Dear Conor,
I have to ask the question "where did all the time go"? It seems like only a few weeks ago that Josh and I were waiting in the office for our first meeting with the midwife. Since then I have had a slew of doctor's appointments and wanted to write them all down so that I would remember what we did and what was discussed at each visit.
April 12, 2011
* this was our first visit - it was really just an "intake". We met with the nurse and then the midwife and discussed how far along we thought I was and my weight was taken and basic vital stats were gathered. Blood was drawn to ensure that I didn't have any infections or concerns to be worried about.
April 29, 2011
* this was the first official visit with the midwife. Vitals were taken again and we talked about healthy eating choices as well as issues with vitamins and what to expect over the next four weeks.
May 13, 2011
* second visit with the midwife. Vitals were taken and first trimester tests were discussed. We decided to partake in most of the testing other than the breathing tests because we don't have a history of these issues in our family. The first ultrasound was scheduled for June 1, 2011.
June 1, 2011
* this appointment was your first ultrasound. I went to this appointment alone because Josh had a closing for work. The ultrasound technician was really sweet and was able to point out your different features for me. She also printed a lot of pictures for me to bring home to Josh. I had blood drawn at this appointment as well. The purpose of this appointment was to look for genetic abnormalities that would trigger a need for further testing.
June 10, 2011
* this was our monthly appointment but it was also the follow-up to review the blood test results from the June 1st draw. The midwife was impressed with the images the technician was able to capture and said that things looked good. We also talked about how sick I had been feeling and I was given more information on what I might try eating and was told to stop my prenatals if they were causing sickness or to try taking them at night.
July 12, 2011
* this was another ultrasound appointment. Your Aunt Danielle came to this appointment as we were going to learn your sex and she had asked months prior if she could go. The ultrasound technician was not as pleasant as the previous one I had and she did not make it a very special moment (which is what we had all been anticipating). But, it doesn't really matter because this is when we learned you would be a boy and you no longer were just a "thing" growing in my stomach - you were a little boy. That afternoon we went shopping and I bought you your first set of pajamas. I also had blood drawn that would be used along with the ultrasound and the previous blood draw/ultrasound to screen for any abnormalities.
July 15, 2011
* this was my 31st birthday and it was the day that I received a call stating that a marker had shown up in the bloodwork. The midwife wanted us to meet with a genetic counselor to go over family history and discuss whether or not we wanted to have a procedure known as an amnio done. It was a very tough day for me because I was very worried about what we might learn and/or find by taking these steps.
July 18, 2011
* we met with the genetic counselor (who was very nice) and reviewed our family histories. There was no precursor for the marker in either of our lines and therefore it was up to us whether or not we wanted further testing. We knew that we did and so the amnio was done that day. The doctor was very nice and the bonus was that we got another sneak peak at you.
July 20, 2011
* we received a call from the genetic counselor who said that everything came back fine from the first series of additional testing and both Josh and I were so relieved. We received a letter a few weeks later detailing everything but we didn't care about what tests were done and what the rates were and what we had talked with the counselor about - all we knew was that you were ok and that's all that mattered to us.
August 19, 2011
* this was just a traditional check-up with the midwife to make sure things were going ok. Your heartrate was checked again (it is checked at every visit) and you were deemed to be doing well. I signed us up for birthing classes and set up the next series of testing. We also got a tour of the birthing center.
September 9, 2011
* gestational diabetes testing was done today and they also drew blood to check my thyroid and iron levels. I did not receive a call within 48 hours which means that everything looked good. You were in a head down position when the midwife checked you and your heartrate was good. Our next visit is October 7, 2011 and after that we start meeting with her every two weeks.
xoxo
Mom
