I cannot begin to tell you what this picture is. I know the round circle that you see is the yolk sac, which is how the baby is currently receiving what he needs. The tech tells me the head is at the same end as the yolk sac. There was a better picture at the office, but somehow, the tech thought this was the one I should take with me. Go figure.
I saw Dr. Packin today for what turned out to be a great appointment! The baby is right on target in terms of growth, and there was a quickly beating little heart at 158 beats per minute. Dr. Packin turned off the ultrasound machine and said, ?It’s time we kicked you outta here!? I was a bit shocked, as I had been told that they tend to keep an eye on things up until 8 weeks. But, he said he feels things are going really well and there is no reason for them to continue following me, especially since I have two other doctors to follow the baby on a weekly basis.
I am officially licensed to be diabetic. Okay, not licensed, but I’m sure the diploma is in the mail. I went to school today to learn that I will likely be starving to death with the diet they have me on. I also have to check blood sugars 7 TIMES daily. Ugh. I am already out of fingers. The nurse who did my education says I should gain less than 25 pounds during the pregnancy, which is more than I gained with Eilis, so I hope I don’t go that high. I am at my highest weight ever now, and hoping that the starvation plan they are putting me on helps with that a bit. I see Dr. Packin again on Friday, and he’ll do another ultrasound, and if all looks good, schedule me for my last appointment with him the following week.
My appointment this morning is with Dr. Librizzi, a perinatologist. He is a sweet man, who hugs you when he sees you and when you leave. The technician does another ultrasound, and we see the baby measuring now 6 weeks 5 days, with a heart rate of 131 beats per minute. Dr. Librizzi tells me someone should follow me every week, so as soon as Dr. Packin discharges me, I will alternate between seeing the regular ob/gyn and Dr. Librizzi. He says they will do weekly ultrasounds, which will be very reassuring in these early weeks. He says he is a firm believer in positive reinforcement, and being able to see the baby growing and moving each week will help me stay optimistic, which will improve the chances for a positive outcome.
I saw Dr. Haenel this afternoon. He is an endocrinologist and will be following my diabetes. I am put on insulin, and have to go to school to learn how to be diabetic. Apparently, you can’t just jump right in and be diseased, it has to be taught to you. I will go to the Diabetes control center on Wednesday for my diabetes education.
My dad had surgery to remove his remaining leg up to the knee. He has been in Magee Rehabilitation Hospital for a week now, and it is expected he will be there at least another week before they send him home to continue to heal. He will return to Magee when the leg heals with his prosthesis, and he will learn how to walk using two artificial legs. He is doing well, but they really work him very hard at Magee. He is on blood thinners as well, and has been using the backs of his hands to help leverage himself in and out of chairs, which has resulted in open, oozing injuries on the backs of his hands. He is optimistic that he will be walking by Christmas, so any extra prayers sent his way that he will reach his goal would be appreciated!
The words from Dr. Packin today are “Cautiously Optimistic!” We saw the fetal sac, a fetal pole, and a bit of something else, then we saw the heartbeat!! The heart rate was 124, which is just right for where it should be. I measure 6 weeks, 1 day, which is a bit behind dates if you consider when my period was, but the doctor says I probably ovulated later and not to worry. I tell him I’ll stop worrying at 39 weeks. He tells me I need to switch from the glucophage to insulin and I need to see a perinatologist. I make appointments for both.
The good news continues! My beta jumped to 12,813, and the progesterone is finally above 15 at 16.8. I can go in for an ultrasound with Dr. Packin and schedule it for Friday, 9/17.
The beta and progesterone were repeated today. They wanted to see the beta doubling, which it more than did (my number today was 4610). The progesterone is creeping up and is now at 13.6. Still low, but going up is a good sign. I repeat the test again next week, and see Dr. Packin if the number is over 5000.
Copyright Anna Skamarakas 1985-2008 | 2009