In response to the fact that it has only been 2 days since I have seen Sprout moving and fine and I am already freaking out again, I need to put a plan down for the rest of this pregnancy. I have decided I need to find a way to regularly monitor Sprout. I am practicing my helicopter parent skills a little early... At 10 weeks, I have already seen Sprout 3 times and all has been fine each time. Still, I have this awful fear as I am leaving each appointment that the baby has suddenly died. Then a few weeks later I see Sprout again and all is well. This will get much easier once I can regularly check for a HB at home or movement begins but for now, this is just frightening.
At about midnight last night, I decided I wanted to definitely do the NT scan, even though my doctors all say there is no higher risk for me to have a problem. I have already had my karyotyping done with the RPL workup and I have normal chromosomes. I am only 29 as well. Still I want to know if everything is okay. I called the KP genetics office today and amazingly one of the genetic counselors answered the phone at 7:15am! Amazing. She talked with me for a long time and told me that since the NT scan is not definitive and I likely would not choose the CVS option if the test came back positive, why not wait and do the quad screen at 15 weeks, go over the results with a genetics counselor and have a thorough ultrasound with a geneticist at 16 weeks. Jackpot. This is exactly what I need. I am not sure what I would choose if there is something wrong with Sprout but I do know I am a planner and I thrive in having all information available. So I will go with this option. Plus the NT scan is not covered so it would be $400 and this genetic counseling appointment and ultrasound at week 16 is only a $40 co-pay. I was immediately sold and am confident in my decision. I will then have another scan with a high risk OB at 20 weeks.
So I will live my life in 4 week increments for a while. At 12 weeks, I will hopefully hear Sprout again and at both 16 and 20 weeks I will have thorough ultrasounds. So it looks like maybe, hopefully I will be able to breathe again in mid-February.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Plan
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10 comments:
I know the excruciating place you're in right now. I was a complete wreck in that spot, and wish it would be easier for you right away. I feel like my fears started to abate a little when I could feel him move. K bought a doppler beforehand, but I was always too scared to use it because I was convinced the heartbeat would be gone.
I'm thinking of you and hoping for time to march along quickly. Big hugs from another worrying gal :)
Have you considered renting a doppler? I have one, and I do not know how people live w/o them. I can (and sometimes do) check 5 times a day. I got it from babybeat and started being able to hear the hb @ 9 weeks.
hang in there. I understand what you are going through.
Been there. Wish i could tell you it gets easier as you get further - but once you been burned...
Take it one day at a time and try to think positively. It will be good for your psyche. How about a doppler? Early on it can be hard to find the HB. But once you get further it may give you reassurance? Depends on your personality.
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Having a plan is good!
And I thought about getting a doppler but I opted against one and just tried to keep faith that everything would work out. Easier said than done - but it helped due to them checking my cervix and placenta, I was basically in there every two weeks seeing or hearing the heartbeat.
And when the baby moves, and you feel it, that also is a big reassurance. But I don't think I'll be fully reassured until he's in my arms!
I think it is wise to have a plan to manage your anxiety around this. Of course you are anxious - makes so much sense you would be. It also makes sense to be honest about that and to do what you have to to get through it. Far from a "helicopter mommy" you are simply a very good momma taking care of yourself and your sprout in the best way you can.
I used my doppler like crack. It was a huge relief to me every time I heard that whooshing heart sound. And it nearly killed me to wait between 10 - 20 weeks for an ultrasound. So, I completely get your need to see more of your Sprout. I don't know if your clinic does this, but mine did offer weekend "fun" 3D u/s sessions that you can pay out of pocket for to get a look at your little one. I never broke down and did it - but seems like it could have helped if I had really gotten desperate. But, as others have said - once you feel Sprout move, you will feel so much more reassurance that everything is OK. AT least that is my hope for you. If not? Hey, there is no "right" way to get through this. You do what you have to.
You are almost 11 whole weeks pregnant lady!!!! I think we should go out and celebrate when you hit the 2nd trimester.
Why don't you rent a doppler? I rented on and was able to hear the hb since the 9 week mark.
Sorry you have to wait so long for another u/s. I am "unfortunate" enough to get one weekly, as I just had u/s #20 this week. BUT ... it's because I have a big scary high risk pregnancy. I'd rather have a normal pregnancy and only get the normal amount of u/s's.
I'm glad you have a plan in place.
Would a doppler help, or would you drive yourself crazy using it? You are more than welcome to borrow my doppler if you want to come pick it up. Just let me know-I won't need it anytime soon!
I can totally understand where your at. I think the Doppler is a great idea.
Kudos to you for making The Plan. Take care of yourself!
I know your pain. If you really feel you need to just go in for an ultrasound at any time and pay cash. It's completely worth it. I did it all the time in the early weeks with my RE. I must have had 15 ultrasounds to date. And it still doesn't seem enough!
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