June 6 - We went for gynae check-up and did the OSCAR test which tests for probability of Down Syndrome (DS). It consists of a blood test and a more detailed scan that measures the neck thickness of bb. The gynae took a long time to measure the neck and he looked unusually stern then. When the scan was over, he told us bb's neck thickness is above the normal range. In other words, bb is considered at risk of DS. Our hearts sank. The option was either to do a more detailed testing known as CVS which is the drawing of placenta cells from the womb or live with the risk. Doctor didn't even bother to proceed with the blood test.
We were at a loss. CVS testing carries a risk of miscarriage and we didn't want to subject bb to such a risk. What if the test comes out negative but we lose bb as a result of CVS? If we don't do the test, are we able to handle bb if the risk probability turns out to be true? It was a hard decision to make. Hubby's take was to take the DS risk while I wanted to do CVS for a confirmed answer. Finally we went to ask Guan Yin Ma for advice. It was an average lot but both lots had same meaning of "bb will be protected by mother". It still didn't put our minds to ease so the next day I went for the OSCAR blood test.
June 9 - Clinic called in the morning with bad news. With the blood test result & neck thickness result combined, my risk of DS is 1:248, meaning a risk of DS baby out of 248 babies. Normal ratio for my age group is 1:500+. The nurse told me to think through whether I can accept the risk ratio or do CVS. As hubby & I had a discussion on this b4 the call, I immed scheduled the CVS test the same day in the late afternoon. Unfortunately hubby was at work and couldn't be with me during the procedure.
The procedure was done at the clinic. It's a good thing I'm not afraid of needles, else I think might have fainted. First was a small needle to numb the area, then a bigger/longer needle to reach the placenta, finally an even longer needle to extract the cells. All the while I could see the doctor in action and on the ultrascan screen at the same time. The nurse was very nice, held on to my hand for most of the time. Doctor also gave me a little bear to grab on. The whole things was over in around 15-20mins and I was led to a recovery room to rest for the next hour. Doctor did another scan after that to ensure bb's ok then I left. Hubby arrived soon after to bring me home. For the next few days I was on bed rest most of the time. We were moody and tried not to talk about the test.
June 14 - Clinic called with good news in the morning. Really a great relief! Also found out the gender as CVS checks all the chromosomes, including that of gender. We've a little princess!
Glad everything turned out well. Nowadays hubby will on/off "scold" little princess for scaring us :)
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The day a red line appeared
April 10 - My period was a day late. Usually it doesn't bother me but on this day it did. It just didn't seem right for my period to be late w/o the usual PMS. So I used a pregnancy strip my sister gave me to test in the morning. A faint red line appeared. Positive? I didn't believe it.
We had a family buffet lunch @Parkroyal Hotel (Beach Rd) that day. As we were early, I went to buy a pregnancy test kit from Watsons nearby. I tested at the hotel lobby toilet. Once again, a faint red line appeared. I was in a half believe state. When I was out, hubby's first words were "How come u took so long in the toilet? LS ah?" My answer "I think I'm pregnant. " Hubby's reply "HUH??? U sure???"
In case you're wondering, we both wish to have a kid soon and had been trying for the past 3 months. However I gave up on using ovulation strips just after a month and relied on iphone's app (calendar method) instead. We never expected to strike at the 3rd month coz we thot it'll take maybe a year or so to conceive, esp coz I had taken contraceptive pills for 2 mths (so that I can enjoy my wedding & honeymoon) before we started trying.
We didn't mention anything to my family during lunch and I still feasted on sashimi that day.
April 11 - My birthday. Had a nice day out with hubby but all the while our minds were on the accuracy of the urine test ;p Finally decided to invest in an expensive digital test kit ($20?). By then I was actually quite sure it's positive but just needed something to re-confirm. I broke the news to my sister coz I had booked a 2D1N Batam resort stay that weekend and thot it's best I don't go and let her have the room. But no one could make it for the trip.
April 12 - Tested it in the morning before I went to work. Double confirmed!! :) Happily left the kit in the toilet for hubby to see when he wakes up. Made appointment with gynae for check-up. Also cancelled the Batam trip. Luckily no cancellation charge coz it's 3 days in advance. Told my family later in the week but didn't tell my in-laws till the gynae visit.
April 29 - 1st gynae visit and 1st glimpse of the little one. At gestation wk 6, it's just a tiny mass with no visible feature but we could hear the heartbeat. The feeling of hearing bb's heartbeat was wonderful.
5 months after the start of our journey as husband & wife, we're now starting on a new journey together as Daddy & Mummy. Really looking forward to it!
We had a family buffet lunch @Parkroyal Hotel (Beach Rd) that day. As we were early, I went to buy a pregnancy test kit from Watsons nearby. I tested at the hotel lobby toilet. Once again, a faint red line appeared. I was in a half believe state. When I was out, hubby's first words were "How come u took so long in the toilet? LS ah?" My answer "I think I'm pregnant. " Hubby's reply "HUH??? U sure???"
In case you're wondering, we both wish to have a kid soon and had been trying for the past 3 months. However I gave up on using ovulation strips just after a month and relied on iphone's app (calendar method) instead. We never expected to strike at the 3rd month coz we thot it'll take maybe a year or so to conceive, esp coz I had taken contraceptive pills for 2 mths (so that I can enjoy my wedding & honeymoon) before we started trying.
We didn't mention anything to my family during lunch and I still feasted on sashimi that day.
April 11 - My birthday. Had a nice day out with hubby but all the while our minds were on the accuracy of the urine test ;p Finally decided to invest in an expensive digital test kit ($20?). By then I was actually quite sure it's positive but just needed something to re-confirm. I broke the news to my sister coz I had booked a 2D1N Batam resort stay that weekend and thot it's best I don't go and let her have the room. But no one could make it for the trip.
April 12 - Tested it in the morning before I went to work. Double confirmed!! :) Happily left the kit in the toilet for hubby to see when he wakes up. Made appointment with gynae for check-up. Also cancelled the Batam trip. Luckily no cancellation charge coz it's 3 days in advance. Told my family later in the week but didn't tell my in-laws till the gynae visit.
April 29 - 1st gynae visit and 1st glimpse of the little one. At gestation wk 6, it's just a tiny mass with no visible feature but we could hear the heartbeat. The feeling of hearing bb's heartbeat was wonderful.
5 months after the start of our journey as husband & wife, we're now starting on a new journey together as Daddy & Mummy. Really looking forward to it!
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