Monday, April 5, 2010

profiles of a stubborn baby.

Today was my Nuchal Translucency ultrasound! What a fun experience! Like I said in a previous post - this ultrasound is to measure the thickness of the neck and to check for the presence of a nasal bone. They also take a vial of blood to analyze the "stuff" in it to check for chromosomal abnormalities. So, to do this, my baby has to be on its back with its nose in the air so you can get a nice view of the neck.

And of course, our baby wanted nothing to do with it.

We watched as our little one got in every position but the one we needed. Punkin was on its head, looking straight at the camera, in a ball, flailing around, and being one cute little button! The poor ultrasound technician tried forever - which was fine by us, because we got to see a LOT of our baby!

Initially, I asked the lady if she could make an educated gender guess. She said not really - because sometimes it's wrong, so they urge them not to guess. She said they used to be "really good at it" and had it "down pat." We also couldn't video tape due to legal reasons, which we understand.

So there our little babe was, looking as cute as can be:

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Can I just take a moment to point out that my baby has nose holes? And lips just like me? I mean, wow! That is one cute little nose!

So I laid there as we watched our baby flop. She pointed out the fingers, the elbows, the knees, and all the sweet little baby parts. She let us hear the heartbeat - 154bpm [baby was napping at this point]. She wiggled my belly, poked and prodded, and even said, "Come on, Punkin!!"

But nope. Our child is stubborn. Great. ;]

Eventually, after while, she asked me to get up and go drink a coke. I had to drink a full coke - which sounds like a party - but it wasn't. I'd already had some serious morning sickness just one hour prior, so I was feeling pretty yucky. So it was a strain to drink that much coke. We came back in the room and found a pretty wiggly [still stubborn] baby.

They really aren't joking when they say that caffeine affects your baby. Wow!

At this point, I was able to see my baby's butt [or lack of butt - she said our baby's butt is flat, so it must take after dad. HA!!] and I saw its little "frog legs." I made the comment, "Well I don't see anything between the legs..." And she said, "You're right. I don't either. My guess would be girl..." Later, we saw another angle of the genitals, and sure enough, no outdoor plumbing! She said she is pretty certain that it's a girl.

Can you believe it? A GIRL!

(and you hear my family erupt with roars of applause and cheering! The first granddaughter!)

Now, it isn't 100% accurate, but it's pretty easy to see a penis at this stage - if your ultrasound is long and detailed enough - and we sure didn't see anything! Exciting!!! I've always felt like it was a girl. I would also like to point out that I am wrong 100% of the time when it comes to gender predictions - so it's incredibly surprising that I guessed my own baby's gender correctly!

I'm not running out to buy pink dresses or anything - and besides, they don't have fall/winter clothing out right now! And my sister gave us Hudson's bedding, which is gender neutral, so this doesn't really change anything.

Before our baby finally cooperated, Punkin posed nicely so we got many profile shots. Punkin even saluted Daddy! Can you believe it? We already have a military kiddo at heart:

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heart rate photo

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Our scanner is terrible, so I took photos of 2 of the pictures. Anyhow - our baby's neck fold measured 1.5, and anything under 6 is "good." She showed us a photo of a baby with a large neck fold, and it ended up having a heart condition. Our baby also has a nasal bone, which is interesting to note, since children with Down Syndrome do not have nasal bones. At least, that's what she told me :]


So our appointment went well! I met with the doctor, and everything looks superb. I have to be put on Vitamin D supplements (as do 90% of their patients) since it was cold and wintery when I was tested, so my VD levels were low. Other than that, it's all peachy keen over here!

My next appointment is in 4 weeks!



17 comments:

  1. Ah Congrats! A girl, woohoo! You know, I read a statistic somewhere that said that when mommies-to-be guessed the gender of their little ones they were right about 75% of the time. I was right about my pregnancies too!

    Did you guys get a butt picture of the little one? If so, try to see if you can see three lines or three dots. Thats supposed to be the labia and is a better indication of whether or not its a girl than simply not seeing a penis. Hopefully she stays a girl at your next ultrasounds! When is your 3d one again?

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  2. Nah, she didn't take a picture of it. I'm not sure if the, um little outer parts of the vagina are totally formed yet at 12 weeks to make the 3 lines. Not sure... but on BabyCenter, the women who were told they were having boys said they clearly saw a penis. She said they used to tell people all the time at the NT u/s, but their policy changed. She seemed really certain and even called our baby "she" the rest of the appointment!

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  3. YAY YAY YAY! She's a little cutie!

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  5. Shannie I'm so happy. You're going to have a girl! What will the name be? I know you say it's not 100% yet, but come one, I didn't see anything either, and I really know you want a girl, and God knows you do too! My next appointment is in about 4weeks too! :) April 26. I'll be 15 weeks and 5 days. lol! Almost 16 weeks. How far did the doctor say you were?
    I'm so happy you get ultersounds regularly. I know I would love to have them. We might to go Kansas City when I'm 20 weeks just to get an ultersound ans pictures and the answer that everyone wants.
    Sorry about the really bad morning sickness. :( I know how bad it is. I've noticed when I start to get sick if i can get into a warm bath, and relaxe I feel better. Maybe you can try that.
    And the VD.. I haven't had to get them yet, but who's to say I wont? Well, keep being happy about that baby girl! :)
    Love you! :)

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  6. Oh I forgot to mention that. She measured my baby, and it measured 12w3d.. but my baby was in a ball and wouldn't stretch out. She said if my baby had been more sprawled out, it would show that it was bigger. In the mornings when I throw up, there's no way that I could eat a cracker or do anything but try to keep the puke down. I've never thrown up past the morning time, thank goodness.. the VD thing is no biggie. She just gave me the amount of VD to get at the store, and she told me to keep taking my cheapo prenatals. I get them from the commissary, and they're only like $3 for 90 ;]

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  7. The side view of the baby sort of looks like you, Shannon. We are happy for you and Mark. Love, Mom and Dad

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  8. That was really interesting! Congratulations! I had three boys first and then a girl, so I get so excited to hear a baby will be a girl! Those 3D unltrasounds are amazing!

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  9. Oh my goodness, Shannon, that's so exciting! She's so adorable!

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  10. Yay - Anne-Kelly's new best buddy!!! Glad everything was good. Are they going to retest you for Vitamin D later? Because when the sun comes out you probably won't need it anymore...

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  11. hmm, good question! I have to do blood work at my next appointment at 16wks, so I'm sure they'll re-check it! And you're right - I plan on being outside a LOT!!! Fun! I love the summer!

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  12. I'm so happy for you guys, that's wonderful news! I'm still holding out hope that one day we'll get stationed together & our kids will fall in love, lol!

    Lisa

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  13. As always, thanks for sharing your good news. Excited for you!

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  14. YAY! I loved all the ultrasounds! I can't believe you're going to be a mom! In like 7 months! It's going to fly by! You'll be 6 months at my wedding! I'm just so amazed and excited for you guys. I can't wait to have my own...I know so many people right now that have just had babies or are pregnant! I talk about it all the time now with Fire Boy and I think he thinks that I've lost my marbles. :)

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  15. Yay! Congrats love! I hope they are right with the prediction of the little girl! Omg she's going to be so adorable!

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  16. Congrats!...we were told Sydney was a boy at 11 week ultrasound....so they are probably right but you are wise to wait !

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