Friday, October 17, 2008

10 Week Appointment

I had my 10 week prenatal appointment yesterday. I was a bit worried because I knew they were going to use a doppler fetal heart rate monitor and 10 weeks is the earliest they can detect a heart rate with this device. It's a little probe they put on your belly and it has a speaker that broadcasts what it picks up; it's pretty generic if you ask me. Since I've heard a lot about "vanishing twin syndrome" (don't get me started, it's scary), I was stressed that she would only be able to find one heartbeat. Well, she squeezed goo all over my lower belly and started searching. Baby B (right) was detected right away with a heartbeat of 178. Baby B is about 1 inch below and to the right of my belly button. She searched and searched for Baby A (left) and finally found he/she about an inch by my left hip bone -- really far away from Baby B. Baby A's heart rate was 171. They probably don't even know they are sharing the womb with each other! Over time they will soon realize they are sharing space. Those heart rates are normal and that was really the extent of my doctor's appointment except for my doc asking if we had local family to help us. She suggested we get a postpartum doula to help us, especially at night. No problem; I can follow doctor's orders! She also said I will only go to 38 weeks; they will induce if I don't go into labor by then. She also said it's likely that I may go on bedrest around week 24. There's nothing I can do to prevent it, it's just the norm, unfortunately. That's really going to SUCK!

I'll write again at week 12, which is when we will have elective genetic testing -- another sonogram with a nuchal translucency blood test. It will detect downs syndrome and other chromosonial disorders. Soon after, we're going to finally tell everyone the secret we've been dying to tell everyone since August 30th!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Baby Kumquats

We're at week 10. They are finally fetuses or is it feti? I feel great and spent the Columbus weekend in Boston walking miles and miles all day.

Here's what's going on with their growth -- Though they are barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, the most critical portion of development is complete.
The fetal period is a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature.

They are swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function. Details are starting to form like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Boston



We had a fantastic time in Boston checking out the sites (freedom trail, various museums and galleries, shopping, eating well, etc). We just happened to be there on Columbus Day and here's a picture of us with Chris.