Sunday, January 29, 2012

She's movin' and groovin'!

Aaron finally felt the baby move!  I loved that first moment I saw his face when he just realized that little bump against his hand was the baby :)  I was so excited for him!

Although he wanted a boy first, you should have seen his face when we were having our ultrasound done, and I said, "It's a girl! It's a girl!"   I think my excitement is contagious to him.  His eyes lit up, and his smile grew wider.  His love for me is evident :)   I'm so blessed to have him ♥

I gained a little more weight.  I weighed 125 pounds at the Dr's office.  Nausea is still gone.  Appetite is growing.  Energy level is increasing.

I did a mile walk in my Fitness and Wellness class last week, and I was only 3 minutes behind the majority of students in their 20's.  I thought I did pretty good!  Unfortunately, according to the score I calculated, based on my age, height, weight, time it took to walk the mile, heartbeat, pulse, etc ... I didn't even make the category of "very poor."  How can that be?  I walked the mile in 19 minutes, and the younger students finished in 16 minutes.  I guess the whole class did poorly?  I'm really surprised I got such a low score.  I'm going to practice on the treadmill, and hope I can increase my speed without having to use my asthma medicine.

19 week belly pic!



This morning she was moving alot while we were still in bed.  She was rolling around and around!  It didn't feel like a kick or poke.  Even Aaron said it felt like a bump sliding across his hand.  She was spinning like a ballerina!

Video of baby's progress...



We are still thinking about the perfect name for our baby girl.  Right now it's nice to be talking about names just with Aaron, and hopefully in time we'll make a decision and let everyone know :)



Monday, January 23, 2012

Boy or Girl?

Aaron and I both were filled with nervous excitement as we walked into the Dr's office today.  It seemed like we were waiting for an eternity for our ultrasound.  FINALLY we made our way into the room, and I hopped up on the table.  Aaron started recording....








We are having a baby GIRL!  Yeah!!!

For those of you who don't know, when I was a teenager, the majority of my jobs were babysitting jobs, and almost all of them were caring for little boys.  Then in 2000, I became my nephew's primary caregiver when he was born until he was 9 years old.  I have had my fill of the movie Jurassic Park, and the cartoon Land Before time.  I have grown tired of picking rocks out of the washing machine, stepping on plastic dinosaurs, and listening to the incessant sound of farting noises and giggles.

Ah... a baby girl :)  I can't wait to fill her room with Strawberry Shortcake stuff!  I get to buy cute pink dresses, and flowery headbands, and get her ears pierced! :)  I get to play in a world of baby dolls, and princesses! 

However, if she decides she wants to play with dinosaurs, and bugs, I'll be prepared!  My daughter will be impressed to know that her mommy can name all of the dinosaurs, and knows all of the lines in the movies Jurassic Park, and Land Before time.  I also developed a love for catching frogs, and photographing bugs! Thanks to my nephew :)  And of course, she will be a huge Star Wars fan thanks to her Daddy ♥

I think I will buy these! ...



Here are some new ultrasound pictures...






There is one small concern that showed up on the ultrasound. There are two cysts on her brain. It's called "Choroid Plexus Cysts." or "CPCs." The ultrasound technician said it's nothing to lose sleep over, and our Dr. also said we shouldn't worry, but it can be linked to a chromosomal disorder in some cases.

Here is the information that our Dr. gave us ...

"The second trimester ultrasound examination (sonogram) will sometimes identify a cyst or cysts in the choroid plexus.  The choroid plexus is a tissue in the brain that produces cerebrospinal fluid.  Fluid-filled cysts, called choroid plexus cysts or CPCs, are identified by ultrasound in approximately 1-3% of all pregnancies scanned between 16 and 24 weeks gestation.  In the majority of cases, CPCs disappear by the 28th week of pregnancy with no effect on the baby.  However, a fetal CPC is considered a "marker", indicating that the baby may have an increased risk for a chromosome abnormality.  When observed as an isolated ultrasound finding in women under 35 years of age, the risk for trisomy 18 is increased, but remains well within the normal range. The risk is higher for women age 35 or older.  Additional abnormal ultrasound findings significantly increase the risk for trisomy 18 .  CPCs do not increase the risk for Down syndrome in the pregnancy.

