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In case you missed me gushing over it yesterday, yesterday was an absolutely great day. We had our 12 week prenatal appointment, and I was thrilled to leave that appointment knowing that Baby Tooth was looking “perfect” according to both my doctor and the ultrasound tech.
(*There are ultrasound pics ahead, so if they aren’t your thing, feel free to pass on this post!)
The appointment itself lasted a bit longer than I expected – almost an hour and a half – including a thorough ultrasound (also known as an NT scan), a check up on the ol’ lady parts, and blood work.
First up was the ultrasound, which was awesome because it was definitely the one thing I was most looking forward to. Almost immediately after Baby Tooth was up on the screen, he/she started giving us a show! For one, it seriously looked like he/she was waving to us. No joke! The arm was above its head waving back and forth, almost as if he/she was saying “Hi mom and dad! Here I am!” My heart immediately melted.
It’s so crazy to believe that four weeks ago, Baby Tooth looked like this…
It just boggles my mind that so much can happen in such a short amount of time. It really is just crazy.
So the 12 week appointment began the first part of the genetic screening tests that can be done. Jay and I both discussed what we did and didn’t want to have ahead of time, and we ultimately decided on just doing the NT scan and the blood work.
The NT scan is a non-invasive ultrasound, which helps assess the baby’s risk of having complications such as Down syndrome (DS), other chromosomal abnormalities, and major congenital heart problems. It does this by measuring the clear (translucent) space in the tissue at the back of the baby’s neck, and according to our OB/GYN, Baby Tooth looked “perfect” in that department.
During the ultrasound, Baby Tooth was EXTREMELY active. I mean, I knew they moved around a bit, but our little one was having his/her own little dance party up in there. He/she was using their little legs to push off the sides of the uterus and was ALL over the place. The tech said on more than one occasion that he/she “looks like a handful” and that “it looks like we have our work cut out for us!” Of course, we were all joking around, but it kept the mood light and kept me beaming from ear to ear.
We also got to hear the heart beat, which was at a solid, 150 beats per minute.
As the tech continued to try to get Baby Tooth to calm down for her to get her scans, we got quite a few fun pictures along the way. I have no idea if this is something that is done everywhere, but my OB/GYN’s office gives a CD with all of the ultrasound pics on it, as well as hard copies.
Each time I go back, I get to bring the CD and they’ll add the new photos so I’ll always have a digital copy. I just love that!
So a few of the photos that the tech took utilized the 4D technology which was absolutely surreal. It’s definitely a weird looking view of the little one, but it’s just so amazing.
At one point, all three of us were literally cracking up in the room because it appeared as if Baby Tooth was striking a pose for us…
It might be sort of hard to make out, but Baby Tooth has his/her left hand up behind its head, and the right hand up to its mouth (possibly sucking its thumb). We were all loving making jokes about how he/she was being such a ham for the camera for us.
After the ultrasound, I had a quick follow up with the doctor (where I found out the due date got moved up to July 19th) and then finished up with some blood work. Some of the blood work tests that are offered are completely optional (such as those that test for cystic fibrosis and Tay-Sachs), but in the end, Jay and I decided to just do the full workup. We probably won’t hear anything back on this for a while, since I’ll need to do the second part of the screen at my next visit next month, but we both had a good feeling about it.
So that’s that! Our next appointment is at 16 weeks, so I’ve got another month to wait before I get to see little Baby Tooth’s dance moves…
I’m already counting down the days.
Lauren says
Amazing Courtney!!!! :) This post just made my morning.
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Awww how FUN! Love it! I’m a tad jealous you get to see your little one so often. We only got an ultrasound at 8 and 21 weeks. I think they should give one every month! ;)
Nelly says
Yea thats not normal! We only got the 8 and 20 week ultrasound too! Your Lucky!!
Courtney says
Really? Hmmmm…well maybe my 16 week appt won’t include an ultrasound? I know I have to do more blood work, but I guess I just assumed it would include another scan too! I know I have appointments every month – are they more just check ups?
