So. Many. Appointments.
My Very First Ultrasound
Just two weeks after my initial information meeting with the clinic, I was scheduled for my first ultrasound. I was excited and nervous… and not at all sure what to expect. Of course I’d seen ultrasounds performed in movies. A cute young woman with a perfect little baby bump lays on an examination table with her partner holding her hand. They giggle as the technician applies a cold gel to her belly and glides a wand over her perfect bump and they all look at the screen and marvel at the magical heartbeat of her baby.
But what would this experience be like for me? I’m a bit older than “young” and I certainly don’t have a perfect baby bump… nor a flat stomach where a baby bump might grow. No, my tummy is soft and round and a bit jiggly. I strategically choose my clothes to minimize or hide my tummy, and I certainly don’t savour the idea of showing it off in all its glory to a stranger at close range.
Wardrobe Matters!
Nonetheless, I was excited as I sat waiting in the reception area. This is the first step… finally some forward momentum! The technician called my name, and I was whisked away to an area towards the back of the clinic. I was asked to change out of my clothes and put on a hospital gown, and then return to a second waiting area. I pulled the drape across my little change room and began to undress. The gown was a one-size-fits-all deal, which is a misnomer. I put it on and tied the closure strings at the rear. I secretly high-fived myself for bringing a long duster-style cardigan sweater that I could wear over top, so I didn’t have to flash my fleshy bum to all the other ladies in the waiting room.
Bloodwork & Full Bladders
Soon I was called for bloodwork, and an incredibly kind nurse made small talk with me as she prepared NINE vials for extraction. She was highly skilled, and I barely felt a pinch as the needle went in and vial after vial was filled. My blood draw was complete before I knew it, and I returned to the second waiting area. Next up was my ultrasound! By this time my bladder was near bursting, and I could see the other women waiting were in similar predicaments. A full bladder is required for the ultrasound, and we were all feeling very full!
Meet Wanda…
Eventually my name was called and I entered the examination room. Another kind technologist explained that she would be performing both an external and transvaginal ultrasound. Oh! I thought. They don’t show transvaginal ultrasounds in the movies… I had no idea. On with the show.
She began with the external ultrasound, applying that cold gel to my stomach and lower pelvic area, and gliding the wand all around. There was no sound, and I didn’t get to see the screen. Her face was kind, but expressionless.
With that part out of the way, we moved on to the transvaginal ultrasound. She cleaned the wand and applied a condom over the device, followed by some lubricant. A little fumbling and in she went… and that’s how I met Wanda! Inside she was navigating all around, trying to get images of my uterus and ovaries.
Keep in mind folks, I have a near-bursting bladder! She was trying to be gentle, but OMG I felt like that wand was getting pushed so far up that it might come out of my mouth! The tech was having a hard time finding my right ovary… and kept mumbling that it was hiding. Eventually she found it, took a few final images, and told me I could go empty my bladder. Hallelujah, such sweet relief! After that I was asked to dress and return to the first waiting area where I would get a call from the nurse before I left.
The nurse called to let me know that everything looked good with the first ultrasound, and that my appointment for the sonohysterogram was scheduled for the following week. I would need to take some antibiotics for a few days before the procedure, to prevent any chance of infection. I could pick up the antibiotics from the reception desk before I left today. I was impressed by the efficiency of the entire process.
Next Up… Sono!
I returned the following week for my sonohysterogram. This procedure allows your doctor to look at the inside of your uterus. It’s a safe test that uses sound waves and a computer to create images.
As I entered the examination room, I was surprised to be greeted by not one, not two, but THREE people! Dr. Hartman introduced himself, as well as another resident doctor who was accompanying him for training, and a technician. Three’s company, or so they say!
Up on the examination table I was lying on my back, with knees bent and feet in the stirrups. The ultrasound transducer (aka Wanda!) was covered with a condom and coated with gel, then inserted into my vagina. Next, the resident inserted a thin, flexible catheter into my cervix. A saline fluid was sent through the catheter to my uterus, while the transducer sent sound waves through the gel and into my body. The echoes from the sound waves create a real-time image of the inside of the uterus that shows the structure and any abnormalities.
During this part of the procedure I could hear Dr. Hartman saying “very good”, and “beautiful, yes beautiful!” I couldn’t help but wonder if he was talking about the shape of my uterus, or the resident’s technique?
As if he could read my mind, Dr. Hartman commented that my uterus looked perfect. There were no cysts or abnormalities detected, and the fallopian tubes appeared to be open. He was very pleased with how things looked. And I was very pleased to hear that he was very pleased. I breathed a small sigh of relief.
The resident removed the catheter and the transducer. The technician gave me some paper towels and explained that the saline would come out as I stood up. I was excused to the washroom to clean-up and get dressed, and advised that the doctor would call in 2 weeks to discuss all of my various test results.
That two weeks felt like a lifetime.
The Results
The phone call finally came, and the results were encouraging. Another, bigger sigh of relief. My bloodwork was normal and all looked good. My uterus looked excellent inside (from the sono), and outside (from the ultrasound). My fallopian tubes are clear and unobstructed. My follicle count was only four, which wasn’t wasn’t surprising given my age. This isn’t problematic since I plan to use donor eggs. A count of 8 – 10 follicles is considered best for natural conception. While conception is possible with less than 8, most patients need a minimum of 4 follicles to achieve positive results.
The overall result: there are no obvious reasons why I can’t carry a healthy pregnancy using donor eggs and sperm.
I am over the moon with this news! Like positively jubilant! My dream of becoming a Mom is a tiny bit closer.
