18 weeks!

I'm 18 weeks already. Crazy how much faster this pregnancy is going than Reagan's. I just hope it's not cut short and I get to enjoy every huge moment. :)

I had my AFP drawn a couple weeks ago and I am so beyond happy to report that it was normal! With Reagan, my AFP came back with elevated risk for Down's Syndrome. So, I had to have a level II ultrasound and amnio. Everything (obviously) was just fine with her. I found out later that the elevated AFP was likely due to impending pre-eclampsia. Even though it was drawn at only 17 weeks, my placenta was already showing signs of "sickness", I guess. This time, it was normal! I looked at the last one and the real huge difference between this one and last time's was the Inhibin-A level. Last time it was 2.57 and this time it was 1.4...so it was (almost) half of what last time's was. I'm not a chemist or anything so I have no clue what those numbers mean but I take it as a good sign nonetheless. I'm trying to take this one day at a time. I know that just because that AFP was normal does not mean I won't get pre-e. I just hope this means that if I do get it...it will be much later and just mild, so I can make it to 37 weeks.

So far, my blood pressures have been excellent. Last night I checked it and it was 108/57 :) and I don't have any swelling yet. I know I'm still early and the danger zone doesn't start until after 20 weeks but I'm trying to stay optimistic.

We go April 8th (John's birthday) for the level II anatomy scan. I'm excited to find out the gender for sure! We have an idea based on previous ultrasounds but I'm not going to annouce it until we know for sure.

My next appt with the regular OB (Dr. Harraghy) is April 15th, I will be 20 weeks then. Then I will start every 2 week visits. Bring on those visits! I don't mind them at all. Extra monitoring can only be a good thing.

I will post a belly pic soon. I've been pretty slack with that but I do have a bump. :)

Anyway, here's hoping and PRAYING pre-e stays away. I just want a normal, healthy pregnancy and birth experience. I pray that's what I get.