First Ultrasound
We had our first visit with Dr. S, our OB at 8 a.m. this morning. Everything went great! We had a nice, long chat with her - we were inundated with information, all of our questions were answered and, most importantly, we both felt comfortable.
I quickly realized how, no matter how much the dad tries to be involved, he’s limited to a supportive role. Our doctor addressed Elise directly most of the time, only looking at me when addressing my limited questions. At first I felt ignored and started to get disgruntled. I had to remind myself that it wasn’t my uterus that was needing to be discussed at this juncture.
After our consultation it was off to the ultrasound room. We waited for five minutes or so as Elise filled out paperwork. The doctor came in and it was time for the ultrasound.
I had never heard of a vaginal ultrasound in my days. I always thought an ultrasound was the grocery store bar code scanner that the doctor lubed up with some KY and slapped on the mama’s belly. Nooooo… not this ultrasound. The particular ultrasound device was a robotic phallus that I will not-effectionately refer to as Mr. Howdy.
The physician’s assistant turned down the lights and Dr. S turned on the ultrasound machine and turned the monitor toward us.
I was sitting calmly in a chair to the left of Elise. Dr. S quickly found the baby and immediately said, “…and there’s the little heart beating.”
I tossed the Fall issue of The Ovarian Times, which I was reading earlier, to the side and like a rocket I sprung up out of my chair and leaned way over Elise so I could get a closer view of our baby’s heart beating.
It was amazing. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The only way I can describe it is that it looked like a little butteryfly, or an angel, flapping its wings very fast, rhythmically and peacefully.
I’ve had that image playing over and over in my head all day. While at work later this afternoon, a huge grin took over my face. I actually got a little choked up in mid-grin. I was proud and I was happy.
I breathed a deep sigh and while still grinning I thought, “Ahhh… my child. One day my child will say unto his or her friends, “my dad can be such an asshole sometimes…”"
This morning truly was an amazing experience. That was the absolute coolest thing I’ve ever witnessed. If seeing our child’s heart beating was the last thing to fall upon these eyes, I will at least know that I have witnessed divinity.
Here are the stats:
Pregnancy: 6 weeks, 6 days
EDD: April 21, 2006
Length: 0.89 cm
Next Dr.’s visit: September 29, 2005, 8:30 a.m.
On a scary note: Elise has an ovarian cyst. Yeah, that’s what we thought at first. The cyst is 3.5 cm but this is apparently normal in a lot of pregnacies due to the last ovulation. It’s supposed to dissolve in the next few weeks. Dr. S will take another look at it during our next visit.
Everything is going great. We’re excited and we can’t wait to start telling everyone.