16 Weeks~ yummm Avocado

Update~ Had our 16 week OB appointment yesterday.. amid the foot of snow that had fallen that morning. Thanks to Clint for driving his emotional pregnant wife to the Dr. once they said we could not reschedule until January. We talked to the Doc more about the abnormal 1st trimester screening results. He continued to relay that there is only a 2% chance of "Bean" having Down's. He showed us the lab results... as I had expected due to Dr. Goggle... my Hcg was elavated and my Papp-A was low. These two abnormalities in the blood work together with my age gave us the increase risk. Dr. G is cool with his Iphone and pulled up the age related risks in relation to our 1:50 risk. For my age our risk of Trisomy 21 (Down's) is 1:187... or any Trisomy is 1:103. The other Trisomy's 13 and 18 are often uncompatible with life. Our risk of the other Trisomys is like 1:6000. Dr. G offered the Quad Screen blood test, but stated that they would only be testing for the Spina bifida portion of the test. Since with KK's pregnancy this test produced a "positive" result, we declined the blood work. I was unsure if they also screen for other factors of Trisomy 21 in that test, however Dr. G stated that once you have a positve screen in the 1st trimester that they advise against future blood testing later as the results will continue to be off. So we will just be considered "positive" in respect for a neural tube defect... which is fine with me as they will be able to tell at the ultrasound if anything is wrong with "beans" spine. When all is said and done... the High Hcg, the low Papp-A are probably indicators of a placenta issue, pre-term labor or risk of high blood pressure during pregnany. Well... let's see... KK had a placenta issue, I already have High blood pressure and with pre-term labor I'll be checked often through ultrasound already with the other issues. Guess we will just have to see how the ultrasound goes on January 4th. Dr. G did urge us to have it done in Colorado Springs at Children's Hospital... to be honest I think this was a "CYA" thing on his end. The ultrasound tech at the office is awesome so we will just have it there. Dr. G did also say that by having the scan early, 18 weeks as to 22 weeks that some healthy babies have some of the markers that they would be looking for that end up resolving themselves. I am willing to have the ultrasound early and then if things are seen follow up with the new OB in South Dakota in February.  So hears to a great ultrasound on the 4th!! Happy Holidays, Jen :)

 

How far along? 16 weeks 6 days
EDD: 6/3/12

Weight gain/loss:  Not really sure I like going to the Dr. in the afternoon after eating lunch... or dressed in winter attire for the two feet of snow we got... that's the "reason" my weight was up! :)  

Next Ultrasound: January 4th

Size of baby:  An Avocado... and boy does that sound good.

Gender: Hopefully we will get a peek on the 4th.

Maternity clothes? sweats work just as good when you are at home. Guess I can suffer through 8 hours a day in tight pants at work for now :)   

Stretch marks:  Just the old ones.

Sleep: Been falling asleep around 9:30... getting up around 1am... falling back asleep about 2:30am and then up with KK around 6am.

Best moment this week: Dr. G. finding "Beans" heartbeat right off on Thursday... 156 beats per minute.

Food cravings: Saw someone post a recipe for spinich artichoke dip on facebook the other night... Gonna have to make that soon!

Pregnancy Signs: Sore boobs, Zits and all day hunger. Oh and lots of back pain. Also having some Round Ligament Pain... aka for growing uterus.

Movement: Really thinking I'm feel'in the "Bean". Lots of bumps around my belly button, right where Dr. G found the heartbeat yesterday.   
What I miss: Mt. Dew

What I am looking forward to: Ultrasound on January 4th and Christmas.  

Weekly Wisdom:  You really need to be proactive in your own care. Tell the Dr. what you want and when you want it... it's your health and your body.