So I had my doctor's appointment on Monday. First the good news. Sprout was moving around a lot during the ultrasound and that was good to see. Also, I am starting to feel it a little bit so I feel much better about all that. The heartbeat was also nice and strong. We got a lot of good pictures, almost none of which I can figure out how to make look clear enough to upload. However, my favorite one did come out okay, so I am putting it up. Here is Sprout turning to look directly at the camera. I wonder where that behavior comes from? :)
This picture reminds me of our wedding cake topper! Also, I think that looks like the face of a child who wants a Halloween birthday, don't you think?
So, when we were finished with the ultrasound technician we were feeling pretty good. Next up was the doctor's appointment. This did not go as well. Apparently, she had looked at the ultrasound pictures, and there was what was called an echogenic intracardiac focus, basically a little calcium deposit in the heart. They are harmless on their own, they don't indicate possible heart problems or anything and they usually clear up on their own in the third trimester. However, this can be a "soft marker" for chromosomal abnormalities. So, the doctor recommended I take a blood test (which I did yesterday morning) and have a Level II ultrasound (which is scheduled for June 28.) I spent the rest of Monday and most of yesterday really upset and crying and sitting in front of my computer looking up any information I could find on echogenic intracardiac focus, Down syndrome, etc. The good news is, I'm under 35 and the other six signs they usually see on the ultrasound were not present. The chances of my having a baby with problems are just under 1 in 100, (as opposed to 1 in 691 for women under 35 without the EIF). The bad news is, I have to wait a week for these blood results and another two weeks before I have a more in-depth ultrasound, which I suspect will drag by interminably. I know it's not time to panic quite yet and I also know that the doctor is obligated to alert me to any possible problems no matter how remote, it's just a really scary thing to hear and I wasn't expecting it. I am trying to keep a positive attitude and keep busy for the next two weeks. I really debated whether or not I was going to blog about this new development at all because I am usually a fairly private person, but writing it all out in an unemotional way makes me see that the odds are in my favor and that it's not beneficial to anyone if I spend my time wallowing in misery and "what if" land.
So that's that for now. I've started working on the quilt and I think it's going to be really cute. We also just got our wedding photos in the mail today so we will look at those as soon as Scott gets home and maybe I will show you some of my faves! I'll check in with you all on Sunday, the halfway mark!
Thanks for sharing this, Jess. I've been wondering how the appointment went since your last post. These kinds of doctor visits are so stressful, especially when you get unexpected news. But you are right that there is no sense in panicking or worrying about the what ifs. Easier said than done, though, right? Just keep staying positive and keep your mind and hands busy with quilting, blogging, gardening, whatever makes you happy and feel good. (This probably doesn't include scouring the internet. This is exactly what I do and all the catastrophes I become convinced are about to happen have yet to come to fruition.) Everything will turn out exactly the way God has planned.
ReplyDeleteDid you happen to get a peek at his/her lady/boy parts during the ultrasound?
P.S. I'm really digging this blog...you've got a knack for it! Hang in there. I'll be keeping you guys and Sprout in my prayers!