37 and 38 Weeks Pictures

 37 Weeks

38 Weeks

39 Weeks

Everything was fine at this appointment.  I didn't get all of the stats, but I was up 2lbs from the last appt.  Hopefully I won't make it to the appointment that I scheduled for Jan 4th :)

Updated:  Pretty much feeling terrible most of the time since the 26th.  My stomach has been sensitive, feeling nauseous off and on every day.  Last night I was almost convinced I was going into labor I felt so terrible in the middle of the night.  I never really had this with either of the other two pregnancies.  Besides that I feel good.  I am not terribly uncomfortable, no real hip or back pain, just some pressure and cervical pain in the evenings.  I am hoping I go into labor soon because the feeling nauseous pretty much stinks and I can only keep it at bay by NOT eating, which is not fun.

Excited to be going in for a kiss! 

36/37 Weeks

Picture to come soon.

36 Weeks: I was down a pound, Baby's heart rate was 154 (11:30am), and my BP 103/64.  My belly was measuring approx. 35 weeks.  At our last ultrasound, they said the baby was measuring large at 6lbs 15oz (Brooke and Brandon were only 7lb, 6oz and 7lb, 2oz) so hoping they are a bit off on that measurement.  Everything looked fine so no more visits to MFM.   The heart rate at this appt was 138 at this appointment (9:30am)

37 Weeks: Up one pound.  I am not sure what my BP was, but it was normal.  Baby's heart rate was in the 140's and sounding good.

I have been feeling pretty good the past few weeks.  I am having more trouble moving around, but that is to be expected.  I have been having braxton hicks contractions since 36 weeks, hopefully they will turn into "real" ones sooner or later.  I am thinking December 31st would be a pretty cool birthday :)

Starting Weight: 118


8 Weeks: 119 +1
12 Weeks: 122 +3
16.3 Weeks: 125 +3
20.3 Weeks: 128 +3
24.3 Weeks: 134 +6
28.3 Weeks: 137 +3
30.3 Weeks: 137 +0 (Happy about this zero)
32.3 Weeks: 142 +5
34.3 Weeks: 144 +2
36.3 Weeks: 143 -1
37.3 Weeks: 144 +1

Total: +26

32 Weeks

32 weeks and I am REALLY slowing down, due to the fact that I'm sleeping terrible.  Besides that things are going really well.  Every time I roll over I wake up, every time Eric moves, I wake up, at least one or 2 wake ups to use the bathroom, and another wake up at 6am because I'm still not used to the time change.  Add all that together with taking care of the other 2 little ones and I am done by early afternoon.

This week we had an ultrasound and a regular OB appt.  The ultrasound went great.  Heart rate was 135, fluid levels good, and the baby measured in at approx. 4lbs 8oz which is right on track.

Later that day at my regular OB, the heart rate was in the 140's, BP 94/67, and I gained a few pounds.  I am beginning to think the scale in the Morristown office over Halloween was wrong.

Starting Weight: 118


8 Weeks: 119 +1
12 Weeks: 122 +3
16.3 Weeks: 125 +3
20.3 Weeks: 128 +3
24.3 Weeks: 134 +6
28.3 Weeks: 137 +3
30.3 Weeks: 137 +0 (Happy about this zero)
32.3 Weeks: 142 +5
Total: +24

30 Weeks

I didn't think I took a picture this week, but I did take a cellphone picture.

 Monday the 14th is our next ultrasound and regular appointment.  Who would have thought my 30 weeks appointment, scheduled for Halloween, would have to be rescheduled to their Morristown office as a result of power outages because of snow.  We made it to Morristown (30min drive) with both kids in costume after Brooke's school parade.  All of the nurses and doctors seemed to enjoy the silly mood the kids brought in with them.....roars from Brandon included.

So far I am still feeling pretty good.  I am not sleeping very well these days.  The back aches and sore hips have started.  Heartburn has come back full force with almost anything I eat or drink if it's not water.  All part of the territory which I welcome.  The last few weeks seem to be creeping by slowly, but I know the baby will be here before I know it, so I am trying to enjoy every aspect left of this pregnancy since it will most likely be my last.  As I write this I am almost 32 weeks, 8 or less to go....WOW! 

Baby is still not named, and most likely won't be until it's born.  I am pretty sure the baby is still laying sideways, so hopefully it gets in the correct position soon. 

Stats:

30 Weeks, 3 Days
BP 94/67
HR 146BPM

Starting Weight: 118

8 Weeks: 119 +1
12 Weeks: 122 +3
16.3 Weeks: 125 +3
20.3 Weeks: 128 +3
24.3 Weeks: 134 +6
28.3 Weeks: 137 +3
30.3 Weeks: 137 +0 (Happy about this zero)
Total: +19

28 Weeks

This is me at 28 weeks, 5days.

