Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Uncharted Territory

I just got back from my first regular OB appointment, and the baby is still alive. It’s measuring at 8 weeks 3 days, even though today is 8 weeks 2 days. And the heartbeat is great – 157 bpm. I’ve never had a baby this big in my belly. So today, officially, I’m further along than I ever have been. And that makes me very happy.

The appointment went well – I love this doctor. I’ve seen him for about two years, I remember telling him we were trying. He’s the one who recommended my RE. He’s the one who did my D&C last June. And now he’s the one who will hopefully follow me through this pregnancy. He’s great – he’s all about the good bedside manner. He told me that once I stop the weekly RE visits, that I can call his nurse at any time, and they will get me in for an ultrasound, just to cure my anxiety. I talked with him about getting a Doppler, and he said that it’s fine – after about 20 weeks. Until then he even has a hard time finding the heartbeat on a Doppler sometimes, so he doesn’t recommend it to his patients. But by 20 weeks, I should be able to feel the baby kick, so what’s the point? So I’m going to try to take his advice and hold off on purchasing one.

I spoke to the doc for awhile about Lovenox, and he said he has plenty of patients who use Lovenox successfully through their pregnancy. He wants to change a couple things for my pregnancy compared to a normal one: starting at around 28-29 weeks, I’ll start going in for weekly non-stress tests. He wants to monitor my blood flow, and make sure everything looks good. So the weekly appointments will start early. And the second thing is because I should be off Lovenox for 24-48 hours prior to delivery, he doesn’t like to wait until I go into labor. So he wants to induce me at around 38 weeks. So my due date is officially November 12 (really it should be November 13 but the baby is measuring a day big, but who cares?), but I’ll likely give birth in late October. I was hoping to go as long as possible, and I’ve heard bad things about the inducing process, but that’s ok. I just want to do whatever I can to have a healthy baby, and if it takes inducing, or shots throughout the pregnancy, or standing on my head for the next seven months, I’ll do it.

Believe me, I’m still nervous, but we have reached a new point. I have my NT scan on April 29, and hopefully everything will look good then. Perhaps after that point I’ll be able to relax a little. I hope so!

38 comments:

  1. Great news all around. I am so happy that your appointment went well!

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is great news! I am so glad your baby is doing well and that you're doctor is someone you can trust and feel comfortable with.

    About the induction thing--that is pretty standard for women who need to be on Lovenox. I've done a lot of research, and different doctors handle it different ways, but if you're on Lovenox (for whatever reason) they usually want to induce you between 38 and 40 weeks.

    If you want to pick my brain, let me know. tls_with_woman (at) yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great news. Glad all is well!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow Alex, how exciting and real! All the talk about a due date & birth, fabulous! This is it :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. How awesome!!! :) This is too exciting, Alex!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful news Alex!! You deserve this so much! I love how competent and kind your OB seems to be... I trust him with your induction already. Here' to smooth sailing from here on out!

    ReplyDelete
  7. great news, alex!!! so happy for you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. YAY! I am so happy for you!
    Your OB sounds amazing. I am so glad that you have such a caring, understanding, and great doc.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Awe...this post makes me happy! Keep us updated on everything!

    ReplyDelete
  10. great heartbeat! I am glad things are going well.

    ReplyDelete
  11. So many great things in this post! Yay for that little baby being absolutely perfect! I can only imagine how reassuring and comforting it is to have such a caring and wonderful Ob like that!

    Congratulations on making it to the uncharted territories!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh my gosh Alex this is such an amazing milestone!! How wonderful all is going well and I love how sensitive your doc is to your situation :)
    Take care xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Fantastic news. Sounds like the apt. went great. AND...Nov. 12 is MY birthday! WHOO HOO! :-) I'm so happy for you, lady! Take care!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yippee! I am feeling good vibes on this one...

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm so glad everything is going so well! Your pregnancy so far this time has been eerily similar to my *successful* one so I'm keeping everything crossed that continues through November!

    I had to be induced (and had heard the same horror stories you have so I was terrified and expecting the worst) but I was one of the lucky ones I guess because it wasn't that bad. Just re-read my birth story in October or so to ease some of your fears.... :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. So exciting!!!
    I am glad your doctor is sooo great!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have a doppler that a friend gave me, it's nothing special, just a cheapie from target, but I was able to hear little man pretty early on, as long as I used water or aloe gel on my stomach. You're welcome to have it if you want, just email me or drop a comment on my blog if you want it :)
    So glad that heartbeat was strong!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm so, so happy for you! I think your doctor's advice about the doppler is very good. And even though I've been going on about not wanting to be induced, I've had lots of friends have to be induced and every one has had a fine experience. One of my friends said it was the best thing because she was able to go in at 8 in the morning and have the baby by 5 in the evening and not miss a night's sleep (obviously she got lucky with a short labor)!

    ReplyDelete
  19. you have no idea how happy I am for you!!! Much love, fran

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm so thrilled for you!! What a milestone =)

    ReplyDelete
  21. SO awesome! I am completely thrilled for you!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Good news! Sounds like your doctor is great and taking any precautions to make sure you and the baby stay healthy. Hope you are feeling well!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great news! Being the anxious infertile that I am, I have to say that the Doppler was a life saver for me. I have the sonoline b and it rocks. I got it after my own dr found the HB with her doppler (9.5 weeks), and I was able to find it at 11.5 weeks myself. Not sure what the 20 week thing is all about. It gave me such a peace of mind before I could feel the baby move.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wonderful! I am so happy for you, Alex.

    Your doc sounds awesome... it's so nice to have a dr you are confident in. I like my OBs...(only like), but I LOVED my RE and miss him so much.

    xoxo.

    ReplyDelete
  25. So glad things are going well and you have a great doctor. I was on Lovenox until about 20 wks. We bought a doppler and it was a great investment! We heard the heartbeat way before 20 wks on the doppler.

    Hoping things continue to go smoothly!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. What an exciting milestone: now, more pregnant than ever! Must feel wonderful, Alex. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  27. YES!!!! Glad that lil one is safe and sound!!! Now, try to enjoy it, just a little bit more? It sounds like you are in great hands and things will work out!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Alex, I'm so glad that the appointment went well (and that you like your OB...a very important thing, I'm learning).

    Fingers and toes crossed for the 29th. Here is to breathing a sigh of relief:)

    ReplyDelete
  29. So glad to hear everything is going well. 29th is a good day (my birthday) :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Yay Alex, this is great news, I'm so happy for you!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'm catching up on my blogs after being in and out and traveling a lot. Congrats on the OB appt!!!!! Yeehaw!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. so good to hear that things are still going so well! And for the record - I have been induced with every pregnancy and it was just fine :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete