Week 7 - Ultrasound

Anticipation

I was sooooo excited for today! I was scheduled for my first ultrasound since transfer day. Finally there is something in there to actually look at other than just my uterus! I was naturally a little nervous too. What if the scan uncovered something bad or abnormal?

7-Week Scan

The 7-week ultrasound isn’t typically performed, unless there are medical concerns, or like me – you’ve conceived through IVF. In these cases, your Doctor is monitoring your pregnancy much more closely than an average “healthy” pregnancy. The 7-week scan is an opportunity for Doctors to confirm: the number of embryos you’re carrying; that there is a fetal heartbeat; that the embryo has implanted in a safe location (ruling out an ectopic pregnancy); and, checking to make sure there are no issues with your uterus, cervix, ovaries, or fallopian tubes that might cause complications during pregnancy.

I went to the Fertility Clinic with a positive mindset. All was going to be fine, I kept repeating to myself.

Hello Wanda!

By now I was an old pro with ultrasounds at the clinic. Laying back on the examination table, I watched as the Tech prepared Wanda. The embryo is still much too small at this point to be detected from an external abdominal ultrasound, and so I prepared for Wanda and the transvaginal scan.

The transducer was inserted until it reached my cervix. From there the Tech moved it around until a clear image appeared on the screen. She then got to work taking various measurements.

My First Glimpse

After a while, she turned the screen towards me and showed me my little embryo. We could clearly see the gestational sac, which is the fluid-filled space surrounding the embryo. It looks like a clear, dark oblong shape, sharply contrasted with the white, opaque appearance of the inside of my uterus. Next she pointed out the yolk sac, which is the first thing to develop inside the gestational sac. It provides the baby with nutrients and oxygen until the placenta develops. It’s the white blobby bubble inside the dark gestational sac.

Finally she showed me the best thing a mom-to-be can see. A tiny flickering light… my baby’s heartbeat! The ultrasound machine didn’t have volume, so I couldn’t hear it. But that sweet flickering light set my mind at peace.

A Positive Report

So the appointment went very well. I got to see a tiny heartbeat flickering on the screen. I cried happy tears!!! The doctor called later that afternoon with my results. He’s very happy with our progress. The heartbeat is strong and baby is growing on schedule. I have to keep taking my hormone medications and I’ll go back for another ultrasound at 9 weeks.

I’m over the moon happy, relieved and so very, very tired.