Thingie... 8 weeks and 6 days (on April 2nd, 2008)For the ones who aren't in the know yet... yes, we are expecting a little one!!! Time is flying by (or maybe it feels like that because I have been sleeping through it mostly... feeling extremely tired was the biggest pregnancy symptom I've had so far). I am already halfway!!! 20 weeks and 2 days today. Estimated due date is November, 4!
We are so excited, you can't imagine. Up until now everything has been wonderful. Except for the tiredness, I haven't been sick or felt nausea, no backaches or other pains (... yet, I guess!). It's been a rollercoaster of happy moments!
We found out for sure on April 2nd when I had my first ultrasound at the doctor's office (see picture above, taken at 8 weeks and 6 days). What a surprise to be that far along already! Oh well, the advantage was of course that the first, critical trimester was very short for me! Not much time to worry!
The only thing I did have to worry about, was finding a good OB/GYN (stands for "obstetrician/gynaecologist"). The first doctor I went to see was great, but, unfortunately, did not belong to my health plan (in the States, you can't just go to any doctor, you have to go to a doctor who is affiliated with your health insurance, or else, you have to pay for everything yourself). The doctor I had chosen was on my health plan's list of doctors, but apparently they hadn't updated the list in a while, so the information I got was incorrect. I ended up having to pay for the visit and ultrasound myself... a big, fat $450 !!! Fortunately, I got reimbursed by my insurance when I complained about this. But... I still had to start over again and look for another doctor... Pfff.
After asking around, I ended up with Dr. Gregory Ewertz. He guided our friend Katie through her pregnancy and helped deliver beautiful baby Sarah (she's pictured in one of my previous posts). Dr. Ewertz has been great too, but he has a lot of patients, and seems to be in a hurry most of the time. He did answer all my questions though... Maybe it is just me who can't get enough of seeing that little miracle on the monitor and thinks the appointment is going by way too fast!
Ultrasound at 11 weeks and 2 days (on April 18, 2008)Dr. Ewertz works at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, one of the top hospitals in the US, so I'm excited to be able to give birth there (although the thought of giving birth is still very scary!)
My third appointment was on May 15. No ultrasound, just the Expanded AFP Blood Test (alpha-feto-protein) which screens for neural tube defects and Down syndrome. The test results were good, a big relief!
Then today, we had our 20 weeks appointment with the 2nd trimester ultrasound! I had been looking forward so much to this appointment (especially since last time, my doctor was called away for an emergency C-section, so I had only seen him for about 2 minutes!!!) What a great experience to see HER again!!! Yes, we are going to have A GIRL!!! The doctor took a clear picture of her butt and as you can see (where the arrow points) there is NOTHING there, so it must be a girl!
Can you tell? OK, don't worry, the doctor had to explain it to me too. To the left, are the butt cheeks (she's sitting and the picture is taken from below) There's a little arrow pointing to... well, nothing. The dot to the right, is her heel. (she's bending her knee, which you don't see). The other leg is stretched.That's the only picture we got today... Unfortunately, no picture of full baby (a little disappointment) but we did see her move a lot on the screen and everything was there! She was kicking too, even though I can't feel it yet. (I do feel like something is swimming in my belly, but no kicks really)
Again, we are so excited. Just wanted to share this great news with you. We'll keep you updated!!!
