{flump} the dating scan


I think that the dating scan is one of those really exciting and scary moments in a pregnancy; it marks a milestone moment where I think it all really starts to become real that you are growing a tiny human inside your tummy. I know that for me it has always been a day that I excitedly look forward to... until the time when the day arrives and I turn into a big bag of nerves. And I was no different this time around. There was the busy usual grind of a Tuesday morning; preschool drop offs, babyballet class, preschool pick up... and then all of a sudden I was guzzling loads of water to fill my bladder to capacity and in the car on the way to the hospital.

Having done this a few times before now, Rich knows better than to speak to me in the waiting room. Rich is a talker when he's nervous; he talks all kinds of nonsense to fill the silence. I bottle up nerves and become very, very quiet. At our twelve week scan the first time around we nearly got divorced in the waiting room... so he's learnt to keep quiet, and this time we made the decision that we wanted the children to be able to experience the scan along with us (all being well), so Rich was given childcare duties, while I sat quietly stewing and worrying and playing out crazy scenarios in my head.

Then my name was called and it was time.

They prefer to complete the initial ultrasound checks without children in the room, and then invite them in later once the really medical part of the procedure is over. So I went into the room on my own, got comfy on the bed, the lights were dimmed, the above bed screen was turned on, I felt that warm jelly on my belly, and then up popped my little Flump, and the sonographer said she could see one little baby wriggling away with a strong little heart beat.

And I cried.

I didn't cry at previous ultrasounds, I was overwhelmed with excitement yes, but something felt very different this time. I think that fact that I have been in a funny head space for most of my first trimester, and the fact that I had been feeling so guilty about not feeling very much about this pregnancy all came to the forefront of my brain. And all of sudden I realised how incredibly thrilled I am to pregnant, how incredibly relieved I was to see a healthy little baby growing and moving inside me, and how incredibly silly I had been to be worrying and feeling the way I had. In that exact moment when I caught my first little glimpse of my new baby I felt so utterly blessed that all I knew to do was cry.

The main role of this scan was to date my pregnancy, and crown-to-rump measurements straight away showed that my midwife's predictions were out by two weeks, and that instead of a twelve week scan this was a fourteen week one. I sat in awe watching my chilled little bub relaxing in my tummy while the monographer did all the necessary checks. Unlike my first scan with Splodge (who would become the beautiful girl) where they struggled to get accurate measurements from a total wriggle pot, Flump played ball like his or her big brother did when he was still Dollop, and just lay there very obediently to be measured, rolled over right when it was needed, and just did the occasional wave for us.

Before I knew where I was they were calling my family in, and then it got even more exciting. Both the children looked really concerned at first; to be coming into a dark room to find Mummy lying on a bed with her tummy out. But we pointed them towards the screen overhead and the sonographer flashed up their first little glimpse of their baby brother or sister.

Then the words were tumbling out of my mouth. Words I wished I had thought to plan. "That picture up there is a baby, and its growing inside Mummy's tummy." Hearing the lump rising up in my throat, Rich jumped in with "That is going to be a new baby brother or sister for you. Isn't that exciting?"

And without missing a second, excited noises escaped from both my big babies. A simple "Wow" with accompanying mind-blown facial expressions from the little man. And "Baby. It's my baby. It's a baby." from our baby mad little lady who just took it all in stride like we tell her that kind of thing every day of the week.

And then it was time for me to have another little blub, when my sensitive, caring and lovely little man took a step away from his daddy and sister, stroked my arm and said to me in the most earnest of voices with the most sincere look in his eyes "We're going to take really good care of you Mummy."

Then the reactions and questions started. "When will the baby be here?" "Does it come out of your feet?" "Is that an x-ray?" "Why does the baby look grey?" "Does it have any hair?" "Can I see it's eyes?" "Can it hear me?" "Is it's brain big like mine?"

And the amazing sonographer answered all sorts of questions that can only come out of the mind of a very inquisitive four year old. She showed him different parts of the baby's body and explained how the scan worked. Rich and I explained to two children already arguing about whether it was a boy or a girl, that you get what you're given with babies and that they are amazing whatever they are.

In a word, the whole thing was magic.

I am so incredibly glad that we took the children with us. We had wondered whether it would be a good idea, whether it might be a bit manic or confusing for them. But it wasn't. And they both loved getting to see their new sibling wriggling in Mummy's belly. And we loved getting to share that special moment together as a family. It marked a moment of big change.... up until that moment I had still thought of us a four, but ever since I have thought of us as a five.


And think this may just be a total twin for his or her big brother... their little facial profiles are so so similar. (Here's the little man's scan photo and you'll see what I mean.)

