Number of scans:

Ughhhh!
Yesterday i have completed successfully the anomaly scan which was performed.Dr. was able to see all details to her satisfaction! She was not able to see the cardiac part before on the last two days, hence wanted us to go for a repeat scan yesterday..i tried my best to show my heart details to her! What a big deal!
I have everything, all arteries, veins, valves, auricles, ventricles in position!
Every little detail is perfect and i am trying to pump blood with my heart only..otherwise how will you get such a hard heart beat of 150bpm? Silly you :)
The bottom of the story is that I have passed with distinction marks :)

But thees scans ..so painful they are..God.. momma feels the pain on her small bump!
I also do not like to be touched by that hard instrument and troubled that much every now and then!

I have a big question:
How many times when i am in the womb will i be disturbed by this scans?
I was searching the net for the information..and came to know about the following facts.
These are the minimum number of scans that every pregnant lady has to go through to check different data and development issues when inside the womb.
I have no chance to escape these many scans even if i want to :(

So here goes the full list:

• Viability scan
• NT scan
  
• Anomaly scan
• Cardiac scan
• Well being scan

Viability Scan:

This is an ultrasound examination that is usually carried out vaginally at 6-10 weeks of pregnancy.

The aims of this scan are to determine the number of fetuses present and whether the pregnancy is progressing normally inside the uterus.

This scan is useful for women who are experiencing pain or bleeding in the pregnancy and those who have had previous miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies.

The figure on the top right shows a normal pregnancy at 7 weeks of gestation. The figure on the bottom right shows the empty sac of an embryonic pregnancy at 7 weeks.

Nuchal Translucency scan:

This scan is carried out from 11 weeks to 13 weeks and six days. The scan is usually performed transabdominally but in a few cases it may be necessary to do the examination transvaginally.

Aims of the 11-13 weeks scan

• To date the pregnancy accurately. This is particularly relevant for women who cannot recall the date of their last period, have an irregular menstrual cycle, or who have conceived whilst breastfeeding or soon after stopping the pill. We measure the size of the fetus and from this we calculate the expected date of delivery.
• To assess the risks of Down's syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities.
  Each woman will be given an estimate of her individual risk for this pregnancy. This is calculated by taking into account the age of the mother, measurement of two hormones in the mothers blood and the scan findings of nuchal translucency thickness, nasal bone, blood flow through the fetal heart and ductus venosus and fetal abnormalities. Parents will receive full counseling concerning the significance of these risks and the various options for further testing.
• To diagnose multiple pregnancy. Approximately 2% of natural conceptions and 10% of assisted conceptions result in multiple pregnancy. Ultrasound scanning can determine if both babies are developing normally and if the babies share the same placenta which can lead to problems in the pregnancy. In such cases it would be advisable to monitor the pregnancy more closely.
• To diagnose certain major fetal abnormalities. Major abnormalities may be visible at this gestation but a 20 week anomaly scan is essential.
• To diagnose early pregnancy failure. Unfortunately, in 2% of women who attend for a nuchal scan it is found that the fetus has died, often several weeks before and without any warning. Couples will receive full counselling as to the possible causes of this problem and the options for subsequent measures that may be necessary.

Personalised risk for Down's syndrome

The vast majority of babies are normal. However all women, whatever their age, have a small risk of delivering a baby with a physical and/or mental handicap.

In some cases the handicap is due to chromosomal abnormality such as Down's syndrome.

The only way to know for sure whether or not the fetus has a chromosomal abnormality is by having an invasive test such as chorion villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis (amnio). However, these tests carry a risk of miscarriage of about 1%.

It is up to you and your partner to decide whether or not the risk of the fetus having a chromosomal abnormality is high enough to warrant having an invasive test. As a guideline, an invasive test is usually offered if the risk of Down's Syndrome is 1 in 300 or above.

The most accurate way of estimating the risk of the fetus having Down's Syndrome is carried out at 11-13 weeks and depends on the:

• Age of the mother
• Amount of fluid behind the neck of the fetus (nuchal translucency)
• Presence or absence of the fetal nasal bone
• Fetal heart rate
• Blood flow through the tricuspid valve of the fetal heart
• Blood flow through the ductus venosus in the fetal liver
• Presence or absence of any physical abnormalities
• Level of two hormones (free ß-hCG and PAPP-A) in the mother's blood

After the scan, on the basis of all the above factors, the estimated risk for Down's Syndrome will be discussed with you. Only you can then decide if you wish to have an invasive diagnostic test.

Irrespective of whether or not you decide to have an invasive test, it is recommended that you have a scan at 20 weeks to check for physical abnormalities.

Anomaly Scan:

This is a detailed scan at 20-22 weeks of pregnancy.

