When The Word POSITIVE Does Not Necessarily Equal Good Pregnancy News

I got another call today from Birmingham, AL...you know, that's where the Maternal Fetal Center is located where I did the NT Scan a few weeks ago. I posted about it here and here.

Well, this time, I did not get the same cheerful, "You are Screen Negative" phone call.

Nope, today I got this..."Tracey, we have the results back from your quad blood screen, and combined with your NT Scan results, and your age, you have tested SCREEN POSITIVE."

Gulp, okay Miss Genetic Counselor what exactly does that mean? Oh, and pardon me while I put my cell phone on hold and go throw up.

Trying to hold back my tears, I listened to the rest of what she had to say.

"Tracey, we have assessed you as having a 1 in 230 risk of your baby having Down Syndrome. However, this does put you at a less than 1% chance that the baby will in fact have Down Syndrome, but we recommend you coming in for a Level II ultrasound for further risk assessment."

I will do whatever is in this baby's best interest Miss Genetic Counselor. By the way, what was the cut off for me to have been considered Screen Negative?

"Well, Tracey, you would have had to have been assessed at having a 1 in 250 risk ratio. So you are really not that far off."

Close, but no cigar then huh, Miss Genetic Counselor?

I hung up and called my husband and then the tears started to flow. He reassured me that this news was not all doom and gloom, and for me to try and look at it this way...

If he filled a glass jar with 230 pennies and painted one of them with a red dot on it, then blindfolded me and asked me to reach in a pull out just one penny, what are the chances that I would in fact pull out the penny with the red dot on it?

Bless my husband's heart...I guess that did help a little.

Our Level II Ultrasound is scheduled for next Wednesday at 7:40 a.m. (CST).

Dear Heavenly Father, I am once again asking you to continue to keep me and this precious babe cradled in your arms as you have been doing all along. I cannot walk this journey with out you dear Saviour. Please help me to be strong and faithful and without fear. Amen.

A New Parfum?

I want to share a little private something with you all.

I mean c’mon, I’ve been sharing most everything else already so why would I stop now?!

Anyway, I pride myself on being a clean, well-groomed person, especially when it comes to matters of my va jay jay, so I can tell you that I was just a bit surprised at my latest discovery… a new before shower fragrance called, “Eau de Pee-Pee”.

No, not from France, but rather straight out of (or rather into) my toilet!

What the heck is the deal with the strong smelling urine??

Especially in the early morning?

Everyone always talks about the glow you have when you’re pregnant, but Lordy, nobody ever tells you that your body may also start dispelling odors reminiscent of a bus station bathroom!

For me, a girl who takes flushable handi-wipes with her into the ob/gyn’s office to use prior to (and after) a check-up, this has been a bit of a startling experience.

They say that every pregnancy is different, and by golly they ain't kidding! I certainly do not remember this fragrance campaign when I was pregnant with R.J., but then again that was 7 years ago, and maybe this is just a new scent...LOL!

Either way, I think I'm going to have to do some research on this phenomenon and hopefully I will uncover that I am not alone in discovering this unique pregnancy symptom.

In the meantime, I guess I will be carrying around toilet paper laced with Febreeze spray!

Mark Your Calendars!

Went to the doctor today and all is well.

They took a few vials of blood and one will be shipped back up to Birmingham, AL for the second part of my integrated screening for chromosomal and neural tube abnormalities.

The baby's heart rate was 155 BPM and evidently he/she is laying really low.

While the doctor was using the doppler on my tummy to check for the heartbeat, we "heard" the baby kick.

The doctor asked me if I felt that and I told him that I wish I had, but unfortunately I've got some extra padding (a.k.a. belly fat) this time around...LOL! He told me that it shouldn't be long before I start feeling Little Speck moving around in there.

Another exciting thing to look forward to is our next appointment which will also be our gender scan!!!

So my blog friends, mark January 25th on your calendars in pencil for now and then you can go back and mark them in pink or blue once we know!

I am so excited!

Second Trimester

I cannot believe I am finally here, the second trimester a.k.a. "The Honeymoon" trimester, only, minus the 24 hour round-the-clock bedfest, i.e., sex.

Oh, how I would love a 24 hour bedfast now...for sleep that is...LOL!

Seriously, I will have to admit that thus far, the second trimester has felt like a honeymoon.

I really feel good.

Sometimes I even get scared that I am feeling good. Weird, but true.

Other than my growing waistline and increased bra cup size, I would hardly know I was pregnant right now.

The every hour on the hour peeing has slowed down a bit, the boobies are not as sore anymore, and although still tired, I do have much more get up and go in me lately.

I'm so glad that I saw Little Speck last week on the NT Scan just as a reassurance that yes, I really do have a baby growing inside me.

I have my next doctor's appointment on Tuesday and although I don't think I'll be having an ultrasound at that time, I will get to hear the heartbeat again and that is always such a relief.

I am hoping that the appointment after this one will be our anatomy scan...we are just dying to know if Little Speck is going to be a football player or a ballerina.

Either way, we will be doing some celebrating!

Speaking of which, 2010 is going to hold special meaning for me, and I hope it has special times in store for all of you as well.

I want to wish each and every one of you a very Happy and Blessed New Year!

Christmas Day 2009

We had a laid back, but wonderful Christmas.

Here are some photos from this morning...

A Lucky Little Boy, And Yes, That Is a High Powered BB Gun...Thanks Dad!

(Mom Was Not Too Thrilled About That Though…LOL!)

Here's What R.J. Thought Of His Presents

How Cool Is Batman?!

Because After All, Every Boy Needs A Motorcycle/Scooter From His Grandparents, Right?!

The Early Christmas Morning Family Shot, Bad Hair And All!

(Of Course, We've Got the Matching Pajamas Too)

Merry CHRISTmas!

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host

praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. ~ Luke 2 10-14 (KJV)

Preliminary Results

Just got a call from Birmingham, AL (where we did the NT scan).

The first part of my test came back SCREEN NEGATIVE with a less than 2% chance of Down Syndrome, which is better than what it is statistically for my age group [2.5%]....WAHOOO!!!

Of course, this is only the first part of the test and they still have to combine it with my quad screen blood work at 15 weeks, but it is GREAT news.

What a WONDERFUL early Christmas gift...Praise God!