Munchkin's Congenital Anomaly Scan

Expecting a baby sometimes feels like a roller coaster ride as far as emotions are concerned.  One day you're in cloud 9 as you imagine your sweet pea's stubby fingers and toes and chubby cheeks, the next day you're a bundle of nerves as you fear that there might be a problem with your still unborn child.  

It's a good thing there's CAS or Congenital Anomaly Scan, sometimes also called mid-pregnancy ultrasound scan, offered during the second trimester between weeks 18 and 23.  This scan is more thorough than the usual ultrasound procedure as it takes a closer look at the baby and the uterus.  For worrywart moms-to-be like myself, having CAS done could offer reassurance that the baby is developing perfectly, and that nothing alarming is going on in the womb.

Anyway, I had my CAS scheduled yesterday; I was exactly 22 weeks and one day along.  Hubby and I prayed as we drove to Asian Hospital, trusting that the scan would give us positive results, that no "anomaly" will be seen in our Little Munchkin.  We knew we would also finally find out the gender, but more than that, it's the certainty that s/he's fine is what's important.

It was 10:30am when the sonologist, Dr. Maria Niza Reyes, arrived.  The first question she asked us was, "Do you want to know the gender?"  We said yes.  Then she started gelling up my abdomen.  

It was fascinating to see our Little Munchkin again! :)  Together, we watched as the doctor zoomed in on every part of our baby's body and listened fervently as she explained to us what she was seeing. As I mentioned in my previous post, we were delighted to hear that Munchkin is a baby girl, Dr. Reyes even mentioned that she's "very sure" of it as our baby's "hamburger" was really obvious in between her legs, as if she was displaying it and saying "I'm a girl!" :)  She also said that our baby was mabait!  She allowed her to see easily the critical parts that she needed to see... her head and brains, every part of her face, her heart, abdomen, umbilical cord, spine, neck, and extremities. However, during the last few minutes, our baby fell asleep while tucking her left hand and foot where the doctor couldn't find them.  Hehe.  The doctor used a bell to somehow wake her up, and she did! We were finally able to count all her fingers and toes - ten each!  Perfect! :)

Because our baby doll was relatively cooperative, the scan only took 20 minutes to complete.
And the results? Everything's NORMAL! :)

Thank God, we've been reassured that our baby doll is developing well! :)  Just as the Lord promised, He will give us a perfectly healthy baby.  Salamat po! :)  Little Munchkin will always be our most precious blessing! :)

#BellyBlessed,

It's A Girl! :)

The long wait is over.  Today, we already know for sure what our Little Munchkin has been hiding in between those legs.  Our baby is a SHE!  We're expecting a baby girl! :) :) :)

I used this photo as my "gender reveal" post on Instagram. :) 

Rolly and I are very, very happy!  Though we kept on saying that it doesn't matter whether it's a boy or a girl, in my heart of hearts, I was secretly wishing that Munchkin's a she, that I may be blessed with a mini-me that I can doll up with ruffles and ribbons and all things pink.  Haha. :) Rolly's excited, too!  He said munchkin is going to be daddy's sweet little girl, and she would always be his kakampi.  Hmm.. Let's see about that. ;)

#BellyBlessed,

My Glucose Challenge

I've always had a sweet tooth, pregnant or not.  But ever since I got a bun in the oven, my sweet tooth has gotten ten times sweeter, and eating chocolates and cakes has been much harder to resist!  You'd probably guess I'm prone to gestational diabetes (a condition in which women without previously diagnosed diabetes exhibit high blood glucose levels during pregnancy). Huhu. Glad my OB ordered an OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) for me, so that we could catch it early on, if ever.

My OGTT schedule was last Saturday, and to prepare for it, I had to fast for 8 to 10 hours prior.  My last food and liquid intake was at 12:30 midnight, just in time for my 8:30am arrival at Asian Hospital.

Minutes after hubby and I got to the lab, a blood sample was taken from my arm.  Then I was asked to drink a sugar solution containing 75 grams of glucose.

Wasn't able to take a photo of the bottle, so I just grabbed this from Google Images. :)

The orange one was exactly what I drank. It tasted like a very sweet soda pop, think Sunny Orange (haha so 90s)! =D I was happy that at least it was chilled, I was already very hungry and thirsty at that time from almost 9 hours of not eating or drinking anything.  After that, I had to endure another two hours of starvation.  My blood sample was taken again at around 11:30am, then finally, I was already allowed to eat.  Well, I didn't just eat.  I pigged out! =D

The OGTT results would be forwarded to my OB two days later, so I will just know if I passed the glucose challenge when I pay another visit to her clinic within the week. :) Munchkin and I will be keeping our fingers crossed! :)

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UPDATE as of 11 Dec 2014:

I passed!  My numbers are in the second column below, and they're within the normal range.

Yippee, thank You Lord! :)

#BellyBlessed,

Week 19

This week has been another trying episode in my pregnancy. :( Last Thursday, my blood ran cold when I went to pee and noticed I was bleeding. This was the second time it happened since I got pregnant, but this one seemed to be worse. Haaay, I didn't know what to do. I seriously feared I was losing our baby. I cried and cried and cried. 

It's a good thing I've been blessed with a very supportive OB who helped me calm down and instructed me what to do over the phone. I was advised to be on a strict bed rest, which meant I should be glued to the bed, no standing up except when going to the restroom.  I should not even lie on my back, always on either side only.  It's been difficult and ironically tiresome, but it's worth it since it's our little munchkin we're talking about. 

Saturday saved my sad week!  We went to Asian Hospital, my husband wheeling me to my OB's clinic.  I felt so relieved to hear our baby's very strong-as-always heartbeat! S/he must still be doing really fine inside me, and we couldn't thank the Lord enough!  The OB ordered that I continue my bed rest until Wednesday this week, just to be on the safe side (and that explains while I'm home now on a usually manic Monday). I still have two days to go, but I'm thankful there's no trace of spotting now.  It's as if nothing happened! :)

To our darling baby, stay strong okay? We still have around 20 more weeks to go, so your daddy and I need you to hang in there.  We know you're excited to come out as much as we are, but remember that it's not yet time. You have to grow and grow and grow first until you're ready. For now, just enjoy playing inside mommy... I love feeling your every twist and turn! :)  We'll see you again on December 11 for your next scan. We love you anak! :)

#BellyBlessed,