When I became pregnant with my second child, I was overjoyed but also cautious because I had gone through a miscarriage before I got pregnant again. Still, I was optimistic and elated that I would have a second child.
The doctor’s visits went well and so far the baby looked healthy whenever I had an ultrasound. But during one visit the doctor looked up at the sonogram and told me that my baby wasn’t moving. He turned up the volume as loud as possible on the ultrasound and he said there was no heart rate. I was devastated. I couldn’t begin to comprehend those words. I had been through this before; devastated after learning that my baby was gone.
The doctor told me that I should let my husband know right away and that he should come to the office so that we could schedule a procedure. He didn’t think my baby was alive. He then told me that maybe I should get a second opinion at the hospital next door because his equipment was not that great. I told my husband to drive to the hospital right away. His office was about 1-½ hours away so I knew it would take him a while.
I went to the hospital and since I didn’t have an appointment, I had to wait for a long time in a crowded room. I faced the wall so that I could contain my tears and digest the news that once again my baby would not make it. I was finally ushered into a room where the attendant brought up the image of my baby on the ultrasound. She was quiet at first and then she looked happy. She said that there was nothing wrong with my baby and that he was breathing just fine. All of the emotions of having to face the loss of my baby and now being told he was actually alive was surreal. I was so overjoyed and I called my husband right away. He had just arrived. We cried tears of joy.
It was unfortunate that my doctor’s ultrasound equipment could not detect a heartbeat. Had I not gotten a second opinion, my beautiful child would not be here today. He was born healthy and I had no complications during pregnancy. Always get a second opinion!