Thankful Thursday - Ultrasounds

Yesterday was my 20 week ultrasound appointment!  It's the only ultrasound my doctor orders (unless there's an problem), so I was really excited about it!  Plus, I was able to find out if we were having a boy or a girl!

I was told to drink a lot of water one hour prior to my appointment.  32oz to be exact.  Right away I knew I'd have a problem.  My bladder doesn't hold that amount of water for any amount of time!  But I dutifully drank my 32oz at around 9:30.  We got there to check in at 10:15 and I knew I couldn't hold it any longer.  I figured that if my bladder filled that full in 45 minutes, it would fill again if I chugged a bunch more water right then.  I guessed I'd still have about a half hour to wait.

And I was right.  Right after I came out of the bathroom, they called my name at the registration desk (My appointment was at the hospital, and I had to check in at the emergency room desk).  I grabbed three styraphome coffee cups and asked the lady if she would fill them for me--all they had in the waiting room was hot water for coffee.  She gave me a bit of a weird look, but then realized that I was coming in for an ultrasound and agreed to get me some water.  She came back with two bigger cups full of ice water.  While I drank, Derek answered all the registration questions.

She then sent us over to another waiting room.  We waited there for another 10-15 minutes and then finally they called my name.  Just in time too because I was thinking I'd have to start the process all over again!

Thankgoodness the full bladder part was only about 5 minutes.  The very kind ultrasound technician let me take a short break (again, thank goodness there was a bathroom within the ultrasound room) and then we continued with the ultrasound. 

It was so neat!  Part of the specialness of the experience was the fact that my dad was able to come with us.  Since my brother and I were both adopted, he and my mom never had the whole experience.  All three of us were shocked with the amount of detail you could see!  We could see all of the organs, once the technician pointed them out of course! :)

The pictures all have labels.  To enlarge, click on the picture.

Unfortunately, they didn't give us a printout with the tell-tale signs of gender.  :( Must be some modesty thing.

And we have...   

A GIRL!

Or at least that's the professional opinions of the technician, handyman, engineer, and caregiver in the room! :)