3 weeks of baby #3 belly

Here is one from 30 weeks

 

 

 

Here is one from 31 weeks

 

 

 

And 32 weeks

 

 

And for good measure... Baby #3 at 30 weeks. Complete with foot & hand in the face.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baby #3 had an echocardiogram

So far every dr we have seen since Sean's tetralogy of fallot and Down syndrome were diagnosed has said that as a general rule tetralogy and Down syndrome don't go hand in hand. It is VERY likely that Sean would've had tetralogy whether he had Down syndrome or not. But since there is no way of knowing for certain one way or the other... it's just assumed that it's a heart defect in and of itself.

Given that information and assumption, every child we have (and this is the last one) should be evaluated to ensure there are no cardiac defects.

So today baby # 3 was evaluated. We had a fetal echo done and I didn't eat for quite a few hours before I went in. I know that this baby is a mover as soon as something as simple as water is consumed.

Anyway.... because baby was sleeping the tech was able to get the echo done really quickly. Dr. G (Sean's cardiologist) came in & reviewed everything with us. He said it's one of the best echo's he's seen because baby was in perfect position & not moving. Woot woot!!
Everything checks out fine. All parts are where they should be and working as they should be working.

Dr. G said that there is always a chance that some issues could arise later in the pregnancy and not be seen until after delivery. But as it stands right this second, we have nothing to worry about.

Either I have to lay off the ice cream or....

I'm having a baby. I'm 18 weeks pregnant now. I feel like I'm huge even though I've barely gained any weight. All told I've probably gained about 5lbs total since December. I have an appointment this week to see if that number is accurate. 4 weeks ago my dr went on & on about how I'd only gained 3lbs and how I needed to gain more.

So.. about that testing. Did I have any done? I had an NT scan done, but that was only for a sneak peek. I don't feel the same way I did when I was pregnant with Sean. And because I'm not really scared of having a miscarriage like I was with Meredith, I just don't feel the same urgency I did when I was pregnant with each of them.

With Meredith I always needed reassurance that she was still in there and doing well. With Sean I always had a sense that something was amiss and with every appointment I waited for the next shoe to drop.

This time around I don't feel any of that. I'm trying just to enjoy being pregnant. It is the last time for me.

We were given a gender guess at the NT scan, but I'm not telling what it is.

I am supposed to have an anatomy scan done soon, but I've even been questioning whether I wanna do that. LOL I know that's silly. I really only want this baby's heart checked. Because tetralogy of fallot is generally not being associated with Down syndrome, we have no 100% way of knowing whether or not they are related in Sean or just luck of the genetic draw. So we will be looking into that & at 24 weeks I will be having a fetal echo done.

I will not be having an amnio and while I was offered to have the Harmony blood test done, I declined it. Like I said... I just don't feel that worried. And it's not like it would change anything.

I will be scheduling a 3d elective ultrasound in a couple of months because I thought it was so cool to see my babies faces and personalities showing through even in the belly. I can't wait to see what this baby looks like.

My belly seems so much bigger this time around. Probably because the muscles that used to hold everything is are stretched from 3 babies in 5 year's time. I'll have a lot of work to do to strengthen everything up or need a buttload of cash to have it tightened up surgically when this is all over.

So here's what I look like at 18 weeks. I have needed to get some longer shirts and opted to buy some maternity shirts. All of my pants & shorts still fit. Jeans are snug in the waist, but I'm doing pretty well.

 

 

 

I feel pretty good. A little more tired than I remember being with the other 2, but I wasn't chasing Sean the last 2 times.

 

Meredith is positively thrilled about having another baby on the way. She keeps telling all about the things she wants to teach the baby and all the ways she's going to help. Sean could care less. he's busy.

 

That's it for now. I'll update about the kids soon.