Hello Second Trimester

Today I am 13 weeks and 2 days pregnant. I saw my doctor yesterday and she says that I am officially in the second trimester! The genetic testing that we had done last week has all come back now. We knew right after the ultrasound that things looked great, but it was awesome to get the blood tests back and hear that baby is healthy and well! The tests came back with less than a 0.01% chance of any of the Trisomies. They also tested the sex chromosomes, which we are told came back perfect. The fertility clinic now knows the gender of the baby, but my IPs would like it to be a surprise, so the report that we received was censored to take out the gender. My doctor was disappointed that she also received a censored report! If my IPs change their mind about knowing the gender at any point during the pregnancy, they can call the fertility clinic to ask, as they will always have it on file. 
My IM met my doctor for the first time yesterday, and I think for the most part it went well. My doctor is the sweetest person. She is very caring, and I have always gotten along with her well. But I was worried because I knew that IM wanted me to see an OB because of the complications that she had in her own pregnancies. My doctor was able to explain to her that things are different here. We have a shortage of doctors on the island, and as a result, there are only 6 OBs in the entire city of about 350,000 people. So none of the OBs here do primary care for pregnancies. It’s just not feasible. Patients see doctors or midwives, and if the pregnancy is high risk they can see a perinatalogist as well, but they are in addition to the regular maternity doctor. And there is always an OB on the maternity ward at the hospital. So my doctor is referring us to a perinatalogist for a consult, based on IMs history. But she also told me that based on the results of the genetic testing, and the fact that we have now reached the second trimester, the chances of loss at this point are less than 1%. She believes this pregnancy will progress normally and well from here on out.
We have asked for extra ultrasounds during this pregnancy, because of IMs history, and my doctor has agreed. Our next ultrasound will be the anatomy ultrasound at 19 weeks. After that we will have scans approximately once a month until Emby is born! I am grateful to my doctor for being accommodating, and relieved that I will get to keep her as my primary care physician during this pregnancy. 
I have been feeling really well so far in this pregnancy. I’ve had a few random bouts of puking, and can’t handle certain food textures any more, but for the most part I feel great. I’ve been tired, and my boobs are sore, but I’ve barely had any morning sickness, and barely any heartburn. I often just don’t feel pregnant at all. I’m glad that I have my Doppler to hear that heartbeat, or sometimes I would think this is all a crazy dream! 
Have a wonderful weekend.
The Baker

First trimester screening

Today we had our long-awaited first trimester screening. This meant yet another trip to Vancouver for me. I decided not to bring the kidlets, which was a good idea, because we spent many hours sitting and waiting. The ferry ride over was uneventful, but driving to the Clinic was very slow. I sure am glad I don’t live in Vancouver! I arrived at the clinic at 11:50am. They had us in for bloodwork by 12:15. Three big vials, two of which are being sent off to California for the NIPT test (non invasive prenatal testing). Then we sat around and waited. And waited… And waited… Finally got called in for our ultrasound around 1:30. I am so very happy to report that Emby is doing great!! There were no markers to show any risks for Down Syndrome, or any of the other Trisomies. Emby’s heartbeat was a whopping 186, probay because this is one very active little baby! S/he was doing back flips throughout the ultrasound. It was quite amazing to see.  Here’s a very blurry pic – simply because Emby was flipping when he snapped it!

  
It’s hard to tell, but the head is on the right.  

After the ultrasound we were sent back to the waiting room to wait some more for our turn to see the genetic counsellor. We didn’t get in to see her until about 2:45! But it was worth the wait, because she had the great news to tell us that Emby is looking amazing! It was such a relief for my IPs to hear.

By the time I got out of there it was about 3 pm. I decided that since it is a Friday night I had better head straight to the ferries rather than going to lunch with my IPs. But first they had a surprise for me! IF went to his car, and came back with an air conditioner for my house! What a sweet couple I have found to go on this journey with. It was so sweet I laughed, and then I cried. I could not have found a more amazing couple. Hugs went out all around and then I headed to the ferries. Being a Friday in August, there was a big wait. I got to the ferries at 4, and just boarded the 6pm ferry home. I should be home around 8 tonight, just in time to tuck my kidlets into bed. It’s been a long day, but so worth it! I now officially done seeing the RE, and will be sticking with my own doctors from here on out. That means a doctors appointment next Friday, at which time we will also ask for a referral to an OB, as IM would like me to see one, as well as my own doctor. The RE has recommended that we do extra ultrasounds at weeks 24,28 and 36 due to IM’s history. So we will try to get that going.

Have a great weekend! I know I will!

The Baker