During the scan we examine each part of the fetal body, determine the position of the placenta, assess the amount of amniotic fluid, and measure fetal growth. Special attention is paid to the brain, face, spine, heart, stomach, bowel, kidneys and limbs.

In women at high risk for preterm delivery (multiple pregnancies, previous preterm birth, abnormalities of the uterus or previous cervical surgery) we also carry out a transvaginal scan to measure the length of the cervix.

Cardiac Scan:

A detailed examination of the fetal heart and connecting vessels is carried out usually at 20 weeks by a consultant cardiologist.

This scan is especially recommended for women with a family history of heart abnormalities, or where increased nuchal translucency had been found at the 12 week scan. It is also an important scan in assessing the risk for Down's syndrome because many of these babies have heart abnormalities.

Well being Scan:

This ultrasound scan is usually carried at about 32 weeks of pregnancy.

Some obstetricians advise that this scan is offered to all women. Others reserve such scans for those women who have had previous complications of pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia, growth restriction, diabetes, stillbirth, and for those women who develop a problem during the course of their current pregnancy.

This scan aims to determine the growth and health of the fetus by:

• Measurement of the size of the fetal head, abdomen and thigh bone and calculation of an estimate of fetal weight
• Examination of the movements of the fetus
• Evaluation of the placental position and appearance
• Measurement of the amount of amniotic fluid
• Assessment of blood flow to the placenta and fetus by colour Doppler ultrasound

taken from:http://www.fetalmedicine.com/fmc/ultrasound/wellbeing-scan/

Headache during pregnancy:

Yesterday was a terrible day for mamma!
She was really upset and was restless in pain and headaches.
This is a symptom she is having from almost 12weeks onwards.This pain of headache is miserable. More than pain it is very annoying and no one can withstand this regularly..

"Mamma you have every right to be angry"
I am also angry with you too ;) Sssh don't tell mamma that i am the reason for this..hee hee..
Actually headaches are very common in pregnancy.Due to hormonal changes, stress factors, restlessness etc headaches are common.

Last time when she went to the doctor she even asked the root cause of this headache. But doctor donot want to answer all intricate details and she said that you must consult an ophthalmologist..there might be issues with your vision and get that checked.
Mamma was disappointed! She was quite sure that this is very recent outcome of her pregnancy and must be related to pregnancy only.

After returning home she had done some research on the net about headache and came to know ..Yes as it might be! Headache in pregnancy is very much well known and has some causes also to this.

I am providing below some search results from the net to make you aunties more comfortable with the idea that this is very common and and established fact with many pregnancies.so donot be worried and take some preventive measures to make your self comfortable..

Reasons that causes headache:

Progesterone is a hormone which prepares and maintains the uterus for pregnancy. This progesterone causes the blood vessels to relax and not spasm which is often a cause of bad headaches in pregnant women. This means that the extent of the headache is depended on the hormone sensitivity of the person during pregnancy.

Pregnancy headaches are most commonly the result of hormonal changes, fatigue, tension, hunger or physical and emotional stress. Most headaches appear as a result of the cumulative effect of multiple factors of some times due to one factor alone. This is important because it is necessary to find out the factors behind it to fully eliminate the headache.

Before you go about finding the root cause of your headache it is important to know about some of the most common factors which can cause the headache.

First one is the low blood sugar level. If your blood contains sugar below the required amount, you may get headache. But don’t be fret; you can solve this problem by not missing meals and carrying high-energy snacks with you.

There are also some other obvious factors like loud noise, big crowd etc which can trigger the headache, so it is important to avoid such situations.

Dehydration can also cause headache. One obvious solution is to take enough water so that you don’t get dehydrated.

Some environmental factors like bad light and polluted air can also cause headache in some people. So ensure your environment is healthy and avoid unventilated rooms and workspaces. You should try to go out for a walk and get some fresh air and walking will also provide you the required exercise.

Meditation and yoga are two ways to help you relax and decrease the effects of tension headaches. But this should be done with the help of an expert and be careful when you practice yoga to not to do postures which are physically very demanding. Try lying down in a dark quiet room with your feet up for ten to 15 minutes.

Another important thing is to keep you relaxed and mentally well balanced during pregnancy. So get enough rest.

Acupuncture, biofeedback and massage have been show to bring some relief from a headache. Alternating hot and cold compresses to the aching area for ten minutes can alleviate some of your pain. It is strongly suggested that taking drugs during pregnancy, but if you must take some sort of drugs during this period, make sure you only take a limited amount of it.
taken from:http://earlysignsofpregnancy.in/headache-during-pregnancy.html

Some ways to tackle headaches(as explained by some experienced moms) :

Here are a few suggestions that may help you ward off a headache or get relief once you have one:

Figure out what's triggering the pain
Headache docs often recommend keeping a "headache diary" to help identify specific triggers. Write down anything you've eaten in the 24 hours preceding the onset of a migraine and what you were doing when it started.