29 comments

  1. Ahh bless them. I bet it's all exciting in your household. :-)

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    1. Soooo exciting! Can't believe quite how excited the kids are actually, it's adorable. x

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  2. Lucy, this is lovely. Just lovely. What a precious moment to share with your little ones. Now they've just got to get their heads around he six month wait!xx

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    1. Hahaha, the waiting bit isn't going to be easy... for me as much as for the children. x

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  3. Beautiful! We took our son along for our scans with baby no2 aka Bumper, and it was lovely that he was a part of it. Congratultions x

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    1. I'm so glad we took them. We didn't take the little man when we were expecting his sister as we just didn't think it would mean much to him, but he did come to the 16 week midwife appointment where you get to hear the heartbeat for the first time, and we were so thrilled he got to be a part of that. x

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  4. Awwww. I cried at both my 12 and 20 week scans with Paige and Parker. I also cried reading this post! So so sweet. How exciting to find out you are two weeks further along! Flump does look so much like BB scan. Maybe another boy :P xx

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    1. Hahaha, you are clearly a scan crier! I'm so not normally though, I'm more of a private crier than a public one, but I just felt so emotional. x

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  5. Ooh this is so beautiful, think I got all emotional just reading that (I'm blaming those pregnancy hormones haha). I think I worried way more this time than with Indiana, it doesn't get any less amazing though does it xx

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    1. I think the worrying definitely seems to get worse each time... it just feels like there is more to lose somehow, if that makes sense. But fortunately everything looks good. x

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  6. And it is your turn to make me cry. Beautiful and congratulations to you all.

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  7. This is a lovely post Lucy. It sounds like it was just magical for you all. Somehow reading this, made me start thinking about having a third myself? hahahah. I've not even had my second yet!! I'd better not tell Adam that that thought just crossed my mind!! ;) xox

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    1. Hahahaha. I love it.. you don't even have number two yet and I've already convinced you three is a good idea. x

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  8. The colleague sitting opposite me just asked if I am crying. "No.. I just have really bad... hayfever..."

    Sob. Sniffle.

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    1. Awww, bless you. Sorry! But hay fever IS really bad at the moment. Totally acceptable excuse. x

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  9. Awww how cute! Such a sweet post! x

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  10. Oh what a gorgeous post! I've never taken the kids with me for a scab but I totally wish I had! What a lovely way to break the news x x x x

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    1. I'm so glad that we took them. Don't think we will at twenty weeks because the scan is so much longer, but so glad they got to be a part of this one. x

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  11. Aww what a lovely post and how lovely to have the little ones with you! I've never taken any of mine to my 12 week scans - I'm too deep inside my own fears to be able to parent at the same time - but I have a habit of ending up with extra scans later on and I've taken Kitty to see bump Elma and both girls to see bump Pip and it was always so much fun - although Kitty was never quite convinced that the scan of Elma really was a picture of Elma!

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  12. Oh my I had tears how very special for you. My third pregnancy scans were always rushed as had a baby with me who hated them. I think third pregnancy your busy with other kids its just not a thought really.

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  13. What a beautiful post - I love your children's reactions, it must be so wonderful to have taken them with you to the scan! I was so nervous before my 12 week scan, and I cried the second we saw my son's tiny beating heart. That moment of reassurance when they tell you that everything is fine is just the most amazing feeling xx

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  14. What a beautiful post, I love that you could all share that moment together and that your children took it all in their stride! I cried at my 12 week scan but thy had just told me I was having twins, I cried at most others just happy to be told they were ok. I think it gets more nerve-wrecking with each pregnancy but it is so good to hear that little flump is doing well, just think that your two little ones will probably remember this moment in the future! So sweet xx

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  15. Oh hello little Flump. *waves I can't wait to meet you. I guess this means I best have a third so that you have a little friend too when you all come to play at ours. lol Great excuse to tell Mr P he has to have another. hahahaah So cute. I love scans and how exciting it is after you have seen and heard them on the screen. Lovely post Lucy.

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  16. Amazing, such a fantastic scan picture! I remember how nervous I was with my two 12w scans. I also go VERY quiet when nervous and deep breathe a lot! Both times I remember drinking soooo much water beforehand, my bladder actually got in the way! I was so worried I hadn't drank enough :) x

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  17. Awwwwwwww, congrats!!!!!!! I was about to cry just reading this. We are expecting Baby #3 too. It's so exciting but I think also that we are just too busy with 2 kids at first for the news to sink in. It didn't really hit me we were having a real, live third child until I saw the sonogram as well.

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  18. How exciting! i love that first scan moment, so precious and frightening at the same time, but once you know all is well, its an amazing feeling walking out of there isnt it xx

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  19. Hi Flump! *waves* Lovely post Lucy, you story tell so well! Such an exciting time, and I can't wait to follow your pregnancy over the months to come! x

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