week 13: What to expect for OSCAR

Baby measures 7cm today, and i've "gained" 100g since last week, which brings my weight up to 42.4kg.
I'm still far from my regular weight but i think will get there surely.
Waited an hour to see Dr Poon today, which wasn't too bad cause he only stepped in at 11am.

Today is our routine blood test for HIV, blood type, FBC, Hep B etc
We have also decided to go ahead with the OSCAR test.
It is a first trimester option offered to all pregnant women as an earlier and more accurate method of screening for Trisomy 21. It must be done within 11-13 weeks, detection rate is 90% and 5% for a false positive. We have delayed our decision for many weeks before deciding to go ahead with it for:

1) peace of mind
2) just to check if there are any Down's Syndrome markers

By the way, i am in my late 20s. There is actually no cause for doing this test but since we can, we would like to do so. Just for the 1st child, perhaps haha.

Expect the doctor to draw out a small amount of maternal blood for testing, composition risk assessment score will be obtained within a week. No news from our clinic will be considered as good news. If we get a call, means bad news and more options will be discussed with Dr Poon during our 16th week checkup next month.

An ultrasound examination is then carried out on the fetus to diagnose any major defects, Nuchal Translucency scan and baby's length. Babies affected by Down's Syndrome have a thicker than average NT. Thankfully, buttercup's measurement is ok! That's 70% of the test. The remaining 20% will be reflected on the blood test results. We trust that God's in control and we have a perfect healthy baby in the making (:

A risk of 1 in 300 or more is generally considered to be high. If the risk of Down's Syndrome is 1:300 or greater, an invasive test is advised.
Well, we think that we can take on any challenges and will keep this pregnancy no matter what.
But we can never be fully prepared should baby be sick, thats something we want to clear now so as to enjoy the rest of the pregnancy.

Then again, there is so much to worry about. Whether my placenta will form at the right place, if i am taking in too much sodium or sugar, if I'm eating well enough, if baby's head will turn down for delivery; worries and concerns are never-ending. What we can do now is really to enjoy the process, and pray always.

Today's charges $444+:

Blood test: $400
Urine test: $5

If you opt for the just the compulsory blood test that hospital requires, its a lot cheaper.
The above is price for OSCAR.
Other clinics have a package for OSCAR+FA scan, you may check with the staff.
For Dr Poon's clinic, they don't offer the bundle. So FA scan on the 20th week is additional $100+.
Antenatal package can be signed once your blood test is done, he charges around $800 excluding medication.

Hope the above information is helpful for those approaching 11-13 weeks.
The clinic didn't have any pamphlets and I didn't bother checking it up on the internet.
I went in with full bladder to get a clearer ultrasound photo but silly buttercup was comfortably tucked in one small area of my womb (same as last week) which wasn't near my bladder. So much space on my left side but buttercup prefers the right squishy side. I haven't had a nice photo ever since week 10 haha

Grow well and healthy buttercup, God is watching over you and He won't miss out on any organ development so you are in good hands even though Mummy is still suffering from morning sickness. We speak health, growth and development over you!

week 12

Hi guys!
I've endured 7 weeks of morning sickness!
Lost a bit of weight, standing at 42.3kg now.
But baby's heart is beating healthily at 168bpm (:
Still at a loss whether to go for Oscar/Harmony test.
But i have to do my compulsory blood test next week, freak out please.

Gagging continues, puking decreased, i try to avoid vomit triggers like durian, onion, garlic, fried food smell, hawker centre, coffee shop.
Recently, cannot stand the smell of my mother's chinese cooking.
I try to brush my teeth at lightning speed because i cannot tolerate the toothpaste taste either.

Diet wise, I'm still quite picky. I prefer food like sandwich, green apples or thick soups.
Sometimes i want to eat a certain food, but once its placed in front of me, i lose my appetite immediately. Basically i eat like a mouse now.
Hoping the morning sickness starts to ease this coming week so i can start enjoying pregnancy and indulge in all the food!

Dr Poon started me on Fish Oil supplement.
Why is it so expensive!! $45 a bottle of 30 capsules.........
I have to continue with my Folate, Iron and Calcium pills. That's still 4 pills in total.

My BP is always on the higher side, but after seeing the doctor, it normally drops to 114-134.
I guess thats anxiety and excitement all at the same time.
Waited 2 hours to see him today, so we took our time with consultation, bombing him with a list of questions. Had a horrible headache last night which kept me up, sleeping position is not comfortable (back/left side...nothing works), gotta clear my bladder at least once every night.

