16 week Update

Ok, I'm really tardy in posting this update. Apologies all around!

My appointment was on Tuesday and everything was well. My blood pressure was normal. I've gained back a pound since my last appointment. All of my lab work so far is normal, including the genetic tests. The baby's heartbeat was right on track as well!

I'm getting a chiropractic referral for my sciatic pain as I know it will continue to bother me as time goes on and will most likely get worse.

I had the alphafetal protein blood work drawn after my appointment and I will get that result on March 24. That is the test for open neural tube defects like spina bifida. March 24 is also the day I go to the maternal fetal medicine specialist for the full anatomy scan. We are still not finding out if this is a boy or girl, so you'll all have to wait on that one!

I'm also starting to feel some kind of movements now and then. I've heard other women describe these early movements as "flutters" or "butterflies" but that's not exactly how I would describe them. Its more like a strange gas bubble, stronger than a gas bubble, and it occurs in the wrong place to be gas so I know its something else. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone else, but that's the only way I can describe it. I was definately feeling those strange movements last night when I was eating my birthday cake! Apparently this baby likes chocolate cake with coffee ice cream just like mama! (Thank you for the cake, Marta! It was delicious!)

Test Results

Yesterday, we received the results of our First Trimester Screening -- combined ultrasound measurements, blood work, and age calculated risk done at 12 weeks. The results were "negative" which means there is a very very low risk for Down's Syndrome or Trisomy 18.

And my magnesium and potassium levels have finally returned to normal, only 3 short weeks after my GI illness.

Now I don't have any more blood work scheduled until my 16 week appointment! Yeah!

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

Second Appointment Update (10 weeks 2 days)

My second appointment was yesterday afternoon for my "nurse counsel" visit. She reviewed my medical history, family history, genetic history, and vital signs. Everything looks good so far! I had actually lost 1 pound from being sick, so that puts my net weight gain at -1, which is nothing to be concerned about at this point.

Then she reviewed the options for genetics testing, which were overwhelming to me. I agreed to get the cystic fibrosis carrier testing, since that just a simple blood test for me. Then she reviewed the options to test for the risk of Downs' Syndrome, Trisomy 18, and neural tube defects. This was the overwhelming part! I guess I knew I would need to have make these decisions at some point, but I just didn't think I would have to consider them so soon. I did decide to sign the consent form and set up the first trimester screening (risk of Downs' Syndrome & Trisomy 18) for the 12 week nucal translucency ultrasound and blood work. If I do that part, the I also need to have more blood work done at 16 weeks for the risk of neural tube defects.

I came home and discussed the tests with Jesse and gave him the information as well. He thinks it should be my decision to make, since I'm a nurse. I think I'll go ahead with the testing, but I just don't feel 100% about it all right now. I don't really have questions about the tests, but I just don't really know what I will do with the information that I receive from testing. My main motivation for testing is that I'm inherently an information gatherer and planner. I've always felt that more information helps me to plan better. However, I have learned that not all things in life are under my control.

I have an appointment with my midwife next week. I'm planning on gathering my thoughts until then, and if I still have concerns I can discuss them with her. At that appointment I will get a full physical exam and she will review my prenatal blood work, which I had drawn yesterday afternoon.

I'm feeling better from my GI illness, but not 100%. I think it might be from my electrolytes being a bit wacky. I'm still on a pretty mild diet: ginger ale, water, Gatorade, crackers, applesauce, and bananas. I did add yogurt and a cereal bar today for some protein. I also started taking my prenatal vitamins again last night, but then I didn't sleep well, so I might lay off them for a few more days.