Steph says
I think all offices are different, but we just get the 12 week NT scan and then a 20 week anatomy scan as well. The in-between appointments are just check-ups for us (though I think they do use the doppler to hear the heart!).
My 12 week is tomorrow – this post made me verrrry excited to see the little one!!
Lynn says
No, not normal, we hardly got any ultrasounds and we certainly didn’t get a cd or 3d/4d shots. Now I wish that I went to your OB’s office! We’re going up to Baby Bumps in Saratoga on Thursday to see what this little guys face looks like. I’m hoping that at 28 1/2 weeks we’ll get a good shot and that he’s cooperative… He was NOT at our anatomy scan at 18 1/2 weeks, and that was the last time I got to see him. Thursday will be the last I see him until he’s in my arms… seems so far off.
Just wait till you can FEEL all of that baby movement! It’s my favorite thing about being pregnant :)
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Court, I’m thinking you got more ultrasounds because of your situation. I know a few other (HA) women that were monitored more often with scans because of everything. But yes, I get a check up every 4 weeks… Some appointments are more involved than others. For example, some appointments they just listened for the heartbeat and checked my measurements and then others (like today) they drew blood and all that for my glucose tolerance testing.
Danielle says
Are you going to find out if it is a boy tooth or a girl tooth?
Courtney says
Definitely! :)
Colleen @ The Lunchbox Diaries says
SO EXCITING!
Molly Petsch says
My baby is 3 1/2 months already (time truly flies!)! Your ultrasound pictures took me back to such a special time, one you never forget. You never forget seeing your baby move around on the screen; one time he kicked and it was so amazing to see and feel it at the same time! Anyway, congrats and enjoy the journey; it’s such a miracle!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
That’s so cute! You may be enrolling him/her in dance lessons in the future :-p
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
Oh my gosh! Those pictures are absolutely incredible! :)
Claire @ Keeping Up With Claire says
Amazing! I love that you are documenting this on the blog, it will be so fun one day for you and the baby (then older) to look back and be able to read your thoughts and feelings throughout your pregnancy. So sweet. :)
Danica @ It's Progression says
Yay!! So glad the appointment went well…the pictures are amazing!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
Oh Courtney, this post makes my heart explode for you guys! It only gets better from here :)
cassi says
Those pictures are incredible!!! What a blessing. :)
My Neon Running Shoes says
Baby tooth is looking great! How fun to see him/her! I can’t wait to hear how the 16 week appt goes!
Lauren @ Chocolate, Cheese and Wine says
I am SO excited for you! Baby Tooth is already so cute!
Caitlin @ This Bride's Joyride says
Amazing!! It’s incredible to see the growth in the past few weeks. So so so exciting :)
Shari says
So special! :)
Angie says
That’s so cool that you got to see him/her in 4d like that!!!!! i have to pay extra for those sort of pics, so awesome!! no that’s not normal! lol you must have a great dr with awesome technology. ;) I’m 34 weeks tomorrow and getting weekly ultrasounds, I’m loving this part of it so I can be sure everything looks good! So happy to hear that your little one is doing great!! Keep growing little peanut!
Devon says
Ok …what is the story behind the name??? baby tooth??
Courtney says
Haha I addressed it in an earlier post. It’s a play on “Sweet Tooth.” Sweet Tooth and Baby Tooth. :)
Devon says
Ah of course-duh!! How did I not catch on to that- very cute!
!Wishing you and Jay the very best throughout the journey :)
Natalie @ Free Range Human says
This is so exciting! I am complete baby novice so I have no idea-at what point do you get to find out the gender?
Courtney says
Usually between 16-20 weeks :)
Karen says
This is amazing!! I love it!!
Marielle says
Congrats!! I love all the updates and pics- thanks for sharing!!
