The Rest of The Story

Well as most of ya'll know we went for a gender check at 14 weeks 6 days.  The doctor (in this terrible shady office) told us he was 75% certain we were having a boy.  We went home that day and I grieved briefly.  I was actually more accepting then ever to be having ANOTHER boy.  

As a family we had kind of decided to name "him" Noah and we were making plans.  On May 13th I had my diagnostic ultrasound.  The tech took a look at my gall bladder (which looks great, BIG stone still there) and then began to look at "Noah".  "He" was measuring perfectly.  At the very end the tech began looking to confirm the gender.  She took this picture:  

And then mentioned that she wanted to go talk to the Radiologist because things didn't look quite right with "his" penis.  Basically our son was missing a scrotum.  YIKES!  As we sat in that little room we were freaking out in our own ways.  I was really quite, Greg was talking.  The tech came back, after what seemed like an eternity, and told us they wanted us to come back in 4 weeks for another ultrasound.  She told us the baby looked healthy but that she couldn't get a good look at the baby's spine and they wanted to check out the gender again.  She also mentioned that she had looked into a book and felt certain that we were having a boy with hypospadias (a condition that two of our other children have).  It's an easily "fixed" problem.  That morning we were told that the Radiologist was also looking into the "problem" and would write up his report which would be in my OB file.

We left the hospital and things started to sink in.  We possibly had a child with genital issues which can by symptomatic of other syndromes.  Of course I began to FREAK out but I felt like the radiologist's report would clear up the matter.  The following day I had an OB appointment, the doctor pulled up the report, which was very vague, and we decided a Level II ultrasound would be beneficial considering our history.  

As soon as I got home I began calling to make my appointment.  Unfortunately the Army health system can be VERY slow.  By Monday (our ultrasound was the previous Wednesday) I was beside myself.  When I finally got ahold of the right department they got an earful when they told me that my situation was not "ASAP" and that it would be 4-5 weeks before I would be able to get in.  I was now to the point of sobbing, especially when a well intentioned nurse told me that I just needed to "have hope" and "drink a glass of water".  Thankfully, I have an amazing husband and a great network of doctors on my side.  Greg took Tuesday morning off and with his amazing persuasion skills got us in for an appointment on the following Thursday. 

Now let's rewind to my birthday, on Sunday May 17th, the Sunday between my two ultrasounds.  Greg knew how upset I was about the situation at hand.  I wasn't sleeping well and was pretty snippy with everyone.  For my birthday gift, my sweet husband, scheduled another Gender check at a really nice facility.  It felt good to be doing something.  The techs at the ultrasound place assured us that they were never wrong and always found what they were looking for.  They escorted us into a beautiful room and got us all set up.  Within a couple of minutes we were told that they were 100% certain that we were having a girl.  I was shocked!  I bawled. WHAT?!  I wanted desperately to believe that there was nothing wrong with our baby and that the absence of a scrotum was simply the fact that we were having a girl.  I couldn't totally believe it.  I knew I wouldn't believe it with my heart and soul until we had confirmation from a specialist.  I allowed myself to buy one little pink outfit (we have NOTHING pink) and told a few friends and family but it was really news I wanted to keep under my hat until we knew FOR SURE.  The boys reaction that day was priceless.  They were so excited for us.  Sam said "This is perfect, she found out on her birthday".  I have the sweetest five men on the planet!

From Monday until Thursday I slept even more fitfully.  I was up every hour, pottying and looking at the clock.  Every morning I was up and at em' at 6:00, which is totally not like me.  I thought Thursday would NEVER get there.  On Thursday morning, my sweet friend Connie took my youngest boys, we got the big boys on the bus and we headed up to Bethesda.  We had to wait over an hour to see the doctor, in that time I went to the bathroom SIX times, it was beginning to get embarrassing.  By the time they took us back I thought I was going to just have to live in the bathroom.  

The doctor took our history and then began to look at the baby.  When she got down to the "money shots" she kept writing "gender".  YIKES!!  At that point I was certain we must be having a hermaphrodite.  I nearly fell off the bed when she told us she wanted to consult with another doctor.  When the other doctor came him he stuck the wand on my belly and within about 30 seconds said "Well, girls always take care of you in your old age".  I cried again.  Just to calm our fears the doctor even showed us her uterus, which floored us...I guess we figured they grew those later!  

We are thrilled to know that our baby is perfect and their is a great reason why "he" is missing a scrotum.  I definitely think this story will have to go in her baby book.

I am totally overwhelmed.  I have been perusing the internet for nursery ideas.  With five children we are on a pretty tight budget so there will be nothing extravagant.  I can't wait to hit the yard sales and consignment sales in the area!  I don't even know where to begin when it comes to colors, fabrics, etc.  I actually began hyperventilating one evening while checking out crib bedding sets, pathetic, huh?!  

I am so thankful the Lord has answered our prayers for a girl and for a healthy baby!  Thanks for all the congrats!  It's been an great unexpected couple of weeks!