I've Been Such A Slacker Lately

Too much time has passed since my last post, and too many memories have passed.  The most important news we have since my last post is that I am pregnant with our first son!!!  Bryan and I are beyond thrilled about this.  Unfortunately, we also got some potentially devestating news too.  Three conditions were identified on my ultrasound:  1) increased echogenicity on the baby's heart, which can be a marker for Down's Syndrome.  My doctor is not worried about this because the rest of the Down's testing (including my bloodwork, the baby's bone length, etc.) came back negative for Down's.  So, all this means is that we are going to get another ultrasound to monitor the condition. 

2) I have marginal placenta previa.  Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta is close to, or on, the cervix.  There are three types - complete, partial or marginal.  Complete placenta previa means that the baby's placenta covers the mom's entire cervix, while marginal means that the placenta is right next to the cervix.  There is a possibility that the placenta will move as my uterus grows, so, again, my doctor is not too worried.  Again, I will be monitored by ultrasound to determine the status of the previa.

3) The most devestating news is that I might have vasa previa.  This is a condition where the fetus' blood vessels stretch across my cervix.  This is a potentially fatal condition for our son, as the babies bleed out relatively quickly once the mother goes into labor.  I have a Level 2 ultrasound scheduled for Friday, April 25th to determine if there are fetal blood vessels over my cervix.  If so, our whole plan of action changes.  In the meantime, I am on pelvic rest and I have been told to take it easy until April 25th - no strenuous lifting, exercising and trying not to pick up Ashley too much.

In other news, Ashley cut her first upper tooth today.  The tooth is one of her front teeth, on the right side.  Otherwise, she continues to do well.  She is babbling like crazy, cruising like a madwoman and being overall cute.  She is more and more interested in table food and not baby food anymore.  She's been in a relatively good mood and a good sleeper through her teething.  She's just the best baby anyone could possibly ask for.