Trisomy 18 is a chromosome abnormality resulting from an extra copy of chromosome #18, thus three copies instead of two.  Chromosomes are the inherited structures in the cells of the body.  There should be 46 chromosomes in each cell, arranged into 23 pairs.  Chromosome abnormalities involving an entire missing or extra chromosome are not inherited and are not caused by an exposure during pregnancy.  Instead, they are caused by random mistakes in cell division at the time of conception and can occur in anyone's pregnancy.  Infants with trisomy 18 have severe mental retardation and multiple birth defects.  Many pregnancies with trisomy 18 result in a miscarriage or infant death, although a small percentage can live for several years.

When a CPC is identified on ultrasound, there is the option for additional testing.  Detailed ultrasound, to look for both major birth defects and minor findings associated with trisomy 18, may be recommended, depending upon the amount of detail that was obtained during previous ultrasounds. Maternal serum quad screening, if not previously performed, may be considered to screen the pregnancy for trisomy 18, as well as Down syndrome and open neural tube defects. Amniocentesis, to test for chromosome abnormalities in the baby, is also an option.

It is important to remember that isolated CPCs are usually normal variants that have no negative effect on the baby."



Our Dr. said that if the baby does have Trisomy 18, she would have noticed other abnormalities in the ultrasound.  With Trisomy 18 there would be thickening of the neck, and clenched hands for example.  There are NO abnormalities.  The ultrasound technician said that she is a beautiful baby girl.  Weight, and length are perfect.  Her body, and organs are perfect.  

In this 3d picture of her, you can see her hand is open, and she is touching her cheek.  No clenched hands.  This is a good sign.  This is a blurry picture because the ultrasound is trying to filter through the amniotic fluid so it's impossible to get a perfectly clear picture of her face.



I also found this additional information online....

"One minute you're thrilled by a glimpse of your baby during a routine ultrasound and the next you're told there is a problem. Here are the facts about one common ultrasound finding: choroid plexus cysts.
When Tina and Jim Angelman* of Brighton, Massachusetts saw their baby on the ultrasound screen, it was a moment of pure joy. Exclamations of "Is it a boy or a girl?" and "Look at those tiny hands!" filled the room, until Tina noticed the technician huddling closer to his screen. When he left to get the doctor, Tina filled with dread. The doctor's words fell heavily. "I'm sorry, but I see something that may indicate a problem. Your baby has a choroid plexus cyst."

At that moment, Tina and Jim's feelings about their baby and the pregnancy changed. "It's pretty hard to describe how it feels to go from cloud nine to the worst day of your life in the span of a two-minute conversation. I didn't know what to think—the radiologist didn't really give us a clear picture of what was going on, and it all seemed very vague," says Jim.

A similar scenario played out for Cindy Scoville of Phelps, New York during her 18-week ultrasound. "I was so stressed, worried, sad, and anxious," she said after the doctor revealed that her son had four choroid plexus cysts.

At least one out of one hundred parents will share this frightening experience during a routine ultrasound. What is a choroid plexus cyst? What does it mean? And what can parents do about it?

What is a Choroid Plexus Cyst?

The choroid plexus is an area of the brain that is not involved thinking or personality. Rather, the choroid plexus makes a fluid that protects and nourishes the brain and spinal cord. When a fluid-filled space is seen in the choroid plexus during an ultrasound, it is called a choroid plexus cyst (CPC). "We don't know why, but between 1 and 3 percent of all fetuses will manifest a CPC at 16 to 24 weeks of pregnancy," says Dr. Roy A. Filly, a Professor of Radiology and of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and Chief of the Section of Diagnostic Sonography at University of California, San Francisco. CPCs can be found either on one side of the brain (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral). They can vary in size and shape, from small and round to large and irregular. Some fetuses have more than one.

