6/22: 15 Week Appt

Friday I went in for my "15" week appt.

I first discussed with doctor F the results of the Nuchal Translucency. I mentioned that the perinatologist seemed to think I was a week ahead. She said it is possible, but that they will not change my due date until later if so. That for now, she would like to keep me at 12/15, and not the 12/8. I guess its a "big deal" for doctors to change a due date... which makes no sense, since every doc gives me a different one! As Dave said- we're going with the perinatologist's view- 12/8, since he was quite extensive and I'll be seeing him again later in the pregnancy too. We trust him more- esp after everything else that happened at this appt.

I gave blood for the AFP test so that will also test for downs, etc. I also got very upset with my doc's viewpoint about the Level 2 ultrasound, and testing my cervical length. Without going into too much detail, I really felt her information was not correct, and plan to see a different doctor in the group after my next appt.

My BP was 110/60. Lower than last time, but still higher than normal. No concern though, since it's still below the avg norm. The baby's heart rate was 143.

My "BIG" Ultrasound is scheduled for July 24th- so I'll be just 20 weeks. Looking sooo forward to it! Can't wait!

Lastly, my belly popped last week. So I'm in full maternity pants now, and thanks to mom, we were able to find a few decent pairs. And sad to say, I'll be taking out the belly button ring next week. :(

15 weeks & a few days:

14 Week Ultrasound Photos

As promised, here are the Ultrasound photos. They didn't scan well, but the real photos are so clear! It's amazing!

Here are the regular Ultrasound Photos:

1.Baby lying on back:

2. Baby from an "alien-type" view. This is a skeletal view:

3. Baby's head from the side:

4. Baby on it's back from a side view:

And here are the 3D Ultrasound photos!!

6/12: Nuchal Translucency

Today we went for the Nuchal Translucency test. This test mainly tests for Downs Syndrome, but also looks at a few other chromosomal conditions. I saw Dr. K, the perinatologist for my group. He was awesome. He really took the time to explain everything to us.

When I got there, they immediately started the ultrasound. It was sooo amazing to see the photos of our little football. It's getting so big! So big in fact, that we had a little bad news. The test is two parts: Ultrasound and Blood work. Well, in order to do the blood work, the baby has to be no larger than 84 mm. Our baby was 86mm long. Unfortunately, the ultrasound was also putting our baby at 14 weeks (Dr Fes only has me at 13 weeks 3 days).

I got into a lengthy discussion with Dr K about due dates, as obviously my mis-calculated due date is what caused the problem here. He said that once a doc gives a due date, it's rare that they will ever change it. Even if every single ultrasound proves otherwise. I explained my short cycles to him and past ultrasounds. He said it definitely sounds like I'm about a week further along than Dr F thinks I am, but that she likely will not change my date. He did say to bring this up with Dr F again though- b/c my next genetic tests will need to be earlier than scheduled. Otherwise, I might be too far along for those as well.

So- what that means... I'm likely about 5-7 days further along than Dr F says. What can I do? Not much. I'll see what she says at my appt next Friday.

We did do the ultrasound portion of the test today. It was great. Dr K did tell us that he saw a healthy length to the baby's nose bridge, which was a good sign. Downs babies do not have a bridge or have a very short bridge. He also saw that there was a healthy amount of fluid in the back of the neck. He said based upon the ultrasound results only (So yes, there is margin of error), the stats seem to show that our baby is healthy. He did say that an AFP blood test can also provide further statistics. We are planning on having that test done in 2 weeks.

The ultrasound tech was FANTASTIC! She gave us soooooo many photos. And when baby wags was not cooperating and getting into position, she had the patience of a saint. It was great! I have tons of photos to upload, just need to find a scanner. I asked her about the 3D Ultrasound- and what made it different from what we saw today. To our surprise, she pulled one up on her computer and showed us. It was soooo real and awesome, like nothing I've ever seen before. She even printed it out for us. It's amazing what they can do with those machines!

We also heard the baby's heart rate again on the ultrasound machine: 157

As for me, today is the 2nd day in weeks that I have not thrown up. I'm scared to jinx myself, so I just pray the vomiting will stop. The nausea is still there, but I am hoping that the no-throwing-up is a good first sign. Maybe I'll just wake up and the nausea will be gone too! Fingers crossed. I'm keeping Zofran in business, that's for sure.

