On Friday, for the first time in the last five and a half harrowing years of infertility, I saw and heard the beating heart of my growing child. No matter the outcome of the next 33 weeks, that swish and flicker is cemented on my own heart.
The whole of last week my brain felt like it was on fire. As much as I was genuinely trying to visualize the outcome I want to see, I couldn’t push away the intense anxiety leading up to the first ultrasound. I’m not being dramatic in saying that it was one of the worst weeks of my life. Every tiny pinch or twinge or pseudo-pain my brain told me, this is it, you’re miscarrying. This is happening again. There’s, unfortunately, nowhere to hide from the negative thoughts in your own brain.
I don’t want this post to be overrun with my anxiety, but I write this to say to anyone else out there in a similar position: I hear you. It is so terrifying to wait while you feel like your mind in running full speed toward a cliff.
On the drive to the clinic, I was, as always, looking for signs, wearing my magic bracelet. Anything to help prepare me for what was to come. The previous night I’d had only bad dreams. I’d texted my best friend that I was sure it was my subconscious telling me it wasn’t going to be okay. She replied, “NOT THIS TIME.” I wanted to believe her. Then, on the radio in the car played the song that I walked down the aisle to at my wedding. It was the first time in at least a week I felt like there wasn’t a boulder resting on my chest.
Fast forward to the exam room. My husband and I didn’t really look at each other while we waited. I don’t think we could. I closed my eyes and silently asked all of the people in my life that I’ve loved who are now gone for this to be okay. Please, let this be okay.
When my doctor and the greatest nurse on the planet entered, the tension was palpable. My doctor asked how I was feeling and I eeked out something to the effect of, “I’m really scared.” He nodded, in his warm way, and said, “I’m terrified.” That actually gave me a lot of comfort. He’s so invested in our outcome.
It didn’t take very long after he’d started the ultrasound for me to see the flicker. I said, quietly, “… is that…?” And he nodded with a huge smile. Then all the tears. I reached for my husband’s hand. I looked at him, and he started to cry, too.
Again, I’ll pause my touching story (ahem) to say here that infertility is incredibly hard on relationships. All relationships, but particularly marriages (or partnerships). Sometimes you feel miles apart in the same room. This moment, watching my Alpha Male ex-cop shows no emotion husband cry at the sight of the ultrasound screen allowed me to reconnect with him, and our passion to have a child. I’m so grateful we could share this.
By this time the greatest nurse on the planet was also openly crying. My doc definitely had tears in his eyes, too. Then he turned on the sound and the swishing of the heartbeat brought on another wave of tears.
5BB is doing great right now. Heartbeat very strong at 123bpm. Measuring (then) at 6 weeks, 4 days, just one day behind my transfer timeline. All signs are positive. My husband has nicknamed the embaby Little Wookiee.
Wanna Be Mama B. 
Oh thank God!!! I have been on the edge of my seat waiting to read this post.
And I get how something you want so bad for so long is completely terrifying once you get it. I had to go to therapy my whole pregnancy because it was terrifying constantly! So if you feel yourself needing that, it’s okay!
And omg, picturing you all crying in that room just makes me heart melt.
Congratulations so freaking much!!!
OMG!!!!!!
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Thank you! 😊 Sorry to have kept you waiting!
I go to therapy regularly and will definitely continue to for the duration. Need to keep this anxiety in check for sure.
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OMG I am crying. What beautiful beautiful news❤️
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Thank you! 😊
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Omg so unbelievably happy for you!!! So glad I found your blog 🙂 Crying as I read this!!!! Enjoy every single minute!!!!! Looking forward to the updates<3
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Thank you so much 😊
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I am having a cry reading this beautiful news. May your pregnancy be safe, empowering, and restorative. I hope in time, the anxiety makes way for great joy and peace. Congratulations!!!!
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Thank you! 😊
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YES! I’ve checked every day for this post! AHHH! I’m so happy!
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Thank you! Xo
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Congratulations! That is absolutely amazing news! I found your blog googling chronic endometriris. We’ve had two failed fresh transfers and one failed frozen transfer and one embryo left. I’ve tried antibiotics twice to clear the CE. They are recommending a D&C to get rid of it. Did you do a D&C? Did it help? I’m desperate at this point.
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Thanks so much!
I’m sorry you’re also dealing with chronic endometritis; it is a bear. Mine cleared after a second round of antibiotics (it was a 3-plus week round with about 2000 mgs per day). I didn’t realize a D&C could be an option to get rid of it… interesting. TBH I suspect I got the infection that caused the CE after a D&C following my first pregnancy (in my research it is one of the top causes), although that can’t be proven. That’s, of course, not to say that wouldn’t work for you. Have you considered a second opinion? Good luck to you!
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Thanks for responding! I literally read through most of your blog yesterday and I can relate so much to everything. I’m going for the D&C later this month and I’m terrified. I’ll look forward to reading more of your updates. When will you have another ultrasound? Best of luck!
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I’ll keep you in my thoughts for your upcoming D&C! I hope they’re able to clear the CE!
My next US is later this week, and my clinic will be “graduating” me. I have very mixed feelings about that. With my history I think going to a regular OB, without the near-constant care of my fertility clinic, will spike my anxiety.
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That’s such a big milestone! I hope your OB is as attentive as you RE office. I know how you feel…so many RE appointments over the years it feels like home and it’s hard to leave. I’ll be following along with your updates.
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