Amnio Report

I got a copy of the amnio report from the doctor. I will transcribe most of it here, because I think it is really interesting.

The indications for this exam were advanced maternal age & positive first trimester screen.
Multiple longitudinal and transverse sections revealed a singleton intrauterine pregnancy with the fetus in transverse presentation. The amiotic fluid volume appears to be normal. The placenta is posterior in implantation, grade 0 in appearance and there is no placenta previa.
{then there are the same measurements shown in an earlier post}
The average gestational age is 17 weeks 2 days +/- 7 days.
The fetal cranium appeared normal in shape. The choroid plexus was well visualized, the lateral ventricles were not dilated and the midline structures were not deviated. The cerebellum and cisterna magna were visualized and appeared normal. The fetal face appears normal. Anatomy of the fetal thorax appeared within normal limits. The cardiac size and structures appeared sonographically normal at the four chamber view, and the cardiac rhythm was regular. The abdominal cavity appears normal. The fetal stomach appears normal. Both kidneys appear within normal limits. The fetal bladder appears normal. The abdominal wall appears intact. The spine was visualized from cervical to sacral region, within the resolution of the ultrasound equipment, without evidence of a neural tube defect. Active movement of the extremities was seen and fetal body motion was also observed during this examination. Normal male genitalia were observed during this examination. The placenta appears within normal limits. There is a 3 vessel cord with normal insertion site.
Within the cranium, the cavum septi pellucidi were visualized and the third and fourth ventricles are not dilated. The face appeared normal with the upper lip intact in multiple views, including the facial profile. There is no evidence for hypo/hypertelorism as well. No evidence for nuchal thickening was encountered. In addition to the reassuring four chamber view of the heart, the cardiac axis was within the normal range. The aortic and interatrial and interventricular septi appeared intact within the resolution of the untrasound equipment. Within the fetal chest, no evidence for a mass or effusion was noted. The diaphragm appears intact bilaterally. the bowel does not appear to be hyperechoic and the liver is unremakable as well. All 12 long bones were imaged without evidence for abnormal shape or position. Likewise the hands and feet were unremarkable and the middle phalanx of the fifth digit appeard of normal size. There was no evidence for polydactyly or syndactyly on either hand or foot. There was no evidence for "sandal toe" as well.
IMPRESSION:
Singleton IUP, intrauterine pregnancy
17 weeks 2 days by this ultrasound, EDC=Nov 26, 2007
Transervse presentation
Fetal growth appears normal
Normal anatomy survey
Posterior placenta
Successful amniocentesis

Running, running

My schedule really got busy today. Here's how my day went.

6:00am woke up, ate and bathed.

7:30am made lunch and got swim clothes and towel ready for DS8 to go to camp.

7:45am drove DS to camp bus rendezvous.

8:00am fed and dressed both little boys.

8:40am drove with housekeeper to drop off DS4 to first day of preschool. Reminded her to pick him back up at 11:30. Asked her if she would mind, in the meantime, driving DS16 to Knotts by 10:15am for the start of his work shift. She said OK.

9:30am left for work after wolfing down some more food.

10 to 2:30 worked at office and cranked out 4 med-legal reports.

3:15pm went to get oil changed and tires rotated, after the men promised I could get out in time to pick up DS from his camp bus.

4:30pm relieved housekeeper of the kids and paid her 1/2 hour overtime plus gas.

4:45pm picked up DS at camp bus rendezvous.

5:15pm served chicken dinner to 3 youngest.

6:40pm still waiting for call from DS16 that he is done going on rides at Knotts. Today is his first day to actually play and ride the rides. He remembered to bring clothes to change into after his shift.

This is a typical summer day, and it doesn't even involve DD, who will probably have slightly different shift times than her brother. That will cause friction and complaining, of course, when they have to wait for the other so I can pick them both up at once. So things will be getting even busier when she is added to the mix.

I hope this gets easier. DS8 will go to spend 3 weeks with his dad in another 2.5 weeks and that might help the schedule. I'm glad the baby is waiting until November to be born. The school year is so much easier to deal with. :-D

19 Weeks

Here is a shot that includes my face. I have gained a total of 6 pounds so far, which is great. It turns out that whether I eat ice cream and milk shakes or not makes all the difference in terms of my weight gain. That is pretty powerful stuff. He he.

I can't believe in 1 more week I'll be halfway through the pregnancy already. It has been great not to have to worry anymore about the genetic complement of the baby. There is still a 2 to 3% chance of background birth defects, but that rate is true no matter the age of the mother. Certain other damage or syndromes can and does affect babies. But part of life is taking risks. No guts, no glory.