Is This...Normal?

I was welcomed into the 2nd trimester last week by going to my next appointment. We were both excited that we would get another glimpse of the "Peach". We were able to hear the heartbeat again; it was in the 160s this time around. Is that a big jump from when we heard it at week 9 and it was 177? The exciting part was that my ultrasound was able to be done on my belly. Woo hoo, no more awkward moments for the husband!... for now.

The doctor came into the room and she asked if we had questions. Around week 16-18, if desired, we can get genetic testing done to see if the fetus has spina bifida. There is a list of other genetic disorders that were mentioned, but I was mostly concerned about spina bifida. My father has spina bifida, but was such a mild case that he did not have any complications. However, since I mentioned that my dad has it, the doctors mention whenever the genetic testing is brought up, "You may want to consider it since it runs in your family." I understand the statement and I know that they want to help. However, I have also learned from the doctors that there is a 20-25% false positive test. Uh, false positive? Is there anything that can be done if we find out that our baby has mild to severe spina bifida? The answer if you could imagine is no. Plus there is the chance that the positive test actually means nothing at all and while I'm stressing through the next 20 weeks or so, the baby could come out fine. Do I really want to do this?

Our answer is no. Sure, thanks to my dad, we have this chance, but since there is nothing that we can do while the fetus is still growing inside my belly, why would we put that kind of stress on the baby? It just did not make any sense. So, at the 17 week appointment, I'll gladly say no to the genetic testing and have one less blood test to worry about. Has anyone out there experienced this? Have you had the genetic testing?

My next question was what did the doctor recommend for Blood Cord Banking. It appears that most of this is done online and I would sign up now and I would get a kit in the mail. I would have to bring it to the hospital with me when I go into labor. It made sense right now, but I could imagine my water breaking, grabbing the bag by the door, locking up the animals, grabbing my kit, freshening up the hair and make up and walking calmly out the door. YEAH RIGHT! "Resort to your level of training." That's a quote from my husband. However, I don't think that he has to worry about actually giving birth to this being that we've been trying to get for how long. However, if prepared, I'm sure that it would happen. I also have to read up on it more because as the doctor spoke, I heard mumble mumble mumble, "two thousand dollars" blah blah blah. I also heard monthly cost. Really? Did I hear this correctly? I am a firm believer in science and want to do all I can in order to assist with adequate research. So, like I said, I am definitely going to have to check into this. Has anyone ever used blood cord banking?

And finally, the doctor was telling me that now that I'm in my 2nd trimester, the "morning sickness" will finally taper off and you will be less tired. Thankfully, I did not have "morning sickness". I would get nauseous from time to time, but not the horror stories of projectile vomiting that I've heard from friends or read in books. By no means am I bragging, trust me. I was plagued with gas. I could put truck drivers to shame and even embarrass the most manly of men. At least with morning sickness, you get, "Man, poor thing. What a rough pregnancy." With gas, it's, "Who's the idiot who keeps ripping one in the office!?" At lunch, I was king. I could belch with the best and gather applause, but heaven forbid if I tried to sneak out a quick one thinking that it would go unnoticed. It is not fun and no, it still has not tapered off in the glorious 2nd trimester.

I had also asked about classes that we could take. I guess I did not read the handbook that I did not get which explains when I should or should not be planning certain things. "You have a while before you have to think about that." Great, now I felt like the jerk who is trying to rush through the process. Am I?

I hope that I'm not the only one feeling like this, but I feel like I could flip from nice to jerk; from confident to insecure; from friendly to mean in a split second and can bounce right back again. Oddly enough, my confident to insecure has peaked in the glorious 2nd trimester. I do not like this at all. Maybe I am not eating right. Maybe I am thinking too much. Or as many mom-friends have told me, "Maybe it's because you have a person growing inside of you." I'm sure it's the latter, but working on the others couldn't hurt, right?

We have a 17- and a 20- week appointment set up already. Yes, we want to find out the gender. My body is changing little by little. My stomach is showing a small bump, which I have to start documenting for my mother-in-law as promised. I have yet to take one picture of my belly since finding out. This will be on my to-do list for the weekend and will post a photo. Is it strange that I feel like the baby is pulling all of my rear-end to my belly? I liked my rear-end, Peaches, just leave it where it's at! And, no, I do not have any strange cravings yet as my pseudo-brother-in-law cannot wait to hear about. Right now, it's ice cream; just plain, ol' ice cream. And for those who know me... the Oreo cravings are still there. :)