Friday, August 17, 2012

THE ULTRASOUND: PINK OR BLUE...or both?

(Disclaimer: You cannot tell from the pictures!)
So, today we went for the big ultrasound, which was preceded by some lab tests for Susan. After some poking and prodding, which wasn't too bad (phew! I really don't like needles in me!), Mom and I headed to Waiting Room 2 for the nurse from Maternal-Fetal Medicine to escort us to the ultrasound room.
Now, I have had the same 2-person team every visit to MFM since the first time I went there over 2 years ago. (For readers who may not be aware, Erin was prenatally diagnosed with an enlarged kidney, hydronephrosis, which needed to be monitored via ultrasound monthly with MFM following the discovery.) Angela and Maryanne are a great team, fantastic ladies, and when I was that poor, worried mom, they were faces of comfort and stability, which I am so grateful to have had. So when I had my 12 week ultrasound with MFM (after the twins discovery), I was thrilled to see two familiar faces. As I waited for my appointment, I even saw Angela walk out with another patient, greeted her briefly, and told her I was going to see her today. Then Maryanne came out, didn't call anyone back initially, but responded to my greeting to her. It's a good thing, too, because I was on the books, but the receptionist in the waiting room wasn't there to tell her I had arrived, so she didn't even know! She checked the schedule and called me back. But to my surprise, while waiting for Angela, who does the ultrasound, to arrive, another lady with an Eastern-European accent named Barbara came in. She would be my tech for the big announcement. I didn't want to show my preference/loyalties to Angela and make Barbara feel bad, so I just asked where she was and she explained that they take turns. OK, I thought. Hopefully I'll see Angela next time!
Now, notice I haven't mentioned Brooks yet--he has a court stop in Rolling Meadows just before my appointment, so he arrives a little later. Thus, we inform Barbara that we need to wait to learn the sexes of the babies until after he has arrived. She dutifully sonograms Baby A, who is on my left side, but today was on the "bottom" and transverse (sideways). No Brooks yet. I take a break from laying flat on my back for a while, my dizziness subsides, then he finally shows up. Time for Baby B to be the star of the show. Baby B is higher, and not closer to the cervix, so that's why it's B, not A. Regardless of how many somersaults they turn and which position they are in, A will be born first, because their stuff is closer to the exit. :)
Barbara printed off a bunch of pictures of Baby A's profile, one of B's face, and one of the two of them. I can't say I'm impressed by the first 4 pictures, but the last one makes up for it at least. You can clearly see 2 different baby bodies, side by side, not just heads, not just blobs (that's the top photo). And for now, Baby B (see below) looks like Skeletor from He-Man fame with a big bullet hole in the forehead. Kinda freaky for a mom to see, but at least the profiles are cuter. :)

So Barbara finishes with the fetal survey of Baby B, then goes to look for "parts". When she finds the parts she says, "Baby B is a boy," and I heave a sigh of relief, giving Brooks' hand a squeeze. My nightmare last night of having 2 girls was no longer a fear--Brooks would not be insanely outnumbered by girls in the house! Yay! Now, I find it a little strange that these people in the medical field just call them "boy parts", not giving their normal names, even Dr. Yang, the perinatologist that we saw today. 
Then, she moves the wand to Baby A, looks for parts, and finds them, which I could not see, even after Dr. Yang came in and did the recap scan and showed us. Apparently, I'm the only one--Mom and Brooks thought it was quite clear. Oh well! Barbara then proceeds to say, "And Baby A is a boy."
Immediately, I am surprised. What are the chances of this? Brooks later says that he is nervous for me (if they are anything like Elliott, I'm in trouble!!!) Ok, so is that surprising enough? 
Here's the biggest surprise to us: Dr. Yang, during his "portion", then tells us that we might have identical twins.
WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!???!?!! Yes, since they are both boys, it is possible that a fertilized egg split in the first 1-5 days after conception, causing us to have 2 boys in two different amniotic sacs and two different placentas. Great for us, but now my worst nightmare might come true--I might not be able to tell them apart unless I write on them!!! 
In conclusion, if you are getting rid of boy stuff, especially baby boy stuff with a winter birth, please let me know. :) I'd be happy to take them off your hands. 

3 comments:

  1. Yay!!! I will ask Julie if she has anything. A lot of stuff she can use with Charlie and I can use with Colby, but since the twins were Feb, I know there is some winter stuff.

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  2. Oh, Susan! I am so excited for you!! A little scared, but very, very excited :) How fun! I hope you are doing well and enjoying this amazing time!

    Ali

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  3. I have read your article, it is very informative and helpful for me.I admire the valuable information you offer in your articles. Thanks for posting it.. Ultrasound specialist

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