Regardless of their number, shape or size, choroid plexus cysts are not harmful to the baby. "I am not aware of a single instance where a CPC caused damage to a fetus," says Dr. Filly.

Dr. Peter Doubilet, a Professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School, agrees, "That's one very important fact. CPCs are not harmful, and they nearly always go away by the third trimester of pregnancy."

If CPCs are found during an ultrasound, the radiologist will scrutinize every organ and body part to look for other abnormalities, such as a malformed heart, head, hands or feet, and stunted growth of the baby. When no other abnormalities are found, the diagnosis is called an "isolated CPC."

The Significance of an Isolated CPC

If CPCs do not cause any damage, why does anyone worry about them? The problem is really one of association—being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Wrong or right, CPCs have become associated with a severe genetic disease called Trisomy 18. It is well documented that about half of babies with Trisomy 18 show a CPC on ultrasound. But Dr. Bronsteen from the Division of Fetal Imaging at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan points out, "Nearly all babies with Trisomy 18 who have a CPC have other abnormalities on the ultrasound, especially in the heart, hand, and foot." The real question arises when a baby has a CPC with nothing else wrong: the "isolated CPC."

This is where the experts cannot precisely agree. "The vast majority of fetuses with [isolated] CPCs are completely normal, but when CPCs are seen, the chance of Trisomy 18 goes up," says Dr. Doubilet, "This risk is still very small: about 1 in 300." This means that if 300 fetuses have isolated CPCs, only one of them will have Trisomy 18. "While the risk is small, it is higher than the risk of approximately 1 in 3,000 among all pregnant women," points out Dr. Doubilet. Other doctors have reservations: "The problem with this research is that it studied a high-risk population instead of the general population of pregnant women," says Dr. Filly. "I have no instance in 25 years of experience of an isolated CPC indicating Trisomy 18."

Dr. Bronsteen notes, "You need to ask if the person doing the ultrasound exam has the expertise to look for all the abnormalities that are seen with Trisomy 18. In the dozen years we've been tracking it, we did have some babies with an diagnosis of isolated CPC turn out to have Trisomy 18, but in all those cases we did not get a complete look at the baby." His own research indicates that it is very important for the sonographer to view the baby's hands before concluding that the CPC is isolated.

This debate among experts can leave parents bewildered. But even if an isolated CPC does mean an increased risk, that risk is still extremely small. The take-home message? If a CPC is found with no other warning signs, the outcome is virtually always positive.

What Parents Can Do

When a baby is diagnosed with a CPC, there are several things that parents can do. After consultation with their doctor, they will usually undergo a Level II ultrasound. This is a detailed ultrasound exam that is targeted to look for fetal abnormalities. It's important not to rely on the results of a scan performed in a doctor's office or a scan done by someone who is not a trained expert in detecting abnormalities by ultrasound. Only after this kind of intense scan can the diagnosis of an isolated CPC be truly confirmed.

Once other abnormalities besides the CPC have been ruled out, there are two things parents can do: watch and wait, or have an amniocentesis. An amniocentesis is the only way to know for sure before birth that the baby does not have a genetic disease. But even though an amnio can give a sure answer, it carries its own risk. About one in 250 women will miscarry her baby after an amnio, regardless of whether the baby is healthy or not.

The other option is to watch and wait. Generally the doctor will track the progress of the fetus through several follow up ultrasound examinations. Most CPCs will resolve on their own by the sixth month of pregnancy, and a definitive exam of the baby's health can be made after the birth.

While no one can make this decision except the parents and their doctor, many experts suggest that the risk of an amnio is not worth it when the only abnormality the baby has is a CPC. "In our practice, we don't like to do an amnio on somebody whose baby has a very low risk of Trisomy 18 because you wind up losing more normal pregnancies…than you will find Trisomy 18 babies. It doesn't make sense to have a miscarriage of two or three normal babies to find one with Trisomy 18," says Dr. Bronsteen. Your doctor can tell you what his or her recommendation is for your unique situation.

