I had a dentist appointment for a cleaning on May 22 and found out they like to see pregger ladies every 3 months because plaque can cause low birth weight and other fetal issues. News to me. I'll be seeing her again in August. Oh the Drs. appointments...
Then I got a phone call on Wednesday from my fetal specialist that my prenatal test results came back abnormal. My AFP level was a multiple of 2.2 which is considered "slightly elevated" from the normal results of 0.5 - 2.0. Because of this, my risk factor for a spinal deformity was elevated to 1 in 121. Here is a quick blurb that explains it better than I can:
"The alpha-fetoprotein, or AFP, blood test checks the levels of AFP in the pregnant woman's blood. AFP is produced by the fetal liver and the levels in the woman's blood can determine the risk of problems, such as spina bifida or anencephaly. It is part of the maternal serum triple or quadruple screening test for chromosomal issues, such as Down syndrome or Edwards syndrome. The levels seen in the AFP screening determine the risk category that a fetus falls into for these congenital abnormalities. In addition to AFP levels, hCG and estrogen levels are also checked to better inform the evaluation of risk.
These tests are simply a screening, which means that once a risk factor is determined it is the mother's choice to move forward with more definitive testing, such as undergoing amniocentesis. Certain measurements on fetal ultrasound, such as the nuchal fold thickness and femur length during the first and second trimesters, are also factors that affect furthering diagnostic testing."
So, obviously I was a little taken aback. They had me come in for an ultrasound the following morning instead of waiting the two weeks (and letting me fret). Luckily, spina bifida and anencephaly are issues that can be spotted in an ultrasound (unlike down syndrome). Mike, unfortunately couldn't come because they had standardized testing and he has to proctor the exams. But, the doctor was awesome and she spent her entire hour long lunch break looking at the baby. The spine and brain looked perfect. He was back up and head down, so she couldn't see where the umbilical cord entered (another place the insides could be leaking out). So she told me to keep my original 20 week ultrasound and come back in. Plus, she wanted to see the heart chambers better which is hard to see at 18 weeks. It felt SO much better to hear the doctors reassurance that everything looked perfect on our baby. She was wrapping up and I said, do you think I could find out the sex now? It seemed like something insignificant to ask considering the circumstances I was in there for, but she said, "Oh I almost forgot!" She showed me the bottom of the baby and said, "Here's one leg, and here's the other leg..." and I shouted, "And that's the third leg!" She just laughed and said, "Yes, it's a boy. I'm glad when people can see it for themselves." I was so relieved because I had the instinct that it was a boy and didn't understand because I always wanted a girl! At this point, I was just happy he looked healthy.
One of my friends from high school contacted me about my "abnormal test results" when I posted it on Facebook to explain why we knew the sex two weeks early. She's a genetic counselor, which is the kind of doctor I would have had to gone to see if the ultrasound came back abnormal. I explained the test results and she said they don't even take patients unless the test result is a 2.5 or higher and that I had nothing to really worry about. Boy, did that feel awesome! Thanks, Colleen!
The same day of the ultrasound, I had a check up with my hematologist for my iron levels. I explained the AFP results to the blood specialist and he wasn't concerned either. But, my iron levels hadn't gone up much so he told me to switch iron supplements to a different type that absorbs in the body differently, and check back in 6 more weeks.
The same day of the ultrasound, I had a check up with my hematologist for my iron levels. I explained the AFP results to the blood specialist and he wasn't concerned either. But, my iron levels hadn't gone up much so he told me to switch iron supplements to a different type that absorbs in the body differently, and check back in 6 more weeks.
That Saturday, my dad and Vicki came to visit so he could spackle and sand the extra room downstairs to make it a spare bedroom. While we were waiting for the spackle to dry, we went to Babies'R'Us to pick up the crib he bought for us. When the people were loading it on the back of his pickup, he jumped up on the back quickly to guide it in and banged his knee on the metal gang box and sliced his knee open. I did my best to clean and bandage it up, but he ended up needing 5 stitches! Sorry, Dad! Thanks for the crib!
The following Saturday, I went to my first prenatal yoga class and it was awesome! It was cool to be in a room full of women who were in the same situation as me and it felt good to learn and do stretches and positions that was good for my pregnant body. I'd definitely be returning!
