Goodbye, Dr. Hot

The good news (I’ve grown tired of “burying the lead” for dramatic effect): Today’s ultrasound showed everything is completely normal. Heartbeat is at 140 bpm, measurements show the embryo is 7w1d. Technically, I’m 7w3d, but Dr. Hot says that’s no problem whatsoever. M and I now have a pretty little picture to scrapbook.

From the beginning of this pregnancy, I’ve wanted someone to look at me like I’m completely insane for worrying so much. That, to me, is reassurance. Dr. Hot did just that today. He even joked a little, after I spent the entire appointment anxiously asking questions like, Was he sure the measurements really were fine? There really wasn’t anything abnormal? After removing the wand, Dr. Hot said, “Well, I hate to tell you this, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with you or the baby.” Later, he reminded me (all in the most loving way possible) that women have babies are the time. Then I reminded him that the women who come to this clinic have spent a damn long time trying to get to this point, and they sure as hell don’t want to give the baby up without a fight. He nodded--he knows very well what I meant; he just wanted to reassure me.

At the end of the appointment, he shook M’s hand, and as I put my hand out for a shake, he hugged me instead. Um, awkward moment. But it was very sweet. I jokingly told him as he left that I hoped I would never see him again. He paused (taken aback, maybe?), then said he hoped I would at least send them pictures.

And that was it. M and I walked out of the clinic feeling like we were on top of the world. Yes, we know we still have a long way to go, but we feel good for now.

On the downside, I’m getting sicker and sicker. We’re going to State Fair tonight with M’s parents, and I pray I’ll be able to at least get a corn dog down.

Oh, and here’s a little nugget for you to chew on: We traveled to southeastern Missouri last weekend to visit my grandparents. When I told my grandma I was pregnant, the first thing she said was, “Well, I hope we’ll still be around by the time the baby comes.” Don’t you love how my grandma doesn’t have an ounce of self-absorption in her?