Appointment Results/Updates - Page 14 « Back to Group Discussions

[KaliHekate]

Originally Posted by SuzieSmiles 
 

KaliHekate - I don't have any insurance so EVERYTHING is out of pocket for us. The 8 week u/s was really important to us because of my last (first) pregnancy ending in mc. And, especially since I had a 'missed miscarriage', where my body was holding the pregnancy even though it was no longer viable and I showed no signs of mc, it was kind of necessary for me (both physically and emotionally) to make sure things were right this time around. Otherwise, I would definitely consider waiting for the 18 or 20 week scan. Really hope that you're able to hear the hb at your 10 week appointment and enjoy your minimoon! 

Oh wow, I had no idea that could happen.  I figured there would be bleeding or some sign.  Is an ultrasound the only way to know for sure if the pregnancy is still viable?

[OtherSoul]

My mother had a missed miscarriage. There was never any bleeding or sign that anything was wrong until she went for her second trimester scan and they discovered what had happened. Very sad. Generally though this type of mc is rare.

[SuzieSmiles]

Originally Posted by KaliHekate 

Oh wow, I had no idea that could happen.  I figured there would be bleeding or some sign.  Is an ultrasound the only way to know for sure if the pregnancy is still viable?

I know, it was quite a shock to me as I had absolutely no signs or symptoms. I didn't mean to be a downer here, stay happy and try your best not to worry, think positive thoughts and just believe, this is what I focus on each and every day.

So, I'm probably not the best person to ask about knowing if it's the only way to confirm viability as I have such little experience... But, I've read that some women are able to hear the hb as early as 10 weeks via doppler, others it takes a little longer. And, there are other variables that come into play, position, weight of the mother, etc... Hopefully some experienced mamas can chime in here and enlighten us:)

[sarahl918]

Originally Posted by KaliHekate 

Oh wow, I had no idea that could happen.  I figured there would be bleeding or some sign.  Is an ultrasound the only way to know for sure if the pregnancy is still viable?

I had the same thing happen to me, same month as Suzie too. We were both 8 weeks and went in for u/s and found no heartbeat. No bleeding, cramping, or any indication from the outside. I even had hcg of 74,000. I imagine if I had given my body enough time it would have recognized the pregnancy was not viable, but I have heard it taking weeks or months for that to happen. :( 

[LivingSky]

KaliHekate: Don't panic if you can't hear a heartbeat at 10 weeks. Being able to hear it via doppler that early isn't common - 12 weeks is a more standard, and sometimes it takes even longer than that. A variety of things can impact the ability to hear heartbeat as well - for instance, I'm a heavier woman and due to my extra padding, it made the heartbeat harder to find with my first pregnancy. I also had an anterior placenta which can make it harder to hear (also can make it harder to feel the first kicks from the baby).

I definitely hope you hear it, but it's normal not to be able to hear it at 10 weeks, so just in case you can't hear it, try not to let it stress you out (I know, easier said than done!!)

[KaliHekate]

Back from my first appt!  Bloodwork was kinda painful, vaginal exam was even more painful (had to switch to a bigger instrument, I forget what it's called), but it was worth it.  They found a heartbeat - 150 bpm, which she said was good.  It took a few minutes, but she found it.  My blood pressure was good too and everything else seemed normal and the uterus measured in line with 10 weeks, 6 days, which I am today. Yaaaay!  I was really nervous until then, as morning sickness and fatigue has lessened the last few weeks.  

So sorry to hear about your miscarriages, Sarah and Suzie.  Hopefully this time everything will work out for us all.  :)

[chispita]

Back from mine as well.

Went pretty well. Most of the time was spent talking and we asked some questions that had come in the last few weeks. They wanted to get a feel about what our work maternity leave policy was, what our plans in regards to it were, what postpartum support we would have, etc. They also gave us references of a couple of childbirth and parenting classes we might be interested in attending at some point. We told her that we'd decided to do the NT scan - which they don't  do at the birth center where we have our appointment - so they will call in the referral for that, and we have to schedule it in the next couple of weeks.

Other than that, BP, blood draw, and urine sample. Forgot to ask what the BP was - I was too busy talking, I guess  We agreed to the tests for the STDs and so on - even though we think our risk is pretty much zero, it is true that neither of us has actually had an STD test in the 8 years we've been together, so might as well get tested (I plan on declining the eye goop, so good to have the reassurance of seeing the negative on the test results).

Oh, and they also tried palpating the uterus and could just about feel it one or two finger above the pubic bone, so that was exciting. We declined the Doppler - since we're getting the NT scan within the next couple of weeks, we'll wait to hear the heart beat till then.

So pretty relaxed and low key, but nice.

[sarahl918]

Back from our first ultrasound and SO ECSTATIC to report our little baby had a strong heartbeat of 160bpm! 

This is quite a milestone for us, one we never reached the first time, so it was a big, big moment. I couldn't look at the monitor I was so nervous but when I did I started crying instantly. The doctor said everything looks perfectly healthy.  Here's a pic: 

I am measuring a few days behind (6w4d, thought I was 7w2d), but this early I know there is room for error. This would put my due date at 10/3 so I guess I may be in the wrong DDC, but since I'm right on the border so I might stick around if that's alright with you ladies!

