We had our
first trimester screening test today, or what was supposed to be our
first trimester screening test. The test was an ultrasound and the baby had to be in a certain position, on his back with his neck up, to be able to measure the amount of fluid at the back of the neck. I guess they have found that babies with
down syndrome have more fluid at the back of their neck than those without.
Needless to say, our little one did not cooperate very well. For the first 5 to 10 minutes he was completely asleep, would not move at all. Then they had me drink some cold water and within a few minutes the baby woke up. It was amazing. It first arched his back and stretched like we do when we wake up. Then he started moving all around, arms and legs, we could see him kicking from the knees and moving his arms. He would turn and face us and we could see his face and then he would turn away from us. It was amazing.
We could see the spine and got to hear the heartbeat which the doctor said sounded good and was at a good rate. We could see the ears and the eyes and even the stomach (a little black whole in the belly) and the urinary track!
After about 15 minutes the doctor decided that my uterus (which he said this was normal) was shaped in such a way that the widest part was at the top and the smallest was at the bottom so he did not have room to lay flat on his back with his head back. So we have to go back on Monday to try again.
It was so amazing to see the baby moving around and all it's little parts (minus the part that tells us weather it is a boy or girl!). Hopefully he will cooperate more on Monday and my uterus will have grown enough for him to lay more flat. We are excited for the chance to get to see our little one again so soon!
No pictures this time but more belly pictures coming soon!