Friday Appointments

Today, Jared and I first went to UNC for an ultrasound.  It showed that my amniotic fluid is low, and the doctor who supervised informed me that, if I were her patient, she would induce me.  We shrugged it off and went to the Birth Center for our non stress test.  When the midwives read on our UNC report, which doctor had seen us, they rolled their eyes.  The midwives told us they have spoken to her supervisor many times, because she is an alarmist who has scared the Birth Center patients on numerous occasions.  The midwives told me that they are not concerned with my fluid levels at all--they are fine.

The non stress test went very well.  It showed that Kathryn has great reserves of strength and energy for getting through labor, and we should have nothing to worry about.

We were sent home and have spent the afternoon getting rest and taking short walks.  No other news to report right now!

Ultrasound

We had our ultrasound today to check on the area of blood that was seen at the anatomy scan six weeks ago.  The tech said he could still spot it, but it was as good as gone.  This is good news--nothing to worry about at the moment.  Peanut was in a breech position, but she has plenty of time to turn.  Her heartbeat was 143, which is good and solid without being high.  She measured 1 pound and 11 ounces, give or take 4 ounces.  This would put her currently in the 54th percentile for length and weight.  No causes for concern and no further ultrasounds, unless a need arises.  We are grateful for a good report! 

Start of twentieth week

Peanut, you are 19 weeks and a day, today.  Jared and I know your gender, and will share it with family tomorrow and the rest of the world on Sunday.  At your anatomy scan, we got an "all clear" on your brain, heart, stomach, kidneys, spine, facial features, and number of limbs, fingers and toes.  You are measuring on target for the first time--not four days older, like it has been.  You are about the size of a large heirloom tomato, or a small cantaloupe--9 - 10 ounces and 6 - 6 1/2 inches long.  If you're a girl, your uterus is fully formed.  If you're a boy, your testicles have started dropping from your abdomen.  This week, your brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. You're now able to hear voices, and Jared and I have started speaking to you.  You're moving often, although I haven't "officially" felt it.  This is because, as we found out at the anatomy scan, I have an anterior placenta--that means the placenta is adding an extra cushioning between your kicks and my nerve endings.  We love you very much.

I have been feeling some abdominal pressure and some brief pain called round ligament pain--it's just the uterus and muscles in that area growing and pulling.  And I have noticed that my belly is growing a lot faster, now.  I am still tired and cranky, but trying not to let it affect me too much.

Jared and I have made a few purchases--a crib, a pack n' play, and a breast pump.  And we started working on our registry this past week.  It's hard work!  A lot harder than our wedding registry was--so many choices and items that are needed.  I'll update again as we tell our family and friends Peanut's gender!

Ultrasound Today

This afternoon, Jared and I went to Gateway Center for a free ultrasound.  They had a new ultrasound technician and were trying to teach her how to use the machines with "ultrasound models", so I scheduled an appointment with hopes of finding out Peanut's gender some weeks earlier than scheduled.  I ate some hard candy and drank some orange juice beforehand, to try and get Peanut moving.  But I must have timed it wrong, because Peanut was all curled up the whole time, either snoozing on their side or on their stomach.  The heartbeat was 160, which is excellent for 16 weeks.  The tech who was doing the teaching measured Peanut at 16 weeks and 3 days, the same four extra days as my last ultrasound tech did.  But no one's willing to change my due date.  I know it's not nice to carry past your due date, but a week after June 27th is July 4th, which would be a pretty cool birthday.

It was nice to be able to see Peanut again, and especially for free, and I know I was helping out a good cause.  But it was still a little disappointing to not get any good pictures, that Peanut wasn't moving around, and that we couldn't tell the gender.  I hope all of that happens at our next ultrasound appointment!  

NT Scan Results and Pictures

I already posted about our first trimester ultrasound screen, and the initial numbers looked good.  I got a call this past week with the results from the blood work, which showed that Peanut has a less than 1 in 10,000 chance of having Downs Syndrome or a comparable disability.  That's as low as the chances go, so we are pretty happy with it!  Here are some pictures from the ultrasound.

 Head, neck and chest

 3D of baby

Full 2D image of baby, facing down

NT Ultrasound, and Week 14

Today marks 13 full weeks and the start of week 14!  Peanut, you might start to sprout hair on your head and eyebrows this week.  You are also straightening out--your neck getting longer, your head more erect.  You are three inches long and weigh about an ounce.  We love you very much.

Two days ago, Jared and I went to Rex for the nuchal translucency ultrasound, which is an end of first trimester screening tool to check for the probability of things like Downs Syndrome.  Again, we went to the same place, sat in the same room, had the same ultrasound tech as when we had this down with Angel and found she was gone.  I was nervous up to the point where Peanut came on screen and immediately pushed out his/her little legs--like they were a frog's.  It was amazing to see Peanut moving so much.  He/She turned over constantly; a "roller", like mom. :)  Also, he/she got the hiccups towards the end of the ultrasound.  Peanut measured exactly three inches long and was estimated to be 3 -4 days of growth ahead of schedule.  The ultrasound showed great numbers and no concern for any defects.  I am still waiting on blood test results for further numbers, but I'm not worried.  With how much movement Peanut made (and none of it exactly in the right angle), there's no way to even guess what the gender might be.  We'll have to wait!

