Life with Two: First Trimester Screening

We had our first trimester screening done at the Maternal Fetal Medicine clinic today. This consists of an ultrasound and a blood test to determine if the baby has an increased risk for down's syndrome, trisomy 13 or 18. During the ultrasound, they measure the fluid in the back of the baby's neck (the nuchal fold) and thicker necks tend to show an increased risk that something is wrong chromosomally. They also combine the ultrasound results with the blood test to come up with odds for each disease.

The ultrasound was absolutely amazing. I have never had such a wonderful ultrasound, and I've had many!! I don't know if the technology is just getting better or if the timing was just right, but the clarity and detail we saw was incredible. We saw the baby dance and kick and roll around. The technician switched back and forth between 2D and 3D which was a huge surprise! The 3D images were beautiful.

From what they can see at this early stage, everything anatomically looks good. The nuchal fold was within normal ranges, the nasal bone was present, the heart looked good and was in the right place, the stomach and bladder were present and there are two arms and two legs. We will see more at the anatomical ultrasound in December when they check every organ and the bones.

So, now the exciting part!! We asked about gender and were given the disclaimer that it is VERY early to tell but they will try. She made us promise we wouldn't go crazy buying clothes or anything if she told us. :) She said that at this point, boys and girls have the same external genitalia, but in boys the "appendage" points up and in girls the "appendage" points down. She looked 4 different times (and got good shots) and thought it was a GIRL. She sounded fairly confident and we are extremely excited, but trying not to go too overboard until our next ultrasound confirms it.

Yay!! :)