[splath]

Congrats on all the great appointments everyone!

[SuzieSmiles]

Congrats KaliHekate on your successful appointment:) Sorry you had some discomfort but glad it all worked out and they found a good heartbeat.

chispita - glad your appointment went well too and that you had done what you wanted to have done, it's good when we are listened to. Relaxed and low key sounds nice:)

I have to give a special shout out to my friend Sarah! Yippee!! I've been checking in all day to see your results!!! I am soooooo very happy for you!!! Awesome!!!! I know exactly how you feel:DAnd, don't even think of leaving this DDC girl, you belong here and who knows, you may end up with a September babe anyway;D

Let's keep the good news coming ladies! 

[sarahl918]

Thank you so much Suzie!! I know you understand 100% the relief & sheer joy I'm feeling right now.  It is nice to finally have something go right! I am so, so excited. I could hardly believe it when I saw that little flicker! 

[amanda bee]

Originally Posted by splath 

Congrats on all the great appointments everyone!

[serena76]

I had my first midwife appointment today, lots of form filling, bloods tests and blood pressure checks. My scan is booked for 27th feb, can't wait! I gotta see special mental health trained midwives coz of family history and mine and I need to see doctors more coz I have spinal disc problems which need to be monitored. Apart from that all good so far.

[nettlesoup]

Your appointment sounds pretty much the same as mine. I liked the question asking if my fiance and I were blood relatives. She even asked about genital piercing; they miss nothing out!

[haurelia]

We met with our home birth midwife on Friday, and had a long appointment with her doing history, questions, explanations, and a regular prenatal exam.  We talked about nutrition, exercise, self-care, and her background.  DH liked her (I've met her before).  It was fine, and I'll see her again in a month.  She's the only CPM in our area (at least within 5 hours or so), so it's not like we can be selective when planning a home birth (which sucks). She's 2.5 hours away, so getting to appointments will be something of a PITA; however, she has a few clients in our area, so can sometimes batch folks up and see everyone around her in one day (she has space in a chiro office that she can use). 

Since I'm considering concurrent care in case of a need to transfer, I had my OB intake appointment yesterday.  It's with the hospital I work in, which is a big weird thing, but the hospital is 5 mins away from our house, and it would be my backup plan. This appointment was with the NP, who did a pap/pelvic, and pronounced my uterus "6-8 week" size (my dates are 8 weeks today).  I am very firm about my dates and declined a first trimester scan...she said she'd cancel the requisition for a formal scan in radiology and have the OB do one at my next appointment in 2 weeks to "firm up your due date."  I declined again, and she just nodded and said that "Dr. X just loves to do them in the office, and who doesn't want more pictures of baby?" and giggled.  I just decided to stop talking and decline at the time of.  

I'm already getting a pretty heavy vibe that this concurrent care thing isn't going to last for me, and sense that I'll be butting my head against their protocols at every turn.  While I am, myself, a medical professional (and work with this group on a contingent basis in the OB unit), I don't believe pregnancy is a medical condition, and I just wanted to establish some care with the OB practice to obtain an anatomy survey US around 18-20 weeks, and to be somewhat known to them if I would need to transfer in labor or for an immediate postpartum issue.  I had the usual labs drawn, in addition to a hemoglobin A1C (indicated because of my BMI of 30). They also ordered a 1 hour glucose tolerance test, which I didn't do yesterday, and don't know if I'll do at all.  If my A1C is normal, then what I'm doing with my diet and exercise is providing good blood sugar balance, and I don't feel compelled to challenge my body with a test that requires drinking a big load of sugar that I'd never ingest in real life. Especially because the first line of treatment for GDM is diet changes...and I basically eat that diet now (low glycemic, whole food, sugar free). 

Anyhow, that's my story for now. I'm scheduled to see the OB in 2 weeks, and I am not sure if I'll bring up home birth plans at that visit.  One one hand, it seems prudent to mention it because I don't plan to continue care with the OB group for the whole pregnancy and don't want to just drop off the office radar yet still have to see/deal with the group on the shifts that I work in L&D.  On the other, it's really not pertinent to any of the care they'll recommend or provide, and may cause some difficulty with interpersonal relations when I have to work with them as an RN.  Maybe I'll just carry on without bringing home birth up until I decide to exit the OB care, and then just say what's true: I'm transferring to midwifery care.  Any thoughts?  

[thefreckledmama]

Haurelia-I would just wait to say anything until you are ready to leave the care of the OB. Saying anything sooner, you run the risk of them dismissing you from the practice.

[chispita]

Haurelia - sounds like a tough situation. It might be better to say nothing till you are ready to drop them - after the anatomy scan - and just accept that you're going to be the "difficult" patient who declines stuff in the meantime.

[beep]

I just had my repeat ultrasound. Last time my embryo was measuring small and its heart rate was borderline slow. Today it's caught up by 4 days (putting it within the margin of error for my original dates) and the heart rate was 179. I'm so relieved.

[MamaMash]

That's great news beep! So happy to hear it

[nettlesoup]

That must be such a relief for you, Beep.