Here Are the Evidences

Yes, I know it’s been a long while since I promised to post some Ultrasound scans and videos of our second Genetic Counseling visit.  Our DSL (internet) at home has been down for more than a week, and I have now finally switched over to cable (TV and Internet) as my primary Internet Service Provider (ISP).  Enough of all these domestic issues, let’s get started!  Here’s a re-cap of what had happened during our second genetic counseling visit.

We arrived at the office with anticipation on finding out the gender.  In fact, we’ve been telling all family members that if the 4th A cooperate, we might find out the gender during the visit.  So on the morning of Feb 23rd, we arrived at the doctor’s office with great excitement!

Soon after we arrived, we were called into the exam room.  Amy got herself ready on the bed, while I had Addison in my arms.  The nurse-technician asked us a few general questions about how the pregnancy has been going, and if Amy has experienced any unusual symptoms.  We told the nurse that everything is fine and that Dr. Albert Chen had asked us/her for a re-scan of the reported cyst.  And immediately after, the scan had started.

First thing first, the size of the cyst that appeared during the previous scan had now reduced (in size) tremendously.  According to the Nurse, had it not been requested by Dr. Chen for a re-scan, she wouldn’t even bring it up as an potential issue.  She told us not to worry about it and it’s a good sign that the cyst has reduced in size, and in such great proportion. 

She continued her scan, and here comes the next question..

“Do you want to find out the gender of the baby?”

Amy and I both immediately responded with a ‘Yes.’

Which brought us to the following scan…

“Congratulations!  You’re having a girl.”  She said.

At that moment, I wish I had the camcorder on Amy’s face.  I don’t think I have ever seen such a smile on Amy’s face, ever, in my life.  That is including the day that I asked her to marry me, as well as the day of our wedding. 

From that point on, the remaining of the doctor’s visit was a bit blurry now because we were both so excited that we are going to have a girl in our family.  Amy was/is excited because of the obvious.  I’m excited because I don’t have to deal with the aftermath of Amy questioning me why it’s a boy again.

Here are the rest of the scans…

Here’s a video of the actual scan.  Based on some of the feedback that I received from the previous scan video/post, I want to state the following:

1. I was the one holding the camcorder with one hand, while restraining Addison with my other arm/hand.  So if the video is a bit shaky, please cut me some slack!
2. No, the screaming baby voice is NOT from the fetus!!  It came from Addison!!

 

 

With this visit and scan, the Doctor concluded that “the 4th A” does not have any visible birth defects based on the scans.  Although Dr. Kenneth Chan did mention that “the 4th A” is a bit under-weight.   Meanwhile, we are cleared from further genetic counseling (visit)… meaning that we don’t have to return to this office (ever again!?)

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.