First OB Appointment with the High Risk Doctor

Today was our first visit to the high risk doctor.  We will be seeing them exclusively through out the rest of the pregnancy.  We arrived at the UT office at 8 this morning and didn't leave until 12:30pm!!!  There was a long wait and we covered a lot of information.  First, we met with the genetic councelor and she explained all the genetic issues that they test for and how the tests are performed.  She also said our pregnancy was a lower-high risk pregnancy compared to others.  For that, we are so thankful!

Then, we went to ultrasound.  The babies both measured 9 weeks and 1 day....which is perfect!!!  Their heart rates were 175 and 171.  Baby A was dancing and waving his/her little arms and legs.  The ultrasound tech had a hard time getting a reading of the heart rate because of all of its activity.   It was sooooo cool to see those little arms and legs!!   Completely amazing!!  Baby B slept the whole visit.  But, the ultrasound tech didn't have any trouble getting a good reading on the heart rhythm and measurements.  I said the dancing baby was little Chad and the calm baby was little Linda.  The ultrasound tech said that both babies look great and the placenta and all the other stuff and junk look great  too.  We are right on schedule.  Bonus....graduated to the regular ultrasound probe!  For all those ladies out there....you know what I mean.     Haha!

After a hugely long wait, the nurse practitioner came and took us to another exam room.  LET THE INFORMATION BEGIN!!  Holy Schmoly!!!  That was a lot of information to absorb.  She asked lists and lists of questions and answered my lists and lists of questions.  She was so patient with us and took all the time we needed.  The wait to see her was well worth it.  Apparently, the most important weight gain for carrying multiples in the first half of the pregnancy.  Who would have thought?  Not me!  So, I have to begin drinking two ensure shakes a day with strict instructions that they cannot replace a meal.  Also, I have to begin taking more folic acid and add fish oil supplement and a calcium citrate tablet twice daily. (She said at the next visit she will add in a prescription for iron)  She also said that I could take Zantac at night for the heartburn (Hallelujah!!!!!!) and gave me a long list of symptom relievers for pregnancy!!  Its pretty cool that the NP and I are the same age and she has a 9 month old baby (and its her first).   So, she's up on how it feels to be pg and the relief from symptoms.   I feel like this is the right place for us to be.   It all just fell in line with this appointment.  After meeting the doctor for two brief seconds, he was off to do a c-section!  At the end of the appointment they sent us to the lab where they took about 50 vials of my blood.  The nurse was an excellent sticker!!  Thankful for steady hands especially when they have a needle stuck in my arm.

Our next appointment is in three weeks, when I will have a fasting 2 hours glucose test, ultrasound, bloodwork and a physical.  I am really looking forward to this next trimester coming up.  Hopefully, I'll have more energy, not be nauseous, and feel better.   I'm still not complaining....pregnancy symptoms are wonderful!  I am so thankful to have those little signs of our babies growing inside me.