For better and worse there is a lot of info you can get about your little one from a very early stage of their development.
On the for better side, it allows you to prepare a bit should something not be ok and on the other side of that also gives you peace of mind that things are all good assuming your results show the baby is within the normal developments limits or showing low risk for certain abnormalities.
On the for worse side, you're constantly scared that one of the many many tests you'll have will come back with results that you don't want to hear. Which makes you wonder if not knowing is better.
At 13 weeks we went for another ultrasound, this time to check in on the baby's nuchal translucency (NT) which I talked about briefly a couple of posts ago...
"This test assesses the quantity of fluid collecting within the nape of the baby's neck. Increased fluid can be an indication of Downs Syndrome.
Baby Bruce passed the test with flying colors and is developing normally. Measuring exactly the same length as his or her due date at 13 weeks and 4 days old."
Along with the NT test was (ANOTHER) round of blood tests.
We reviewed the results of everything with our OB a couple of weeks later and got the good news that Baby B is doing great.
Here are the scans!
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| Healthy little Baby B! |
Here's the low down on this testing/appointment...
- 7 vials of blood.
- 1 ultrasound. This is done on your tummy and takes about 10 minutes or so. It doesn't hurt at all and is really fun to watch. There is some pressure as they push down to get a good image of the baby, my bladder was full since I had to wait so long in the waiting room, I think that contributed to feeling more pressure than I would have otherwise. A tech did the u/s and then the doctor came in and talked to us briefly about it.
- For us, covered by insurance, the cost of this visit was a little under $300.