I had my appointment at 28w3d.  So far so good, and I start seeing them every 2 weeks now.  This appointment was just your basic appointment and no ultrasound.  Next ultrasound is November 14th...still no gender but our willpower to resist is being tested!

Stats: Baby's heartrate 134bpm, BP 87/71 (low, but no one seemed concerned)
Starting: 118
8 Weeks: 119 +1
12 Weeks: 122 +3
16.3 Weeks: 125 +3
20.3 Weeks: 128 +3
24.3 Weeks: 134 +6
28.3 Weeks: 137 +3
Total: +19

Not sure what happened 2 months ago, but I'd really like that 3lbs back :)  Looks like I will be closer to +30 this time around, which is fine for my starting weight anyway.  I am feeling good, just a little slower these days.  The baby still isn't head down, which is fine, but the other 2 were head down at this point.  I am pretty sure because the baby isn't head down, things are feeling much more cramped and I am feeling much stronger kicks and moves than I did with the other 2 at 29 weeks.  The baby is definitely squishing my stomach quite a bit and I need to get used to the amount of food that I can eat at one sitting.  I still tend to eat more than I should and end up extremely uncomfortable.  Overall so far so good.  Next appt is on Halloween :)

25 Weeks, 3 Days

Today we had an ultrasound to check the baby's growth (monitor possible IUGR) and everything looked great.  The heart rate was 139BPM (boy?) and the weight of the baby is approx 2lbs, which is nice and big for this gestational age.  Placenta and kidneys looked good as well.  We were unable to get a good face shot because the baby had its hands up the whole time but we got a cute 3D shot of that anyway.

Brandon was very cute at this appointment.  I kept telling him we were going to see the baby in my belly, so he was kind of ready, even though I don't think he really understands.  He usually just asked why I have a "baby belly".  When the ultrasound image came up on the screen, he kept saying, "Aww, hi little baby" and waving up at the monitor.  Even the technician commented on how adorable he was being.  It was really very sweet.  He also likes to talk about hearing the heartbeat, calling it the "loud noise".  It is obviously much cuter coming out of his mouth, with his little voice, but I wanted to write it down so I didn't forget how sweet he was being.

24 Weeks

I am officially 24 weeks today, but my appt isn't until Monday.  Ill post this picture now, and follow up with stats soon!

For the msot part I am feeling good.  Some days I feel larger than other, and I tend to try to rest a bit when Brandon does.  Besides that it is back in the swing of things with pre-k for Brooke 3 days a week, a toddler gym for Brandon, gymnastics for Brooke, music class for both and a mommy and me "Giggletime" class with Brandon.

Lets just start this by saying oops!  I am not surprised because I have been eating junk, but here is the latest:

Pre-pregnancy weight 118


8 Weeks: 119 +1
12 Weeks: 122 +3
16.3 Weeks: 125 +3
20.3 Weeks: 128 +3
24.3 Weeks: 134 +6
Total: +16

Looks like I am going to try to make healthier eating decisions int he next 16 weeks or I am going to turn into a house!
 
Not sure the heart rate or BP, but they were all fine.  Next time I'll ask.  We are headed fora growth check ultrasound on the 26th, so hopefully we will get some more ultrasound shots.

20 Weeks

Pre-pregnancy weight 118
8 Weeks: 119 +1
12 Weeks: 122 +3
16.3 Weeks: 125 +3
20.3 Weeks: 128 +3
Total: +10

Blood pressure was fine.  Not sure the reading, the nurse didn't say and I didn't ask.
Heart Rate this week was 144
The picture above was taken at 20weeks, in the morning.  For fun go back to the 19 week post and check out the picture at night!



Level 2/ Second Trimester Ultrasound



Let me just start by saying, I was incredibly anxious for this appointment.  I had managed to keep my mind busy for the most part until the day before, then I couldn't stop worrying about what they may or may not find.

It was good news.

Every single measurement that they took was 100% normal.  They did not find any down syndrome markers either.  The technician and the doctor spent quite a bit of time looking at the heart for the the defect that is most common in babies with down syndrome and all they saw was a perfect little heart.  The placenta looked great, it was the appropriate size and the baby was measuring in at 11oz, which is actually on the larger side of normal.  While all of these positive findings are reassuring, they don't rule out the chance of down syndrome, but the doctor said at this point they can typically identify 90+ percent of chromosomally abnormal babies.  So again, no diagnosis, nothing 100 percent, but we couldn't have asked for better results at this point.

Where do we go from hear?  I head back for ultrasounds at 26, 30 and 34 weeks to monitor the possibility of IUGR and any othe low PAPP-A issues.  Hopefully this little baby will keep on growing!  At this point they really won't look for any DS markers or anything, so we will find out for sure when the baby is born when it comes to that.