Lastly, as promised, here are just a few belly photos. Here's 5 weeks and 13 weeks. You can see the layer of "pudge" that I've now acquired:

I'll post ultrasound photos tomorrow!

6/1: Family & Friends

We told the rest of the family this weekend! It was so much fun!!

Gram was so happy for us, it was a funny call. And telling Bink was so awesome- she's the greatest! We told the rest of the family too- it was fun! So we're "out" now and are now telling all of our friends, etc. It's been very exciting!!

The "aunts" have requested I post belly photos- so I'll take some this weekend and post here. Nothing exciting- in fact, all "pudge & bloat" if you ask me. But enough that my clothes don't fit, and it's about time to take out the belly button ring.

Last night Gray (Kristen.... yeah, I have to stop calling her Gray! Old habits....) came over with Lindsay. OMG- Lindsay is soooo cute. She's gotten so tall, and is 2 1/2 now! Time flies- I can't believe that. She found a new "boyfriend" with Dave and Rylee got to play with her a little bit. We're going to have our hands full with a baby and a puppy- that's for sure!! We were both so tired when they left- it was hilarious!!!

Kristen is a doll-- she brought me over her portable Dopplar device to loan us. This lets us hear the heartbeat on our own!! It's sooo cool. She, Lindsay, Dave, & I all took turns listening to our baby's heartbeat. So it's going to be so nice to be able to listen to the heartbeat on our own time- not waiting for each doctor appointment!! She also brought over hundreds of dollars of NICE maternity shirts to loan me! Such great quality, and it will definitely help me out for work! I told her I'll add to the collection and we'll keep trading back and forth for when she gets pregnant next, then we do, etc!

It was great to see her, it had been so long. Being around Lindsay last night, and all the babies in the past 2 weeks has been so awesome. Dave is so great with the little ones, and they are all so cute!! Funny, we've seen 4 babies in the last 2 weeks, and all have been girls! I told him it's a sign ;)

Looking forward to this weekend- have two baby showers and lots to do- but for a 4 day work week, it's been a very long and busy week!

5/25: 11 Week Appointment

We had our 11 week appointment today, Friday 5/25. I'm 11 weeks and 2 days.
At this appointment we heard the heartbeat again on Dopplar, and had a routine checkup. Dr F. explained more about genetic testing to us and we have finally figured out which tests we will be doing.

She's suggested I take Flinstones chewable vitamins for my Folic Acid until I can stop throwing up, so I can at least get some of the things I need without taking my prenatal vitamins.

My bloodpressure was high today: 122/60 (this is VERY high for me). I'm usually about 96/57 on average. Nothing bad at all- still low compared to a normal person, but high for me.

I asked her about the due date. Since I've gotten 12/8, 12/12, 12/14, and 12/15. She said they are going to leave me at 12/15 in "her book". But after the 20 week ultrasound they might change it again.

I asked her about the M/S. She said to keep taking the Zofran as long as I'm still sick. She said not to worry about the baby. That the baby is fine- and that the constant vomiting is going to get better- to hang in there. She said by 14 weeks I should be better. Let's hope she's right... cuz this is horrible. I threw up 6 times on Thurs. It was awful.

Our next appointment will be June 10th for the nuchal translucency ultrasound and then June 22nd for our 15 week checkup. Looking forward to it!! I love having the ultrasounds down, cuz it's sooo neat to see the baby!

Aside from the nausea, doing better. I'm more crabby- but I am blaming that on the hormones. :) LOL. People always have comments about everything- that makes it hard. I'm constantly amazed at the bluntness of people at times. People offer comments about what I'm eating, doing, etc. -- So rude! I always ask the doc before anything that might be harmful! My take is that people like to be nosey-- If the doc says its ok, then I'm trusting her :) But again, that's just the hormones talking!

I've gotten lots of cards from people as we tell them, and it's so sweet. I am going to save them all for the baby's scrapbook. We're going to tell the grandparents this weekend- so looking forward to that too.