Today we had our first appointment with the perinatologist - a specialist. We first met briefly with a genetic counselor who addressed the HLA-B27 gene. This gene can cause a few rare diseases which my mom and some of her siblings have. A med student sat in on our discussion. Basically, there is nothing that needs to be done at this time. It is just something that is good to know about in case the baby or I ever have symptoms of the diseases caused by the gene.
The main reason we were there was to meet with the perinatologist for any issues with the baby such as growth restriction or preterm labor and what we could/should be doing between now and delivery to help. The baby is sitting pretty much right in the middle of my stomach and no longer to the right. B and I thought it looked pretty crowded in there from the ultrasound. The measurements were all fine so the baby is growing at a normal rate which is excellent. There were two pieces of information that are not exactly good although they are not a big deal right now. First, the baby is breech (head up, rump down). This is bad because although most babies can turn to be head-first, ours probably won't have enough room to do so. Second, the placenta (I know, gross) is not in the ideal place. They are just going to keep an eye on it for now. It may be fine.
Nothing new has really changed. I think I am starting to show a little. I can't suck it in anymore so I guess I can officially blame my tummy on the baby. I also have to pee a lot more often and have to get up during the night to go.
I told two more co-workers last week. They are good friends that I thought should know before the rest of the office. I am planning to tell my boss next week which I'm sure will go fine but I am not necessarily looking forward to it.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
12 Week Ultrasound
We had our 12 week ultrasound today. This one was to test for any genetic disorders, etc. Things like spina bifida and chromosome abnormalities I believe is what we tested for. We decided to go through with these tests since my insurance covers them and so that we would be aware if there was any type of problem.
I didn't know but the ultrasound was a 3D one. You can sort of see the face shape. I posted a picture. It is a little dark since I couldn't use the flash or there would be a reflection. The technician commented on how active the little thing was. She said I would probably be feeling a lot of movement after the next few weeks. She was having trouble getting the pictures she needed because of all the moving around Vegas Baby was doing and had to tap on my stomach to get him/her to get into a good position for a picture.
We also got a goodie bag at the doctor's office today. It had a bag with bottles and formula which was a big wake-up call. Although a little early - it expires about 2 weeks after the baby is due. We also got a run down of what we need to do to get registered with the hospital. It seems like such a long ways off but I'm sure it will fly by.
My next appointment is with the perinatologist on the 23rd. I'm not sure what they will do, I am guessing a physical exam. Ultrasounds are so much more fun!
I didn't know but the ultrasound was a 3D one. You can sort of see the face shape. I posted a picture. It is a little dark since I couldn't use the flash or there would be a reflection. The technician commented on how active the little thing was. She said I would probably be feeling a lot of movement after the next few weeks. She was having trouble getting the pictures she needed because of all the moving around Vegas Baby was doing and had to tap on my stomach to get him/her to get into a good position for a picture.
We also got a goodie bag at the doctor's office today. It had a bag with bottles and formula which was a big wake-up call. Although a little early - it expires about 2 weeks after the baby is due. We also got a run down of what we need to do to get registered with the hospital. It seems like such a long ways off but I'm sure it will fly by.
My next appointment is with the perinatologist on the 23rd. I'm not sure what they will do, I am guessing a physical exam. Ultrasounds are so much more fun!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Almost 12 Weeks
I am really excited that I will have made it through the first trimester as of this Thursday. I had another doctor appointment today. No sonogram but we did listen to the heartbeat and it sounded great. The doctor appointments so far always make me feel much better. I found out that I need to be drinking a lot more water. It helps with infection now and my nurse told me to get used to it because labor will be much easier if I am really hydrated (less painful, etc.). That's enough to convince me!
I also get to stop taking one medication which is awesome. I take progesterone twice a day and it is hard to remember. Plus, it has to be refrigerated so I almost always get to bed or ready to head out the door then realize I need to take it (and it is not fun to take). I also get to stop taking Metformin in two weeks. That one is three giant pills that I have to take with my evening meal. It is a pain when we are not at home or if I am not feeling like I can keep my food down. The downside is that two weeks later I have to take a diabetes test (this medicine is due to me having low blood sugar which throws off my hormones, a side effect of PCOS).
