It was most decidedly underwhelming, and not altogether reassuring, but nor was it a cause for alarm either. The gestational sac was visible, in the uterus, immediately and looked to be a decent size and was the prettiest part of the picture. It was really hard to see the fetal pole, but I definitely got glimpses of what could be the fetal pole as he kept moving the wand around, but it kept disappearing a second later. It was difficult to visualize because it was completely tucked into a corner of the gestational sac.
My heart stopped in the first few minutes, where we could not see the fetal pole. After we found it (he had to press down on my uterus to see anything), it was hard to see a heartbeat, I thought I could at times, but what do I know? My RE said he saw a heartbeat too, but it was faint. I asked him to do a
CRL (difficult as we could barely see the thing) and it measured 6w1d,
but the measurements were crude at best. The RE said he could see the
yolk sac, but it was hardly the clear round thing of my previous
pregnancy. The picture we got was god-awful. I don't have access to a scanner right now, but I took an iphone picture of the ultrasound.
I asked him if he thought things looked fine for this stage, and he said yes. He asked me to go back on Monday, which is what I will do.
I marvel at the change in myself. In the first ultrasounds in previous pregnancies (which were 2-3 days later in the 6th week), I saw better and more reassuring images, but I was still unsatisfied that things were not *perfect*, with the CRL lagging behind by like 2 days or something like that. Now, I just listened to the doctor, with a fetal pole I could barely see and a heartbeat that looked barely apparent, and left things to rest. I think the best way to describe me now is 'impassive'. The fate of this little one remains utterly unpredictable, and shrouded in fog, but que sera sera. I can get through this weekend, run around town with my cousin and have fun. That is the bottom line right now. When I go back on Monday I have 2 people (my cousin and my friend) coming with me, can't ask for more.
I also spoke to my boss and told him I want to stop working by the middle of August. That conversation went surprisingly well. PIs (Primary Investigators, the nomenclature for professor at the head of a research lab in academia) can be unpredictable creatures, and there was a strong possibility that he would make life difficult for me after. But, so far, so good.
My heart stopped in the first few minutes, where we could not see the fetal pole. After we found it (he had to press down on my uterus to see anything), it was hard to see a heartbeat, I thought I could at times, but what do I know? My RE said he saw a heartbeat too, but it was faint. I asked him to do a
CRL (difficult as we could barely see the thing) and it measured 6w1d,
but the measurements were crude at best. The RE said he could see the
yolk sac, but it was hardly the clear round thing of my previous
pregnancy. The picture we got was god-awful. I don't have access to a scanner right now, but I took an iphone picture of the ultrasound.I asked him if he thought things looked fine for this stage, and he said yes. He asked me to go back on Monday, which is what I will do.
I marvel at the change in myself. In the first ultrasounds in previous pregnancies (which were 2-3 days later in the 6th week), I saw better and more reassuring images, but I was still unsatisfied that things were not *perfect*, with the CRL lagging behind by like 2 days or something like that. Now, I just listened to the doctor, with a fetal pole I could barely see and a heartbeat that looked barely apparent, and left things to rest. I think the best way to describe me now is 'impassive'. The fate of this little one remains utterly unpredictable, and shrouded in fog, but que sera sera. I can get through this weekend, run around town with my cousin and have fun. That is the bottom line right now. When I go back on Monday I have 2 people (my cousin and my friend) coming with me, can't ask for more.
I also spoke to my boss and told him I want to stop working by the middle of August. That conversation went surprisingly well. PIs (Primary Investigators, the nomenclature for professor at the head of a research lab in academia) can be unpredictable creatures, and there was a strong possibility that he would make life difficult for me after. But, so far, so good.
Well, for what it's worth, it reassured me to see and read your post. It sounds like things are right on track. Glad you can go back on Monday for another peak inside. I hope you get a more decisive look at the heartbeat and the fetal pole.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend with your cousin.
Wish there were more info for you, but sounds like it's all okay and the doctor felt so, as well. Have a fun weekend with your cousin! And congrats on good reception from boss.
ReplyDeleteSeeing anything this early in the game is a good thing. I'm glad you have a busy weekend planned and very much hope that Monday brings a clear ultrasound picture, complete with tiny heart thumping away.
ReplyDeleteSounds & looks hopeful & reassuring. Enjoy your weekend with your cousin & Monday's U/S will be even more reassuring.
ReplyDeleteI think I can see the yolk sac in your photo - definitely something there! you're on the early side yet, so glad you're taking the ambiguity in stride. everything looks awfully good so far to me! : ) Looking forward to Monday.
ReplyDeleteMo
It looks to me like that's a pretty low-res scan. Your previous pregnancies were with different drs and u/s machines, right? That can make all the difference. It may look less clear simply because of the machine. But I understand why you need to play it down. Take one day at a time, and hopefully the next scan will be more reassuring!
ReplyDeleteYour ultrasound looks a lot like mine. I refer to it as a blob in a blob. It sure doesn't look like any of the depictions on the internet. :-) For me the only reassuring thing was the little flicker they told me was the heart. At times I feel disconnected from the pregnancy. I think I am holding my heart back from completely accepting it until the next ultrasound in 10 days. If everything is still ok then, maybe I can become more optimistic. Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteJay, I wish things had been clearer. But as you've pointed out even THAT isn't insurance. I also think the scan looks low-res - could the machine have been less than up to snuff? And those measurements are wacky. That's what I've decided. So much depends on machine, person doing the measuring, etc.. But the facts are: there IS a yolk sac, there IS a fetal pole and there IS the flicker of a heartbeat. All good things.
ReplyDeleteI will be thinking good thoughts for next week.
Sounds like so good, so far. I'll keep good thoughts for you on Monday.
ReplyDeleteI hate early US. This one seems really encouraging and I am pulling for very very normal next scan. I am wishing all sorts of wonderful things to occupy your mind in August.
ReplyDeletelooks like things are good. it's quite early yet. hang in there, it all looks promising and hopefully you will get more clarity in three more days! sometimes, impassive is good. whatever gets you through!
ReplyDelete