Intro and Full Integrated Screen

Hello to my family, friends ... and anyone else who is taking the time to read this! My name is Amy and I am going to say it. I'm PREGNANT (you know, if you couldn't tell by the name of the blog!)  I am in my mid-30s, and let's just say I have pretty much been freaking out since I found out. So I figured, this is a great therapeutic way to get everything off my chest ... well, maybe except these gigantic things that basically appeared overnight.

Anyway, I am about 12 weeks today and have had the joy of this so-called "morning sickness" since about seven weeks. Let me tell you - a man must have invented this term, cause there is no just morning part of it. It should be called all day sickness or you are going to be horribly miserable for the next few weeks sickness. Speaking of that, a man must have came up with the term geriatric pregnancy too - which is what they call you when you are over 35. WHAT? Regardless, I am happy to report that so far, baby is healthy and everything is moving along as it should. It is definitely stressful waiting for that first ultrasound to see the heartbeat - it's like the first time you really feel like you can breathe!

Today, I had a second ultrasound as part of my Full Integrated Screen (don't ask about my husband not making it though!). Anyway, this apparently helps give you a more concrete determination of your risk for a child with genetic defects. There is a second blood screening in a few weeks, so it'll take some time to get the results, but I will keep everyone updated. It really is pretty cool what technology can do these days - not to mention maybe not having to have the big needle through the belly for an amnio. Like that wouldn't scare the beejeezus out of someone.

Oh - and I have a kidney ultrasound tomorrow. Yes, that's right - I am a stone former apparently. I was admitted to the hospital just before getting pregnant and have more to pass. Can you say FUN? Can't wait for those little "bundles" of joy to start their journey from my kidney. UGH.

Now that I have officially bored you, I want to stress that since this is my first - I am welcoming and ENCOURAGING tips from anyone and everyone about being pregnant and how to get through some of the rough patches. You can only read so many books before freaking out that everything you do is going to hurt the baby - that's where all you wonderful people come in!

Talk to you soon!