Genetics

So, yesterday Ken and I went to a genetics counseling session. We had to attend in order to be eligible for the amniocentesis at 15 weeks. I had been told previously by a friend who also had a child at an "advanced maternal age" that there is a test they can do called the nucleo translucency test in which the doctor uses a very high resolution ultrasound to take an image of the baby and measures a small space on the back of the baby's neck. They can predict the statistical likelihood of the fetus having Down Syndrome or trisomy 18 (a fetus with an extra gene #18). Because I am 42 and of "advanced maternal age" I have a 1 in 40 chance of having a baby with Downs. This test can give you more accurate stats given more personal, direct data. During our conversation with Audrey, the genetic counselor, she stated that we would have to do that test before Sunday because you have to do it before 14 weeks and 2 days. The window of opportunity is quickly diminishing. Fortunately for us, there was a doctor who had a bit of free time and was able to squeeze us in at the last minute to do the procedure.
I got weighed, blood pressure and heart rate taken. 140/67 and heart rate 65. Not bad.

Then we went into the ultrasound room. This was one on the belly, unlike the first one which was done at 10 weeks through the vagina. It is much more comfortable on the belly that is for certain. The baby looked like it was sleeping face down with much less movement than when we saw it at 10 weeks. The doctor tapped and prodded my belly a little bit to get it to turn over, but then it almost immediately turned back over again, giving us a great view of it's rump. After the doctor took basic measurements of the entire body, crown to rump, and then the spot on the back of the neck, he was able to give us an up close look at the various body parts: legs, arms and hands, head, heart beat, spine, hips, etc. It was completely amazing. I asked him "Do you see any parts?" He said, "What parts?" My response was, "Boy parts or girl parts!" with an implied "Of course!" He said, "I see girl parts. She is very healthy." He also said that she is a big baby! She is actually 8.25 cm, about the size of a lemon. Those were things I loved hearing: Healthy and forming well, big, a little wild girl (like her mommy!).

I could honestly do that every day. Now I kind of get why Tom Cruise bought one for his wife Katy and himself to look whenever they wanted! I would totally do that every day. It is fascinating. And it makes the experience much more real. At first you can't really tell; then you can tell because you are eating everything in sight, feeling like puking most of the time and maybe even starting to show, and when you see the ultrasound it makes it feel real. Eventually, fairly soon I hope I will begin to feel her in there! They say at around 5 months. That will be about 6 more weeks. And I will get to have another ultrasound in February and maybe by then I will begin to feel her!
After the ultrasound was finished..

Needless to say at my advanced maternal age I am totally ecstatic! As are Ken and my parents! Yes, I was "trying. " It took two short months. I was pleasantly shocked and certainly relieved. I had thoughts that maybe it would take 6 months to a year. I feel very fortunate. So far so good!

In the meantime, there is work to be done and Ken needs some TLC. Thankfully I am out of the stage where I feel rotten and super duper amazingly tired all the time. I actually have some energy to take care of someone besides myself.