13 weeks

Here's "um ba-bay," measuring 13 weeks 2 days, with a heartbeat of 167 bpm, and two arms, two hands, two legs, and two feet.

My very favorite ultrasound technician from the fertility clinic did the scan prior to the doctor doing a scan, and she made a prediction on sex. She said the quality of the image at 13 weeks isn't very good, but if she had to say one way or the other it would be...boy. We'll see if this still stands at the anatomy scan at 20 weeks.


I opted for this first trimester screening solely for the purpose of taking advantage of the opportunity to see inside once again. That is the only thing that keeps my emotions and nerves in check, and even that lasts only a few days. We didn't (and still don't) have plans of taking any further action if results indicated elevated risks for chromosomal abnormalities. There'd be no CVS or amniocentesis, as neither of us is comfortable with the risk.

The CRL (crown rump length) is 70 so with that length they were looking for nuchal thickness of less than 3mm. It measured 1.4.


Blood sample was taken and with those results I will be given the proposed "chances" (1 in XX) of the baby having an abnormality. 2nd trimester screening will decrease the chances of a "false positive" and about 91% of abnormalities are detected.

I suppose I should mention here that I had a bit of a melt down in the office when I was informed 10 minutes after arriving that the doctor was running behind 1 hour. Grrrr. It wasn't Dr. M, so I have little patience for that particularly because the hospital is so adamant about patients arriving on time or face appointment cancellation and charges. And well, they knew I was irritated. They sent the hospital manager to speak with me, and I told him nothing he said would change my feelings, and if he expected flexibility from hospital patients in such instances, he should afford patients the same courtesy. And any time I am angry or stressed I cry, so the tears were flowing.

The office must have been abuzz with "the crazy lady" gossip, because they sent Dr. M down to see which patient it was. He smiled when he saw me, and told me "I already knew who it was." Smile.

Next appointment August 26. "20 week scan" set for September 24th.