NT Scan

I had my NT scan today. Everything went great. The ultrasound technician measured the fluid level behind the baby's neck -- it was within normal range which is wonderful! This means the chance of Down Syndrome is low. We still need to get the results of my blood work back but so far everything looks good.

My main reason for wanting to do this ultrasound is to make sure the baby is doing well. Without this ultrasound, we wouldn't get to see him/her until my anatomy scan so about 3 months between my first ultrasound and the anatomy. Given I haven't had morning sickness or many other First Trimester symptoms (which is great), sometimes I don't feel pregnant so I get worried something is wrong. But as Emile expected, everything was great! Our little bean was moving all over the place - much more than Natalie did! His/her heartbeat was similar to Natalie's at this stage - 159 bpm (Natalie's was 160 bpm). We could see his/her arms, legs and hands -- it was wonderful! It's finally feeling very real and I'm super excited!

The ultrasound technician also checked out the cyst on my ovary. Turns out there are two of them. She said one for sure is a pregnancy cyst which provides hormones until the placenta takes over (which should be around now). She couldn't tell on the second one but expects that it is. They'll continue watching them. Apparently this is very normal.

The anatomy scan is scheduled for July 1 -- 5 weeks away. I'll be 17 weeks pregnant. Wow, that's coming up soon!

Week 12

Almost at the end of the First Trimester already! I seem to have escaped morning sickness again. I know I'm one of the lucky ones! My c-section scar still itches a lot as my belly starts stretching. A number of friends that had c-sections and subsequent births have said the itching around the scar just gets worse as the pregnancy goes on. Hopefully it won't be as bad as the itchy skin rash I had with Natalie. I'm still tired but not nearly as much as I have been the last few weeks which is surprising given that Natalie has started to walk so I'm chasing after her much more now! :) I do still have to urinate frequently but hopefully that will start to subside now that my uterus is moving out from under my pelvic bone. It's pretty much impossible to suck in my belly anymore. Comparing to my pregnancy photos with Natalie, I feel like I already look about 16 weeks pregnant! So it goes I suppose with a second pregnancy.

I forgot to mention that during my first u/s my doctor noticed I have a cyst on one of my ovaries. She said it's nothing to worry about and they usually go away over time during a pregnancy but that she'll be watching it to see how it progresses. This apparently is very common.

By now, nearly all of our baby's organs, structures and systems are fully formed. The heart has begun to pump several quarts of blood through his/her body every day. Our baby has also begun to develop nerves and a spinal cord, allowing him/her to feel some types of pain. While our baby's brain is not the same size it will be at birth, it does have the same structure. Fingers and toes have separated and hair and nails continue to grow. Our baby is approximately 2.5 - 3.5 inches and weighs about 12 - 14 grams. Also, the external genitals can now show definite signs of male and female gender. Before, where there was only reflex movement, our baby now moves spontaneously and at random, although his/her movements are still too slight to be felt.

Tomorrow is our NT scan. I'm looking forward to seeing our baby again and hearing the heartbeat.

Week 11

My appetite has changed lately. I'm just not as nearly as hungry as I normally am. A lot of things don't sound appealing. I'm more repulsed by smells and the thought of certain food than I was with Natalie. Unlike last time, I actually haven't gained any weight yet even though my belly is starting to stick out. My uterus is already the size of a grapefruit and I'm pretty sure it's already moving up given how my belly feels. My c-section scar has been itching like crazy lately. I'm sure it's only going to get worse as time goes on and my belly starts really stretching. It probably doesn't help that I have a raised c-section scar (hypertrophic scar). I'm also still extremely tired all the time.

Our baby's organ systems are now functioning and s/he has a skeleton, nerves and blood circulation. Our baby's tiny feet are fully formed and shaped and could stand on an adult's fingernail. The most critical part of baby's development is now over, and the remainder of the pregnancy is about rapid growth, organ maturation and getting ready for delivery. Our baby's eyelids are fused now and the irises are developing. S/he will begin to get baby teeth, fingernails, toenails and hair follicles this week, too.

Week 10

I'm roughly 25% of the way done! This week marks the beginning of the fetal period, which lasts until birth. Our baby's body systems, such as circulatory, nervous, reproductive and digestive, are fully formed during this time. His/her heart is beating approximately 160-170 beats per minute. Our little one is now the size of a small plum and weighs less then 1/2 ounce, or 4 paper clips.

Our baby will become much more active then before, but unfortunately, his/her movements are still too small for me to notice. Our baby will be moving his/her arms and legs, which can be seen on an ultrasound. The baby's joints are fully formed, as are his/her tiny hands, feet, fingers and toes. At this age, our baby would be able to grab an object, if it were placed in his/her hand. Our baby's eyes are open most of the time but the eyelids are beginning to fuse - they will stay that way until I reach approximately 25 to 27 weeks. The external genitalia are beginning to be able to show our baby's gender and both the external ears and upper lip are completely formed now. In addition, our baby is breathing, "breathing" amniotic fluid.

For me, it's been pretty much the same as the last few weeks. Mostly just some abdominal achy-stretchy feelings. Still no morning sickness!!! So far, this pregnancy has been very similar to my pregnancy with Natalie. With working and taking care of an almost 1 year old, I haven't gotten that much time to use my prenatal work-out DVDs. I'm hoping to get more into exercising soon! I do manage to get a few walks with Natalie during the week though.

Week 9

I am now finally 9 weeks pregnant. Because Dr. Anya moved my EDD, it felt like it took forever to move onto the next week. Not much has been going on for me this week since my ultra sound. I still have the achy abdominal feelings on and off throughout the day and so far, no morning sickness (yay!). It's getting harder to suck in my belly (even though I'm only 9 weeks). I'm hoping to make it to at least 10 weeks before I pull out my maternity pants but it's definitely getting uncomfortable sitting in my jeans. Natalie has been sick today and yesterday, and I think I picked up what she has because I've been feeling pretty awful all afternoon and evening but this isn't really pregnancy-related. Hopefully we both start feeling better tomorrow.

I am still breastfeeding Natalie but will be starting to wean her in about 2 weeks. I had planned to wean around 12 months (I'm pretty excited that I made it to my goal!) and if all goes according to plan, she should be fully weaned by the middle of June (I'm planning to take a month to wean her from her four feedings). I was starting to feel sad about weaning because I enjoy the time together with Natalie but now that I'm starting to feel sore and tender from being pregnant, nursing has not been as comfortable. Plus, her top teeth don't help! But I'm very glad I was able to nurse her this long and we had this close bonding time together!

Our baby's cartilage and bones have begun to form. The basic structure of the eye is well underway and the tongue has begun to develop. The intestines start to move out of the umbilical cord and into the abdomen as our baby's body grows and makes room. His/her fingers and thumb have appeared but are short and webbed.