Well, here we are. We’ve made it to week 16. We’re 40% of the way done. First and foremost, I want to say that we have been blessed with the most wonderful family and friends. Your support has been immeasurable and the encouragement we have received has put smiles on our faces and warmed our hearts. On a more personal note, I want to tell Charles what a great husband and prospective father he has been. While he may have a number of doubts about fatherhood, I know he will be a kind, loving, (mostly) patient, stern, instructional, supportive and nurturing dad for our kiddo. I can’t wait to see him grow as a parent!
I had my 16-week visit with my doctor today and we seem to be on track. Blood pressure was normal, weight gain is within normal limits, fetal heart rate was normal. Normal, normal, normal. Words I like to hear. They took some blood for the quad screening, which will give a slightly more accurate risk estimation for chromosomal abnormalities. For my science geek friends, the here are some details about the tests themselves. Anyone not interested can scroll past.
AFP: a protein that is produced by the fetus
hCG: a hormone produced within the placenta
Estriol: an estrogen produced by both the fetus and the placenta
Inhibin-A: a protein produced by the placenta and ovaries
High levels of AFP may indicate a neural tube defect such as spina bifida or anencephaly. Low levels of AFP and/or Inhibin-A, and/or high levels of hCG and/or Inhibin-A may indicate Down Syndrome. Similarly, abnormal levels in different combinations may indicate other chromosomal problems.
It really is just a big guessing game, and I’m not placing too much stock in the results of the tests.
In other news, I’ve been feeling some tiny thumps/twinges and get an occasional sensation similar to what you feel when you’re on a roller coaster and your stomach lurches when you experience the first big drop. It seems like the party is just getting started.
Coming up:
Dec 2 – 19 wk sonogram, where they should be able to tell what, if anything, is going out of sorts. They’ll also be able to tell us what the gender is, if the baby cooperates. 
Painting the nursery – What color to paint; there are too many choices?!?!
Our furry child is totally ecstatic about everything that is going on:
