Well, the good news is that we still have a heartbeat! I realize this isn’t really news at all, because why on earth wouldn’t we have a heartbeat at this stage, but frankly I’m still kind of amazed. My OB is a wiz at locating it with the doppler — the first time, he didn’t have to move it at all, just knew exactly where to place it like he was some kinda fetal psychic (also known as spending upwards of three decades finding heartbeats, I suppose); this time, it took him about two seconds to locate it, and let me tell you, that first second was the most terrifying second I’ve ever experienced and felt like an ETERNITY. But it was there, and lovely. They weighed me and it turns out I’ve gained a single pound in the past 3 weeks (is that normal? I seriously never weigh myself and have no concept of what a pound really means). Blood pressure was miraculously low. Finally, the doc asked if I had any concerns and I said, “Oh, you know, just that the baby is dead…” and then he said — he actually said — that I could come in and listen to the heartbeat any time I wanted. Now, maybe this is common in the U.S., but in the land of public healthcare, anything that is even remotely unnecessary just isn’t accommodated — they’re not even doing routine physicals, breast exams or pap smears anymore. I gave him a shocked look and was all, “Um, I’m pretty sure I shouldn’t be wasting tax payers’ dollars on quelling my totally unjustifiable fears.” But he insisted it was fine. Lastly, I wanted to make sure that it was all right that I still didn’t have any sign of a growing tummy, and his response? “Oh no, you definitely have a bump!” Erm, excuse me while I put that in bold. I tried to explain it was probably just my breakfast and lack of exercise he was noticing, but he sounded pretty adamant that it was firmer than last time and most definitely growing.
This is a weird phase of pregnancy to be in, I have to say, because on the one hand, I love that other people can somehow detect a roundness down there even though I can’t; but on the other hand, I’m almost certain I’ve been this bloated before and it really just depends on the time of day and the meals I’ve eaten and so forth, so it’s almost insulting when it gets pointed out to me (like, you wanna point out how big my boobies are too, Mr. Acquaintance I Barely Know? Didn’t think so). I also feel this need to avoid the awkward transition phase by either wearing tight pants and sucking in or doing the exact opposite — consuming a buttload of carbs and pushing it out so there is no mistaking it.
Just FYI, I have been taking bump pics (8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks) in my shitty bathroom mirror, but I seriously am hesitant to upload them here when all three look THE EXACT SAME. I don’t know… should I just toss them onto a “bump pics” page anyway? Or maybe wait until 20 weeks, when there is sure to be some sign of real progression??
P.S. I was going to try and post a funny comic or image or whatever about looking preggo when you’re really just bloated, so I Google Imaged “burrito baby” because this is the term I always use after having eaten a lot of Mexican food and feeling as though I’m going to give birth to a burrito. Anyway, this is what turned up in the results:
That’s not even a burrito — it’s a taco! Gawd, get it right, people.
Yeah, Science! 
Sounds like you have a really great doc! Don’t feel bad about spending some tax payers’ dollars. I like the thought that my money is helping out a friend :)
I def vote for yes! Share the pictures now. We will be very honest judges and tell you whether there is as a bump or not.
Mmmmm, burritos…
As someone who started showing at a ridiculously early stage (like 8 or 9 weeks), I’m kind of envious of your relative lack of bump. But yes, it is awkward to be in that stage where people aren’t sure if you’re pregnant or just letting yourself go.
I vote for starting the bump page now. :)
1) Your doctor sounds like a keeper. I’m having serious doctor envy after my horrible yesterday.
2) I bet the doctor is right about a tiny bump. Sure, maybe you’ve been this bloated before, but he’s been looking at pregnant bellies for 30 years. Not that I would know personally, but I bet a tummy full of gas has a little bit of a different feel to it than a tummy full of a 16 week old fetus.
3) Those burritos are making my stomach growl. A lot. Even though they are babies and not burritos. Which is really unsettling.
4) Please post a bump page. I am so on board for this!!!!
Husband asked me, “how the hell do you confuse a baby with a burrito?”, in reference to the wal-mart police call.
What a wonderful doctor! I’ve never heard that in the US they offer to just come to hear the heartbeat either, but I could be wrong. That is very sweet. Congratulations on your little bump, you are really having a baby!
If the billing is the same in Canada, prenatal care and delivery are billed as one global charge, so if you have 10, 15, or 20 visits, it’s the same charge. So technically you’re not adding extra costs to the healthcare system, if they use that billing scheme.
Docs in Canada get paid per visit. (Not much!!) However, if he measures the heart rate personally , he gets paid. Although you might wait an hour for the privilege
I did not look pregnant pregnant for quite a while either. I mean, Iooked in the mirror and was all “GAH! Look at that tubby lady!” but everyone else just thought I’d eaten too much for breakfast. I also didn’t think I had anything resembling a baby bump but my doctor assured me that there was a “nice pregnant belly in there.” Hang in there. You will be large and uncomfortable with the rest of us soon enough. Until then, enjoy wearing normal pants! I would have LOVED To have been 16 weeks and still in my regular pants :) I miss buttons and zippers so much!
I also thought of Lentil’s terrible doctor and am so glad you lucked out. What an awesome thing to say, and even if you never go, at least you know that you can. Tax dollars have been squandered on far worse, believe me.
Eagerly awaiting those bump pics! Let us be the judge!
Baby burritos have nothing on purritos. Seriously, Google it. It must be so weird to know that there’s a 16-week old baby in you and you can’t see or feel it yet! I’m glad everything went ok at your ultrasound.
I need that baby taco costume. For my own hilarious viewing pleasure and for blackmail purposes.
I feel like a jerk pushing you to share your bump pics when I haven’t done so yet, but screw it. Share, share, share!!!
Your doc sounds awesome! It took mine 1 excruciating minute to find the heartbeat at 12 weeks and I nearly had a heart attack. I believe I popped at 18 weeks or so, and when you do, there will be no turning back. Enjoy zippers while you can! Also, re: weight gain. .. not to be all Sunny Downer but mine picked up significantly at 20 weeks. I’m doing my best to embrace the numbers on the scale and enjoy. Very excited for you!
LOL at the burrito babies!!
Yay for a heartbeat!! I always felt the same way. I feared that there wouldn’t be a heartbeat, and occasionally I still do. Although once you start feeling movement, it’s a lot more reassuring. My doc also let me come in weekly for awhile to listen to the heartbeat when I wasn’t getting ultrasounds! That’s so nice that they’ll do that for you!! It helps a lot!
It’s funny you say the doctor noticed your bump, because mine did too before I was showing! They can tell by looking at the fundal height, I think. Soon, you’ll be growing even more – yay! I hope you do post the pictures!! I want to see. I bet we’ll see more of a difference than you. :-)
Congrats on 16 weeks – you’re doing great!! So excited for you!
Congrats on the great appointment! Such awesome news! Don’t feel the least bit guilty about spending the tax payers’ dollars… I work in healthcare, and I definitely see people who take advantage of the system here in Canada… I would not say that going for a few extra HB checks is taking advantage. When you need reassurance, I say- go for it!
Lol… love the baby burritos/ taco! Hilarious!