Week 16

Source :http://www.webmd.com/baby/your-pregnancy-week-by-week-weeks-13-16?page=2

Week 16
Baby: Your baby now measures about 4.3 to 4.6 inches from crown to rump and weighs about 2.8 ounces. Fingernails are well-formed and the fine hair, lanugo, may be growing on the head. Arms and legs are moving. The nervous system is functioning and muscles are responding to stimulation from your baby's brain. You may be able to hear the baby's heartbeat in the doctor's office.

Mom-to-be: Your uterus has grown significantly by now and weighs about 8.75 ounces. Within the next few weeks you may start to feel your baby move, called "quickening." It's often like a gas bubble or subtle fluttering movement. As it happens more regularly, you'll know it's your baby. There are other physiological changes happening in your body. Increased blood volume to support your growing fetus may produce nosebleeds, and leg veins may become more apparent. Your uterus is shifting so you may not have to urinate so much.

Tip of the Week: If veins in your legs are beginning to bulge, you may want to use support stockings, elevate your feet when you can and exercise to improve blood flow. Indeed, I seems to have quite a number of leg cramps this week.

Week 13 - First Trimester Scan for Down Syndrome

According to the information leaflets given by Dr KT Tan, Down Syndrome is the most common cause of learning difficulties in newborn babies. It occurs in 1 out of 700 babies. Anyone can have a baby with Down Syndrome, regardless of age, family history or ethnic background. However, a woman's risk of having a baby with Down Syndrome increases with age. At my age, the probablility of getting a baby with Down Syndrome is 1:300.

Down Syndrome is caused by having an extra copy of a particular chromosome (the part of cells that contain genetic material from our parents).

Besides having some degress of learning difficulty, individuals with Down Syndrome are also at a greater rish of having medical problems, including heart defects, abnormalities of the digestive system, hearing and eyesight problems, seizures, thyroid problem and childhood leukaemia.

Gosh, reading all these information saddens me and I wonder why anyone has to go through such a process in their life.

At the scan, the length of the fetus would be measured. It must measure between 45 to 84 mm for any risk estimation to be valid. Less than 45mm, a repeat scan will be scheduled. More than 84 mm, one will have to discuss on an alternative method of screening for Down Syndrome. My baby measures 66.1 mm.

The back of the baby's neck is also measured for its nuchal transluceny. If the measurement taken is larger than expected, this means that there is an increased risk.

The presence of nasal bone is also another tell tale sign of down syndrome. If the nasal bone is absent, a re-scan has to be scheduled at 16 weeks. Again, it is a relief to find out that the presence of nasal bone of my baby.

Somehow, I feel paranoid yet thankful for such advancement in technology which allows couples to get mentally prepared. My heart goes to all parents who need to make a decision after the scan to accept the risk of delivering a handicapped child.

Week 9 - First Scan

Finally back at KKH Private Clinic. Merely just 14 months, the clinic has made some changes. The counter registration is different. The room for routine test is now smaller as they partitioned the room into two rooms.

What is still the same? Doctor KT Tan is still the same. No nonsense checkup. Checkup is quick and before you know it, you have left the room. I have no idea how good KT Tan is, although my first birth experience was short and successful. I hope my second one will be the same.

Here's some details of my checkup:

foetus length ... 2.5 cm
my weight ... 53.4 kg
my pulse ... 91
Bp ... 97 / 51

Naming our baby

If it turns out to be a girl, her name could be....

Bridgette Chew

Audrey Chew

Olivia Chew

If it turns out to be a boy, his name could be....

Timothy Chew

Ralph Chew

Harry Chew

Trevor Chew

Jamie Chew

Orlando Chew

Miss my first scheduled appointment with Gynae

Have I not planned well? After knowing that I am pregnant, Boon Heng and I have yet to have a chance to celebrate this piece of good news. I am too tied up with work and Oliver fall sick. I am so busy that I miss my first scheduled appointment with Doctor KT Tan last Tuesday. I really wanted to go for this appointment as I think that LNY will be a good time to break the news that I have a second one coming my way. For whatever reason, I don't know why I only wanted to break the news after my checkup. Guess, I really want to see my little one in my body through the scan, otherwise it feels quite unreal.

I feel kind of silly, although I know I am so pregnant. I almost have morning sickness everyday. An afternoon nap can sometimes work wonders for my fatigue body. I am starting to go toilet more frequently. Gosh, the thought of going through the 9 months ordeal again make me shivered. I cannot imagine when my two girlfriends, Eve and Caroline, said that they actually enjoyed being pregnant. Ja Bo, are you kidding me? or you trying to comfort me? How can you gals actually enjoy being pregnant? You gals better get pregnant soon!

Another special gift on the way

15 Jan 08 is my scheduled checkup with my gynae, KT Tan at KKH. What is supposed to be the pap smear check turns up to be a pleasant surprise, I have another special one coming in nine months' time. Although I have planned to have a brother or a sister for Oliver, it comes as quite a surprise to me as it is happening so fast. All the scarifices that I had gone through with Oliver suddenly rushes through my mind. No more caffeines, no more sashimi, no more peanuts, no more crustacean. I will once more put on weight and walk around like one fat woman.