Big announcement: I can’t wait
Posted on November 13th, 2010
My wife and I attended our first prenatal appointment yesterday. After receiving our first positive pregnancy test almost six weeks ago, we couldn’t wait to find out more.
Stacks of literature were dumped on our laps to prepare us for what to expect–and most of it is what you’d expect: symptoms, growth charts, tips for dealing with anxiety, etc.
More importantly, we were able to share two life-changing moments:Â the first time we’ve heard our baby’s heartbeat, and our first hint at what our baby looks like.
The doctor warned us that it was still early, so we might not be able to hear anything. As she took her fetal pulse monitor and placed it on Brenda’s belly, we listened. I held my breath as I sorted through the sounds we heard–the static, squishy noises (I assume they must have been Brenda’s digestive tract), and a couple of faint sounds that might have been the liquid thumping of a tiny heartbeat.
Then the doctor found the right spot. Strong and clear, we heard our tiny offspring (or is it still in-spring?) beating away, growing in Brenda’s uterus.
For the ultrasound, at ten weeks pregnant there wasn’t much to see except for the baby’s heart beating. However, we could see the faint outline of a tiny body resting at the bottom of the screen, with a heart flashing a bright white.
Outside the womb, Brenda and I smiled at each other. A moment of pure joy.
For her, it crystallizes the first time that she could prove she was pregnant. Without hearing the heartbeat, she would have been disappointed until our next appointment, and somewhat adrift until she could “feel” pregnant. She’s been one of the lucky ones who hasn’t had much nausea or other symptoms typical of pregnancy.
Except, as her husband points out, extreme fatigue and sleeping all the time.
For me, it’s a precious milestone on our road to becoming parents. I’ve always loved helping kids become whoever they’re going to be. Now I’ll be able to pour my energy into my own child and his or her (or, eek! their) friends. That doesn’t mean I’ll stop doing other things, just changing my focus.
As my wife will rapidly point out, only one heartbeat showed up on the ultrasound, so we’re pretty sure there’s only one in there.
Unless, my devious writer mind fishes up, multiple heartbeats were perfectly in sync. Or the doctor stopped looking once we found the first.
But we’re pretty certain it’s just one. Really. And one will be plenty of responsibility to handle at one time.
As I mentioned to the doctor when we arrived, “we’re thinking of becoming parents.” At ten weeks along, we’re heading in the right direction.
I can’t wait. 🙂
Omg!!! Congrats to you and your wife!! How incredibly exciting!!!
Thanks, Danielle! We’re looking forward to it (to say the least). 🙂
So happy for you and Brenda! I am glad you are documenting this experience – it will be so fun to read in the future. You are going to be great parents!
Thanks, Brenda! We certainly hope so. It’s definitely going to be a good learning experience.