Sabrina @Work It Ms Jackson says
Love these pictures! I never got a cd of my ultrasound pictures but I did get about 10 hard copies each time I went in. Of course, when I was pregnant with my daughter, my husband was in the military and the Naval Hospital can be a little stingy with ultrasounds. You get two the appointments the entire time you’re pregnant unless the baby doesnt cooperate when getting measurements or you’re high risk. I love that you have a CD. I think that’s great!
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says
How exciting!! The pictures are amazing…what a great way to start out the week!
krystal@coffeecardiogoddess says
That pic with the hand behind the head is sooo funny and really neat! Im so happy for you! Glad things are going great!
Annette@FitnessPerks says
YAY! SO exciting for you guys!
Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction says
Congrats!! Happy for you :)
Megan says
Courtney, I dont have children, so I am living vicariously through you! Thanks for sharing your pics and stories along the way. It is so amazing!
Congrats!
dee says
Too precious! I’m excited for you and jay! I have my gender prediction, thanks to that little pose in the last picture! :) cute!
Courtney says
Ooooo now I’m intrigued! ;)
Michelle@Peachy Palate says
The four D pics are crazy, they make it all the more real! So excited for you, keep the posts coming!
Angela says
Ahh! So exciting!! I can’t wait for this one day. :)
Tara C. says
So fun!! I am currently 17 weeks! We did the 12 week scan/test as well and baby was doing back flips and acrobatics too! Amazing!
You mentioned your next appointment is 16 weeks….we opted to do an elective early gender ultrasound at 15.5 weeks, and found out it’s a boy!! You may want to look into doing that! My Dr. won’t do the “gender scan” until 20 weeks…so we couldn’t wait that long to find out if it was a girl or boy! Lots of cities have private licensed ultrasound business you can go to!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
Aww Baby Tooth is so ready for his/her blog debut! ;)
Sarah says
SO exciting! Glad ur baby gave you a wave hello! So adorable!
Bek @ Crave says
Aw the joy and love just oozes out of this post- I’m so glad everything is perfect and can’t wait to meet he/she! Goodluck on the blood work, I’m sure everything will also be perfect in that department.
Carol T. says
Courtney:
love the pics…what a miracle…it is amazing what technology can do today… love the idea of the CD, this is one treasured item that you will keep forever..the best to you and Jay…
kara says
congrats… you know what they say a fast (totally normal range)heartbeat = girl… i had a little girl and my tech/dr. both made that comment, like we cant say but..
Wendy Cartright says
Thank you for sharing your experience! I am almost seven weeks pregnant, but I haven’t made a visit to the doctor yet. I have been researching some different OBGYNs in my area and I will probably go very soon. It was very helpful to read about the general process of a visit.
Kayla Rogers says
It would be so exciting to see an ultrasound of your baby! It sounds like it was a great idea for you to have discussed ahead of time what you and your husband wanted to have done with the OB/GYN. I’ll have to remember this going into my own OB/GYN appointments!
Paul Langley says
This is some really helpful information about the 12 week visit! My wife and I are going in for hers next week, and I’ve been pretty lost up until now. I’m glad to know this is when genetic screening tests can be done, I’ll have to look into that. Thanks so much for writing!
larissa says
I really like your advice to choose your hospital before choosing your obstetrician. If you live close to multiple hospitals and one boasts a better track record than the other, you probably want to start at the better hospital first. There may be some instances where an obstetrician at the “worse” hospital is so good that you choose to use them anyway, but choosing a good hospital to start with is a good general plan as you want to make sure that it is more than reputable for your new little one. Thanks so much for sharing!
Cameron Bennett says
I like that you mentioned that your due date was moved up after your ultrasound. That’s one of the good things about getting an ultrasound because it can help determine just how far along the baby is. Ultrasounds can be great because not only can they help you learn more about your baby, but it can also be a good way to get excited about your baby coming because it’s your first chance to get a look at them.
Nancy says
Hi Courtney, thanks for sharing your experience. Post like these really helps women going through a similar journey to understand what to expect at each stage of pregnancy. Truly beautiful!