Week 13

This is the last week of the First Trimester, which means that almost all of the baby's organ systems are fully formed, and the baby now needs to continue to grow and mature! This week the baby is developing reflexes, and he or she begins to make sucking movements, as well as moving their fingers and toes. Apparently if I prod at my abdomen the baby will squirm in response- weird!

This week Jason and I go in to get the 1st Trimester Screening done. This is a screening test to rule out Downs Syndrome, and a few other genetic conditions. Were not a high risk couple because were young, healthy and have no history of Downs in our family, but our OB feels (as do we) that its good to be prepared in the event that there is a problem. We are just really excited to see our baby on the ultrasound again! The 1st Trimester Screening consists of bloodwork and an advanced ultrasound that they have to do at Mission Hospital. They call this ultrasound the Nuchal Translucency Screening, and the technician measures the space in the tissue in the baby's neck. Babies with abnormalities tend to have more fluid build up in this space, which the technician is able to see. Like I said, were just excited to be able to see our baby again! Hopefully we will get another picture that we can post for everyone to see.