Testing testing...1,2,3..

At 13 weeks and 3 days we have at our first official round of testing. It was the NT scan also known as "Nuchal translucency screening." It is a test that is given to a baby's risk of having Downs Syndrome and some other chromosomal abnormalities as well as major congenital heart problems.

They start with a simple sonogram. The baby needs to be laying in a certain way so that the doctor can take a measurement of the fluid at the back of the baby's neck. They also look for the appearance or absence of the nasal bone. It's a pretty straight forward and non invasive procedure, unless of course you are Baby nugget. This kid was totally and completely not trying to help. She would not move at all and was just too comfortable. lol. The doctor had me turn on my sides, cough, pee a little (I had a VERY full bladder after chugging a bunch of water,) and this kid was still not going for it. The doctor even started pressing on my belly to try to get her to move and she was still laying out like it was nothing. It got to the point that the doctor and nurse had to leave the room, give me some cookies and let me veg out while to sugar kicked in to my system to hopefully make this little nugget move.

After about 20 mins, a quick pep talk from baby to Daddy and another bathroom break, Nugget was willing to meet us halfway and cooperate a tiny bit. The doctor noted that the measurement at the base of the neck as a 2.0 and from my readings it should be less than 3.5 so we are all happy with that. She also did not get a clear picture of the nasal bone, but mentioned that because we are African American, she is not concerned. She said that usually the nasal bone is slow in developing in our race or just very translucent at this gestational age.

Any way, once the fun was over, they let the evil nurse in so she can do the blood test. I would rather avoid all the shots and needles and pin pricks, but I know it is a necessary evil. So like a helpless child I held out my hand so the nurse can STAB me, yes I said stab, and take my blood for the blood test. Okay, okay, it was more like a finger prick, but still. It hurt! Lol. Idk how I'm going to manage labor. It's really going to me something to see.

BUT let's get to the really reason you choose to read all that crap up above. Without further adieu, here is the latest picture of Baby Nugget!!