To do the level II, or not to do… that is the question!

That’s the big question. My doctor on Friday told me that because of this stage of the pregnancy and my age, and past history of one 2nd trimester miscarriage, she would like me to have a Level II ultrasound. Unfortunately to have a Level II done, I will have to go to a high risk specialist and sit through their speil about how I have a better chance of becoming Miss American than I do having a baby that doesn’t look like ET, with massive internal organ failure and a 20 second life span.



Now my doctor recommends this ultrasound and she is a very pro-life doc. She studied at the Pope Paul VI institute, she does not prescribe contraceptives, she teaches NaPro Technology, very very Catholic – I couldn’t be happier with her. But I think as a scientist she just wants to know exactly what we’re up against, or at least what we could potentially be up against.



As a clinician, she said that it would give us a chance to prepare for any eventuality, grieve, mourn make preparations – as though a dire outcome is just inevitable.



So I did what any one in my position would do – I sought out the advice of my girlfriends! My one friend buried a Trisomy 18 baby 9 months before I lost my baby. She went with the Triple Test (which was normal!!! HA!!!) and then had the Level II ultrasound where her world started crashing in.



My other friend lives in upper Michigan and at 46 she opted for the Level II also. Her reasons seemed practical. Up there the primary hospitals are few and far between and if there was a big problem she would want to deliver in a bigger hospital like Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint etc.



But both of them gave me the same advice- do what feels the best. If it feels the best to celebrate this child’s life NOW, and not spend the next 1/2 of the pregnancy in grief and sadness, then do it. Pick a favorite devotion, practice it religiously, have this baby and myself blessed and then let God’s will be done.



And frankly that’s where I think I’m headed. I live close to some very fine hospitals and two renowned Children’s Hospitals. So if there is anything wrong I’m not worried about the proximity to good medical care. And if the baby has a life ending disability – well I’ve BTDT, I know what to do, who to call and I feel very comfortable with that possibility. On the other hand, if nothing is wrong (and that is what my instincts are telling me) then I just want to be in anticipatory bliss, without incurring additional unneeded medical bills, and more decisions about more and more invasive procedures.



But I’m open to opinions so feel free to share.