A look inside....

Yesterday we had our genetic screening test for Down Syndrome, which includes an ultrasound.

There's a fluid sack on the back of the fetus' neck that is an indicator of Down Syndrome. The ultrasound is used to measure the size of this fluid sack. For low risk you want it measure 1.5mm -3mm. Ours measured 1.3mm, well below the cut line, which in this case is good. There is an 85% chance that it does NOT have Down Syndrome. They also took blood which once that info comes back is coupled with the measurements, ups the likelihood to 94%. The counselor explained that because it is a screening vs. a diagnostic test, we do not get a yes/no answer but a likelihood. We have the highest assurance available that this screening can offer that we are in the clear. Because of the positive result, we are opting to not have the Amniocentesis diagnostic. This test is more invasive and not required.

So that's the technical crap, now the ultrasound images. So there were 3 things that we were going to learn from the ultrasound:

1. the down syndrome measurement

2. if the original due date is accurate based on the size

3. the number of fetus' inside

Beto was with me in the dimly lit, overly warm ultrasound room. The technician lady who had a very thick German accent clicked away on her keyboard, taking measurements and pictures of the fetus. Beto got to look straight at the computer screen, but because I'm lying down I had to look backward into a mirror. For the first time, I was excited. Oh my heck, there's a real baby in there. It has arms and fingers and toes! And it was moving all over the place. It is 5.5cm or approx. 2 1/4 inches for the metrically challenged. Sooo little, but it already has body parts!

The 3 questions were answered:

1. Down Syndrome unlikely due to measurement

2. due date of 5/19/2009 is accurate

3. one fetus, no multiples

So, Beto tells me after that he wanted it to be twins!!!!!! Is he crazy?