Doctor's Visits

I feel really comfortable with the OBGYN I've chosen.  I started going here when I moved to Atlanta based on a recommendation from a co-worker who had a high-risk pregnancy.  The doctor's office is affiliated with Northside Hospital which I've heard is known as the "baby hospital".  It's a reputable group/hospital.

I didn't get to go for my first visit until I was 8 weeks along for a 'confirmation of pregnancy'.  We got to see the ultrasound for the first time.  It was amazing.  Will was with me and we were in a dark room with the ultrasound technician and a big screen tv in front of us where we could see the little embryo in detail.  I was not expecting it so I was totally taken back when we saw the little heart beating.  That's when it hit me in a big way how amazing it was that I have a growing, thriving baby in my belly relying on me to do all the right things to make growing as easy as possible for him/her. 

Here is what baby looked like at week 8:  The circle on the left is the yolk sac which disappears further into the pregnancy.  The white line on the bottom of the little blob is the back bone and the dark spot in the middle is the heart.  The whole thing was about the size of the tip of your finger at that time...



Ultrasound Photo - 8 weeks

Our second doctor's appointment was on Thursday, Feb 16th.  It is a long stretch between the first and second appointment... I'm a worrier so I was just dying to get confirmation that everything was still on track and dying to hear baby's heartbeat again.  this was a 2 hour long appointment where we did an ultrasound, questionnaire/interview with nurse practitioner, visit with a doctor, blood labs etc etc. Will was told he could leave after the questionnaire but, he stayed with me the whole time and wanted to be involved through the whole visit.  I have to take this opportunity to brag on him.  He has made this new experience so easy, comfortable and of course funny for me and I don't think he even realizes how wonderful he's being.

Okay, so... the first thing we did at the appointment was get another ultrasound and the first thing I asked the tech to do is find the heartbeat for me.  It was such a relief to see the heartbeat again and to know that baby's measurments were on track and within the normal range.  We got to see the little arms and legs that had developed since our first visit.  His/Her legs were crossed and were covering privates (Will asked the tech if there was any way we'd be able to tell the sex - she said if she could get a perfect angle, she may be able to tell but since baby's legs were crossed it was a no-go.)  The baby's left hand was up by his/her mouth; looks like we have a thumb sucker.   Look at how much he/she has grown:




Baby Tucker 13 week ultrasound





Baby Tucker 13 week ultrasound - left hand in mouth





Baby Tucker 13 week ultrasound - close up on hand