12 week check

12 weeks, 4 days today...

I heard the heartbeat - 164 bpm! I was not expecting to be able to hear it so soon, it was a wonderful treat. Everything is great so far. I just love the clinic. I feel listened to, and all of my questions and concerns are taken seriously.

We discussed the plan again. At my 16 week check, I will start the p17 shots. I will then continue to get the shot every week until at least 34-35 weeks. I can continue until 37 weeks, if I want, which I might. I will also see Dr. Wiedel every two weeks starting at 16 weeks. My first ultrasound will happen at 20 weeks, with cervical check ultrasounds every 2 weeks after that. We are so excited for 20 weeks! And no, we do not want to find out if baby is a girl or boy at that time. We will only find out if I have to be put on bedrest. I believe it will help me to focus on "the light at the end of the tunnel," if I have to ever go through that.

We are hoping for a long, boring, uneventful pregnancy!

First Visit

Sorry it has taken me awhile to post about my first visit, but I have been waiting for DH to help me scan the u/s (see below!). I couldn't see the midwives again, because I am now high risk. I didn't like that there are 10 of them anyways - I never saw the same provider twice. Also, I wasn't too impressed with my experience with the UW-Clinic MDs while I was in the hospitalized with Alden. There were, again, too many and none of them seemed to know what they were talking about. So I switched to Associated Physicians. A smaller practice (5 OBs - hopefully I will get to meet them all!). One of whom was referred to me by a nurse/preemie Mom. She was referred to the MD by another MD/preemie mom.

Dr. Weidel seems fabulous. She took a lot of time with me answering my questions and talking about the plan. She did the ultrasound herself. Basically, I am going to start the progesterone shots at 16 weeks, as well as a small bit of Prozac to build it up in my system so when I hit 20 weeks, I won't be at as high risk for PTSD. Both she and the perinatologist are concerned about the effect of stress/anxiety on this pregnancy. I too am concerned about getting anxious when I hit the same time period (20-26 weeks) when things went downhill in my last pregnancy. Dr. Weidel is also going to prescribe something in case I have an anxiety attack during that time. She anticipates me not needing those meds once I hit about 28-30 weeks, and I agree. We will celebrate then. Also, I am going to see her every 1-2 weeks starting at 16 weeks. I will start to see the perinatologist at 20 weeks. The Peri will do an ultrasound every 2 weeks until baby is here, to measure my cervix. At the first sign of any change, they will pull me off work. I will either be on bedrest at home, or in the hospital, depending on the severity of the change, and on whether or not I can truly rest at home.

So that's the plan for now! I am seeing her again when I am 12 weeks.

Here's our little bean! At the time, measuring 8 weeks, 3 days. Thanks to charting my cycle, I was right on for when I conceived! Heart-rate, cervical length, and everything else looked great.