12 Week Appointment

Today was our 12 week appointment. Jay has his last test before the first year of medical school ends on Friday and unfortunately a review session was scheduled for the same time as my appointment. Luckily, he got out early enough to come anyway and I was happy he could make it.

This appointment was longer than last time, especially as I had a whole list of questions to ask our midwife. I've been keeping a running list on my iPhone as things pop into my mind--I definitely recommend doing that. For example, I was VERY happy to learn she does not do routine episiotomies (in fact, she she has only ever done 3-4 when the baby was in distress and still tries to make it a last resort). If you don't know what an episiotomy is, google it, but NOT if you are at work or easily grossed out! I asked other questions about how she handles going overdue, labor, induction, who her backup is, and how the baby is treated immediately after birth. So far, I am very happy in our choice of provider. I never felt rushed, even though I asked questions for 20 minutes. I feel spoiled when I hear about people who barely get to see their OB during appointments! My goal is to go into labor understanding why/how everything is done and what my options are and our midwife is doing great at helping me accomplish this.

On the medical side of things, my blood pressure was normal and I apparently lost two pounds. I *highly* doubt that trend will continue, as I am starting to feel like a normal person again, but it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. The best part--we heard the baby's heartbeat! It was 160 BPM. I was a little nervous because it seemed like it took a really long time to find, but the midwife and Jay both said they heard it quickly, it was just harder to lock on to. I guess that is one benefit of Jay chasing me around with a stethoscope all the time asking to hear my heartbeat! The midwife told us now that we have heard the heartbeat via doppler, our chances of miscarriage are extremely low--wahoo!

Finally, they took blood. I was NOT excited about this part as I really don't like needles, but actually, it wasn't bad at all. I looked away and Jay talked to my while it was going on--they take a good bit of blood, but it only took a minute or two. Jay took a Phlebotomy course a few years ago and it was interesting for him to watch. He said the lady was good, but if she had held the needle in, the insertion point wouldn't be quite so bruised now. (I twitch my arms a lot--drives my mom nuts)

My next appointment is at 16 weeks and should be pretty routine. I've already pre-registered for the delivery and we are going to sign up for a hospital tour soon. I also need to take a pre-baby bump picture soon. Nope--nothing yet, but we keep forgetting to document the "before" and it might be too late soon!