Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
It's a.....
BOY!!!
I realize that it has been a while since I have written in my Blog, and the reason for my absence is because we got some scary news when I got my full NT results that included the blood work. The nurse told us that we are at a high risk for a baby with Down Syndrome. So, even though the ultrasound measurement was good, my blood levels were off and that along with my age (I'm now considered AMA - Advanced Maternal Age) it brought my odds of having a Downs baby to 1:43. It scared us to death, so we decided we would go ahead and get an amniocentesis. We had to wait until I was 16 weeks to do the amnio. That is where they take some of the amniotic fluid from the baby and check for chromosome issues. I had my amnio yesterday. They use the ultrasound machine to find a good place to take the fluid, take a HUGE needle and poke it through the belly all the way through the uterus to where the baby is and take out the fluid. I admit that it was kinda painful, that is all thanks to the baby. They found a nice place to get the fluid, but by the time they clean off my belly and got everything ready, the baby moved right to where they were going to go in, so the dr moved the needle around while it was poked in my skin. Not fun! While they were getting out the fluid, the baby tried to grab the needle!! How in the heck could he see the needle? It is dark in there and I don't think at this age they even open their eyes in there! Well, I'm not sure how he was doing it, but he was trying to grab the needle. The dr decided he got enough, and pulled the needle out. We have 2 weeks of waiting for the results. After the amnio, the ultrasound tech did a detailed ultrasound to check the baby called a "Level II" ultrasound. If the baby has Downs, there are a few things to look for called soft markers - meaning that most babies with Downs have these abnormalities, but sometimes babies that are perfectly fine also have them. They checked for things like a nasal bone, heart problems, short limbs, a crooked pinkie, and a space between the toes. The good news is that our baby didn't have any soft markers! NONE!! He was perfect. YEA!! It was a nice long ultrasound - probably about 45 minutes, and he was moving around all kinds!! During the ultrasound is how we found out he's a boy! So, even though he still might have a problem, things are looking like they will be ok. Benjamin will scan the ultrasound pics, and we'll post them soon. I'm home from work again today because of some cramping where the needle went in. The nurse told me to go home, lay down, and drink lots of water. So, I'm home, watching a movie, and typing my blog. Hey, dr's orders! I guess now, it is just the wait. It will take about 2 weeks for the results, so I'm thinking in those next 2 weeks we can use some prayers that the baby is healthy! I guess we start thinking of boy names! That should be fun! We didn't decide on William's name until the night before I was induced. Maybe this time we will decide sooner. Thanks for reading!!
I realize that it has been a while since I have written in my Blog, and the reason for my absence is because we got some scary news when I got my full NT results that included the blood work. The nurse told us that we are at a high risk for a baby with Down Syndrome. So, even though the ultrasound measurement was good, my blood levels were off and that along with my age (I'm now considered AMA - Advanced Maternal Age) it brought my odds of having a Downs baby to 1:43. It scared us to death, so we decided we would go ahead and get an amniocentesis. We had to wait until I was 16 weeks to do the amnio. That is where they take some of the amniotic fluid from the baby and check for chromosome issues. I had my amnio yesterday. They use the ultrasound machine to find a good place to take the fluid, take a HUGE needle and poke it through the belly all the way through the uterus to where the baby is and take out the fluid. I admit that it was kinda painful, that is all thanks to the baby. They found a nice place to get the fluid, but by the time they clean off my belly and got everything ready, the baby moved right to where they were going to go in, so the dr moved the needle around while it was poked in my skin. Not fun! While they were getting out the fluid, the baby tried to grab the needle!! How in the heck could he see the needle? It is dark in there and I don't think at this age they even open their eyes in there! Well, I'm not sure how he was doing it, but he was trying to grab the needle. The dr decided he got enough, and pulled the needle out. We have 2 weeks of waiting for the results. After the amnio, the ultrasound tech did a detailed ultrasound to check the baby called a "Level II" ultrasound. If the baby has Downs, there are a few things to look for called soft markers - meaning that most babies with Downs have these abnormalities, but sometimes babies that are perfectly fine also have them. They checked for things like a nasal bone, heart problems, short limbs, a crooked pinkie, and a space between the toes. The good news is that our baby didn't have any soft markers! NONE!! He was perfect. YEA!! It was a nice long ultrasound - probably about 45 minutes, and he was moving around all kinds!! During the ultrasound is how we found out he's a boy! So, even though he still might have a problem, things are looking like they will be ok. Benjamin will scan the ultrasound pics, and we'll post them soon. I'm home from work again today because of some cramping where the needle went in. The nurse told me to go home, lay down, and drink lots of water. So, I'm home, watching a movie, and typing my blog. Hey, dr's orders! I guess now, it is just the wait. It will take about 2 weeks for the results, so I'm thinking in those next 2 weeks we can use some prayers that the baby is healthy! I guess we start thinking of boy names! That should be fun! We didn't decide on William's name until the night before I was induced. Maybe this time we will decide sooner. Thanks for reading!!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Everything is just PEACHY!
