Once again throwing all logic and rationale to the wind, I woke up this morning and was convinced the sunshine outside my window meant my ultrasound would go just dandy. All this week, I’ve been coping with my usual dread that we wouldn’t see a heartbeat or we’d find out The Embryo Formerly Known as Lazy Embryo wasn’t growing on schedule. Add to this the fact that my husband is away for work, and it was just bad feelings 24/7. I couldn’t even blog, ladies, that’s how terrible it was. And yet, for some reason, I felt OK this morning, largely thanks to the aforementioned weather conditions in Toronto, as if I couldn’t possibly have a miscarriage while the sun was shining.
Fortunately, my gut was right. Yet again, I had the massively pregnant ultrasound tech, but this time I was kind enough to hurl fewer daggers at her via my gaze. Then when she started moving the wand around my stomach, she mentioned the transvaginal ultrasound that was coming up, and that it “should be the last one after this,” which sounded reassuring. Finally, right before the session was over, she turned the screen toward me and pointed out the embryo and the heartbeat.
I was shocked. Some garbled nonsense came out of my mouth. The image looked like all those images I’ve seen belonging to real, live pregnant women — but it was ME! As if!
Granted, it still looks more like a series of blobs than an actual human, and I have no freakin’ clue where its head is, but those are MY blobs up in that picture, bitches! And they’re measuring at 8 weeks 1 day, with a heart rate of 173, which means I’m officially transferring to an OB. I was kind of speechless as my fertility doc said, “My work here is done.” Then he gave me a hug, which I thought was nice.
So with that, I’m renaming Lazy Embryo as the new and improved Right On Time Embryo. My husband also calls him Spark, because that’s all he was on the ultrasound screen at the time of transfer, but frankly I think that nickname is a bit too cutesy.
Anyway, thank you all for being such a wonderful source of support throughout this insane process and having faith in this little guy when I didn’t. I’m sure this journey will involve a heck of a lot more stress and anxiety, but for once I’m feeling genuinely excited about it.
Yeah, Science! 
Woo hoo! Yay for Right on Time Embryo/Spark!
Glad you had a great appointment and that you will no longer be subject to the dildo ultrasound!
Yayyy I love this! You should throw yourself a graduation party. That is a beautiful blob you have there, and I’m so happy that he/she is no longer being lazy. So happy for you, girl! The sun is shining indeed.
WOW! I’m so proud of this little embryo! Way to make up for some lost time :) This just makes my day, lady!
congrats! what fantastic news :) Happy Days are here again!
YAY!!! I knew ROTE was gonna be perfect! Good, strong hr and the yolk sac and baby look awesome! (the head is on the left looking if you’re looking directly at the screen) Just beautiful!!
OK, I was guessing the head was on the left and the yolk sac was the thingy down below! Good to know that’s right… :)
Woohoo!! So happy for you. :)
Yeeah! Fabulous news! So happy for you! Maybe you can cut him a little growing slack now ;-)
Wonderful news! That’s a nice, clear picture! And what a great heartbeat!
Looks great! Way to go!
NB: technically, at 8 weeks it’s now Right on Time Foetus!
OHHHH! Crap, I totally forgot when an embryo becomes a fetus — thanks for the correction, Jane! Will rename him yet again in my next post. :)
I’m going to call him Bomberman… cause that’s exactly what he looks like :)
I want to let you know that your blog has been a bright part of my day and one of the things that keeps me going. I work for the company that makes the IVF oocyte imaging system (we named it Oosight) that I am proud to be able to say has helped you bring a new life into the world. Ironically for a life science company, we just lost a friend and colleague to cancer. He was an inspiration to us during this past year. One of the things he was proud of was the work he and we did to develop instruments for research into cures for cancer and in your case, “assisted reproductive technology” (ART). It’s somehow comforting to me to know that as one life leaves, another begins. Thank you.
What a sweet note, Ross, thank you! I do believe the Oosight made a difference in helping the embryologist select the right blastocyst to transfer in our case — and it reassured me to know that this process may have weeded out any embryos with chromosomal issues. Very sorry to hear about your friend, though, that’s so sad. Take any/all positivity you can get right now, I suppose…
Bravo little fetus! I am so glad that things are working out so well for you. And yeah, sun = good. Although it’s still cold as a mofo out there.
Yay! Perfect! Just perfect!
Awwww…your blob is so cute! And happy graduation!
Ohhh! Yes! There certainly is A THING IN YOUR THING! Crazy! I would guess that its little fetus’ head is on the left. And I think you can see the little arm buds. Of course, I also have a realllly good imagination. But, whatever. I’m calling the left blob a head and the little pointy blobs on top hands. I seriously think they’re hands.
That’s his head there down at the bottom. Little arm buds and a tail like skinny body pointing up! :) congrats! You got a peanut! :)
very exciting! there is something so terrifying about the unknown and anticipation of that darn ultrasound, and so joyous when it ends up ok. congrats!
Woohoo! Not only to the lovely ROTE but also to no more dildo cam! That deserves a celebration all its own!
yey! how very exciting!
“There’s a thing in my thing! Gah!” LOVE IT! Way to go Spark! (At least it’s not Sparky?) Glad to hear great news!
So very, very excited about the thing in your thing! And it was very sweet of your fertility doc to give you a graduation hug. Congrats, girl!
Yeah!!! What a great update! So excited that your little slow starter graduated to a a right on time embryo. So happy for you!
Whoot whoot whoot!
Way to go, baby! Great news!
Omg, I just love your sense of humor and writing style!! “There’s a thing in my thing!” That’s how I felt, too hehe!
More importantly, YESSSSS!!!!!!!! :D I am so so pleased to see this news!! What a beautiful little gummy bear!! Perfection! CONGRATS!!
Hooray!!! How amazingly wonderful :)
Def a thing in your thingy! And I love the rechristening :D