As most of you know, we had our ultrasound on January 30th.  For the most part, we think the ultrasound is mainly to determine the sex of the baby, but the ultrasound also looks at the growth of the baby, checks for heartbeat, checks location of the placenta, checks for physical abnormalities, date the pregnancy, to name a few.  Unfortunately, I received a phone call at work from the doctor the following day after our ultrasound.  (The doctor had previously described the ultrasound procedure and mentioned she might call if anything is abnormal.)  Knowing it was my doctor, I was hesitant to answer the phone, knowing something is wrong.  The ultrasound discovered a bright spot on the heart, known as echogenic focus of the heart, and a 2-vessel umbilical cord when there is normally a 3-vessel cord (1 vein and 2 arteries).  The doctor asked that we come in again for a detailed ultrasound, because of the two abnormalities, as well as talk to a genetic counselor.  Hearing all of this information FREAKED ME OUT!  I was writing down everything the doctor was saying trying to stay calm (since I was at work).  My brain was all over the place, I didn't know what to think.  I then text'd Eric because I knew he was in a meeting and briefly gave him the details.

Lucky for us, Eric's dad and Carol are neonatal nurses!  Eric spoke to them about the conversation I had with the doctor.  Both of them put us at ease, though in the back of my mind I was still worried.

That night, Eric, my parents and I headed to Phoenix for the Super Bowl.  So I suppose that was good news that we would be busy all weekend long with no time to think about the issues at hand.

Wednesday, February 6 was our detailed ultrasound and counseling appointment.  My mom joined us, which was nice because she was the happy jelly bean in the bunch making Eric and I feel as good as possible.  We were told there could be possibly 3 appointments throughout the day, so we came prepared.  I went in for another ultrasound, just like the other with the tech taking pictures of the baby.  Again the baby was NOT cooperating; his head was in my pelvis.  After almost an hour of the ultrasound, the baby's head finally appeared!  I was able to see the facial profile.  Then an ultrasound physician came in to look for additional abnormalities than the 2 previously diagnosed.  Nothing additional was found. 

So now on to the genetic counseling appointment.  Actually it was quite interesting because we had to draw a family tree.  The counselor said there was nothing red flagging her from the family tree...good news.  She explained our conditions we have in more detail and gave us an option for an amniocentesis.   She provided the risks of the amnio as well as told us the results are 99.8% accurate.  Eric asked the counselor if we could go to lunch and think about it.  I looked at Eric and said "what's there to think about?"  I knew before going what I wanted to do, and that was to proceed with the amnio.  As sweet as Eric is, he said that he would back his wife on the decision.  The amnio was scheduled for later, so my mom, Eric and I had time for lunch.  Again, it was nice having my mom as the positive person between Eric and I.

The amnio was not as bad as some might think.  For those who don't know, an amnio is a procedure to test for genetic issues.  A long needle is inserted in the belly to the amniotic sac to collect fluid from the baby.  The cell chromosomes are then examined by the lab for abnormalities, such as Down Syndrome, Trisomy 18 and Spina Bifida.  One positive factor of the amnio is the sex of the fetus is 100% accurate!  We were told the results would take 2-3 weeks, with preliminary results in 2 or 3 business days.  We were hoping we would receive a phone call on Friday rather than waiting and wondering through the entire weekend!

Friday night approached and we received a phone call at 5:30pm from the genetic counselor.  All of the above genetic concerns were ruled out; we have the right amount of chromosomes (no extras, nothing missing); no more worries with the bright spot on the heart, but there still could be complications due to the 2-vessel cord.  So it was a good phone call...we are out of the woods!  You don't know how relieved Eric and I were...we hugged, kissed and quickly called our family members to tell them the good news!

Thank you to the family and friends for your love and support!

Needless to say, a pregnancy might seem quite easy and healthy, but complications arise more frequently than none.  You read about the textbook "problems" such as weight gain, boobs hurting, vomiting, sickness, tiredness, etc., but nothing ever prepares you for such an ordeal Eric and I went through.

I am more aware of this pregnancy now and know the risks associated; I love my lil' boy inside me more than ever and we are thankful for him!

Fortunately, we will receive more testing and ultrasounds to monitor the baby since I am still considered a high risk pregnancy (because of the 2-vessel cord).  Our next ultrasound is at the end of March, and then I will also begin non-stress tests towards the end of the pregnancy. 

Today, was our ultrasound appointment.  I am 20 weeks and 1 day, so time to find out the sex of our baby and see if everything is healthy.

I realized I better have a plan B when I go in to labor because Eric "forgot" me.  We both talked about leaving 45 minutes prior to the appointment to get there in time, etc.  But it was well past the 45 minutes and Eric was not home yet.  I called to find out where he was.  Eric was at the appointment!  What?!  So frantically I left the house and quickly drove to the appointment. Well...too quickly because I got a speeding ticket!  Yep, now I was going to be really late!

I made it to the appointment safely but with a PHAT ticket!  As we waited for my name to be called, all I could think about was all the water I drank.  I drank 40 oz. of water as instructed.  Well, I only need to drink 24 oz.  Finally, my name was called and I was directed in to the nurse's ultrasound room.  The ambiance of the room felt like I was about to get a facial, dim light, smelling good and lying down on a comfortable "bed."  The nurse squirted the warm gel on my belly and begin the ultrasound process.  After almost 20 minutes of the ultrasound the nurse was having a difficult time seeing the head.  He was being very stubborn, like mommy & daddy!  So, the nurse had to tip me just about upside down to get the baby moving.  Finally, after 30 minutes and more than 150 pictures, the nurse got every portion of the baby needed.

The nurse then called in Eric to the room.  She showed us body parts, the heart and then came the big question we wanted answered...IT'S A BOY!  (I already knew.  The nurse told me earlier.)  She is not allowed to tell us 100% for certain the sex, but she has 2 boys, she grew up with brothers and knows what the anatomy looks like!   

So, now it's time to plan the baby's room, pick out a name and continue the fun 

We had our monthly doctor visit, at 19 weeks.  The doctor went over the results from my recent blood work tests for spina bifida and down syndrome.  She said the baby is healthy and results were normal.  We also got to listen to the heart beat again -- it was strong and healthy.  The doctor told us I have gained 12 pounds now, BUT I had lost 5 pounds while in Europe.  So really, I have only gained 7 pounds -- that sounds much better!  I think a majority of those extra pounds are in my boobs!  :)

The doctor explained and prepared us for the upcoming ultrasound appointment.  IF the baby is "cooperating," then we'll be able to figure out the sex.  Also, the ultrasound is for other things such as growth, etc. 

I am feeling great, almost like there is nothing in my belly.  A big difference from the 1st trimester of constantly being sick.