2nd Ultrasound - 8 Weeks 2 Days

I had my first appointment (but second ultrasound) at the Center for Maternal and Fetal Medicine in Annapolis this morning. The facility seemed nice enough and the staff were friendly. Dr. Spencer reviewed my ultrasound results and he was very pleasant, as well. When I entered the ultrasound room, I started to untie my shoes and proceed to get undressed, but the tech stopped me and said that undressing was unnecessary and I just needed to hop on the table. She said she can tell who underwent ART to have a baby because those were always the ladies who start stripping once they enter the room.

Thankfully, Murtle seems to be on track and is doing well. Today she is 8 weeks and 2 days along. She measured 1.73 cm (up from 8mm at 7 weeks and 0 days) and her heartbeat was beautifully beating at 161 bpm (up from 122 last week). She technically measured at 8 weeks and 1 day, but that was considered to be ok and within the normal target range. So, that will be my last chance to see her until my first trimester screen at 12 weeks - four weeks away from tomorrow! Once again, I've been researching to make sure her numbers are ok and have been finding that chances are good that she is healthy and will make it to delivery. One of the most reassuring pieces of information that I found was that while the first trimester miscarriate rate is about 15%, for babies who have a strong heartbeat such as Murtle's at the 8 week point, the chance of miscarrying is only 1%. Whew! We're still planning on not telling anyone who didn't know we were undergoing IVF that we're pregnant until after the first trimester screening results come back - but that should be a perfect time because it will be just in time for Christmas!