Monday, May 2, 2011

NT Scan – 12 weeks!

I had my NT scan on Friday, one day prior to reaching 12 weeks. 12 weeks – can you believe it? I certainly can’t! I’m almost in the 2nd trimester – unbelievable! Every day, I feel like pinching myself – I can’t believe I’m this far along in my pregnancy! Anyway, back to the scan – it went well. Little baby was sleeping most of the scan, so it took awhile to do the scan as they couldn’t get a good measurement of the nuchal fold, but baby finally woke up, and there was a measurement of 1.3 mm. My understanding is that anything under 2 mm is good, so I’m relieved. Also, there was a nasal bone, so that’s a good sign as well. Baby looked good – like a real baby! The heartbeat was strong at 156 bpm, everything was great!

We then went to see the doctor after the ultrasound, and he wanted to do a full exam including pap smear and breast exam, which was a little weird in front of the hubs, I have to admit. Not that he hasn’t seen a bunch of docs hanging out in my nether regions before throughout the whole IVF process, but still it was a little weird. For me – the hubs didn’t seem to care less! But everything looks good. I asked the doc about my LEEP procedure that I had about 10 years ago, and he scheduled me for a cervix measurement at 14 weeks. He said that my cervix felt and looked good and long, but he wanted me to have a precise measurement at 14 weeks to make sure it was long enough, as a LEEP can shorten the cervix. If it’s not long enough, I’ll get a cerclage as a preventive measure. I’m just happy to have another ultrasound in two weeks! I should get the blood results by the end of this week, at which point they’ll tell me my risk of trisomial issues, but I think it will come back fine.

After the doctor’s appointment on Friday, I was feeling so good about my baby – like this might actually happen – that I came out of the closet at work. There were some people that suspected because they knew I was going through fertility treatments. But there were some that were truly surprised. And everybody was so nice. And I found myself telling people I never thought I would tell that I did IVF. It never really was a secret, as I told many people. But I never thought that I would admit to everyone that I did it! But when people start asking specific questions about due dates (I’m pretty sure it will be at the beginning of November as I will be induced because of the Lovenox), and how many ultrasounds I’ve had (lots – love the fertility early monitoring), and whether it was an accident or if we were trying (seriously? why do people ask this?), I found myself explaining that I did IVF. I have this overriding desire for people to know that we really WANTED this baby, and that I’m scared, not just assuming that everything will be fine. I’m very comfortable with my decision to tell people about IVF – I may not be putting myself out there on Facebook (you know how many random people in my life are “friends” with me on FB?) but at least I’m open and honest in my real life. I guess it makes me feel better to tell people, and be open for questions. I wonder sometimes how it will be taken, but so far, so good. Granted, it’s been with about five people… Have to start somewhere!

35 comments:

  1. Awesome news about your scan! And how great is it to be able to tell people? It must be liberating. So very happy for you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. yeah!!!This is all such great news! I am feeling your positive vibes here!

    ReplyDelete
  3. yeah. All good news. We never announced on facebook, but did announce birth..That is kind of funny.

    ReplyDelete
  4. hooray for a perfect NT scan and coming out of the pregnancy and IF closet at work!!!

    Congrats, girl! thrilled for u!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It must feel amazing to you to be able to share in real life! When a baby is wanted and worked for as much as yours is, being able to share the happy news is even more special.

    ReplyDelete
  6. So glad that everything looks great and that you're feeling comfortable to share and discuss!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yay for good news at your appointment! I was surprised how open I became with people also, especially at work, once I shared the news. Can I put my guess in now for a girl? :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow, congrats!!!! 12 weeks is o awesome and comforting!
    I had people ask me if it was an accident too? I can understand if I wasn't married, but really?
    And I felt the same way when telling people, I guess I felt so much comfort in being pregnant, that I didn't flinch about sharing how hard it was to get here. And I was hoping that if anyone I knew was also struggling, they might feel relief in knowing that others also struggle.

    ReplyDelete
  9. So glad that everything is going perfectly (as expected-- but still)! I hope you get some IVF or IF buddies at work as a result of coming out with your struggles.

    ReplyDelete
  10. 12 Weeks!!!! Congratulations!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Woo hoo! 12 weeks!

    Glad to hear the scan went well and the doc will be proactive with your LEEP history.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congrats on the good scan! I told people at work that my baby was an IVF miracle because it felt like the right thing to do and I wanted to raise awareness of IF. Good for you!

    ReplyDelete
  13. 12 weeks, Yay! Glad to hear the scan went well and that you seem to be in good hands. Good for you for talking to people about IVF and infertility, it sounds like you had to field some pretty intrusive questions.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Awesome, awesome news!!

    And, I'm glad that you've been talking to people about it and feeling comfortable with it. It is good to be able to "stand up" for IF when you're able to! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great news! I am so glad it all went well!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wohoo for another great milestone! And I'm so so proud of you for telling people ho your miracle came to be, I did the same, I was in fact truly happy I could tell how science had a role in our family making. Well done my dear friend, Love, Fran

    ReplyDelete
  17. Alex, That is soooo exciting that you got to see the baby again and I am so glad that everything is looking good! I'm glad that everyone at work was really nice about it when you told them! and November 10th is a fabulous day to have a baby (my birthday :) )

    ReplyDelete
  18. Fantastic news Alex! You are almost in the second tri!

    It's amazing the stupid questions people ask when you announce a pregnancy (or adoption). It's as if someone turns off their internal filters! Glad you were able to share your journey.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm so excited for you!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great news Alex. I'm so happy for you.

    And congrats to your friend having healthy twins. Friends like that are priceless!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Congrats... on everything!! I am extremely happy for you Alex. You deserve every bit of this lovely, new phase of your life. :D

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great news Alex! I am glad it went well and hooray for being open about IvF, there should be no shame!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm so happy for you that the 12 week scan went so well! I know what you mean about telling people ... when I was first pregnant I told people sooner than I expected, too, I just couldn't help it. It's a struggle between the fear and the triumph that come from dealing with infertility prior to pregnancy. Congrats on 12 weeks!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm so happy everything went well--it's such a huge milestone, and I think it's great you celebrated by telling some people. I was also really touched by your previous post (about E. and A. and your "other life"). What a lot you've had to go through. It's such a testament to your strength that instead of resenting this woman (like I would!) for being unable to get over your reaction (a totally normal one, by the way!) you focus on what you've learned. Amazing stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great news all round! I understand you "coming out" at work, good for you girl! Sorry this is short, just want you to know I'm thinking of you! Xo

    ReplyDelete
  26. Super yay for a *great* NT scan!! And, I have to say, I was a little scared when they suggested I get ultrasounds to check my cervix but getting to see babygirl in addition to the transvaginal ultrasound to check my cervix is just icing on the cake. :-) Wishing for a you a very long and closed cervix as I'm sure it will be. Congrats on coming out at the office!! I think it's great that you shared that you'd done IVF.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Alex, this is wonderful news!! I'm so happy that everything is looking so good. And yay for coming out the closet!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Congrats, Alex! I had LEEP, laser and cryo several years ago, so I always worried that could be a problem later. Glad to hear you are being proactive about that.

    ReplyDelete
  29. WOO-HOO!!! A good NT scan deserves a big deep sigh of relief =) I had a LEEP and my cervix held up great during pregnancy so hopefully yours does too. It's great that you got a warm reception at work. Telling people makes it feel so much more real.

    ReplyDelete
  30. yaay for a great scan alex!!! you're so close to the 2T and hopefully it goes by much faster than the first one did :o) xoxo.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Wonderful news, Alex. Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Alex, I left you an award =)

    ReplyDelete