By: Kathleen
babies, motherhood moments, pregnancy, , ,

First Trimester Screening: A Motherhood Moment

Most of the parents I know eschew the first trimester screening. Before Julianna, that was me, too. I was not at any particular risk for having a child with chromosomal abnormality, and what was I going to do with the info, anyway? Besides, I knew the tests often gave false positives.

After Julianna, we decided that it was worth an ultrasound and blood test to put that niggling “what if” doubt out of our minds for the rest of the pregnancy.

I’m now 36 (right? Hang on, let me do the math. Right, 36. Coming up on 37.) So now I am in that so-called risk category. But I still have no expectation of finding anything unusual when I go in for a screening. Well, that’s not entirely true. I have a little pessimist’s streak in me that whispers that I’m going to lose the baby, and I’m going to take my kids with me to look at pictures of the baby, only to find that there’s no heartbeat. But I rolled my eyes at myself, packed up the kids, and trekked over to the hospital clinic.

Here’s how my kids entertain themselves in waiting rooms:

Fourth floor windows overlooking the interstate = Heaven!She had to introduce Jessie to everyone in the waiting room
And then, of course, there’s Miss Munchy:
 
She had to introduce Jessie to everyone in the waiting room
 
Alex did take some pictures in the ultrasound room, but I exercised my mommy rights and deleted them all. Because they made me look bad. Deal with it.
 
However, THIS cutie:
Of course I'm biased, but isn't this the cutest ultrasound you've ever seen?
This little guy/gal doesn’t need any such protection.
 
And following this ultrasound, watching how much moving this baby is doing, let me just say: I HAVE been feeling this baby move for the last two weeks. Even if I WAS only 10 weeks along.
 
One more picture to share, just because it’s so stinking cute:
Jessie needs an ultrasound, too.
Yes, I Have My Hands Full. And I thank God for it.

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