Tarzan and I just got back from my 15 week doctor appointment and it went great! It was the normal short appointment and we were in and out quickly. I wish that my OB did an ultrasound at every appointment, just because I want to see what’s going on down there in my ute. I’m a visual person…
My blood pressure was fine and my weight has increased by 2 pounds. Not too shabby if you ask me. I haven’t been overindulging in anything, so there’s no way I could gain a ton of weight magically overnight.
After the vitals were done, the next order of business was to hear the heartbeat. If you remember, the last time that we heard the heartbeat it came from the “dildo-cam” (read: vaginally done instead of on my abdomen). This time my doctor lubed up my belly and the second she put the doppler on my stomach, we heard the heartbeat.
Pretty cool!
Today it was 153 bpm, which is good. Tarzan and I are thrilled! Last time the heartbeat was 163 bpm (I think), so it’s still in a really good range. Obviously since I’ve never been pregnant before, I didn’t know if the heartbeat stayed the same or started to decrease a bit. Sure enough, it does decrease and my OB said that anywhere from 120-160 is the norm.
Yay for baby!
She said that I’m doing great and everything is good for being in my 16th week. Then she wrote up a form for the BIG ultrasound. She mentioned that we’d have it in 3 weeks, to which I quickly reminded her that she said 2 weeks last time. She remembered and wrote it for 2 weeks!
This is huge news and the part that I’m most excited about!! I cannot wait to find out if we are having a little girl or a little boy. Then we can start buying things, decorating, and thinking of more specific names.
Let the countdown begin!
You might also want to read:
= a post from Mommy Jane 
= a post from Daddy Tarzan
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Yay! I get an ultrasound at every appointment, but only because there’s 2 babies in there. At least we’re not charged extra for the informal, quick ultrasounds she does, but we do get pictures. My daughter loves to watch the babies “dance” as she calls it. She also thinks they’re squirrels. Toddlers, gotta love them.
Our “big” ultrasound is next week. It’s creeping up on me. Not looking forward to the full bladder and being pushed on. Hopefully I won’t pee myself, but it will be nice to know the sexes.
Crysi’s last blog post..Sunny Days
I’m envious of all the ultrasounds you get, Crysi! How cute is your daughter? Too funny!
What are you talking about with the full bladder and it being pushed on? Do you have to drink a lot before having this big ultrasound? My appointment was scheduled today and I was only told to bring my form from the doctor and a photo id… Oh, and to arrive 30 minutes early. No one said anything about drinking tons of water. Hmm.
You usually have to drink 24oz about a hour before hand. Some doctor’s office require it, some don’t. Mine didn’t tell me to this time, but with Adia’s pregnancy, I had to do it twice. It’s even worse when they tell you, yep, your bladder’s too full, can you go empty about half of it. Umm.. yeah, I’m pregnant, you think I have that kind of control?
Crysi’s last blog post..Sunny Days
I will call the hospital to ask if I need to come prepared or if they plan on filling me up with some liquid when I get there 30 minutes early. Thanks for explaining…
What is it about having a full bladder in order to have the ultrasound done?
YAY!!! We just had our big ultrasound today (18 weeks today)… its a GIRL! It was a REALLY cool day! I had to drink 16 oz of water an hour before the scan and it was ROUGH! I was doing “the dance” in the waiting room. I asked why the bladder had to be full and she said it was to show the relationship of the uterus and placenta location. (Huh?) And, for the record, our bambina’s heartbeat was 154 today but was up in the 170 ish range in the earlier part. (Old wives tales say a quicker heartbeat = girl… came true for me!)
Congrats on your baby girl, Strugglepants! Yay!!! So much fun! I’m really so thrilled for you! Thanks for explaining the water thing too – Like you, not sure I get it, but I’m sure there’s some good reason for it. The thought of sitting in the waiting room “holding” it sounds awful, but I guess seeing your little baby makes it all worthwhile!
PS – How long was the ultrasound? Was your baby moving around a lot? I’m so excited for this part!!! Congrats again!
Yay for good news! I got an us at every appt- but most DRs don’t! I loved it of course! And I never, ever had to drink a ton of water first! Can’t wait to see what it is…guessing boy
The Southern Mama’s last blog post..Fro’ Me to You Thursday: The Olden Days
The bladder rests against the uterus and when it’s empty, it makes it more difficult to see the uterus, placenta and, mainly, the cervix. When it’s full, it acts like a “window”. I remember asking the tech about it when I was 29 weeks because they didn’t have me drink anything before that. She said it makes it easier when you’re not as far along. By 25 or so weeks, it’s not normally a problem. She had no problem measuring the length of my cervix or seeing everything she needed to see.
I’m pretty sure my bladder will be full this time regardless of what I drink. I swear, I pee a million times a day anyway.
Crysi’s last blog post..Adia Burrito
Congrats on a good visit. I’m a little jealous you were able to hear the heartbeat so soon.
I ended up with several ultrasounds last time, but they were due to complications. First, Sneak kept hiding behind the placenta, and I had been having some bleeding. So we had to look and make sure her heart was still beating. We didn’t actually find the heartbeat with the dopler until I was about 20 weeks along. Then I started having issues with low fluid levels and preterm labor, so we had to keep tabs on those. A lack of ultrasounds can be frustrating, but it’s also a good thing. It means you’re having a simple, healthy pregnancy with just one baby in there.