The most interesting thing I found out at the appointment was that the doctor thinks people will be able to tell by looking at my stomach that the baby is more to the right. It won't be terribly obvious but I should expect people asking if it is always sitting on the right. It will be interesting to see if we can tell.
Is it bad that I am already sort of going through a nesting stage? I think it is more that I am such a planner. We decided to furnish our basement. I wanted to get a huge comfy couch down there for a nice place to relax when I am huge and miserable in the spring and when we are trying to get some rest next summer. So we bought a big sectional, a 46" LCD TV, and a TV stand. It will be nice for the New Year's party too... which is still on pregnant or not! We are also going to have fully-furnished guest rooms so lots of beds for guests to stay in. I have planned out where I want each piece of furniture. Now if I just had some extra cash to redo my kitchen, put drywall in my living room, and remodel the garage entryway so that my car actually fits. That is probably asking a bit too much!
The other thing I have been trying to get done is scrapbooking. I have sooo much to do but I want to get caught up before I have another person's life to document. I got a ton of pictures developed and picked up supplies this weekend so I need to get to it.
Next on the agenda is another appointment on Monday. We will be doing some prenatal testing just to see if the baby is likely to have any genetic/chromosome disorders, etc. Insurance covers it so we decided to go through with it just so we are aware of anything that may be a challenge when the baby gets here. After that I have an appointment with a perinatologist (a specialist) on November 23 just to see if there is anything else we should be doing as a result of my condition. Then I have another appointment with my doctor on December 7 to check for diabetes and do a sonogram. My doctor said that I will have around 10 sonograms throughout the pregnancy... one of the positive effects of having to get out of work to go to an appointment every couple of weeks.
Sorry this post is so long... I guess I should post more frequently!
I also get to stop taking one medication which is awesome. I take progesterone twice a day and it is hard to remember. Plus, it has to be refrigerated so I almost always get to bed or ready to head out the door then realize I need to take it (and it is not fun to take). I also get to stop taking Metformin in two weeks. That one is three giant pills that I have to take with my evening meal. It is a pain when we are not at home or if I am not feeling like I can keep my food down. The downside is that two weeks later I have to take a diabetes test (this medicine is due to me having low blood sugar which throws off my hormones, a side effect of PCOS).
The most interesting thing I found out at the appointment was that the doctor thinks people will be able to tell by looking at my stomach that the baby is more to the right. It won't be terribly obvious but I should expect people asking if it is always sitting on the right. It will be interesting to see if we can tell.
Is it bad that I am already sort of going through a nesting stage? I think it is more that I am such a planner. We decided to furnish our basement. I wanted to get a huge comfy couch down there for a nice place to relax when I am huge and miserable in the spring and when we are trying to get some rest next summer. So we bought a big sectional, a 46" LCD TV, and a TV stand. It will be nice for the New Year's party too... which is still on pregnant or not! We are also going to have fully-furnished guest rooms so lots of beds for guests to stay in. I have planned out where I want each piece of furniture. Now if I just had some extra cash to redo my kitchen, put drywall in my living room, and remodel the garage entryway so that my car actually fits. That is probably asking a bit too much!
The other thing I have been trying to get done is scrapbooking. I have sooo much to do but I want to get caught up before I have another person's life to document. I got a ton of pictures developed and picked up supplies this weekend so I need to get to it.
Next on the agenda is another appointment on Monday. We will be doing some prenatal testing just to see if the baby is likely to have any genetic/chromosome disorders, etc. Insurance covers it so we decided to go through with it just so we are aware of anything that may be a challenge when the baby gets here. After that I have an appointment with a perinatologist (a specialist) on November 23 just to see if there is anything else we should be doing as a result of my condition. Then I have another appointment with my doctor on December 7 to check for diabetes and do a sonogram. My doctor said that I will have around 10 sonograms throughout the pregnancy... one of the positive effects of having to get out of work to go to an appointment every couple of weeks.
Sorry this post is so long... I guess I should post more frequently!
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