Stats from 12ish Week Checkup

I had my 12 week checkup this morning with my midwife, Pam. Can I say how much I love seeing a midwife? With my other 3 children, it was with doctors, wonderful doctors I might add, but this is so different, so relaxed, so personal. Also, the practice I'm with, and the hospital I'll deliver in, are Catholic, so there is a strong belief in the sanctity of life :)

Not much to report this early in the game, but I've lost 5 lbs :) . Now, before anyone gets concerned, I think my weigh-in at my 8 week checkup was really REALLY off. If that one was correct, I gained 11 lbs from my annual checkup in March!!!!! My scale at home didn't show that, and this time everything is where I think it should be (and no, I'm not going to share that number with you ;). We were not able to hear the heartbeat with the Doppler today, but I am not concerned, nor surprised as I was never able to hear the heartbeat unless by ultrasound until the 16 week checkup. Pam was not concerned either. Edited to Add: From my ultrasound, my official due date is January 11, 2009. My dates are a little off because my last period was different, and I wasn't sure when my LMP was. That is why I titled this post "12ish Week Checkup." :)

Like with my other children, I am not doing the alpha-protein (or whatever its called) test. Honestly, it wouldn't change anything for us (except add more worry than I already have for the next 6 months). When I was under doctors' care with my other 3 pregnancies, when I refused the test, they read all this information from a brochure to me, and I had to sign a consent, saying I knew what I was denying. So today, Pam said so casually, "oh, yeah, did you want the (whatever its called) test?" I sheepishly said, "well I didn't with these three (I had them with me today :) ), and I don't think I want it now either." I was preparing to have to defend myself. I asked, "what do you think?" She said with the kindest smile, "personally, I don't like it. We just have to mention that it is available." Phew! Finally, no convincing, no making me feel like I'm making a bad decision! Believe me, I understand, and support a woman who wants it, but for me I don't want it. She confirmed everything I've read that its not uncommon to get a false positive, and then it would mean amnio and further testing and more worry. Anyway, I was so thankful for the support of my decision :)

I did a search on the Internet of pictures of babies at 12 weeks in utero. Right now, my baby is about 1.5-2.5 inches long (rump to top of head). How precious! Also, I just read that his vocal chords are now completely formed. Amazing! Here are some of the pictures I found :

Edited to Add: A cute little comment my son C made as we were leaving: "Hey, wait! We didn't get our baby today!" I guess he thought we were going to have the baby today. Poor little guy can't comprehend how long we have to wait! Even telling him that the baby won't be coming until after his birthday and after Christmas doesn't help him understand!

Enjoy your day :)