We Have a Heart Beat!

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So, this morning I headed off to the doctor, after being totally scared by my doctor's report yesterday. The ultrasound at first showed just an empty sac. I was getting so discouraged! I knew that was not necessarily "bad" for how far along I thought was, but I still wanted further confirmation that all was well. I was praying very specifically for a heart beat to show up.

The ultrasound tech could not get one of the images she wanted using the one type of probe, so at the end she switched over to the other type (that is usually less detailed). She wasn't trying to get a picture of the pregnancy, but she did take another look. Then she started to look closer. I saw something flickering on the screen that was faster than my own heart beat (which I could also see on the screen.)

"Is that?" I couldn't finish the question. I have learned sometimes that the techs are not allowed to say what they are seeing or what stuff means.

She then switched back to the first probe to try to get a better look. It didn't work. So she went back to the less detailed one. Then it was forever before she could get that little flicker back. Finally, there it was, a little blob with a little heart beat. I felt the tears in the corners of my eyes. At first she could not get a reading on it, but then she was able to - 113. Later, the nurse practitioner said that was on the "low end of normal" which was perfect for how far along I was measuring - 6 weeks, 1 day. That measurement lines up with where I think things should be at this point.

I am so thankful for God answering my specific prayer to see a heart beat today. It helps me to relax, gives me permission from Tim to share our news, and also stops the every-other-day trips to the doctor.

Six weeks is still REALLY early, and I know that, but I also know that a heart beat is one of the best indicators of a viable pregnancy. It absolutely amazes me that at just six weeks gestation and measuring a half of a centimeter (stop and think about just how small that is!) the baby has a beating heart. Many women do not even know they are pregnant at this time!

So, we are expecting baby #5, which would be baby #3 to join us here on this earth. The "official" due date is May 23, so Tim got his wish - I will not be pregnant at all through the summer!

Comments

The Harrisons said…
I am soooooo happy for you :-) I'll be praying for a very healthy pregnancy!
September 29, 2011 at 2:05 PM
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