OB Appointment (17+4)

Since my first OB appointment was at almost 14 weeks, I won't go on the traditional schedule (8, 12, 16, 20, etc.).  Today was my second appointment with the OB office and I am 17+4 today.  I saw Dr. Bedia, which is who I saw for the majority of my appointments with Gavin.  

The baby's heart rate was 150 today, which means it has been fairly consistent - it was 158 at our last appointment.  My blood pressure was pretty low (even for me) at 90/59.  My weight was a pound less than it was 4 weeks ago, but this appointment was first thing in the morning and that one was mid-afternoon. So I'm chalking that up to the time of day of data collection.  My BMI has officially crossed 20 (it is 20.07).  Dr. Bedia was pleased with how my belly is growing so far.

I asked about 3 things: getting a Covid booster, doing second trimester blood screenings, and my hernia.  The doctor said he would recommend getting a Moderna booster when it becomes available simply because I am pregnant and that makes me immune compromised.  Otherwise he would not recommend it.  He also recommended doing one of the two optional blood tests - the neural tube defect screener.  It will check for any defects in the baby, but also tells about the health of the placenta.  So I went to the lab after my appointment to have blood drawn.  Finally, he looked at my hernia and said he anticipates it will require surgical repair.  However, he recommended waiting until we are done having babies, so I'm assuming it wouldn't have to be done immediately after this baby is born.  If it does indeed require surgical repair, I would try to schedule it over winter break or the following summer.  Whoopie.

Since this baby is a result of IVF, we will have our anatomy scan (20-week ultrasound) performed at the Perinatal Center downtown.  The nurse sent them a message and they called me right away to schedule.  I was able to secure a 4:00 appointment for this upcoming ultrasound as well as a follow-up scan 4 weeks later (to check growth and take a detailed look at the baby's heart).  These are both routinely done in IVF pregnancies and it gives us a chance to see our babe in lots of detail!  

I go back in 4 weeks for my next OB appointment.  I will see Dr. Gabel, who I have only seen once before - I believe for my 6-week postpartum check after Elsie was born - and I liked her a lot.  She was also the doctor on-call to deliver the day we were admitted to the hospital with Elsie.  Unfortunately, Elsie took her time making her appearance and Dr. Gabel went home before she was born!  We had a great experience with Dr. Mintzer, though.  At that appointment we will discuss the results of the ultrasound with the doctor.