Once the fertility clinic got my HCG results and were happy with them, they had me schedule my first ultrasound. Since I never have any first trimester symptoms when I’m pregnant, I find ultrasounds to be very assuring. Otherwise, I have no idea what’s going on in my body.
I attended the ultrasound alone and I had been told I would not be able to FaceTime or take video during the appointment. But at the last minute, the ultrasound tech did let me take video. So, it was a great surprise for the intended fathers when I sent them a video of a flicker of a heartbeat! I was only 5 weeks and 5 days pregnant at the time, which is very early to see a heartbeat, but it was there!
Two weeks later, at 7 weeks 5 days pregnant, the intended fathers made the long drive from Buffalo to my area to attend the second ultrasound. This time, I had gotten special permission for both of them to attend. It was wonderful for them to see the ultrasound in person, speak to the ultrasound tech, and see the heartbeat. Interestingly, as a rule, the clinic doesn’t listen to the heartbeat until the second trimester, so we didn’t get to hear it, but we certainly saw it, and it was measured as 164bpm which is perfect.
The appointment was quick, and afterwards, the intended fathers and I headed out to lunch so we could spend a little time together and exchange holiday gifts. I had made them a shadow box with a onesie, two of the positive pregnancy tests, and some other items. They gifted me a Buffalo plaid robe, a surrogacy-related mug and ornament, and a beautiful necklace.