Friday, October 8, 2010

Update, genetic screening, and ultrasound

I went for genetic screening today. Unfortunately the appointment time got a little messed up and Alex wasn't able to come for this one. We were both pretty disappointed. My mom came instead and I'm so glad she was there!

Below is a video of pictures captured during the screening and a couple video clips. This was the first part of what they call sequential screening, where they take a bunch of measurements of the baby and also take a blood sample from me, to determine risk factors for certain genetic defects (Down's Syndrome, Trisomy 18, and open neural tube defects). Based on the measurements they took today everything looks good. We have another appointment on November 9th, where they'll draw another sample of blood from me (and have another look at Bean), and once the blood test results are back from both screenings we'll have a 93-95% accurate diagnosis of whether we're at risk for any of these three defects. We'll also get to find out the gender at that appointment! (Some of the pictures look like they might reveal something but they don't.)

Based on the measurements, as of today Bean is a little over three inches long from crown to rump. Bean sure was putting on a show today! Wiggling, swimming around, even "jumping" - pushing the legs out pretty forcefully! It was amazing to see in such detail the five fingers, leg bones, ribs, even the little developing brain. We heard the heartbeat again which was the most incredible part, and at 158 beats per minute, Bean's little heart is growing strong!

To be honest it was a relief to see and hear it for myself again. Since our last "emergency" appointment three and a half weeks ago where we just heard the heartbeat, and our last ultrasound way before that, and since Bean's too little for me to feel movement yet, I've been a bit anxious for "proof" that everything's still okay. They say you worry about your kids no matter how old they get - they don't tell you that worrying about them starts before they're even born!

It doesn't help that I had another (more severe) dizzy spell at work earlier this week. This time my hearing completely disappeared as the black spots started appearing in front of my eyes, and my coordination was even worse (I couldn't put a cap back on a highlighter, I was making typos all over the place as I struggled to finish a reservation, and when I finally left the kiosk I pretty much staggered to the bathroom like a drunk person). I sat on the cold bathroom floor again until the feeling went away, and was transferred to a less demanding, cooler position for the remainder of the day, but I still felt "off" for almost an entire day after that.

But regardless, Bean's doing great, and that's what matters! This is still so surreal...

2 comments:

  1. Hi Bean! It was so thrilling to see you today - it looks to me like you might keep your mom and dad busy trying to get you to stop jumping on the bed (um - ask your mom where you get that from!)...Love, Grandma Joan....p.s. say hi to mommy and daddy for me!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh my god, those pictures are so clear! Usually I can't identify anything in an ultrasound, even when it's pointed out! :) I think part of me would want to be surprised by the gender, but I also know the suspense would probably drive me insane. Either way, Lil' Bean is pretty adorable already!

    ReplyDelete