The Angelmans discussed the diagnosis with their doctor and opted to have a Level II ultrasound, which showed no other problems. "It was on the back of our minds the whole pregnancy, and it made it hard not to worry. But our son was born healthy and happy," say Jim and Tina.

After talking with her doctor, Cindy Scoville also decided to have a Level II ultrasound. "At 24 weeks no other abnormalities were found and the sonographer was able to see everything very clearly." says Cindy. "Our little boy is beautiful, healthy and everything we dreamed of. Another happy ending to the worrisome beginning of dealing with a CPC diagnosis during pregnancy."

A CPC diagnosis is scary, no doubt about it. But rest assured that the experts agree that the vast majority of these babies are perfectly healthy, and their CPC is just a normal part of growth and development."


Our Dr. did schedule another ultrasound for us in 8 weeks.  She said that these cysts normally clear up by 28 weeks.  So we just have to wait 8 more weeks for another ultrasound to confirm that her cysts have disappeared, and everything is fine.

I know we shouldn't worry.  Aaron is not worried.  Our Dr. doesn't seem concerned, and neither does our ultrasound technician.  I can't help but worry a little.  Please everyone who is reading this, please keep our baby girl in your prayers.  Please pray that those cysts are gone soon! 

No matter what happens, I'm holding onto God's hand, always.  God has blessed us with this baby girl, and I have complete faith in Him.



Sunday, January 22, 2012

Big Day Tomorrow!

Well, tomorrow we will be finding out if we're having a boy or girl!  I'm excited, and nervous.  I'm praying that the baby is healthy and perfect.  My age, and the fact that I'm an asthmatic having to take asthma medication is always a constant worry to me.  I will be 36 years old in only a couple weeks.  I pray that Baby Carpenter is perfectly fine.  I will be happy having a boy or a girl, because I do want to have both in our family.  I would just like to have a girl first :)   Lord, please consider this an early Birthday present for me :)  I'm so anxious to see what God has in store for us, and if problems come our way during my pregnancy, I just have to keep holding God's hand no matter what.

My appetite is finally back!  To celebrate, my hubby took me out on a date :)  I haven't been out to eat in at least 4 months because of my constant nausea.  It felt great to be at Longhorn Steakhouse, eating an oh so tender beef filet, buttery asparagus, hot bread and butter, and lobster/shrimp cheese dip.  Aaron was really happy :)  We even took home two huge slices of chocolate cake.  It was DELICIOUS!


Guess what!???  I am finally starting to feel the baby move!  I think it was that beef filet that made his/her muscles grow! :)  It feels like small little wiggles, or tiny pokes here and there.  I wish Aaron could feel them, but they're so subtle that only I can feel them right now :(  I sort of feel bad when the baby kicks because I can't yet share this with Aaron. 

I was able to talk with my Fitness and Wellness Professor about my pregnancy.  She is very accommodating, and now that she knows about my pregnancy, and asthma, she will be adjusting the exercise curriculum to suit my needs.  Yay!  I believe I still have a chance at excelling in the class, and getting my A!  :)

18 weeks belly pic!




Video of baby's progress!





I can't wait to share the news with you tomorrow!  Pink or blue nursery?  We will see!








Sunday, January 15, 2012

Things are looking up!

I had a good week last week! Very productive.  I was able to make it a full week at work for the first time in a long time!  NO nausea! Yay!  My energy level is up! Yay!  I don't have tons of energy, but enough to get things done without feeling exhausted.  The only thing that's been bothering me is my sciatic nerve that gives me a zing of pain when I least expect it.  I've also been experiencing sharp pains in my lower abdomen when I stand up too fast.  I found out that this is normal.  It's called "round ligament pain."  "The round ligaments surround your uterus in your pelvis. As your uterus grows during pregnancy, the ligaments stretch and thicken to accommodate and support it. These changes can occasionally cause pain on one or both sides of your abdomen."   So I have nothing to worry about. Just grin and bare it :)

We were finally able to sell that huge mattress that doesn't fit our new bed frame. My brother bought it off of us.  I'm so happy we didn't have to waste $100 or more on shipping just to return it to the mattress company. Now that we have a pocket full of cash, we're back at square one; trying to find a thinner mattress that better fits our bed frame.

