Last week, on the morning of New Year’s Eve, I had my 20-week ultrasound, except I was actually 21 weeks.
Here’s a funny story, when I went to the OB for my first appointment, I thought I was only eight weeks pregnant. Before I left for the appointment I warned Tom, “There’s a chance I might be like 10 weeks pregnant, so just prepare yourself.”
So if you were me and you thought you were eight weeks pregnant, maybe ten weeks, and the ultrasound tech tells you that you’re actually 15.5 weeks and, oh, do you want to know the gender? You might have had the same reaction I did, which was to start laughing so hard I almost rolled off the exam table.
Because of that little miscalculation, and because of the holidays, I’ve been scrambling to fit in the rest of my appointments. Ultrasound, flu shot, DTaP, glucola. BRING IT ON!
After the ultrasound I texted a few friends a snapshot of the baby’s profile pic and before I could even type “doesn’t this look just like David?” I got a response, “Oh my gosh that looks just like David.”
When I told David that the baby looks like he did when he was in my belly, natural logic followed, “Maybe we can name him David!”
And then I crossed “choose a name for the baby” of off my to-do list.
At the end of the ultrasound, the tech quickly summarized, “The heart looks good, growth looks good, fluids, organs, everything looks good.
So I replied, “Boring ultrasound! That’s what I wanted to hear!”
She looked away from her screen, locked eyes with me, and placed her hand on mine. “No, that’s not what I meant. I’ve been doing this for years, and not one ultrasound is ever boring. Look at that! That’s a life growing! That’s incredible!”
Her comment hit me squarely in the face. This pregnancy has been different from my other two. First, it took a while to get used to the whole 15.5 weeks thing. Second, this is my third time around and just the idea of the coming third trimester is dulling the shine of pregnancy and childbirth. Even though I know and firmly believe that bringing a life into the world is an amazing honor and a blessing, it’s also a lot of work. And, for me, that work has already begun in a very very real way. That ultrasound tech, I’m not sure what class she took that taught her that giant tidbit — that every single baby is incredible, that life is never, ever routine — but it’s by far the most meaningful moment I’ve ever experienced during a routine doctor’s appointment.
Would you look at that?!? There’s a life growing in there!
Amazing. What a great tech!!!
Congratulations Amanda!!!!! That is so exciting.
YAY! Did I miss an announcement or is this it? Also, do you know the gender? Do you not find out? I’m just full of exciting questions. Either way, congratulations!! 🙂
E
yeah, we tucked our pregnancy announcement in with our “Christmas card”: http://www.thekriegers.org/2014/12/adding-to-the-chaos-the-best-way-we-know-how/
and we do know gender, it’s a boy! they actually told me at the 15 week appointment. it was a lot to take in 🙂 and, thanks! there are so many pregnant people out there right now!
Congratulations on growing your family and being halfway through your pregnancy! What a sweet moment that must have been for you. It’s easy to get caught up in the every day things, and for you, since you’ve been pregnant before, to focus on the “business” of being pregnant. Sometimes it’s nice to have a reminder of what a miracle it can be.
Found you on the Little Things link up,
Amber at OurCharmedLife.net
Congratulations on the baby……those 3D ultrasounds are amazing aren’t they. I love the last photo with the look on his face….very excited. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane