Suckers and Doppler Drama

Park and Chris came with me to my Dr.'s appointment last week so we could all share in hearing the baby's heart beat for the first time.

Dr. White placed the Doppler on my stomach, after securing his place in Park's heart forever by presenting him with his first lolly pop. While Park chomped away, we anxiously awaited that beautiful sound to fill the room.

And waited, waited, waited, and waited some more.

Finally, he called for the nurse to bring in a different Doppler, all the while assuring me there was nothing to worry about. One of the reasons I chose him as my doctor is his amazing bedside manner. 

I don't care how qualified you are, if you can't treat me like my opinion counts or care about me as a human being, I'm so out of there. Unlike some others I have visited briefly in the past, it is such a blessing that Dr. White is competent, compassionate, and supportive. (Let me show some love here to Sarah and Bridget for insisting that I meet him!)

I was fairly calm even after the second Doppler did not locate the heartbeat. We were moved into a different room to skip on to an ultrasound. But, my calmness turned into pleading prayers when the tech could not find anything after putting the gel on my stomach. I searched Chris' eyes to see if his heart held the fear that mine did, but thankfully I found nothing but calm reassurance.

Well, in all honesty, in that moment it irritated me a bit that he was so peaceful in the middle of such stress. But, as usual, my irritation came more from conviction than anything else. God has given us this little life and instead of panicking, I should have simply rested in His sovereignty and ability to take care of us no matter what. 

Being married to a a man that lives out his faith 24/7 often gives me the opportunity to see which areas I need to grow in. Sigh.

Without hesitation Dr. White stepped out for a moment so the tech could quickly skip to the next type of ultrasound (read between the lines here), and before he could even re-enter the room we were all praising the Lord for the beating heart and fluttering arms on the screen.

I have never been so thrilled and thankful to see someone waving to me in all my life. Park immediately squealed, "It's my brother and he is waving at me!"

(Note to self: Go back over the conversation with Park about how thankful we will be with WHATEVER God gives us, a brother or sister.)

About that time the baby began to suck its' thumb and we all watched in amazement. They explained the reason we had such a hard time hearing the baby's heartbeat is because my uterus is tucked behind my bladder.

Perhaps this accounts for why I visit the restroom 105 times per day?

After reassuring us how healthy and how well this baby is developing, the tech and Dr. White turned off the screen and left the room. Chris, Park, and I celebrated  a bit and then got our things together and headed to the front desk to schedule the next appointment.

About that time, Park said, "I can't wait to come back and get another lolly pop from Dr. White next time! (Decided not to break it to him just then that he won't be joining me for every appt...) Hey, and what was that pink Dr.'s name, Mommy?"

Confused, I answered, "Dr. White?"

"No," he said impatiently, "Not the white doctor, the pink one!"

It took me a minute, but I finally realized that the ultrasound tech was wearing pink. Chris and I got a good laugh out of that one. 

Thank you Dr. White and "Dr. Pink" for your calm spirits, peaceful reassurance, and compassion during a stressful visit.

And of course for the lolly pop, too.