To Test or Not to Test

At my first appointment with my regular OB, she told me that we would need to decide what kind of genetic testing we wanted if any. I had just assumed that because of my age I would have an amniocentesis, but my doctor stated it was a requirement and that we needed to look into everything and decide by the next appointment in December. She said to think about what we would do with the results if we did the tests as well as the amount of worry we would have if we didn't do the tests. I will admit I became a little obsessed (Paul's word). Here I was just 12 weeks pregnant and already feeling like I was making the most important decision of my child's life. What will I be like choosing a car seat or school?!? I did a lot of research getting information online, talking with my sister who is a Labor and Delivery nurse, the nurse at my OB office, and also talking with other women who had to make the same decisions. If you are one of those women I talked with, thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your story with me. I know that we each have to make a decision that is best for our families at that time and that no one answer is right for all.

Paul felt that ultimately it was my body and therefore he would support whatever I decided. I had finally come to a decision, but wanted/needed something else, so I called the nurse at the doctor's office again. I guess I just needed someone "in authority" to tell me I wasn't being stupid if I chose not to the tests. The nurse was very kind and a little surprised because as she said "I was one of the most well informed women she'd talked to." She also said that I seemed to be making a very logical and rational decision. Her final statement sealed it for me though. She said she didn't know if I was a Christian woman but if was to just pray and God would open the door for me. Her comments were the door that God opened for me.

I decided not to do any testing. We didn't do the quad screen panel or an amnio. We did have a sonogram at 18 weeks, but it was done by the OB's regular technician. We were given the option to have a sonogram done by a specialist, but chose not to. So far things look fine. We aren't in denial, we know there could still be problems, but from personal experience, we also know that there could be non-genetic problems. There are no guarantees and we will just play the hand we are dealt when that time comes. As always, if you would like more information, just ask. I'll be glad to share my story too.

It's a...

I had a doctor's appointment the 2nd of December and since my mom had just driven down from Michigan the doctor let her nurse do a sonogram. The nurse thought she saw a boy, but did say not to paint the nursery until after the official sonogram later in the month. Mom and I went shopping and got Paul a couple of Boy things. Mom had a great idea to hang the items on the tree in the front yard so Paul would see them when he got home. It took him a few minutes to understand but then he was so excited. Over the next couple of weeks he would call me just to go on and on about how he was having a son. I didn't tell many people since it was just 2 weeks until the official word, but I was definitely in a boy frame of mind.

(Fast forward to the 18th.)

I took my mom, step dad and Paul to the doctor's appointment. The tech did the sonogram first. As he was looking at stuff I thought I saw something, but it wasn't what I expected to see. I made the tech actually say the words "You're having a girl." Paul's response "You lied to me!" He was so disappointed and I felt bad for him. I know he really wanted a boy (since our adopted child will probably be a girl too). My mom was ecstatic but she tried to hide it. I had originally wanted a girl too but had grown to like the idea of one of each. I think Paul has finally gotten over it. He did concede that girls have cuter clothes, but still thinks there is way cooler boy bedding.

Now we have to start thinking about names. Ugh! We at least had some ideas for boys but neither of us has any for girls. so far the 50000+ Names book we got isn't helping. I'll be glad to take suggestions, but we are not telling what we decide on until she's born. That's the one piece of advice I've heard most often.

First Belly Photo

Here is the first shot of my belly and no, I am not pushing it out! Some days I look pregnant and some days I don't. It's all in the clothes I wear. Speaking of clothes...thanksgo out to my sister-in-law Cheri for sharing her maternity clothes with me. She had a couple of pants and skirts and lots of tops. Unfortunately, the tops are mostly of the warm weather variety, so I'm set for the spring. I think the days of wearing my regular pants with the "belly sleeve" are over so I'm running out of options for my bottoms. It is so hard getting dressed in the morning, but I refuse to spend an outrageous amount of money of clothes I'll be wearing less than a year. I do hit the resale shop often, but pants are hard because I am so short. Thanks also go to mother-in-law Noi for hemming some for me. My mom is going to break out the sewing machine herself and whip me up some cute maternity clothes just like she did when she was prefnant with me.