I am still throwing up--the last thing at night, almost every night.  I am more than tired of it.  Also, I've been exhausted this last week at work.  Partially due to the Christmas crazies infecting everyone at school, but also due to pregnancy.  I've told people that I know I'm just not myself, and it bothers me.  This past week I found a discernible "baby belly" on me, and Jared could tell the difference too...that was kind of exciting. :)  

In the remainder of this developmental week, some of Jared's family is coming in from out of state to visit for Christmas.  We're trying to finish buying a few last gifts, say hello to family, celebrate Christmas with my family, celebrate it with Jared's family, and hopefully have a few days to breathe before I go back to work for another six weeks.       

Twelve Weeks...and a day

I am a little late this week--yesterday was very full!  Peanut, you are starting week 13.  Information differs on whether you will grow to the size of a lime or a small peach this week.  Your intestines are moving from the umbilical cord into your abdomen, and your kidneys are making urine.  This week, you will start making reflexes.  Your fingers will soon begin to open and close, your toes will curl, your eye muscles will clench, and your mouth will make sucking movements.  You can move your arms and legs, and may be able to get your thumb to your mouth.  We love you very much.

Morning sickness has been pretty evil--2 or 3 times a day and nausea all day long--but knock on wood, I am feeling better so far today.  I do have some sinus issues, so I am still not feeling "great", but at least I have been spared nausea for the past four hours or so!  All but 1 pair of jeans and 2 pairs of dress pants are too small for me now.  I am trying to wait until January to shop, when clothes should be on sale, but I may have to break down and buy some new ones now.  I can gently press in the fat above my belly button and clearly see the "baby bump" below.

Our first trimester ultrasound screening is on Tuesday, 4 days away.  This is the test where we found out Angel was gone.  I feel like, if it goes well, this would really be the turning point on my worry and my ability to enjoy this pregnancy.  The test would tell us the probability of Peanut having Down's Syndrome or other mental or physical incapacities.  I am not really worried about that--none of it runs in either of our families, and we are healthy and young.  And even if something like that did come to pass, Peanut, we still want you.  We still love you.  It doesn't really change anything. 

Not As Old As First Thought

Peanut, we thought you were older than you are!  The ultrasound technician measured you today and said you would be six weeks tomorrow.  We thought you would be seven full weeks today!

This is not a cause for worry, yet.  I did ovulate 3-4 days late, so I knew that would push me off by a little.

We did get to hear your heartbeat, which was going at 105 beats a minute.  This is good for almost six weeks.

You are due on June 27th now, not June 19th.  That's OK, as long as you come out healthy and living.

Jared and I feel happy and relieved, for now.  We are thanking God that He is with us and He is letting Peanut grow and be healthy.  It will be another 5-6 weeks before my appointment at the Birth Center, and then another ultrasound.  We will tell family and friends in two weeks!

We love you very much.

Choose

Tomorrow morning is the first of several milestones.  I have to consciously choose not to worry about it.  Worry is a detriment and unhealthy.  It does no good, only harm.  And yet, don't we cling to it?  Don't you catch yourself in your thoughts, being caught up by whatever happens to be wrong at that given moment?  It's such a difficult thing to let go of.  I am trying so hard to be positive and to trust that God is actually going to bless us with a healthy, living child this time.

Signed Up

I called UNC again this morning and they scheduled me for an ultrasound next Wednesday.  If I had the "perfect" 28 day cycle, I'd be seven weeks that day, but I know I ovulated about three days late, so I may only be 6.5 weeks when I go in.  I am already nervous.

People ask me how I'm feeling, and I say I wish I felt worse, so that I'd know everything was going well.  As it is, I've had no morning sickness, no obvious bloat.  My breasts are tender but not achy, I'm tired but not WOW tired, and I visit the bathroom more, but not the ridiculous number of times like my last pregnancy.

Jared and I pray every day, usually multiple times, for this baby to be healthy and living.  I am scared to run, get mad, drink coffee, lift anything more than a book, accidentally eat something I shouldn't....I worry that anything could cause me to lose this child.  I think I will feel a little better if I can see that he/she's doing okay at seven weeks.

Always with the Waiting

Over the weekend, I had some throbbing, pulling, and cramping in my abdomen, and it was all I could do to wait until the Birth Center opened this morning to call and tell them about it.  They asked a few questions and, though they did cite a legitimate reason for such feelings, I told them I'd feel better if I had an ultrasound.  They understood and said they would call UNC to ask them to schedule me.  They said I'd need to wait until I'm seven full weeks (next Wednesday, the 31st) for a better chance to actually see the baby and their heartbeat.  On top of that long (to me) wait, I didn't get a call from UNC at all today.  The Birth Center faxed over my information late in the day, around 3:30, and I called them at 4:30, but they had already closed up shop.  I really do hate that, when companies say they're open until 5:00, but you call at 4:30 and a robot answers.  I hope I can get in first thing in the morning next Wednesday.