Panic Mode

So, we had our 17 week checkup this morning, and I anticipated nothing out of the ordinary other than a routine checkup. I would tell the doctor of my phase two of hormone surges, accompanied by a new found love of migraines, but I'm finding the new prescription helpful. We would discuss this minor cold/sinus/cough crud I've developed and list all the normal medications I'm not allowed to take. And wrap it up with a discussion about the time frame which I'm still allowed to fly, since we are planning on visiting San Antonio with the Garner's in May.

We got the first 2 points out of the way quickly as I made my way into position for the heartbeat monitor. So, after the cold gel was applied, Dr. Chauhan is using her knowledgeable skills of maneuvering this little microphone over my abdomen area searching for a rapid thumping sound. We wait, we've picked up my heartbeat, but nothing fast enough or strong enough for Baby Nichols. After about 5 minutes of hide and seek, she's got nothing, and suggests we get an ultrasound.

Needless to say, in the 3.5 minutes it took her to inform the sonogram technician, and for the tech to get setup, I panicked. I cried. I was having all the possible worst-case-scenario's go through my mind. It's natural, yet Chris assured me everything was fine, and not to get upset. Too late, tears were already interfering with my mascara.

So we have our ultrasound, and we have a heartbeat! What a relief. Turns out, I have an anterior placenta, which only means the placenta is more to the front of my uterus rather than in the back. It makes no difference for the baby, but it adds additional cushion/barrier which made it more difficult to detect the heartbeat.

Since we were there, we asked about gender. Baby Nichols was sleeping soundly, face down, spine towards us, legs together. After about 5-10 minutes we were finally able to wake him/her, and with a prompt response; he/she crossed it's legs, with the umbilical cord between the legs! Stubborn already. I wonder where he/she gets that from? So we have our next appointment March 24, Easter Monday, and we will hopefully be able to know gender by then, if we can get a little cooperation. Also, Baby Nichols is up to a whopping 5 ounces!

So after this little scare, we treated ourselves to a little Chick-fil-A, and I didn't even feel a little bit guilty! I've gained a whopping 2 pounds total, and until I start packing on the pounds, I'll continue to enjoy my chicken nuggets!