The First Trimester
It's been four more weeks already and I just came back from another doctor appointment. Everything went well. We got to hear the heartbeat again and it sounded perfect! It was beating a steady 144-150 beats/minute and there still seems to be just one. They took my weight and so far I've only gained 3 pounds total. The doctor told me that women tend to gain most of their weight in the last trimester so I suppose I'm saving up. She spent a lot of time talking to us about a "triple-screen test" that we had the option to schedule for. It is a blood test (that is taken out of my arm) that will test for neural defects (like spina-bifida) and will also test for down's syndrome. Since I am taking Tegretol to control my Epilepsy there is a slightly higher chance than normal for neural defects so Brian and I had no question about wanting to take the test. She explained that it is actually a screening and even positive tests don't positively mean there is something wrong. If we do get positive tests than further testing can be done to determine if there is a problem. She said that she would send us down to Seattle for a more intensive ultrasound where they would spend time checking the spine vertebrae by vertebrae for problems and then if there was still a question there would be an option for an amniocentesis. She was very thorough in answering our questions and I'm not doing any worrying until I have the test and see how things go. I was scheduled for my ultrasound for March 14th! We can't wait. It's only 2 1/2 weeks away and then (assuming the baby is facing the right way) we will know the sex. I've been buying boy clothes because that's what I think we are having but I have vowed to do no more buying until we know for sure! I will also have the "triple-screen test" done that day and send an update when I know the results - which should be 2-4 days afterwards. Brian and I have also agreed on how to decorate the nursery. We are going to go for a Dr. Seuss theme! I am so excited. It will be so bright and so cute. I have been checking out the internet for ideas and realizing that I will need to get creative. We plan to paint the room 1/2 way-up the walls in a solid primary color (red, yellow, green or blue) and then do two solid color lines of another primary color with words from a Dr. Seuss poem in-between. I hope that is visual for you. We have also picked out a great sleigh style crib in white from J.C. Penney's and matching changing table that I don't want to paint or do anything to. I think we will try to find some solid color crib bedding - maybe a red bumper pad and blue crib skirt - who knows? I also found online someone who had taken a dresser and painted some characters on the drawers - it looked great (www.seussnavy.com - fancreations) and I e-mailed the person to ask how they did it. I have bought some Dr. Seuss books and I'm keeping my eye out for a lamp and mobile idea. I'll write again after the ultrasound.