Chat with my Doctor

I really like my doctor - she is very kind, and very straight up. She says it like it is. She was encouraged (and slightly surprised) that the baby has grown, but still has doubts due to the low HCG levels and low heart beat. So...we talked around various scenarios. She is going to be on leave for a month (!!!) over Christmas and New Years, so has given me the details of the doctor filling in for her, and will clue him in.

The basic upshot is that if I am still pregnant in two weeks we will do another scan then. She wants to take me off the close monitoring at this stage as right now it serves no purpose other than confirming that I am still pregnant, and that there are concerns. There is also some concern about too many ultrasounds in the first trimester, so it's not wise to keep doing them weekly.

So, assuming I don't miscarry between now and my nine week date, I will have another scan then. And depending on that scan's results, I will then be passed over to a specialist. I'll have one blood test each week just to keep an eye on the levels - I can't say I will miss the three times a week tests!

We also talked about what to do if I do miscarry - what signs will point to the need to go to the emergency department at the hospital, and what can just happen naturally at home. So, I am prepared for that eventuality, but hope it doesn't happen of course.

So, the basic prescription for the next two weeks is light duties, to take it easy as much as I can, to rest and relax and generally take care of myself. And wait and see - which seems to be the story of my life right now.

Emotionally I am ok. I have a few tears from time to time but am trying to be philosophical and accept that there is nothing I can do to change the outcome of this pregnancy. I feel attached to my wee blip, but it's all up to him/her at this point. I hope he or she hangs on in there.