Week 20 Appointment/Ultrasound

The week 20 appointment was today. Andy went with as well, so he was able to meet our midwife for the first time and ask questions. We have a lot fewer questions this time around than the first. Mainly since we have been through it before, but also since it will be so much more 'normal' this time around.

They did a fairly thorough ultrasound and measured head circumference, limb lengths, etc. Everything looked good, except for one (hopefully) minor concern. The placenta is fairly low and close to the cervix. Apparently this is fairly common at this point and most often it will move higher as the pregnancy progresses and the uterus grows. If it doesn't though, it could mean a planned c-section. I will have another ultrasound in 8 weeks to determine if this has changed at all.

I think I have had more ultrasounds so far this time around than last time, which is ironic since this time is supposed to be 'uncomplicated'.

Baby High-five

Well, I can't say if it was a hand or a foot, but I was finally able to feel the baby move today for the first time. It has been something I have been waiting to feel for weeks (since Stacy first told me she could feel it "fluttering").

It was a short little tap, but it was enough to let me know "Hey I'm in here." I have tried since, but so far no luck. Looking forward to the week 20 ultrasound!

Week 16 Appointment

Today I had my week 16 appointment. To be honest it was pretty uneventful. She listened to the heartbeat, which of course was the highlight. But that was about it and I was out of there in about 20 minutes.

The one piece of news I received is that our midwife may not be 'approved' to deliver at Southdale Hospital. Our insurance covers Southdale at a higher rate than Abbott, so I am torn. Even if we go to Abbott we aren't guaranteed that she will deliver the baby. She is off on Tuesdays, so I am guessing that is when the baby will arrive.

The next appointment will include the 20 week ultrasound where we will have the opportunity to find out if it is a boy or girl. We've already decided to keep it a surprise, but it will be hard to resist the knowledge. I'm going to have to warn the sonographer about Andy - he really tries to interpret the ultrasounds, so I'm sure he will think he knows by the end of the appointment!

Movement

I finally felt the first movements. It has been so reassuring each time I go to the doctors office and hear the heartbeat or see the baby in an ultrasound. Now I get to feel that reassurance every day. Very exciting!

1st Trimester Screenings

Today we completed our first trimester (optional) screenings. It involved a blood test and an ultrasound. We won't find out the details of the blood test for several weeks, but the ultrasound revealed that everything appears okay. The blood test is called the Quad Screen which screens for fetal neural tube defects and trisomies.

The added bonus of doing these screenings are that we get an extra glimpse at the baby. It's exciting to see that he/she is looking so much more 'baby-like'.

Graduation Day

Andy graduated today from St. Thomas with a Masters in Software Engineering. I am excited for him, but also so relieved that he is finally done...for now. It's been a long few years, especially since the twins were born and I can't imagine juggling 3 kids while he goes off to class, and studies and completes projects. Thankfully I don't even have to worry about it...for now. :) Knowing Andy it will only be a short reprieve.

Back to My OB

Today ushered in a return to normalcy with pregnancy - the return to my regular OB, really midwife. No longer do I need to be under the watchful eye of the Center for Reproductive Medicine. For now I will only need to go in once every 4 weeks until week 28 or so when it will be increased to every 2 weeks.