Genetic Testing

There are routine genetic disorders that doctor's test for when you are pregnant. You can expect to have blood drawn between your 11th to 13th week of pregnancy for your first trimester screening. During the first trimester screening doctor's test for trisomy 18 and trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome). At week 19 my husband and I were fortunate to find out that my first trimester screening was normal. There was a 1:5100 chance of down syndrome. I fell fortunate.

http://fetal.com/

Baby Gender

My husband and I are anxious to find out the gender of the baby. The doctor’s will tell us the gender in two and a half weeks. I guess it’s a good thing that I do not know the gender because I think I would have gone crazy shopping. My husband said I better not be purchasing a lot of baby clothes because babies seem to grow out of them quickly. Why is he always right! My husband and I come from big families. My husband’s family has five boys and one girl and in my family we are five girls and one boy. I guess we were meant to be. My mother in-law would like a granddaughter and my mother would like a grandson. As for me, I really do not have a preference as long as the baby is healthy. Since this will be the first grand child for both families this grand baby will definitely be spoiled! According to the Chinese calendar gender pridictor I will be having a boy. We will see what happens!

http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/predictsex.htm

Week 18

The bulge of my lower abdomen is protruding so this week my pregnancy has become noticeable. I still fit into my normal clothes but they are really snug. This week I have been tired and I cannot seem to focus on homework especially when it comes to writing papers. My brain just wants to shut down when it has to read anything related to school. According to my pregnancy book the baby is growing its fingerprints and footprints. This is what distinguishes us from any individual. Not even blood can do that. If you are identical twins your DNA will be the same but not your fingerprints. At this stage the baby’s bones are hardening. This is known as ossification. The baby will be growing at a more rapid pace than before. I sure feel the difference this week. It seems to take more energy in doing simple daily activities.

http://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-images-18-weeks

Week 17

Well, I just finished my 17th week of pregnancy and I feel great! I am surprised I have not felt sick or extremely tired. I am four months pregnant and I am still wearing my normal clothes. A baby at this stage weighs about five ounces so I guess I can't blame my luscious curves on the baby yet. According to my pregnancy book the baby is about the same size as the placenta and it is developing reflexes. Apparently the baby can hear loud noises outside of the uterus and can hear my voice. That means the baby can hear me sing in the car. Now I feel bad for the baby.

http://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-images-17-weeks

When is the right time for pregnancy?

I always kept postponing pregnancy. I would always say I would have children after I finish my Bachelor's degree, after I get a job, after I buy a car, and after I buy a house. As I accomplished my goals my mother asked me when was she going to be a grandmother? I told her until I finish my master's or until I turn 30. That is when my mom said "if you keep waiting for the right time it will never happen. There will always be something you want to do or need to do". I hate to say it but my mother was right. It was not until the doctor diagnosed my mother with uterine tumors that I realized how selfish I was. I kept waiting for what I thought was the right time or should I say when it was more convenient for me instead of really thinking of what was most important, family. When I heard the word tumors I automatically thought of the c-word, cancer. I thought oh my goodness my mom will never be able to see grand kids or see me get older. That is when I decided to throw all of my excuses out the window and realized that my mother was right. There will never be a right time to have children. So when my husband and I found out we were expecting our first child we were both excited. You can only imagine how happy my parents were. I was also fortunate to find out my mother's tumors were uterine fibroids and not cancer. I was so relieved. I'm starting to think she tricked me. I guess everything works out the way it should be.

http://www.ivillage.co.uk/pregnancyandbaby/fertility/conception/articles/0,,4_712645,00.html