Before I could open the package, I had three children I needed to get down for naps. Today was one of those days where each of the Nappers went down easily.
I appreciate those days.
My hands shook as I sat down to open the package, read through the first few pages of instructions because that's just what I DO . . . and I might have been too nervous to just open the darn box and have at it, and then opened the batteries.
My previous doppler required headphones but this one has a speaker. After going into my daughters' room, I layed on the floor with my back propped up against their bed with some of their gazillion pillows and went to work.
By 11 weeks with previous pregnancies, I knew exactly where to stick the probe to find the heartbeat, with only the occasional wiggle to get the clearest sound. Because I was starting from scratch, with only my past to guide me, it took a few moments.
That "few moments" was probably less than a minute, but it always feels longer when you're on edge. The sonoline has a digital read-out that shows what heartbeat it is detecting. Several times I saw it detecting a rate above 120, so I knew something was going on in there, but I couldn't quite catch it.
And then I found the spot. With that whoosha whoosha so distinct only a woman who craves it above all else can understand. It's different than the sound of the placenta and umbilical cord . . . there is a more distinct slap that I think might be the sound of the heart valves slamming shut. It is more distinct and clear than any other sound.
I called my husband, wanting him to hear it before any others. He didn't answer the phone, so I put my phone on speaker and turned the volume on the doppler up. I hope he could hear it; I still haven't heard from him which means it is a very busy day at work for him.
Before shutting it off, I made a short recording.
My girls have heard the recording and I intend to let them listen live tonight before they go to bed and after Dash's daddy has a chance to listen.
I could also hear the baby kicking, and the sound matched the movement. So I am not imagining things and those small sensations are definitely the baby swimming around and bumping the edges of her pool.
I'll need more than Divine Help if we lose this baby.
As my dear sweet sister-in-law said this afternoon, "Keep growing big and strong, Rainbow Dash and make mommy as big as a house by January!"
Yes . . . Big as a House. That is EXACTLY what I want!!