I started classes this week.  I'm taking History 101 online.  It seems fairly easy so far.  The other class I'm taking this semester is Fitness and Wellness.  I thought that this class would mainly be a typical lecture class where we learn about nutrition.  Well, it isn't.  In fact, it's only one hour of lecture, and TWO hours of physical activity!  I am all for exercise, but I am concerned about my physical limitations that I'm dealing with right now.  Not only am I 35, and pregnant.  The baby is pushing on my sciatic nerve, and it hurts just to walk.  I am also an asthmatic, and the dosage of my medication has been reduced because of my pregnancy.  My asthma is still under control, but I am NOT looking forward to deliberately aggravating my asthma every week, and needing to take my inhaler, because I have exercise requirements to fulfill in class.  I hate the fact that I have to expose our baby to my asthma medication, and want to minimize my need for it as much as possible!  I will be talking to my professor next week about my situation, and I REALLY hope this will not negatively effect my grade.  As you know, I am still striving for constant A's!  We will see what happens.

I think I felt the baby move last night, but I'm not completely sure.  I was lying in bed on my back.  It didn't feel like a kick or a poke.  It felt like my little sweet potato turned around.  I don't know if it was the baby or not, but I like to think it was :)

17 weeks belly pic!



Here's a video of baby's progress...



I'm getting so excited for January 23rd to be here!  We will find out if it's a girl or a boy! :)





Saturday, January 7, 2012

4 Months Preggo!

This is my last weekend to myself before classes start back up again.  Back to class on Monday :(

I think my nausea has passed for the most part.  I think I have gained a couple more pounds. I am starting to get a bigger belly :)  I really need to get some bigger bras.

It seems I've swapped my nausea for a sore butt.  I'm not exactly sure what the problem is but I have what feels like a pinched nerve that hurts right around my tailbone area when I walk or make sudden movements.  It's been bothering me for about a week now.  I've heard women having posterior pelvic pain during pregnancy.  I'm guessing this is what I'm experiencing?  Or could it be my sciatic nerve?

Well we finally got our new California King size bed frame and mattress.  Once it was put together, and the mattress was placed on it, we were in shock.  The bed is too high to get onto!  I couldn't even jump on it!  It was as high as my waist!  Aaron had to help me up onto the bed haha!  I couldn't even stand up on the bed without my head touching the ceiling!  At first we were thinking about getting a stepping stool, but I don't want to have to deal with a stepping stool 5 or 6 times a night just to go pee!  And I don't want to deal with this when I'm 8 and 9 months pregnant.  Ugh!  We need to get a MUCH thinner mattress.  What sucks is that they won't give us a full refund on the mattress we just bought.  Now that the mattress is out of the box it was folded and packed into, FedEx can't fit this unpacked mattress into the truck to return it.  So we would have to pay for a trucking company to deliver the mattress back! :(  We would probably be losing a couple hundred dollars just to return it!  So I'm trying to sell it on Craigslist.  Anyone interested in a brand new California King size 13" pillow top mattress?  Here is the Craigslist link if you are ...  http://bloomington.craigslist.org/fuo/2786741503.html

Aaron and I had a really good New Year's Eve. We invited some friends over, and Aaron made some cheese dips.  We had lots to snack on, and we ordered a couple pizzas.  We also watched Horrible Bosses.  That movie is so funny!  We are now into 2012... the year our first baby will be born! ♥

I can't believe I am already 4 months pregnant.  It doesn't seem like I'm almost half way through my pregnancy :)



Here is a video of baby's progress!



January 23 is when we find out the sex of the baby! :)  Stay tuned!