Ok, I know I am a nerd! I am now 13 weeks pregnant and the baby is the size of a peach. I went last week for an ultrasound called an NT scan. They measure the baby's neck and if it is thicker than normal, it could be a marker for Down Syndrome. It is coupled with a blood test, and I'm not sure what they check for in the blood. I haven't gotten the blood test results, but the measurement of the neck was great! The baby wasn't exactly cooperating and was facing my back, so we got some pictures of its back. There was no way to get a look to see if he/she is a he or a she! Hopefully, he/she will cooperate at my next ultrasound. I'm not sure when that will be, but I have a regular check-up next week, and I'll probably find out then. In other pregnancy news, I have been feeling better. My morning sickness is much more manageable. There are days where I don't have any at all, and let me tell you, it is GREAT!! I have FINALLY gotten over my cold that lasted the entire month, so that is good too. So, I guess other than the fatigue (which is still going strong) I'm feeling more like myself, and that is just wonderful!
William is so much fun lately. Last night we colored Easter Eggs, and he LOVED it! Grandma and Grandpa came over to help and boy was it fun. Even though there were come cracked eggs and blue, red, and green tinged fingers, the eggs are beautiful! I am a little worried about the hunt tomorrow since it is supposed to snow! We might have to have an indoor hunt! William is growing like a weed. Most of his pants are high-waters, so maybe Mommy and Daddy need to get him some new ones. We have also gotten him a potty chair. He's not a pro yet, but he did use it once - which I think we just caught him at the right time. I hope we can get him trained by the time the baby comes in October. That way we will only have to have 1 kid in diapers. His "Big Boy Bed' is at Uncle Eric's house, and we will pick it up when we go up to Denver in a couple weeks for the Pinball Show we go to every year. A big boy bed and a potty chair! This little boy isn't as little as he used to be!
Our plans for Easter are a breakfast a church, then church, and dinner over my Grandparents. It should be a very nice day. I hope everyone has a great Easter, and enjoys time with family.
William is so much fun lately. Last night we colored Easter Eggs, and he LOVED it! Grandma and Grandpa came over to help and boy was it fun. Even though there were come cracked eggs and blue, red, and green tinged fingers, the eggs are beautiful! I am a little worried about the hunt tomorrow since it is supposed to snow! We might have to have an indoor hunt! William is growing like a weed. Most of his pants are high-waters, so maybe Mommy and Daddy need to get him some new ones. We have also gotten him a potty chair. He's not a pro yet, but he did use it once - which I think we just caught him at the right time. I hope we can get him trained by the time the baby comes in October. That way we will only have to have 1 kid in diapers. His "Big Boy Bed' is at Uncle Eric's house, and we will pick it up when we go up to Denver in a couple weeks for the Pinball Show we go to every year. A big boy bed and a potty chair! This little boy isn't as little as he used to be!
Our plans for Easter are a breakfast a church, then church, and dinner over my Grandparents. It should be a very nice day. I hope everyone has a great Easter, and enjoys time with family.
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