An Amazing Journey: Ch. 8 -- That's a Long Needle! About This Page:

[Jennifer Marx]

That's a Long Needle!



The day of our amniocentesis procedure had arrived. We left the house early on Monday morning so we’d get to the hospital on time. But between needing to get fuel for the car and fuel for our bellies, we wound up being a bit late. I was very worried about this, as there was a big warning on my appointment letter that if we were more than 15 minutes late we might have our appointment cancelled. But as I stood there trying to get my anxiety under control (and probably my blood pressure, too), we were called into the appointment. Whew!



The genetic counselor and her assistant greeted us and led us back to an office. Here we sat with them for an hour while we went over our family histories with a fine-tune tooth comb. The counselor was very efficient, and had even done her homework regarding Dave’s transposed chromosome. She didn’t give us any information that we didn’t already have, however, which is really a relief. Basically, due to my age, we have a 1 in 192 chance of having a baby with Downs or other chromosome abnormality, and the transposed chromosome adds a bit more to the odds. We were also assured that they’d be looking for birth defects on the ultrasound during the procedure, and if anything was found, we’d be told right away.



When we were done we met the doctor who would perform the procedure, and he led us back to an ultrasound room. We started out with a nice, long look via ultrasound. This was the first time Dave had watched an ultrasound in person. It’s always very cool to actually see inside and get a look at the baby. They measured the head, which was about 18 weeks and 2 days (I was actually at 17 weeks 5 days at the time) -- close enough. Then she took a good look at the heart (beating at 153 bpm) and such. No problems were found. Yay! We’d mentioned that we wanted to know the sex, so the tech went off in search of it. Unfortunately, the umbilical cord was between the legs and she couldn’t tell. She said perhaps a girl because she couldn’t see boy parts.



The amniocentesis procedure itself was next. They first cleaned up my belly with alcohol to kill germs, then I was draped with one of those scary-looking sheets with a hole in it, like you see on TV when they perform serious operations. The doctor then announced he’d be numbing the area of entry with some lidocaine. Ouch! That stuff poked and burned! And I knew what was coming next... the long needle from you-know-where. I didn’t look at it, just closed my eyes tight. He pushed it in and DARN if that didn’t hurt. I wonder what was numbed, ‘cause I sure felt most of it. Especially when it got further in and went through my uterus. OUCH OUCH OUCH. I ventured a look at the ultrasound monitor to see if I could see the needle, and to assure myself it wasn’t too close to the baby. I couldn’t exactly see it, but I could see a “disturbance” go in and then come out. And then it was over. What a relief! It really hadn’t taken long at all.





Ultrasound at 17 weeks and 5 days



When it was all over, the tech checked the baby’s heartbeat again. Then she left to print out some of the ultrasound pictures. I asked the doctor about what could go wrong with the procedure. He filled me in, but told me if something were to go wrong, it would likely happen in the first 24 hours. The tech came back with four ultrasound prints in a folder titled “Your Baby’s First Photos.” Cute. The ultrasounds showed the face, profile, body, and... the gender! (Both boy and girl parts are visible on ultrasound if you know what to look for.) Yep, we now know what our baby’s gender is, and both the tech and doctor are quite positive about it. The amnio results in two weeks will confirm it, of course, but it seems very clear at this point anyway.





Ultrasound at 17 weeks and 5 days



After waiting around for some more bloodwork, we went home and I promptly got into bed. I stayed there, for the most part, until this morning -- just about 48 hours, per my instructions. It got boring quick, but I knew I wanted to do whatever I could. I was warned I could experience cramping, but I only had maybe 30 minutes of it later that first evening. I had no other untoward symptoms, and I feel like I’ve conquered that hurdle. Everything feels just fine!



Now we wait until March 15 (or so) for the results. I feel anxious, but not too bad. My infertility doctor said that you can often tell that there are problems on the ultrasound long before the amnio results, and all my ultrasounds have been perfect. But I guess I can’t really relax until I hear all is well.



An Aside from Dave...



Jennifer’s eyes were closed during the procedure. She asked me afterwards about the needle. I could not tell a lie — it was looooong. Jennifer is quite a trouper. She said that the procedure was over quickly, but the doctor drew three vials of amniotic fluid (I don’t think she knows that). To me, it seemed like that took a long time, and it wasn’t even my body that was being skewered.



And it was fascinating to watch the ultrasound.



I survived the amnio without any complications! We’re stll waiting for test results, though.



Oh, did I forget to mention the gender? It’s a...



BOY!



I’m totally ecstatic about it! I thought for sure it would be a girl because Dave’s brother has all girls, and even my family has all girls (not that that really matters in these things). And I know that girls are stronger in the womb, and I thought that might have given this one the edge to survive. I secretly wanted a boy because, well, I don’t know... because it would be different? It would be the first boy in both of our families. And while I have no experience with taking care of little boys, I’m up for the challenge.



It’s amazing how knowing the gender makes it seem so real suddenly. Instead of “it,” it’s “he.” Instead of “Baby Alexander or Alexandra,” it’s “Alexander.” It’s much easier to imagine now. It shouldn’t matter, and yet it does.



When I told my Mom, she was beside herself — I think she squealed or something. She always wanted a boy (she’s just got me and my sister). When Dave told his Dad, he said he sounded very happy... “someone to carry on the Marx name.”



Honestly, I’d be happy with a healthy baby regardless of the sex... but it’s still very neat to know.



My next obstetrical appointment on March 17 went great -- good blood pressure reading, good weight (haven’t gained any yet, unbelievably, and I most definitely “look” pregnant), good ultrasound, and no infections or problems. Alexander was sucking his thumb during the ultrasounds -- very cute.



[Read the next chapter.]

[Dizzyknee]

Yes we felt the same way about finding out the sex before the birth! It makes "him" a real person suddenly.

And you aren't denied the surprise you just get it at a different time.

My daughter had an ultrasound when she went overdue. We could see the baby sucking its thumb, and oh! was that helpful. We could understand when she was born why she was a bit difficult to feed, for she had gotten very used to sucking her thumb with the thumb under her tongue. That ultrasound was very useful.

[RaySharpton]

<font color="blue"> ºoº I am just loving these chapters Jennifer and Dave. ºoº

ºoº And I agree with your comment"...as long as the baby is just healthy..." But I must say that you might have had a lot to do with that healthy baby because of your learned knowledge and the instincts to know what to do with the knowledge. Many parents may get prenatal care, but they may not followup on complications like P.I.H. because they may not know what to do or what it can do to the fetus. ºoº

ºoº I love studying your ultrasound films. ºoº

ºoº On to Chapter 9. ºoº

ºoº Sincerely, ºoº Ray ºoº </font>