Addison, Amy, and Anthony are set to welcome a new addition to their family!
To follow their family's tradition, they have created this Blog to journal this 40-week long event. At time of choosing a Title for this Blog, the only thing that Amy and Anthony are certain, is that this baby's name will begin with an 'A.' Everything else will be determined and documented on this blog. Thank you for being part of this exciting journey of ours.
We have narrowed down the choices of name to 10. Between Amy and I, we both know each other's preference. Unfortunately, we didn't pick the same name so we couldn't just agree on it, like we did with Addison.
With 97% certainty, the assumption is that the 4th A is going to be a girl, and therefore, all these names are (supposed to be) girls names.
To help you with the process, we have already decided on the Middle Name, and also, finally, agreed on the Last Name (Surname) as well. The Middle Name for this princess will be Bernice. Yes, along with Chan, it will be another ABC. So don't just sit there, tell us which "A" you think will do best with Bernice Chan.
The same old stuff happened during this visit. Tests, Heartbeat, Blood Pressure, etc. Our only question for Dr. Chen was to clarify when to go to the hospital should contractions begin.
With Addison, we prepared ourselves based on textbook scenarios. Meaning that we are not to leave for the hospital until the contractions are x minute apart, lasting more than y minutes. (I used x and y because I don't remember what those numbers were.) And if we get to the hospital too early, they will just send us home.
But since we know this time around will be a C-section. Shall we wait? What if the contractions started in the middle of the night, but infrequent? Shall we wait till the morning? Here's the answer...
If less than 36 weeks, the moment Amy feels ANY contraction, she is to rush to the hospital. The idea is that we want the baby to stay inside the tummy until he/she is past 36 weeks. Otherwise, the baby may have to stay at the hospital a bit longer after birth.
If more than 36 weeks, if the contractions get down to once every 10 minutes, we can head to the hospital, regardless of what time of day it is.
Our other question was Amy's blood test result for sugar content. Dr. Chen said it was all good.
Our next visit is in another 2 weeks. After that, it will become a weekly visit. It's getting close!
Another Doctor's Visit, another weight, blood pressure, and fetus' heartbeat check. "The 4th A" was beating at 148 beats per minute. Dr. Chen said it's the best heartbeat he'd heard all day. I told him he said that only because we were his last patient of the day. But he said 'no, I still have a C-section to do immediately after this. They are waiting for me. It's for a twins."
Fine! As long as you don't tell me now that Amy is carrying twins, I really don't care what you'd planned to do after this!
We asked him if it's necessary to return to the hospital for another fFN if Amy feels the same kind of pain? And he said 'yes.'
Other than that, it was just another quick visit. Nothing really special. The only change that is worthy of mentioning is... Dr. Chen has changed our schedule to visit every 2 weeks now!
Remember the fFN test that I mentioned in my previous post? Today, we have decided to stop by the hospital to run such test... to find out if "The 4th A" will be arriving within the next 2 weeks.
Amy has been feeling the same pain around the same area in the past few days. Therefore, per Doctor's suggestion, we have decided to run this test to see if it tells us more information about the source of the pain.
So as soon as I came home from work, I changed into something more comfortable, and then we headed out.
As we arrived at the Labor and Delivery Floor, I realized that this is Addison's first visit to this floor since he was born here! And he has grown so much that he's actually holding my hand, walking with me! Anyway, time to check-in!
Since we told the nurse that we were there for a fFN test, they put us into a slightly smaller room. Once we have settled down, they ran a series of tests on Amy to make sure all the vital signs are good. Meanwhile, I was starving and I had to head out for some food!
While I was gone, there was actually a 4.4 earthquake! I didn't event realize there was an earthquake as I was too busy eating with Addison in the cafeteria a floor down. I only found out after Addison and I returned to the room. Here's a video of Addison walking around the room.
Here's another video showing the Baby's heartbeat.
After almost 3 hours later, the result is back. "Negative.' It means that "the 4th A" will not be born within the next 2 weeks!
This is good news! But why is Amy feeling so much pain? The nurse is guessing that there are ligaments around that tummy area. So when Amy had to hold Addison's hand pushing and/or pulling him around, it's possible that Amy hurt herself without her knowing.
Well, by then, I was all ready to leave because I was really tired. We then packed up our stuff and left the hospital. And Addison fell asleep rather quickly in the car too.
Time flies! It’s time for another monthly Doctor’s visit. It’s the same old routine again. We got there; we waited; weight and urine test; blood pressure; fetus heart rate; a measure of the tummy. Although the Doctor did say that based on the measurement of the tummy, the baby is 2 weeks ahead!
Dr. Chen also told Amy that she needs to do a blood test to find out her sugar content of her blood.
Then, it was time for questions.
1) Since we already know that Amy will be doing a caesarian, when the contractions come this time, do we still have to wait till the contractions gets to x minute interval and lasting over y seconds?
Answer: No. As soon as you feel anything, go straight to the hospital.
2) And once we arrived at the hospital, will the nurse make us wait until “x minute; y seconds”?
Answer: No. The nurse will page me as soon as possible and I will come in for the surgery.
3) Amy has been feeling some pain around her lower right abdominal area. What’s up with that, Dr. Dude?
Answer: Hmm… (looking at Addison) this little one is a ‘risk’ to your pregnancy. Even though you are not lifting him up, you are still constantly looking after him, picking things up for him, and pulling/pushing him here and there. The next time you feel the pain again, go straight to the hospital and ask for a fFN test.
Our visit ended after the questions, and we returned home right after. Our next visit is in a month’s time.
Although we were told during our last visit that we will receive an ultra-sound today, we didn't receive one today. The good news is, we already know that "The 4th A" is going to be a girl. Therefore, we were okay with it. We asked Dr. Chen some questions about the Due-Date. At first, we were told that it could be any day during the week before the Due-Date. But when we called last week to inform the nurse of the due-dates, she told us that the date we selected was way too soon. So today, Dr. Chen clarified the requirements to us.
Apparently, it is the hospital's policy that a c-section cannot be scheduled more than 7-days prior to the expected due-date, because of medical liability reasons. But of course, just as Dr. Chen mentioned, there are plenty of occasions where the Mom goes into labor way sooner than 1-week prior to the due-date, and resulting in a c-section that is way sooner than 1-week out. In that case, the hospital has no option but to allow the c-section. But for now, we must follow this rule and therefore, the window of opportunity for a "scheduled" c-section appears to be between July 13 and July 15.
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:
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!
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!?)
