Thursday, January 14, 2010

Baby news!

I had my Level 2 ultrasound today and it went really really well. PHEW! Not that we have been worrying about it because we haven't been. We have been so much more relaxed this time, ready to accept whatever child is meant for us.

Here's a glimpse of the baby's sweet face, in between blobs of stuff. The little blob in front of the nose/mouth is the hand and below that is an arm.



My risk for having a baby with Down Syndrome and Trisomies 13/18 are 1 in 6,500, which is awesome and a little shocking considering my age. My risk for having a baby with a neural tube defect (something Elijah does have) is very low, too. On the ultrasound, the brain, spine and HEART all looked great! The ultrasound tech actually said that. "The heart looks great!" That is something new for us, so it took a while for it to sink in. I'm still not sure I comprehend it.

The baby is measuring two days ahead of my original due date, so that means the growth is excellent, as well (something else we're not quite used to). The little one weighs a whopping 9 ounces! My due date is June 11th, and I am currently 19 weeks along in the pregnancy.



The perinatologist sat down with us after the ultrasound and told us that everything appears to be as perfect as can be*! During my pregnancy with Elijah, I got so used to leaving the doctor's office discouraged and in tears that Dan and I didn't quite know how to handle walking out of there with good news.

*I am in no way implying that Elijah isn't as perfect as can be. I would not change one tiny little thing about that perfect, amazing, wonderful little boy of ours. I wouldn't even change a single thing about the stressful pregnancy because we learned a ton from all of it.



Just to make certain everything is ok with the baby's heart, I will go back for a fetal echocardiogram in two weeks. If everything looks good during the echo, there will be an 85% chance (or greater) that the baby's heart is developing normally. Other than that, I will just resume normal pregnancy check-ups with my normal OB!

This pregnancy hasn't been 100% worry-free. I started getting Braxton-Hicks contractions a few weeks ago, right around the same time I started getting them when I was pregnant with Elijah. I have since started receiving weekly progesterone injections, which will supposedly help any pre-term issues to stay at bay. Remembering the GOBS of scary contractions I had during my pregnancy with Elijah (and bed rest) has me a little on edge, but we will just keep praying for a good outcome. My doctor has recommended no exercise and just taking it very easy whenever I can (ha!).



Do you want to know what we're having? I'll let Elijah tell you! I'm off to eat another Butterfinger Blizzard.



By the way, I hope Elijah's feelings about the sign don't reflect what his feelings will be toward his baby brother. He wanted NOTHING to do with this thing.

18 comments:

The Picks said...

Congratulations!!! Soo happy to read the update. I'm sure Elijah will do a great job showing his little brother the ropes! This is all just wonderful news!!!

Ehlan said...

Congratulations! I'm so happy to hear that everything is healthy and on track for your new little BOY! (I was betting a girl, by the way!)

my life: said...

Congratulations!!!!! I LOVE this post...I love all the pictures of the new baby...I love that the kids walk through and say "who's having a baby?" and I can say Elijah's mommy and they say...cool! Like we hang out. :0)
So, so happy for the good news and loving him holding the sign...perfect!

Anonymous said...

Well, i guess I have to change my name pick from Jezebel to Ahaz...no problem. I have a 2nd, 3rd and 4th choice if you're interested! We are so very happy for a healthy BABY 2. Love you Porta 3 + 1!!
Grammie P and Gramps

Tina:0) said...

YAY!!! What great news to hear:0) I'm sure its a great weight off of your shoulders.

Mr. Elijah is going to be a wonderful big brother!!

The Smith's said...

Oh Megan, this post made me so happy and also humbled by your faith and strength in this pregnancy. As we get closer to #2, I hope and pray I can leave my anxiety and fear with God - like you and Dan! Thank you for being such a great example of that.

And a brother for Elijah?? He is going to be such an incredible big brother!

Praise the Lord for such great news!

Celebrating in Washington,
Jesse

p.s. My good friend from college, Megann, is having TWINS in August. She lives in Minneapolis and I am planning to come out in the fall to meet them. Maybe we could meet!?

mina said...

Yay, CONGRATS!!!

Victoria Nelson said...

congratulations!!!
i am so happy and excited for you guys.
i cant wait for you to read more about the adventures your baby boys are going to be having =)
love,
victoria

The Domanico's said...

Congratulations to all! So happy for your family that (minus the croup) things have been going well for everyone. So happy to hear that Elijah is going to have a baby brother and that all looks perfect with the baby. You will see how much easier it is when the child does not have major medical problems-you deserve the break!

Love,
The Domanico's

Cecilia said...

Congratulations!!!

So happy for you guys!

Love from Ceci & Paul xoxo

Sarah said...

Congratlations! I know Elijah will be an awesome big brother!

Anonymous said...

Ms. Megan - you were right. You said you thought it was a BOY! You are now an official Psychic! I will be over around lunch time for my reading... LOL Congrats to you & your family. great news...
Sue from work!

jencooper said...

You were right!!! You said boy....and looky-loo!! Woohoo! I am so happy for you. Elijah is going to be a terrific big brother. I love seeing my kiddos together.

Can't wait to hear more happy baby news!!

Kathy said...

Congratulations...
I AM SO excited for you guys!
ELijah is going to be the best big nrother EVER!

NOW...a house full of boys.. You know what this means don't you...first, you'll have "mama's boys" which is the best thing on earth...BUT, you will also NEVER have a clean toilet (just warning you now).

I hope you have another blizzard tonight to celebrate...shoot, tell Dan to get you one every night!
now breathe....
we're all so happy for you!
smooch on the cutie pie pumpkin for me!
kathy

(oh man..you WILL be VERY pregnant in May). Don't worry...I'll come bearing food!

Unknown said...

Congradulations on another baby boy, I am so glad everything is going great that is such good news. Thanks for sharing the photos. Elijah is going to make a great big brother he will teach him lots of great things :)

jennifer said...

aw! Congratulations!!!! I'm glad everything is going well with your pregnancy, and I'll pray that everything will continue to be so for you and baby #2! xo Jen

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Know your new little on will be as big a joy as our Grant.
Kate's Nana

Unknown said...

Yay! I'm so happy for you guys. :)

I know exactly how you feel since we had identical pregnancies last time. I just pray that we both have uneventful pregnancies this time. I am also starting the P17 shots this week. I'm a little nervous about letting Robert give me the shots but it's better than going to the doctors office every week.

I love all the pictures! Can' wait to see more next week. :)