Testing... testing... 123
My husband and I went to my doctor yesterday for my monthly prenatal check up. I was kinda late because of the stupid traffic that took me 2 hours to get home instead of 1 hour.
Anyway, they did the usual tests. No ultrasound this time. When they checked my weight, I only gained 3 lbs. from last month. That’s pretty good! So far, I’ve only gained 3 lbs. for the past 4 months that I’ve been pregnant. I’m supposed to gain half a pound a week. Well, it’s still early in the game, so… we’ll see. I’ve been eating ok so far, not too much, not too little either.
I started drinking decaf coffee again. But of course I’m not drinking it everyday. The only things that I still couldn’t eat are nuts and chocolates (except chocolate muffins and hot chocolate drink).
The best thing was WE HEARD THE HEARTBEAT!!! It’s twice as fast compared to an adult’s heartbeat… but according to my husband, it’s like his heart when he has high blood pressure… jokingly of course. He likes playing around. But I love him for that.
Too bad we didn’t see the baby again. Hearing the heartbeat is not as breathtaking as seeing the baby roll around the first time, but it’s still amazing. My next appointment is in 2 weeks to get my blood drawn for an AFP Test (scary stuff… more info about it below). Then in 4 weeks, towards the end of November, will be my next regular appointment.
Around 20 weeks of my pregnancy, my OB/GYN wants me to make an appointment with a Perinatologist (medical doctor who specialize in high-risk obstetrics) just to make sure that the baby is healthy. My doctor said that it is just a precaution and so that if something does happen (God forbid) there already is a doctor who knows me and my baby and not just a doctor who sees me for the first time especially during labor/delivery. For more information about this go to this link: http://www.eparent.com/healthcare/perinatal.htm
I was reading about Perinatologist, I wish I could be one….
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein substance produced by the liver of the fetus. A small amount of this protein is excreted from the kidney of the fetus and passes through the amniotic fluid into the mother's bloodstream. The concentration of AFP in the mother's blood rises gradually into late pregnancy and can be easily measured by a blood test called the maternal-serum-alpha-fetoprotein test, or MSAFP.
When is Testing Done?
The MSAFP is a routine screening blood test for certain fetal disorders and is generally offered to women between the fifteenth and twentieth week of pregnancy. It is most accurate when performed between fifteen and eighteen weeks’ gestation.
What Does This Test Screen For?
Abnormal MSAFP levels are associated with genetic conditions, birth defects, retardation and late-pregnancy complications. Because 70 to 80 percent of all trisomies (a type of inherited genetic defects) occur in women under the age of 35, MSAFP is typically offered to pregnant women of all ages. And, 95 percent of all neural tube defects occur in previously unaffected families.
Anyway, they did the usual tests. No ultrasound this time. When they checked my weight, I only gained 3 lbs. from last month. That’s pretty good! So far, I’ve only gained 3 lbs. for the past 4 months that I’ve been pregnant. I’m supposed to gain half a pound a week. Well, it’s still early in the game, so… we’ll see. I’ve been eating ok so far, not too much, not too little either.
I started drinking decaf coffee again. But of course I’m not drinking it everyday. The only things that I still couldn’t eat are nuts and chocolates (except chocolate muffins and hot chocolate drink).
The best thing was WE HEARD THE HEARTBEAT!!! It’s twice as fast compared to an adult’s heartbeat… but according to my husband, it’s like his heart when he has high blood pressure… jokingly of course. He likes playing around. But I love him for that.
Too bad we didn’t see the baby again. Hearing the heartbeat is not as breathtaking as seeing the baby roll around the first time, but it’s still amazing. My next appointment is in 2 weeks to get my blood drawn for an AFP Test (scary stuff… more info about it below). Then in 4 weeks, towards the end of November, will be my next regular appointment.
Around 20 weeks of my pregnancy, my OB/GYN wants me to make an appointment with a Perinatologist (medical doctor who specialize in high-risk obstetrics) just to make sure that the baby is healthy. My doctor said that it is just a precaution and so that if something does happen (God forbid) there already is a doctor who knows me and my baby and not just a doctor who sees me for the first time especially during labor/delivery. For more information about this go to this link: http://www.eparent.com/healthcare/perinatal.htm
I was reading about Perinatologist, I wish I could be one….
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein substance produced by the liver of the fetus. A small amount of this protein is excreted from the kidney of the fetus and passes through the amniotic fluid into the mother's bloodstream. The concentration of AFP in the mother's blood rises gradually into late pregnancy and can be easily measured by a blood test called the maternal-serum-alpha-fetoprotein test, or MSAFP.
When is Testing Done?
The MSAFP is a routine screening blood test for certain fetal disorders and is generally offered to women between the fifteenth and twentieth week of pregnancy. It is most accurate when performed between fifteen and eighteen weeks’ gestation.
What Does This Test Screen For?
Abnormal MSAFP levels are associated with genetic conditions, birth defects, retardation and late-pregnancy complications. Because 70 to 80 percent of all trisomies (a type of inherited genetic defects) occur in women under the age of 35, MSAFP is typically offered to pregnant women of all ages. And, 95 percent of all neural tube defects occur in previously unaffected families.
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