Immensely grateful Marcus buys me food i want to eat, and he helps me to finish my leftovers.
I cannot stand the way i feel on most days, eeky, sicky, pukey, all grossed out.

Today's breakdown $194+:

Consultation: $65
Scan: $60
Urine Test: $5
Iron pill: $7
Fish oil: $45

Here's an ultrasound of buttercup. He/she is sleeping in a curled up position so Dr Poon couldn't capture a good photo after trying many times. Which means the measurement is not accurate today either. Its ok baby, just sleep and grow well for Daddy and Mummy ok xoxo

Why I Don’t Want My Miscarriage To Stay Secret

I cried once again when i watched Andy and Sonia's miscarriage story.
I too, had a miscarriage between 8-11 weeks last Oct and it was a tough journey.



Read my story here in 2 parts.
Will be starting a weekly vlog update on my pregnancy journey by the end of this month, hope it empowers or encourage other women out there.

We never know why we had to go through this but we know we can always trust in Him.

The silent miscarriage:
http://bunchoffluff.blogspot.sg/2014/10/week-11-silent-miscarriage.html

Evacuation of Uterus:
http://bunchoffluff.blogspot.sg/2014/10/ev-of-uterus-dilation-and-curettage.html

How Amazing is Your Love

I know I am loved by the King,
and it makes my heart wanna sing.

The Struggle is Real

I dont understand why my gag reflex is so strong when it comes to taking medication.
Downing 4 pills daily is taking a toll on me. Especially the iron and progesterone pill. I can't keep it down!
I have to constantly psycho myself: "I CAN DO IT", stare at the pill for a few minutes before finding the courage to swallow them one at a time.

--

Next week is my 12th week!
I am still gagging, but the puking frequently has decreased.
Perhaps i can finally enjoy my pregnancy journey soon (:
Appetite hasn't come back yet, but i still have my meals on time or in many small batches so i don't starve the growing baby.  I do hope to see an increase in weight next Monday.

Please go easy on me baby xoxo

week 10: Morning Sickness at its peak

Hi guys! I am into my 10th week of pregnancy.
The past week has been a trying one; felt nauseated all week long, puking & gagging away.
Still, i force myself to eat and drink for the sake of the little life inside me.

Currently standing at 42.6kg, Dr Poon wasn't impressed with my weight loss.
Not so easy to gain with my lack of appetite :(
Baby measures slightly past the 3cm mark. That's double the length, 2 weeks ago.
His heart beats strong and rapidly.

This time, i was a little more calm during the appointment.
Morning sickness was super dampening on my spirits and making my days unproductive.
Marcus have been extremely caring and patient with me.
I am so so so loved.

These days, i take a minimum of 2 hours nap, twice a day.
When i'm not sleeping, i pray, listen to worship songs, stone, get some work done.
No serious cravings for anything.
If i can complete a meal, that itself is an achievement.
I absolutely detest the taste of toothpaste, durian, garlic, onions and anything too overpowering.

Being the first patient of the day, Dr Poon seems quite unsettled (his messy morning hair haha).
He still answered our questions patiently and i brought up concerns about all the medicine i had been given since the last consultation. We discussed and changed some.

Folate, Cativ D3, Ironyl (changed to Neogobion) and lastly Utrogeston (changed to Duphaston).
Its causing me depression just taking that many pills.
The side effects are no joke.
However, he was insistent that i should continue the supplements.
So i will continue to be good until the end of my 1st Trimester.
Really taking it one day at a time now.

Will be taking blood test in 2 weeks time to test for HIV, blood count, blood type and a whole bunch of other stuffs. Ahhh i do hate needles and pain.
It will prove of those pills work in increasing my blood count.
I think we are not too keen on the down syndrome tests, so might skip it.
We are keeping the baby regardless, and we place our trust in Him.

2nd appointment cost us $190+ including GST, a few dollars short of $200.

Consultation: $65
Ultrasound $60
Urine test $5 (for gulcose level)
A bunch of medicine ranging $7-40

Ouch.

I know i promised a photo of my baby bump but i realised it can't be seen in photos yet.
I still look flat in the front but top view seems to be changing (noticed only by myself haha).

So here's a nice photo Dr Poon captured:
Wiggly hands and feet.
I can see his happy belly hehe.
Grow up healthily and well baby, xoxo!

If only they had such a heart to fear Me and keep all My commands, so that they and their children will prosper forever.
Deu 5:29