That little beating heart

Our first OB visit was yesterday and everything was great. We had to wait a bit to see him (per the usual) and then we were there for three hours! Peed in a cup, bloodwork, got an exam, a cervix check, and an ultrasound to check on the Gobbler. Baby is still doing fine. Was measuring at 8 weeks, 6 days (I was 8 weeks, 4 days) and a heartbeat of 176 bpm. We got a 3D shot of it and it is starting to look a little more like a baby. Every time I see that little beating heart, I just melt. It's so damn cute flickering on that screen pumping so fast. And I just think, that's our baby in there! Which puts me at ease that this pregnancy is real and happening.

The doctor did a great job answering all of our questions. I'm still on restriction to no working out, sex or heavy lifting and although I am off of all the hormones from IVF, I still need to take the baby aspirin. But I should hopefully be fine after the first trimester. I was up about 2 pounds since I was there in November and through my many questions and concerns, I am going to start seeing a nutritionist to keep my weight gain to a minimum. The doc and I both agreed I should not gain more than 10-20 pounds more.

We go back in two and a half weeks for another ultrasound and the MaterniT21plus test which basically is a new kind of blood test they use for Downs (Trisomy 21, 18 and 13). At 36, I am right on the curve where the risk goes up for Downs so we figured this blood test will let us know what our true risk is. I am definitely ruling out having an amniocentesis. It's just not worth the risk.

I did have a little spotting after we went to the doctor which stopped about 2-3 hours after. I wasn't panicked I just figured it was because of the cervix check. But the doctor forgot to mention that and J and I looked it up online. I was fine this morning too so I am sure that it what it was.

So that's it. I have therapy today which should be interesting. I haven't been for about three weeks because of vacation so I am sure I have plenty to talk about. But maybe not. I've just been so happy, content and calm but at the same time kind of to myself. I am just kind of in a weird place not knowing really what to do myself. I think maybe the tiredness is making me feel so weird and that next trimester I begin to feel like myself again. Well at least I hope.