Sunday, April 26, 2009

6w5d with triplets... Houston, we have heartbeats!

Today's long-awaited ultrasound was a sight to behold. For a realistic infertile, seeing the heartbeats is like the holy grail of realization. This is the moment it all becomes real.

I've read that a baby's heart starts beating around the 20th day after conception, but that usually only becomes visible on va.ginal u/s during the 6th week.

We purposefully scheduled the heartbeat u/s for late in the 6th week, to have the best possible chance of seeing all three heartbeats.

A young but experienced Nurse Practitioner performed the scan. She saw the first heartbeat instantly and didn't hold out on us. (Pointing to a flickering on the grainy black and white image:) There is the baby's heartbeat right there.

She moved the wand to position it so we could see our second baby. "I definitely see the second heartbeat. There."

Then it took some careful scanning to look at baby number 3, who is significantly smaller. "I see the yolk sac and a fetal pole, but no heartbeat... yet." It may not continue to develop, or we might see it next week." I was calm, because I had a feeling that baby 3 is okay, but just a little slower.

She scanned upwards to take another look at the first two and measure them. Then she went back to baby number 3 and there it was. "Oh look! Now I see the heartbeat on baby number 3."

Tears stream down my face. Relief. Hubby grins from ear to ear and squeezes my hand tightly. After all the waiting, this right here is the most amazing, life-changing moment. Three heartbeats. Three live babies. All doing fine so far. How can anyone be so blessed after infertility?

I feel guilty for feeling such overwhelming joy in the face of all my friends who are still in the trenches, fighting Endo, unexplained fertility, male factor, etc. etc. I want a happy ending for everyone.

21 comments:

Amber said...

So glad you were able to see all 3 heartbeats!! Congratulations again!

I'm looking forward to following your pregnancy!

Carrie said...

YIPEE!!!! Three perfect heartbeats! I am so happy for you!!! Isn't that flickering the most amazing sight ever? I am so glad you saw your babies all perfect and healthy.

I had a bit of a shock today... read my blog if you get a sec. We have lots to talk about. ;)

Hugs and congrats!!!
Carrie

'Murgdan' said...

Awesome! :-) So happy happy happy for you!

Anonymous said...

Looking good guys....all 5 of you! Hope you are feeling well....not too many symptoms...yet? Sounds like you are :) Wonderful.

Been watching this space for updates....it has been a long week,,,,,then I realized your next scan was only this weekend! Well, there is no turning back, indeed you are fully preggers now...

Was just thinking...do you have a "due" date? I know multiples....don't translate into 9 full months...your babes might just share a B'day close to our little Amelia. We started the process with her a year ago this past week......Amazing right. Keep documenting it is just awesome to read and witness. Love and Hugs and take it easy all of you!

Shaz

My Endo Journey said...

DON'T FEEL GUILTY!!!!! :) This amazing! Enjoy every single moment!!!

Nikki said...

Congratulations! Hearing those heartbeats must be so so precious! Hugs to you and your DH - and good luck!!

Mrs. Gamgee said...

Please don't feel guilty for celebrating... And three heartbeats is certainly something to celebrate!

Emmy said...

That is so amazing. It sounds like you have a stubborn little one who likes to hide already!

I am very happy for you!

Megs said...

Really glad you were able to see all three heartbeats!! Will be checking in to follow your journey :) Yay!!

Kate said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Oh that is such wonderful news-- so glad you were able to see all three--- what magic, truly.

And you can feel BIG JOY and still be a wonderful sympathetic person- please do not feel you have to do anything but celebrate.

tireegal68 said...

Hi - I happened on your blog in the ICLW list.
Wow what a wonderful surprise to find you and your three amazing heartbeats here!
congratulations - enjoy the excitement and thrill of it - you deserve it big time!!!!

Anonymous said...

oh congrats mama, that is such a sweet moment. *hug*


iclw

Chelle said...

WOWEE!!! I have been reading, but not commenting. Well, I shall remain silent no more!! WOWEE!!!

I am so excited for you. Congratulations. That is wonderful you heard the hearbeats!

Anonymous said...

how amazing!! congrats and yay!

Tam said...

Just wanted to pop by and say Congratulations on your 3 heartbeats, that's truly amazing.

Wishing you all the best xxx

Anonymous said...

Yes, survivor's guilt sort of steals a BFP's thunder...don't let it! Be blissfully happy for you and those three flickering little hearts. So happy for you!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! What a wonderful feeling, when you see that (those) heartbeat(s). I wish you could bottle that.

Somewhat Ordinary said...

That is pretty cool! Seeing one little beating heart is amazing I can only imagine how much more amazing seeing is!

Ms. Perky said...

Congratulations! Please let me know if there's any advice I can offer, having been there, done that, outgrown the t-shirt. ;)

Anonymous said...

Hi, Murgdan referred me to your blog because after a failed IVF we too are jumping right back in. I’m so glad to see it worked for you. Congratulations!! I was afraid I was the only one crazy enough to do back to back IVF’s!

ME! said...

Girl- don't ever feel guilty. You deserve this, and this is YOUR time!! I am so excited for you!!! I am so happy everything is going so well. {{HUGS}}