My appointment at KKH started bright and early at 9a.m when we had arrived at the Antenatal Monitoring Centre (AMC). We registered our presence and was soon ushered in to take the blood test. 4 vials of blood was taken from me for 3 standard blood tests (Hep B, Thess Minor and HIV) as well as the test for chrosomal abnormalities including Down’s Syndrome (tests for levels of HCG and PAPP-A). I was afraid of pain so was looking away the whole time she was taking my blood. I had also requested for a fine needle and not the huge one.
My DH was there too and a vial of blood was taken from him for the standard tests too.
Blood Cells pictures
After which, we proceeded to the Antenatal Diagnosis Centre (ADC) on the 2nd floor to go for the detailed screening where I was told to empty my bladder. We were the fourth in line. Soon after, we were called in. After the cold gel is rubbed against the lower part of my abdomen, the ultrasound scanner was pressed against the lowermost left point of my abdomen and the beautiful image of Zee sprang up on screen to our great joy.
Unfortunately he/she was floating face down in his watery wonderland of the placenta which was not a good position for taking measurements. The sonographer proceeded to take his/her size measurements: His/her length, the diameter of the head, it appears that these will be the baseline around which his other measurements could be measured so that an assessment of “high risk” or “low risk” could be attached to these figures. He/She was 6.48cm in length - a little bigger than expected, which is a good thing for us who are hoping that he/she can be born by year 2011. This brings our EDD forward by another 2 days, yay! We are praying for an earlier EDD.
Cartoon of a baby at 12 weeks in womb
Zee had also grown by more than 4cm in the 4 weeks I had not seen my baby! These advancements feel so tiny, but when compared to his/her initial frame of 2cm, it means Zee had more than tripled in length!
The sonographer then had the tough job of turning the baby around. She asked me to cough, then turn me to my right side in a bid to get the baby to change position, then she pressed the middle part of my abdomen, away from Zee’s position, to try to agitate the baby to turn. The baby turned to her desired position…. then turned back again. Hee, Zee is toying with the increasingly impatient sonographer by turning somersaults in my tummy. 
Zee also began to wave her hands and feet agitatedly, my DH remarked that he/she must be distressed as we tried to disturb her normally tranquil habitat to encourage him/her into turning. Deep in our hearts though, we feel great joy that Zee is able to move on his/her own volition. We must be sadistic parents to take joy in our child’s distress… hee!
Then I begin to cajole him/her. “My dear child, we know you are very disturbed inside. We just need you to move into the right position so that the sonographer can do her job and take your measurements accurately. Be a good baby!”
Then the sonographer indicated for me to turn to my right side and cough and when I had turned back, Zee is facing the right way! Zee does listen to sense and reasoning.
Week 12.6: Baby Zee with all the major features fully formed
The sonographer then proceeded to take all the measurements required for the screening test. First the thickness of the Nuchal Transclucency, which indicated on screen as 1.59mm for Zee, noted the presence of a nasal bone, then proceeded to measure the heartbeat (158bpm for Zee) and the joyous sound of his/her strong heart (like the sound of galloping horses) filled the room. The sonographer also measured the rate of heart flow into Zee’s liver. The graph that had popped out was too complex so I was not able to decipher the measurements.
After doing all the measurements, the sonographer then proceeded to call the MO into the room who explained to me the results. Based only on the NT scan (which excluded the results from the blood tests as these require 48-72 hours for results), Zee had a smaller chance than people in my age group of having Trisomy 21 (Down’s Syndrome), Trisomy 18 and Trisomy 13.
The results are presented in this fashion: 1: (some number). For pregnant women in my age group, the usual risks are 1:415. This means that situations for women in my age group, every 415 babies born, there will be 1 baby who will have Down’s Syndrome. Thus it is good if (some number) is high. The HIGHER (some number) is, the LOWER the risk. E.g if the results show as 1:1000. It means for this person’s own individual pregnancy risks show that for every 1000 babies ( as opposed to the smaller but general number of 415 babies), 1 baby has Down’s Syndrome.
My personal number was quite a bit higher than the usual number of 415 in my age group, so it means I stand at lower risk than other women of my same age group. I was quite relieved when I have heard these results.
However, I would need to wait another 2-3 days in order to get the combined results from my blood tests! Can’t wait!
Costs for all these test: First Trimester Screening Test ($321 + GST); Normal blood test ($82.80 + GST). Expensive… but I love seeing Zee….
Update: The very next day (23rd June), KKH had sent me an SMS to tell me that based on their FTS results, I stand in LOW RISK of baby with Down Syndrome. I heart their efficiency! I also called the number they had provided in their SMS for my exact ratio and the number was quite alot higher. I’m so glad! My prayers are answered.
