It’s a Girl!

With 97% certainly based on text-book analysis of the ultrasound images, both the nurse and the doctor declared that it’s a girl. 

I’ll post some Ultrasound images and a video later.

Doctor's Visit - 18th Week

We had our monthly doctor's visit with Dr. Albert Chen today. It was a rather quick visit because all Dr. Chen did was to check the baby's heart rate. It clocked-in at 150 beats per minute. We also asked Dr. Chen about a cyst that was discovered during our previous ultrasound at the Genetic Counseling office. Dr. Chen reviewed the report of the ultrasound scan and told us not to worry about it. He said the cyst should slowly go away as the pregnancy progress. If not, a surgery can certainly remove the cyst but he told us that there were only 1-2 cases in the past 10 years that he had to surgically remove the cyst prior to labor. 

We are due back for another visit in a month. Dr. Chen told us that we should be able to tell the gender of the baby next time. What he didn't know is that we also have another ultrasound appointment next week at the genetic counseling office, which we are hopeful to find out if the baby is going to be a boy or a girl. Stay tuned!

The Results are In!

This afternoon, I received a phone call from the Genetic Counseling office to inform me with the blood test results.

Down Syndrome – It went from 1 in 6,600 from our First Trimester screening to 1 in 20,000.  The lowest score possible, according to the Doctor.

Trisomy 18 – First Trimester screening was 1 in 10,000, and we are now at 1 in 20,000.  It is also a lowest possible score. 

The Doctor also told us that the blood screening also included a Spinal Cord Defect test, and the result is 1 in 24,000. 

These are some very good numbers, especially when compared to what Addison scored last time. 

According to the doctor, all we have left to do at her (Genetic Counseling) office is some more Ultra Sound scans.  There are no further tests necessary.

Second Trimester Blood Test

Today, we made a quick visit to the Genetic Counseling office for a blood draw.  With Amy’s pregnancy well into second trimester, it’s time for the second trimester blood screening.  Since our First Trimester blood test result was passed, with flying colors, we are hopeful that this blood test will result in similar manner. 

We’ll find out the results in about a week. 

One Creative Video!

I just came across this video on YouTube.  Pretty Neat!  I appreciate the time it took the Dad (presumably) to shoot and edit this video.

First Trimester Screening Results

Got a phone call from the genetic counseling office today.  The doctor called to inform me of the blood test results. 

Down Syndrome – Based on our age, our risk factor prior to the blood test was 1 in 150.  The blood test result is 1 in 6600.

Trisomy 18 – Our risk factor prior to the blood test was 1 in 530.  The blood test result is 1 in 10,000.

Overall, these are some very good numbers, especially when you consider the numbers that we had for Addison at the same stage.

Our First Genetic Counseling Visit

As mentioned, Dr. Chen referred us to Genetic Counseling, and today we had our first appointment.  Based on our past experience with Addison, the one good thing about going to Genetic Counseling, is the high-quality ultrasound that we get to do during our visits.  And based on all the souvenirs we have received, it looks like it was well worth it. 

When we first arrived at the doctor’s office, we thought we were going to go straight into the scanning room.  But instead, we were called into the actual office to sit down with the counselor for some in-depth interview.  We were then explained on the most common genetic-related issues, and the risk factors that we are facing, based on our age.  Once the interview is completed, we were transferred to the exam room for ultrasound. 

And not only do we have pictures, we have videos too!

And the baby voice you heard from the video came from Addison, and not from inside the tummy.  I had Addison in one arm, while holding the camera on the other hand, so the picture was a bit shaky.

After the ultrasounds, Amy drew blood for further tests, and we’ll find out the results in about a week’s time.