Dispatches From The Sink

I am going to make this quick because... bleh-ehwheh. Morning sickness sucks.

I saw my OB this morning. After providing a decorative centerpiece to the waiting room for an hour I got moved to an exam room for another 30 minutes. Then they transferred me to the ultrasound room. I wondered, mildly, if I was going to be playing musical rooms all day without ever seeing my doctor but he finally met me by the ol' black and white Zenith Sonogram2000.

He turned the side crank for a minute until a candle flickered on in the back and we got started. Gestational sac two is disappearing into the mists (bummer) but the gestational sac of interest was nice and clear. Inside was a beautifully proportioned yolk sac and nothing else that I could see. He zoomed around in there for quite a while trying to find some fetal heart tones.

"No fetal pole?" I asked sympathetically.
"Oh there is a pole there I could measure," he replied, "but I cannot find a heartbeat."

He seemed to think this was disappointing but actually I found it quite encouraging. Considering that three days ago the superfancy Firebolt ultrasound machine could not find a fetal pole I think we are heading in the right direction. Add to that the increasing need to vomit multiple times a day and I repeat - right direction. Whether everything goes straight to hell in a week or so, well that is incredibly likely but just this second I think things look fine. Positively rosy.

The spotting disappeared on Friday and I am not worried about it in the slightest. Between the vanishing twin and the aggressive ultrasound I think some spotting was in order, frankly.

The OB also said he was cool with the progesterone at 10.6. I mean, I should take the supplements but it wasn't an immediate harbinger of despair. I knew what he meant. It is low, obviously, but does not mean that I am miscarrying any minute.

Finally, he said we could wait and repeat the ultrasound or I could go to the hospital for a better one. I said Ohhhhhh, UMMMMMMMMMMMM, Welllllll, Urrrrr and then I made him schedule me for a 2:30 follow-up with the good machine.

On the drive home, though, I berated myself for this decision. If there is a heartbeat we know it only started in the past day or two. The heart rate will be really slow and they will say I should come back to see if things are developing. If there isn't a heartbeat then we know it still might start up in a day or so (I think I am 6 weeks tomorrow) and they will say I should come back to see if things might be developing. So I sucked it up and called the OB when I got home. I'll go in Thursday afternoon instead and we'll see what the deal is then. I know- THURSDAY!- way to really wait it out, Julia, but it was the best I could do.

I have other news but typing is making me motion sick. You know, I defy anyone to be all chirpy about morning sickness. I love being pregnant and I will keep doing this until we succeed but throwing up in your own sink over and over again is awful.

Over and out for now.

Comments

[Leslie]

So glad that things are looking good. Can't wait to hear the news on Thursday. Sorry for the morning sickness but I do think its a good sign :)

Leslie
mama to Ella (11-22-02)

[Catherine]

Well,I am greatly encouraged for you.Hopeful for a heartbeat Thursday! Hugs,Catherine

[Christine]

Excellent news (about the ultrasound, not so much about the vomit). Will be checking in repeatedly on Thursday.

[Julia]

Good.

I, too, think you're moving in the right direction.

And Thursday is showing amazing discretion, if you ask me.

[Alice]

While I hate the vomiting, I love the good news. Hope there's more of the latter.

[barren mare]

Encouraging news- who knew puking could be a good thing? Fingers crossed for results on the uber-ultrasound machine. Roll on, Thursday.

[liz s]

I am crossing every body part and sending all good vibes your way!!!!!!!! It was probably good to push back the U/S even for a few days. Those first few weeks have so much second guessing.

Go ahead and pamper yourself. Eat anything that sounds good and sleep as much as you wish (or can with a toddler).

liz

[Laura K.]

Oh Julia, I think things are looking good, too! I'm glad the doc saw a fetal pole, and I'll be keeping fingers crossed for a HB on Thursday. You have the restraint that I would NEVER have.

For good measure, I'm worshipping my toilet here, too. How's that for support?

Laura

[Jen A--Evelyn's Mommy]

At least you COULD throw up in your sink! I once ran to the sink, only to find it occupied, and quickly had to dump clothes out of a laundry basket and throw up in it. Fun times!

Crossing my fingers that everything looks fabulous on Thursday!

Jennifer

[Summer]

I was pretty chirpy about my morning sickness with Dorian, as you probably remember, since you were my rock when I was the most miserable with it. But I had good reason -- I hadn't had morning sickness the first time, so having it with Dorian was officially a Good Sign. (So what if I believed the old wive's hype and thought I was having a girl until I saw my newborn's penis?) However, you have every right to complain about your sickness all you want. It's tremendously unfair that you don't get to find out for certain that you've got a keeper until after the morning sickness has faded.

I'm still considering it a good sign, along with every other bit of news you've given us.

I'd mail you some ginger ice cream from York Castle Tropical Ice Cream (yummmmmm) if I could. I'm sure that would do the trick, in addition to being the best possible bite you could take for your baby.

much love, prayers, hope, and calm vibes headed your way....

[wavery]

Dispatch from the sink = Right direction. I'm happy to hear the good news and sorry it comes with all the puking. I puked in the subway once. Ah, one of my finer moments, I compulsively carried bags and managed to do it without completely embarrasing myself.
Best

[Mollie]

Oh, Sweetheart. I'm sorry you're feeling so pukey. But glad too, of course.

I swear, it's all worth it just to read your descriptions of the avuncular u/s machine. Is there a hamster running on a little wheel powering the thing after the crank gets it going?

I'm starting to pine for Minneapolis, Target, and you. Hoping to see all three soon.

[jilbur]

I totally can understand why, even at their suffering worst, some women are almost grateful for morning sickness, but I'll just say that, even though my very midwife said that my labor was one of the most difficult she'd ever attended, I'd have taken half a dozen of 'em over the morning sickness.

So--you have my sympathies, twelvefold.

[Christina]

I'm glad to hear that this ultrasound left you feeling encouraged. I hope the pukiness eases up a little soon.

[Jen P]

grow you good thing grow! and I really hope things start looking nicer scan by scan. Go little embie go!

[Ninotchka]

Although, I'm sorry for the loss of the twin, I have to say that things as they stand sound very encouraging, Julia. I'm with the others, Thursday is showing an amazing amount of restraint. Not only would I not have called back to reschedule, I would have balked at 2:30. roflol Many blessings and wishes for you to see that little flicker:flicker on the u/s on Thursday. Only 2 days away! Right? :o)

[Kristine]

Hope!! Sweet, sweet hope! Well, my heart bleeds that you are being put throught the wringer waiting to hear conclusive news. Then the whole sick thing...good...but you know, not fun!
I'll be waiting for more good news. Keep the sink clear of debris...

[Brooklyn Girl]

I'm sorry you're feeling so sick, but mostly I'm so very glad for your continuing good news. Thinking of you.

[e]

The puking sucks, doesn't it? I nearly killed my Ob when he asked in my 7th month if I was puking on average more than once a day, and when I admitted that no I felt sick constantly but only puked about once a day he said "well its not a problem then" and I thought, you F*CK WAD its NOT a problem for YOU but it certainly is FOR ME.

Anyway, I am sorry you're puking but glad to hear the latest news!

[Andrea]

Oh, this is good!

I collected a number of spotting/late-appearing fetal pole/low progesterone stories from my TTC friends but was reluctant to post them yet. I'm so happy the pole showed up, and so sorry you're so pukey.

[Cecily]

Morning sickness is totally depressing. I have felt like shit for five weeks now. So you have my sympathy.

And here is the only thing that helps: plain potato chips and lemonade. Courtesy of the midwife that can't deliver me cause I have twins. I hope it works for you!