16 weeks! (December 30)

Our 16 week appointment was on December 30th (nice way to end the year I suppose).  During this appointment we met with the nurse practitioner to discuss the sonogram pictures taken a few weeks back whether the baby was at risk for down syndrome or trisomy 18.  Fortunately, based on the pictures and first blood work, the baby is negative for down syndrome as well as negative for trisomy 18! This brought much relief to us both. They had to draw more blood this time to test for neural defects such as spina bifida, other chromosomal abnormalities and defects in the abdominal wall of the fetus.

Our nurse practitioner pulled out her nifty fetal doppler to check up on the lil guy/gal. At first, all she picked up was my heartbeat (rather slow I'd say), so of course, in my mind I began to panic and frantically ask myself, "Is it still there?" I'm pretty sure when I turned to look at Ed there was panic in my eyes. Well, after a few more seconds (which felt like minutes!) she moved the fetal doppler around a little lower and she managed to pick up its ticker...so here it is...

At this point in the pregnancy...

I feel much better! nausea has almost vanished. I only get it sporadically and mostly at night, when I'm the most tired. The bad taste in my mouth comes and goes but I am not noticing it as frequently as I was. The uterus is expanding ever so slowly but there have been a few days when my belly hurts..not like poopy pains, but like crampy pains. I'm pretty sure there will be more to come of this symptom.  

As far as food goes...

I am favoring fuji apples still, in addition to some childhood Salvadorean dishes such as pupusas, fried bananas with sour cream, pickled baby mangoes (in a jar), shuco (for more info go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shuco/336189065093?sk=info), and budin (Salvadorean bread pudding). 

Other thoughts running through my head...

I am uneasy about having to go clothes shopping when I get bigger. I know it's every girl's dream to go shopping but I hate spending money on stuff I'm not going to use for an extended period of time. If anyone has any suggestions on cutting costs with preggo clothes, please let me know.

I am excited about our next appointment! That's when we will discover whether the baby is a boy or a girl. I hope he or she is not shy!! Spread 'em baby!