Trimester2
Israel offers women 35 and up (at advanced maternal age) an early anatomy scan at 15 weeks and another later scan, that they do at 18 or so weeks. The ultrasound technology used was extremely powerful that for the first time, ever, I was able to see a baby with its eyes open. It's also something that they check for (unclear as to why). In any case, upon asking why the country offers two anatomy scans versus just one, the answer received was (1) more opportunity for money (2) depending on your insurance, not all women receive it and (3) the more information received in advance can allow women to decide if they want to terminate the pregnancy. That said, getting an abortion in Israel seems to be different than it is in the United States, as here it requires approval from a termination committee. Whether one system is better than the other, could be up for debate.
At 16 - 18 weeks, a woman is also offered a second blood test to further measure risk of Down Syndrome. Sitting outside the nurses office, where she doesn't entirely seem to like her job, Corona pandemic or not, memories of enjoying maternity magazines in the waiting room, being given samples and seeing pictures on the wall of other patient's babies is just not the warm atmosphere in Israel. The process feels a tad more like a factory. Private care might be different, but if the circumstances aren't more specialized, general care is a more common route. Ah, socialized medicine.
Week 16
Measuring the stomach doesn't seem to be a thing here. And seeing your OBGYN, an old-grade ultrasound is done to check that the baby moves and a heartbeat (not a doppler). It's hard on these old-grade machines to understand what is being seen versus the higher tech the clinic has at hand.
Interestingly as well, discovered that the gestational diabetes test done later will be of a sugar packet that women add water to on their own. This will be a first without getting a prepared bottle in advance (which the Russian nurse responded to be as very fancy).
Week 17
Received the Pfizer vaccine. Here's what I wrote on FB and resources I found helpful regarding the coronavirus vaccine and pregnancy:
Time to be public.
At 5 months pregnant (which I've been private about and easy to do so in voluntary bidud measures - - ask anyone, I don't go anywhere) I did not take this decision lightly. I spoke with many health care professionals and friends both pregnant and not who received the vaccine.
I HATE vaccinations. I have delayed some in our children. I have said no to health care and have had drs look at me and strictly say "I'm sorry honey, there's no choice here" (specifically TDAP and the pitocin shot after natural delivery). I also did not get the flu shot (have reasons).
The corona vaccine IS a choice. It's my way of doing all I can not to end up in the ICU. Not to have preterm delivery. And not to Gd forbid be intubated where I can't say goodbye to my husband and children (and I know the feeling from my father's sudden passing in contrast to being able to say goodbye to my mom). If my children ever return to school and should one contract the virus and pass it on, that's a lifetime of guilt and one I'm not willing to lay on them since mommy didn't do everything possible).
No, I didn't say a blessing, the enormity of it all was too much. But I did recite a psalm the night before. Weigh your risk and social responsibility. Refua tova to all and may our hishtadlut prove merciful and be returned in kind. 🙏 Thank you to my six year old daughter for holding my hand, telling me I'll be ok while getting it done and she got a toy afterwards 😉 And yes, voluntary isolation, social distancing and washing hands more than necessary will continue. We're not there yet, but hope soon.
Feeling So Far:
About 3 hours after getting the vaccine I had weird tingling up and down my left arm. I kept moving my arm up and down. It kind of felt like when you hand falls asleep. Two hours after that I felt really really tired. That exhaustion lasted well into the morning. Thankfully no aches or pains. I'll take extra sleep over that.
The shot itself didn't hurt and was done so quickly. The shot factory, as it were, was really something to experience. No one received a bandaid, sticker or button. This is a working, anti pandemic machine. The only other thing I can say about this is I can't imagine all the parents who lined up their kids for the Polio vaccine, and for them, we have a lot to thank for nearly eradicating this disease (nearly, key word since there are places that still have Polio, though in small pockets).
My hope is that, in time, the Coronavirus vaccine will replace the flu shot (given social distancing, there have been zero cases in Israel of the flu -- which means mask-wearing works, but for Corona, something doesn't). We will get to a point that we'll be able to live alongside this crazy thing -- where we won't have to ask who got the vaccine or separate those who got it from others. But it'll be a while till we get to that point. So, for now, weigh your risks, evaluate who you are around, follow what your doctors are saying and the rest...is just the ins and outs we have of living.
There's no given. Hope we welcome this baby in 4 months with loads of hugs and into a better world, thanks to social responsibility and bravery.
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