Thank You Ultrasound Tech Guy!

Up until now, there has been very few pivotal moments in my life: the first day of my first job, receiving my college acceptance letter, and my wedding day. I’m sure if I really thought about it, I could list a few more. But, the last few months have brought about many metamorphic changes (both physical and emotional), which culminated today when we had our 20 –week ultrasound…

Up until recently, aside from a plastic stick with a couple of blue lines and a shadowy picture of what could really be a large peanut that didn’t digest, the only exterior signs that I’m pregnant were my constant nausea and sleepiness—which were also my only internal signs. If it doesn’t sound like a terribly happy and exciting time, that’s simply because it wasn’t. In fact, it sucked (for lack of a better word). All of this physical misery comes with a super-sized side of guilt, because everyone knows that pregnant women “glow” and that it’s one of the happiest times of your life. Well, it’s hard to glow with one’s head in the toilet. All of this is to say that, despite taking my vitamins and beginning to shop for supplies out of what I can only describe as a feeling of obligation, I have not felt terribly bonded to my little peanut. After all, it’s hard to bond to something that you can’t feel or see and that makes you feel fluish.

…The walk through the parking lot and up the elevator was terrifying! Up until today, we’ve declined to hear the results of any test that might indicate a problem with our baby. But, there we were, minutes from seeing our baby on the big screen; steps away from inevitable information, whether good or bad. Although I have been changing shape slightly, I have not had nearly the weight gain nor size change that my pregnant coworkers have. Neither have I been certain of feeling the baby move (though I’ve been told the feeling of bubbles in my stomach is actually the baby moving). So, I’d contemplated the idea that something could be wrong. I held my breath as the jell was spread on my belly and the wand searched for the initial image. And there it was! Part by part the ultrasound tech worked his way through bones and organs, explaining what things were as he went. Much of it looked like grey and black blobs, but the profile and bones were very distinctly a baby. All parts appeared to be in their place and in working order, with a 99.9% chance of it being…a girl! We then got some pictures, one beautiful profile and one face shot that reminds me of Skeletor (I can say that because I’m the mom. You should only say sweet things if you see it.) Then, after I got to work, a colleague that I haven’t seen in a few months saw me in the hall and stopped with a look of pleasant shock. She is officially the first person to notice, without me telling first, my pregnant belly.
All in all, a fairly pivotal day; we got to see our healthy baby girl, I’m officially beginning to look pregnant, and I didn’t feel nauseous all day! I may not be glowing yet, but I definitely feel a bit of a sparkle coming on.