Wednesday's appointment went better than we could have expected. We had an ultrasound and could see the baby so easily -- a distinct head, body, arms and legs. And it looked like a baby, not like an alien! We also heard a good, strong heartbeat. The doctor measured it at nine weeks three days -- exactly on target with when I think we conceived!
The doctor was really practical, too, which was such a relief. We explained how we'd gone through IVF (without any conclusive diagnosis other than "ovulatory dysfunction" without a known cause) and how PGD had revealed chromosomal problems with so many of the embryos. And he was very matter-of-fact and realistic and said that obviously there was cause for concern and that we could do any of a number of things, starting with a blood test and nuchal fold screening ultrasound, then possibly CVS if there seemed to be an increased chance for Down's or something. He also explained that with increased certainty that there was increased risk to the fetus; with CVS there as a 1-2% chance of risking the pregnancy which, in his words, was not a small risk.
So we all seemed to be on the same page. They did the blood draw there at the hospital, and we're scheduled for a nuchal fold U/S in three weeks with someone who specializes in that, and then a follow-up appointment with the doctor the next day.
We were so excited and so relieved that (after lunch in Meppel) we called our parents. Of course they were so excited, too, and there was quite a bit of crying. Charles' mother screamed when I told her and said, "Oh! I knew you would!" My parents are visiting my great-Aunt Alice this weekend. She's basically like a grandmother to me and dealt with infertility herself. So I gave them the go-ahead to tell her in person. And then we called our siblings later in the day. I also sent an email to my two best friends yesterday to let them know. M had the funniest response so far:
ROCK the FUCK on. (Geez, I should be in the baby greeting card business, shouldn't I? That was like, fucking poetry.)
It's so much nicer now to be able to be excited and to tell people and have them be excited for us! For the previous five weeks I'd just been feeling nervous and scared and anxious and lonely. Now I feel like I'm allowed to get excited, and the balance is great!