13weeks: Sweet Surprises at First Trimester Screening

The First Trimester Screening (FTS), also known as Oscar scan, comprises of a blood test and scan.  My blood test was done at week 9 and a scan at week 13.  The doc will measure the heartbeat as well as the thickness at the back of the beanie's neck to ascertain the risk ratio of beanie having Down Syndrome.

Sweet surprise #1 -
I was telling beanie that daddy would be there during the scan and asked beanie to perform some tricks.  During the last scan, beanie was using the butt to knock against the water bag, bouncing up and down.  But during the FTS scan, beanie was a sleepyhead.  No matter how we talked to beanie or tried shifting position or coughing, beanie was happily sleeping.  Just before the scan ended, beanie bounced once and we saw it.  Oh my... TOTALLY HAPPY!

Here's beanie again at 13w1d, measuring 7.3mm with a heartbeat of 150.  Beanie is lying on the back and facing up.  Head on the right followed by the rounded little tummy!

Sweet surprise #2 -
The results of the FTS was very promising.  The ratio for Down Syndrome was 1 in 7000.  On the way for lunch, my hubby shared his friend had a bad ratio and they were very troubled by it.  Being able to have a child was a gift from God and it didn't matter if it was a boy or girl, singleton or twins.  He sounded so sincere and that conversation left a deep impression on me.  I have heard him mentioned this before, but this time it felt different.  It felt real.

Sweet surprise #3 -
I was hungry that night and there was no food in the kitchen.  I always loved my dad's simple noodles in ketchup and lime.  But he was already asleep.  My hubby decided to try to cook that same dish for me.  Although it was way too sour and I couldn't eat it, I was very very touched by his gesture.  These are the little things that made my day and allows me to feel that the future could be a little less scary.

 

But it is still hard for me not to think about the future.  It worries me everyday, but I try my best to control and hide it.  I will try to distract myself by thinking about my beanie but I know that I am in denial.  The storm will still come and I pray for a miracle to keep beanie safe, strong, healthy and happy.