Does the 4D picture look like a boy or girl??  (We didn't find out)

19 Weeks

19 weeks as of 8/12
Feeling the baby move all the time these days.  Our big ultrasound is tomorrow and we are hoping for good news.   For now here is a picture of my belly.  Next time I'm going to take it in the morning :)

16 Weeks

Pre pregnancy weight 118
8 weeks: 119 +1
12 weeks: 122 +3
16.3 weeks: 125 +3
Total: +7 Yikes!

Blood Pressure 110/96

Heart Rate: 156 or 158....Can't remember, but all is well

Google

I really should stop googling.  I am sure it will lessen as the days pass, but I did find this which I think is interesting.  With the exact numbers as NTD Labs, this online calculator puts my risk at 1 in 274.  I am not sure why the big difference in the statistical estimate, but it was still kinda reassuring...I guess.  It obviously won't change my "diagnosis" or the extra monitoring that I am going to get, but like I said, it's interesting.

http://www.sbpsoftware.com/trisomy-risk-calculator.html

Today

Today's appointment went well, the genetic counselor was reassuring of the positives of our case.  The fact that we only have one indication of DS is a positive sign.

I don't really have the energy to go into all the details now, but the nasal bone was present, bhCG was normal, NT was normal, maternal age is good, so the only thing at this point is the PAPP-A protein being low.

No invasive tests means we will wait until 20 weeks for our level2/anatomy scan where they will check the baby in detail, the placenta as well as look for "soft markers" of DS.  Nothing will be conclusive, but we could walk out of their more reassured or less reassured depending on what they see.

I really do want to know for sure one way or another, I just wish there was a non-invasive way to get those results.

I am feeling better about everything today then I was yesterday, so we just stay positive and wait.  Praying for some good growth and no markers.

First Trimester Screening

I almost didn't do this test this time around and now I wish I hadn't done it.

Yesterday wasn't the day I was hoping for.  With Eric, and both kids, we made the trip to the Maternal Fetal Medicine office for our ultrasound to go with the blood test I had taken at home about 2 weeks ago.

The ultrasound was great, both kids loved it, the baby looked great and the tech gave us some pictures to take home.  She looked in the computer and they had received my blood work.  She typed it all up and had to go print it off so that we could go over it.  I should have known something was up when I was coming back from the bathroom and she said she would be back in a minute with the doctor.  I don't remember there being a doctor last time.

My results came back at an increased risk of Down Syndrome.  My blood work, put me at the risk level of a 40yr old.   Free beta hCG was 0.95 MoM, 50th percentile (normal), PAPP-A 0.15 MoM, 1st percentile (extremely low), NT 2.2mm, +.59 Delta (normal range).  Basically this PAPP-A number is what is throwing all of my numbers off.  It was low with Brandon, it was .33 MoM, and my risk with him was 1 in greater than 10,000 for DS.  This time around, my risk is considered 1-73, still only 1% chance of DS but is considered higher risk.

PAPP-A is a hormone that is produced by the placenta, so if it isn't  DS, it could mean the placenta isn't working as well as it should be, which brings a whole other lot of risks.  At higher risk for IUGR, pre-e, placenta abruption, stillbirth, low birth weight, premature delivery.

At this point the placenta issues scare me more than DS.  Eric and I already decided that we are not doing a CVS or an amnio to confirm DS or not.  The risk of miscarriage really isn't worth it, because even if the test were to come back positive for DS, we wouldn't terminate anyway.

So here we are, nervous, googling, scared, hoping, and scheduled to see a genetic counselor today.  After today we will have a better idea of what our other options are, quad screen, more blood tests, level 11 ultrasound, baby asprin to help placenta function....we aren't really sure.  We already know that because of the risk of IUGR, we will have growth ultrasounds at 26weeks, 30weeks and 34weeks (which I also had with Brandon, that came back fine).

I guess we will know more after today.

12 Weeks

+3lbs so that is a total of 4lbs so far.  Yikes! And then my husband comes home with a bag of Cheetos...
-Still in normal clothes
-Heartburn
-Waking up to pee in the middle of the night, every night
-Tired
-Food aversions are finally starting to ease up

Check up went fine.  The doc misread my file and thought I was only 11weeks, so they did an ultrasound to hear the heartbeat and didn't even try with the doppler.  Its amazing how much they grow in 4 weeks.  We could see the face, arms and legs and it was waving around one of its arms.

I think I have felt the baby move a few times, but I'm still not 100% yet.

Not much else to report.

Showing

I didn't really think that I was, but I guess I am.  I am still not wearing any maternity clothes, but it's not going to be too much longer.  Not to bad for being the 3rd one :)

5, 7, and 9

Side by side for fun

9 Weeks

Brondo-8 Weeks

No, that's not the name its a joke.