to your hips." That's okay. I was so nervous I don't think I could have formed a coherent sentence anyway.

I was expecting a transvaginal ultrasound, so was surprised when she whipped out the belly ultrasound. Wow! I've never held on to a pregnancy long enough to see a baby with the belly wand!

First she found the heartbeat and we listened to it. It was a beautiful sound. "Heartbeat is 169, which is normal."

Then she measured the baby. "The baby is the right size for your due date."

Then she took lots of pictures of the baby's profile, arms, and legs.

Then she measured the nuchal fold. "The measurement is normal." So glad she said that.

We see Dr. S in 9 days, and he will go over the results with us in detail. Hoping that everything is okay.

We love you, little chicken!

The Most Amazing Thing Ever!

I saw the most incredible thing yesterday. I went to see Dr. S. for a check-up to see how Little Chicken is doing. I've been feeling very nervous because of Damn Spot and I just don't feel very pregnant. Well, Little Chicken is growing! It was measuring 11wod, a whole week ahead! And the most amazing thing ever...it was dancing! It was wriggling around so much that Dr. S. had a hard time getting a good picture! It had a huge head, round body, stubby arms and legs, and just the cutest thing I've ever seen. We love you, Little Chicken!

Damn Spot

Why?
Why did you show up and ruin a perfectly good weekend?
Is it because I had the audacity to walk through the baby aisles at Target yesterday?
You had to remind me not to be so optimistic? All of this can turn to shit in an instant, hope into despair, happiness into fear?
Believe me, I am well aware of that fact. So go away, damn spot. Go away and leave me alone!
**************
My Little Chicken: Please settle in and get comfy. We love you!

8 weeks today

I just ate 3 slices of pizza for breakfast. Morning is the only time I can eat and not feel yucky. I haven't puked yet, but my "morning sickness" kicks in around 3pm and I don't feel like eating anything for the rest of the day. I do crave strawberries, though. Good thing they're in season. I've gotten the sweetest strawberries lately from Whole Foods.

"Morning sickness" hasn't been that bad on me. There was only one day when I really thought I was going to hurl (but didn't). The rest of the days, it's just a lump in my throat and slight queasiness at any thought of food.

My next OB appointment is in two weeks. I can't wait to see how much Little Chicken has grown. Please grow, Little Chicken! We love you!

We're having a baby!

Had an OB appointment at 2:00 today.

Dr. S: So you're pregnant.

Me: I suppose.

Dr. S: What do you think? Any symptoms?

Me: Not really. Tender breasts, but not sore. And I think I had nausea yesterday, but I don't really know what morning sickness feels like...

Dr. S: So you're nervous.

Me: Yeah.

Dr. S: Let's find out, okay?

....inserts probe....

Dr. S: What did we see last time?

Me: Just a sac.

Dr. S: Well, this time...we have a...chicken!

Me: A chicken?

Dr. S: Do you want a chicken?

Me: As long as the heart is beating.

Dr. S: See that there? (points to heartbeat)

Me: Oh my god! That's beautiful

Here is the picture of the little chicken! Based on my LMP I'm 7w3d, but Little Chicken measured 8w0d. I'm so so so so happy and relieved right now, but I'm still a little cautious. I know that it's still early and anything can happen, but I also know that the risk of miscarriage goes down after a heartbeat is detected. We will not be telling anyone (except you guys) until June.

Please grow, little chicken! We love you!