Some common migraine triggers include foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), nitrites (common in processed meats like hot dogs, salami, and bacon), sulfites (used as a preservative for salads and also found in many dried fruits), artificial sweeteners, certain beans and nuts, aged cheese and cultured dairy products (like buttermilk and sour cream), certain fresh fruits (bananas, papayas, avocados, and citrus), smoked fish, chocolate and carob, and things that are fermented or pickled (like soy sauce or sauerkraut), as well as glaring or flickering lights, loud noises, excessive heat or cold, strong odors, and tobacco smoke.

Go for a walk:
Try to take a long walk.Take deep breadth, try relaxation techniques. This may act like miracle for some people. Try to be tension free and get the air filled in your lungs. You will feel much better.

Use a compress
For a tension headache, apply a warm or cool compress to your forehead or the base of your skull. Cold compresses tend to work best for migraines.

Take a shower
For some migraine sufferers, a cold shower brings some fast — if temporary — relief. If you can't take a shower, splash some cool water on your face. A warm shower or bath can be soothing for tension headaches.

Don't go hungry or thirsty
To prevent low blood sugar (a common headache trigger), eat smaller, more frequent meals. If you're on the go, keep some snacks (crackers, fruit, yogurt) within reach. Avoid straight sugar, like candy, which can cause your blood sugar to spike and crash.

And don't forget to drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated as well. Sip water slowly if you have a migraine and have vomited.

Avoid fatigue
Try to make time for naps in your day. If you're having a migraine, try to sleep it off in a quiet, dark room.

Get some exercise
Some evidence shows that regular exercise can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines and reduce the stress that can cause tension headaches. If you're prone to migraines, get started slowly — a sudden burst of activity could trigger one. (And don't exercise once a migraine has started because it will aggravate the headache.)

Try relaxation techniques
Biofeedback, meditation, yoga, and self-hypnosis are helpful in reducing stress and headaches in some sufferers.

Try massage
Consider getting a full-body massage to release tension in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and back. If you can afford it, look for a trained prenatal massage therapist.

If a professional massage is only a pipe dream, ask your partner to rub your back and head — or slip into a salon for a professional shampoo. Some women who suffer from tension headaches swear by massage, although some studies question whether it's effective in preventing or relieving headaches.
taken from:http://www.babycenter.com

My introduction :

Hi All

Let me first introduce myself to you all.

I am Goblu..
definitely will have a nice and fancy name that all members of my family will give but right now i cherish this name my mamma and pappa has given me when they came to know about my existence.

Those who cannot understand the meaning of the name..i can tell you that Goblu actually means chubby and plump. Mamma thinks i will be real plump and round when i come to her lap. I am trying my best to keep up mother's expectation !

My mamma and pappa had a long journey before i arrived. They had to go to doctors to understand what the problem is..why it is taking soooo long for me to come to them. Hence after real trying and doctors' intervention, lots of medical tests and what you call as IUIs and IVF i managed to come here. My mamma spent many hours with her eyes filled with water. I tried to tell her not to worry..i will come someday or the other-it is just the matter of time!!
But as you all can understand it is very difficult to fight infertility and spend days waiting ..

But suddenly after the first IVF cycle,with dortor aunt and uncle's help i managed to arrive!I remember the day when my mamma and pappa went to hospital and had the bloodwork done to test for pregnancy and came to know about my existence!!
OH MY DEAR GOD!
I thought mamma would burst in laughter as soon as she would know about that .
But NO.. she started to cry!!I could understand that it was from happiness only.
I tried to tell her "Mom don't cry ..now that i have come, i will not leave you now..no..never!"

That is the start of my journey.
From that day i am gradually becoming bigger and fuller in appearance and existence. Everyday i am trying to make mamma understand about my every existence. Doctors say that you will not be able to feel us until we are almost 20weeks along! But that is not true. The moment we arrive in our mom's little belly she could feel us not in the sense of actual kicks but with different symptoms and other indescribable feelings.

Here in this blog i will try to share with you my different feelings and moods as well as different pregnancy information which my mother will come across on her course of different questions and queries she is having on her course of pregnancy. You can give me suggestions and different opinions if you have any specific questions or you want my mom to know about that in her course of pregnancy. I will be happy to do the search about the data and give you some information after my mamma finds it for her :)

Lots of hugs and kisses for all you sweet aunties there who can understand all my ramblings here and are feeling for me! I will try to write everyday a little few things through my mom and keep you updated and informed about different situations, stories and developments that are happening in my life. As well as give some data for a safe and enjoyable pregnancy.

All the best to all of you!
Hugs and kisses
Goblu :)