Before I go much further about the anatomy scan I want to give an update on Roger's most recent scans since he hasn't managed to post yet about the results. We went to MD Anderson on January 19th and 20th for his regular three month MRIs and lab tests. His neuro-oncologist Dr. Conrad said the site looks so amazingly clean which means no new tumor growth and he suggested putting off radiation. We had thought of doing the radiation soon so it would be done before the baby is born since the radiologist said there was a 100% chance of the tumor coming back without radiation. But Dr. Conrad said they usually like to wait 8-10 years between radiating the brain again to prolong the chance of necrosis and with new technology and research they are more comfortable with doing it sooner now, but he thought we should wait. Then Roger asked Dr. Conrad about the Delta 24 Clinical Trial to which he told Roger it has been approved by the FDA for a second phase and Roger would be eligible for it if his tumor came back during the second phase. Roger is more excited about that than the thought of doing radiation again. Not only would it prevent him from the side effects of radiation but it could also help others with his type of brain tumor. So far no one with his type of tumor, ependymoma, has done the trial. Of course, his type is very rare in adults so that explains it. They have tested the virus on his type of tumor in petri dishes in the lab with amazing results. Roger would be one of the first ependymoma patients on the trial. So we discussed it and decided to put off radiation and keep watching the MRIs every three months as usual.
On to the anatomy scan! So it was amazing. Even though I was laying there watching the baby move and swallow, I still couldn't believe that was inside me. The ultrasound technician told us she checks for 64 fetal items to ensure normal growth and check for any signs of abnormalities. This was the most important thing for me, healthy growing baby. Of course we wanted to know the gender of the baby (more on that later) but that was the least important thing for me. She was able to confirm 63 points but Baby Mommaerts' feet and hands were in front of the face so she couldn't check for cleft palate. Already doing yoga! Which meant I would have to have another ultrasound at my next monthly check-up to hopefully rule that out. It was so cool as she went through each item with us and told us more about it. We got to hear the heart beat again and it was 143 beats per minute. It was also discovered I have marginal placenta previa. My placenta has decided to place itself within 2 cm of my cervix. I'm telling you every time I have an ultrasound they find some exception. The first time is was an extremely horizontal uterus then it was an extremely large corpus luteum. Guess I'm just exceptional. The ultrasound technician and the midwife said it was nothing to worry about as it's very common and as the uterus expands during the remaining months of the pregnancy the placenta usually expands with it. Of course they'll check it again at the ultrasound next month to see. They did say if it is still within 2 cm of the cervix it would mean a c-section for me. As many of you know, I would like to have as natural a birth as possible but when they told me this I was like, "No problem. If that's what I have to do then that's fine with me." I'm not putting myself or my baby at risk. And I'm not worried about it either. I'm sure it will be fine.
We got some great photos from the ultrasound and amazingly a DVD of the ultrasound. Of course we couldn't watch the video or see all of the ultrasound photos because the ultrasound tech sealed them in an envelope for us. You can watch it here. She also wrote the gender of the baby on a piece of paper and sealed it in an envelope for the baker. We had a gender reveal party Saturday night with our family and a few friends. We don't live close to a lot of our family and we don't get to see most of them often so we decided to include them in finding out the gender with us so they could participate in our pregnancy also. It was a hoot. No one had any idea what the gender of the baby was (including us) except the ultrasound tech, the midwife and the cupcake lady. Once everyone arrived at the party and we took team pink and team blue pictures, everyone got a cupcake and we all took a bite at the same time. It was awesome and so much fun. We'll post more pictures from the party when we get them from our photographer. Here's a sneak peak of what's in store.
It's a girl!!
