High Risk Appointment 1

December 23

Today I had my first appointment with the high risk doctor.  I had to fill out all those forms with depressing questions again, but this time when the nurse called me back she went over them with me and didn't make me feel uncomfortable.  That was a relief.

I had an ultrasound today as well.  The doctor who took care of us while I was in the hospital is my doctor for this pregnancy as well.  I'm glad.  He knows me, knows my history (because he was there) and he's knowledgeable and answers questions without talking down to you.  He came in to observe the ultrasound and then talked to me and my mom after (Adam had to work).

Even though it had only been a few days since the last ultrasound I was still nervous.  But right away she let us hear the heartbeat and it was still strong.  The picture on this ultrasound was a lot crisper and the baby looked less like a blob.  We could see the start of arms and legs.  The tech measured my cervix (another thing I was dreading/hoping for) and it looks good.  Plenty long enough right now.

The doctor said everything thus far looks good and we'll just keep waiting to see what happens.  I'll come back in a month and if everything still looks good they'll schedule the cerclage for the following week (the last week in January).  It's outpatient surgery and will be performed where I had it last time (but under better circumstances).  I'll have to take it easy for a week but then should be able to continue as normal, just no stressing too much or heavy lifting (and no trampolines . . . I think I can handle that). They'll see me a couple weeks after the surgery to see how the stitch is doing and then I should just be monitored by my regular doctor until 37 weeks when they'll take the stitch out.  I'm looking forward to a normal chain of events with this surgery.  He said there's no reason to think the surgery won't allow me to have a normal pregnancy.  Last time there wasn't much to work with and they had to push the membranes back in.  This time there will be none of that and plenty of cervix to work with.

I felt good leaving his office.  We have a plan.  I just need to make it through this next month and hopefully then everything will still look good and I'll have the surgery and then I'll feel a lot better.  I'm still being cautiously optimistic, but each day we make it through is another day closer to August 2.