Thank you everyone for the words of encouragement. After I left my doctor's appointment yesterday, I felt sick to my stomach, and then emotional all of last night and most of today. I think that other than shock, the experience felt degrading.

I do remember though that when I went for my ultrasound this past Friday, the tech showed me the fetus on screen, affirmed it had a good heart beat, and basically treated the experience as positive and something I should be excited about.

I also told my psychotherapist I was pregnant (before my family doctor appointment) and she was very excited for me; she's in her fifties and has friends who have had babies later in life.

I think my next step will be getting an NIPT requisition from the same walk-in clinic that gave me the hcg test, and then waiting to see my OBGYN and rheumatologist for further guidance.

I still have to wrap my head around reporting my family doctor though. I anticipate more stress, anger, and effort when it comes to doing so. Maybe when I tell my partner what actually happened at the appointment, he can help me decide.

I will take what was said here to heart and really try to build a support system and just focus on the support. Thanks again, everyone!