No More Shots!

We had another appointment today, and everything still looks great!  Gosh, it feels amazing to say "looks good!" three appointments in a row!  We're treading on new territory here!

They put us in a room to wait for the doctor, and I was a little disappointed to see that there wasn't an ultrasound machine in the room.  I saw the doppler, and figured that perhaps that was all we would get today (if you remember, she had intended to see us in a month, then offered only a two-week wait when I shared my concern).  We ended up waiting a bit for the doctor, but when she arrived, she whisked us into a different room to see the baby. 

Wow!  He/She has grown!  My husband and I were both in awe (it's so fun to hear his exclamations!).  It was really fun to see him/her moving all around, waving at us, kicking, jumping...you name it.  We could distinctly see fingers and toes and long legs.  And call me crazy, but I swear that the baby is totally grinning at us in this shot (the scanned version is a bit fuzzier, so the "smile" isn't quite as visible):

The doctor initially marked down that she'll see us in three weeks, but then realized that she'll be out that week so gave me the option of two or four weeks.  I chose the two weeks, even though my husband won't be here.  Sure, I wish that he could be here for every appointment, but I also recognize that I need to be brave.  And I also am just anxious to see the baby again.  It truly is amazing to track the growth and development...and to fall more deeply in love with each time I get to see him/her. 

Since things are looking good so far, our doctor shared that she had consulted with a perinatologist, who agrees that since all of my bloodwork has come back normal so far that I can stop the heparin injections.  I'll continue on the baby aspirin, but she feels confident that this should be enough.  I admit that the tiniest little part of me wants to continue them as a "just in case" precaution, but ultimately, I trust my doctors...and more importantly, I trust God.  The original test (in February 2008) was only slightly elevated, and the doctor at the the time waved it off as probably a fluke.  The second test (in September 2009) was easily in the normal range, so I really had thought at that time that I was good to go.  I was rather surprised at the start of this pregnancy when the RE suggested that I continue them "just in case"...so I really do feel mostly okay with going off of them now.  My husband, on the other hand, is beyond relieved.  He absolutely hated watching me give myself shots (or rather, he couldn't bear to watch me, and simply hated the thought of me doing them).  I finished up the Progesterone supplements earlier this week, so those are now done as well.  So I'll continue with the Metformin and baby aspirin, along with the pre-natal vitamins and folic acid.  I pray this is what this baby truly needs!

It was such an amazing blessing to see the baby again today!  I am overwhelmed at God's goodness!  But I was also blessed yesterday with an opportunity to be a good friend.  I'm sure that the assortment of ice cream that I brought along helped as well, but I really feel like God opened my ears to listen and gave me the words to say to bring comfort, hope, and encouragement.  I recognize that God has blessed me abundantly, and I pray that He continue to introduce me to opportunities to be a blessing to others.