Today I had the "uterus test" as I like to call it. I wasn't too nervous and deep down thought everything would be OK, I was just ready to get it over with (and know something for sure). My mom came down to go with me to be another set of ears just in case.
We got to the doctor's office and I felt the dread again. Surrounded by all these pregnant women when I'm still supposed to be pregnant. Not so much fun. I focused on my phone a lot and tried not to look up. Especially at the very young adult, possibly teenager who had an ultrasound while I was waiting. Someday it won't be painful to be there. Today was not that day.
Luckily I really like my doctor and the nurses and techs at the office. We went back to the ultrasound room and the tech explained the procedure. My doctor would come in and use a speculum in order to see. Next she would insert the small tube into my uterus and remove the speculum. The tech would then use the vaginal ultrasound wand to look at my uterus while my doctor pushed the saline in. She warned there might be some cramping when the tube was inserted. Once they got the pictures they needed the tube would come out and we'd be done.
Everything went according to plan. My doctor and the tech were wonderful. I had some slight cramping, but it wasn't too bad. The best way I can describe the experience is awkward. I was surprised how little saline she actually used and how little time it took. Almost immediately she told me that everything looked fine. My uterus is shaped normally and I don't have a septum. Thank goodness. It's nice to finally have some good news when it comes to my reproductive system. For once I'm "normal." The other good news is that my cervix has healed nicely and looks good. The cerclage didn't do any permanent damage.
After the procedure they took me to a regular room so I could ask my doctor any other questions I had and talk about the future. She said since everything looks normal there's no need to worry about my uterus being a problem in a future pregnancy. With all of the information we have now she's confident that my only problem is an incompetent cervix (not that's it's a small problem, but now we know). It also means we now have a definite plan for the future.
Next time I find out I'm pregnant I'll immediately make an appointment with both her office and the hight risk doctor. I'll have an ultrasound and they'll monitor me closely through the first trimester. I'll be on the progesterone supplements again throughout the first trimester as well. As long as everything looks good with me and the baby I'll have a cerclage between weeks 12 and 16 (I'll be requesting closer to 12 . . . 16 is just too close to 20 for my comfort). The high risk doctor will perform the surgery. Throughout the pregnancy I'll see both my regular doctor and the high risk doctor. Sometime at the end of the pregnancy the high risk doctor will remove the cerclage. Then hopefully I'll deliver a happy, healthy, full term baby.
It's a lot to take in and think about, but it feels good to have a plan and know more about what we can do in the future to ensure everything goes well. I'm glad that we have all the information now (and that I'm done with medical tests for a bit . . . aside from a mammogram in the next couple months . . . woot). I'm also glad that my body is doing what it is supposed to do. As much as I wish I were still pregnant I don't know how much longer I could have handled this "holding pattern" I feel like I've been stuck in. Maybe now that my body is functioning normally it will help my emotions (it's a wish anyway).
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