The Scattered Life of AVW Kimmel

I had my appointment yesterday, for Down Syndrome testing and a couple other infancy disability testing you get... it's the First Trimester Screening, which you get between week 10-14.
The appointment went well. Justin didn't go to this appointment, the first one he hasn't been to, the business has been pretty busy this year. Plus I didnt' make a big to do about this appointment since I'm actually having another ultrasound on Thursday.. which is two days apart... so he'll go to that one.

For this appointment, first they take your blood and then you have the ultrasound. First is the Nuchal Translucency testing... which now, it's standard to include the biochemical marker testing as well (blood test). These tests find percentage results for Down Syndrome, risomy 18 and Trisomy 13.

Some main points:
• Serious chromosomal abnormalities are more
commonly associated with pregnancies in women
35 and older, but they can occur at any age.

• The first trimester screen is more accurate in
predicting Down syndrome and Trisomy 18 or 13
than tests later in pregnancy.

• A first trimester screen is only accurate when
performed between 11 to 14 weeks of pregnancy.

• The first trimester screen only evaluates the risk
for Down syndrome and Trisomy 18 or 13.
Screening does not assess the risk for any other
chromosomal disorder, however these conditions
are much less common.

• A normal (negative) first trimester screen significantly
reduces, but does not completely
eliminate, the risk for Down syndrome, Trisomy
18 or 13.

• An abnormal (positive) first trimester screen
increases the chance of finding an abnormality in
your pregnancy. You should consider the option
of diagnostic follow-up testing such as CVS or
amniocentesis.

Now, for MY testing... the fluid behind the babies neck is measured in the ultrasound. The genetic counselor let me know as long as the measurement is below 3.0, this is good.

The technician measures three times and they take the highest measurement. My babies measurement was 2.3. Under 3.0... Phew! Now, you might be wondering.. hmm. that's pretty close to 3.0.. I know I was! Well, the measurement max for the fluid is always 3.0.. whether you're 10 weeks - 14 weeks. I was closer to the 14 week mark when I had the test done, obviously the baby is larger then they are at 10 weeks, therefore the fluid is going to be a bit more as well.

This is why they wait to get the blood results back... they factor in the measurements from the ultrasound, the blood test results as well as your age.. then they are able to give you a percentage odds that your child will have of being born with any of these three illnesses. None are 100% certain.

SO, We should get these odds on Friday.

In the meantime, I was sent home with some pretty cool pictures :) It was again, AMAZING to see the baby... now looking like a baby... slightly alien like (haha) but I saw Him/Her moving around, with his arm moving up and down as if he were scratching his head. I also coughed during the procedure , as the tech asked me to... so we could try and get him to move the way she needed him to.. and he started bouncing around like a little bouncy ball! I never thought that happened when I coughed!! Amazing that's going on... now every movement I make I'm so much more aware that my baby is experiencing the movements in his/her own way too. Wow...

I love this baby more than anything in the world already :) I simply can't wait to meet you baby bug :)