Hi everyone,

Today we completed 2 of the 3 parts for the first set of testing for genetic abnormalities. These first two parts consisted of my blood getting drawn and an ultra sound at a special radiology lab, not our usual ob/gyn office. These are the photos from the testing which he said looked GREAT. There were two things he was primarily looking for in these pictures that would suggest Down's syndrome, one is whether there is a nasal bone (70% of individuals with Down's syndrome do not have that nasal bone) and the other is the amount of fluid behind the neck. He showed me a picture of what the fluid looks like in a Down's baby and it was really, really big - twice the thickness of the normal neck. Then he showed it on ours and it was normal, just a very thin layer. He also pointed out the nasal bone the baby has. So it looks like things are fine in that area. The next step is my getting my blood drawn in a month and that will determine if the baby has spina bifada. I was surprised to learn neither of these run in families, so we are just as likely to have a baby with these problems as any one else.

While he was looking around he said things looked good overall, the placenta is good and everything. A few interesting points... the baby isn't upside down anymore, his head is the part on top. Also, you can see his hand clear as day, the fingers are separate, and you can see the umbilical cord. Lastly, he said the same thing they said at the last ultra sound, that I am a week further ahead than originally thought, so I think that is most accurate. As of this past Monday I was 12 weeks, which might explain my starting to feel better - I'm getting out of the first trimester alive! Not to say I didn't nap twice today, it was my day off so I took advantage of it :0).

Enjoy the pics, at my next one in a month we'll find out the sex!

Andrea

Hi everyone,

As you can see from the photo above, we've had our first ultra sound and heard the heartbeat too. It was quite the experience to see the baby with my own eyes and to hear the heart beating - it was just a beautiful thing. In the photos, the baby is upside down. You can see the arms on the sides pretty easily.

So I've talked about this with a few family members and they feel the same way - we all think this is a girl. I have a strong feeling that it is. I'm not sure how soon we find out, I hope soon. I'm at 10 weeks now, and I think its at 16 weeks that we can know the sex. I can't wait to find out!

Next week I have to start a series of bloodwork/ultra sounds to test for birth defects. I think the first couple tests are for spina bifida and Down's syndrome. I believe that is all they test for in the first trimester.

My first visit with the ob/gyn went well last week. She is very laid back. A little too much if I had to say, she was late for our appointment but I guess she drives from Providence to the office closer to my house. She's very young, I liked her. I suppose it was good that she was so laid back because I was throwing a hundred questions to her about everything, including whether Lean Cuisine meals are ok for the baby, and she was patient and nice about everything. (oh and the answer to that question is those frozen meals aren't good for anybody, but it won't hurt the baby).

Other than that, nothing much new. I've gained a few pounds but my regular clothes fit perfectly fine. I'm feeling fine most days, days when I am really exhausted is rare now which is great.

I'll post any new developments!

Andrea