After Josh and I got over the initial amazement and delight of being pregnant ((not that those feelings ever go away)) and met with our obstetrician, we decided to have what is known as the 1st Trimester Screening. This is a test that helps determine the risk for specific chromosomal abnormalities, including Down’s Syndrome Trisomy-21, Trisomy-18 and spina bifida.
The test is performed in two parts. The first part we had done in October and it was really exciting as we got to hear Lima’s heartbeat for the first time as well as see our little one!!! Josh and I were both speechless as we sat ((well I was kinda laying)) and took in the first image ever captured of our little bean. While we gawked at our little one, the technician was taking certain information for the image of Lima and recording all this data for the screening. Lima’s heartbeat was very strong ((as it has been each check-up since)) and the little one would not wake up for anything, as for the one part of the test Lima had to be awake for. We tried everything from me coughing to me wiggling around, the one thing that ended up working was me laughing! On the screen you saw little Lima tossing his/her arms and legs and hiccuping which brought tears to our eyes as we continued to sit ((I was still laying)), holding hands and envisioning our little bean developing and growing, what a miracle! Blood was also taken in October and we received a phone call with the results from the first part of the screening… as we hoped and prayed the results were terrific and our little ones chances of chromosomal abnormalities, Trisomy-18 and spina bifida are extremely low – we’re talking 1 in a 10,000 chance.
When we returned from our [intlink id=”1470″ type=”post”]cruise[/intlink] I had to return to have additional blood taken for the 2nd part of the screening. This once again was used to determine the risks/chances of chromosomal abnormalities, Trisomy-18 and spina bifida. Unfortunately we weren’t able to view our little bean this time. Blood was taken and the results were received in about a week – Little Lima had fabulous results again!!!
While we can’t rule out the possibility of chromosomal abnormalities, Trisomy-18 or spina bifida our minds have been eased and it was certainly a worthwhile experience. We are now in the 5th month of little Limas pregnancy and have growing excitement of Limas arrival everyday! We have our 2nd Trimester Ultrasound January 4th and we will be finding out the gender of our little one then ((if Lima cooperates)).
Mom said,
December 31, 2009 @ 11:50 am
BEAUTIFUL thanks for sharing so much of your pregnancy with us. we love you so much for it.