If I could write, I'd write a book about the people I work with. Such different characters!! I love hearing all their crazy stories, and have endless laughs everytime I step through the door of the ITU. One of the girls is currently expecting her first child. She is one of a kind. Her mind wanders off in some kind of different world, and she comes up with all these rather unusual questions that send everyone in fits. But mind you, she is one of the sweetest persons I've met over here.
To cut a long story short, she is very excited about her pregnancy, but equally anxious. A couple of weeks ago, she asked me to try to scan her tummy with the ultrasound machine that we use to located central veins for insertion of lines. Obviously this machine would not be as sophisticated as the ones used in obstetrics, and from minute one I was not convinced that it was going to work, but I couldn't say no. No need to say, all I could see was subcutaneous tissues and the depth of the ultrasound waves did not even hit the uterus, let alone get a picture of the foetus.
However she did not give up. She was convinced that if we use a different ultrasound probe, we would manage to see something. A couple of days ago, she asked me whether I would be happy to try again. Again, I was not convinced, but no one would come to harm, and the unit was quiet, so I said yes.
To cut a long story short, she is very excited about her pregnancy, but equally anxious. A couple of weeks ago, she asked me to try to scan her tummy with the ultrasound machine that we use to located central veins for insertion of lines. Obviously this machine would not be as sophisticated as the ones used in obstetrics, and from minute one I was not convinced that it was going to work, but I couldn't say no. No need to say, all I could see was subcutaneous tissues and the depth of the ultrasound waves did not even hit the uterus, let alone get a picture of the foetus.
However she did not give up. She was convinced that if we use a different ultrasound probe, we would manage to see something. A couple of days ago, she asked me whether I would be happy to try again. Again, I was not convinced, but no one would come to harm, and the unit was quiet, so I said yes.
This time, as soon as I put the new probe on her tummy, I could see a round structure. And started getting excited myself. I wasn't sure whether it was just the structure of the uterus or the baby's head. I've never done such an ultrasound before. But playing around a bit, we managed to get a really good view of something amazing, that made her day and also made mine. A 17 week old foetus, moving around, bringing his arms up to his face, moving his legs, changing position. We had a 5 to10 minute movie of a new life. Something which will never cease to amaze me and a positive ITU experience that I will never forget. It's rare to get joyful moments in such a place, but this was definitely one of them.
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that must have been so amazing to see, so unexpectedly especially!!! :) so sweet :)
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