0  | 

I found this helpful Thank You! Your vote will be tallied soon!

I had a fetal echocardiogram last week as a routine double check since the doctors found a slight hole in my heart during my first pregnancy.   This particular heart defect usually causes no symptoms and indeed I never knew I had it, but during pregnancy it has this itsy bitsy complication of possibly causing maternal heart failure and death.   The drama!   Now I'm going to end up in everyone's death pools.  

I actually was worried about this during my first pregnancy, and ran around giving my coworkers emergency instructions and contacted my husband in panic with every heart palpitation.   But I am less worried this time around, as I am fairly certain that ALL rest, including eternal rest, is going to elude me for a long time.  Still, there is a certain protocol followed to be safe (the doctors safe from malpractice claims, I mean).
 
After last weeks extensive echo/sonogram performed by the technician, the perinatologist came in to earn his keep, swiped the transponder around a few times and said "I don't see any issues.  Do you want me to do an amnio?"

"What!? An amnio? Why?" I asked, alarmed.  The doctor shrugged.
 
I said, "Well um, no actually, I don't but is there is a reason you are suggesting I have an amnio?"

"Not really" He said. 

"Ok", I said, trying another angle, "Is there anything you saw on any of my tests or files that would lead you to recommend an amnio?".

"Not specifically" he said.   I, unsure why I was even having this conversation, left sans amnio.   My only guess was that the office was short on parting gifts or free vitamin samples and instead offered me amnio. 

I told my regular OB about this at my visit later that day.  "Oh they are always looking for things to do! You don't need that." she said, exasperated. 

Good to know.