20 Week U/S Soon --- Questions?

[hmr11913]

At our appointment today we talked about our 20 week ultrasound that's on the 17th. He mentioned that it will be approx 45-60 minutes long and pretty in depth; he also asked about any genetic testing at that time. I told him that we'd probably opt out of any extra testing, but that if the ultrasound showed anything that was of concern we'd take things from there as far as anything extra that's needed. 

My question is this....is there anything that I should be sure is checked for at the 20 week ultrasound? What type of genetic testing would be done at this time in pregnancy, and what would the pros/cons be of having that done? He did mention that since we're TEAM GREEN that he wouldn't even know what the sex is! He said that the u/s tech might take a peek, but that it would not be in my file anywhere, so I thought that was pretty neat. 

I can't even believe that in 11 days we are going to see our little baby cakes again.... I'm nervous, excited, and just wishing that the next 10 days go by fast.

[mrskblack11]

Our tech was very talkative and explained everything she was measuring. Some techs are not talkative so you can always ask "what are you looking at or measuring now?" to probe them further.

As far as genetic testing goes, I am not sure what they would recommend at 20 weeks.

Hope all goes well!

[grailseeker14]

For us, because of my age and because my OB skipped the NT and sent us straight on to the Panorama bloodwork, we had chromosomal testing done at 10w to check for trisomies/etc. When we had the anatomy scan/targeted ultrasound, the tech asked about the results of that testing just in case there were extra things for her to follow up on (results came back chromosomally normal/healthy so she proceeded with her normal protocol for 20w/targeted u/s). If I wasn't over 35, I probably would have gone the same route as you - only do the genetic testing if something else indicated we needed more information.

Our anatomy scan took about an hour and fifteen minutes, partly because babyGrail was asleep in a position with her hands over her face so the tech couldn't get a face/profile shot - she made me get up and move around, go empty my bladder (thank god! Baby was head down using my bladder as a pillow), tipped the table backwards to use gravity to try and get baby to change position/etc. Our tech was medium talkative, she explained most everything she was measuring and if it looked normal to her, and she answered questions if we had any. It was fascinating - she checked things like position, all limbs and extremities, chambers of the heart, spine, kidneys, stomach, brain, head circumference, face, cord, placenta location, amniotic fluid volume, cervical length. We saw baby stretching out at one point, and opening/closing her mouth, it was thrilling to see. All measurements and images were then checked by the radiologist and compared against expected ranges for gestational age. The report was then sent to my OB, who gave me a copy of the report a couple days later. We also got a handful of adorable (and one creepy) pictures.

Overall it was my favorite appointment to date --- I was so nervous about everything and seeing all the details really helped me calm down and I could feel myself bonding with baby so much more after that.

FX yours goes well and that you get a nice detailed look at a healthy, strong, growing baby!

[noeliav]

Feb 6, 2015 14:19:46 GMT -5 mrskblack11 said:

Our tech was very talkative and explained everything she was measuring. Some techs are not talkative so you can always ask "what are you looking at or measuring now?" to probe them further.

As far as genetic testing goes, I am not sure what they would recommend at 20 weeks.

Hope all goes well!

Ours as well. 

We did our genetic testing earlier than 20w (panorama), and had our results by our 16w appointment.

The A/S is my very favorite OB/MW visit of the entire pregnancy. I hope you enjoy it!

[hmr11913]

Thank you everyone!

I love all of your detail, grailseeker14; I had no idea they would check all of that. WOW! I had to chuckle at your one creepy picture. LOL. Thank you for the well wishes, it's nerve wracking for sure, but I'm hoping to feel better once that's over and I can't wait to see our lil one!!

[downtheshore]

It's really long! My little one was not being very cooperative so it took them forever to get the measurements and then we still had to go back a week later for more. My tech explained what she was doing. It was so grainy, I couldn't tell what I was looking at most of the time.

[hmr11913]

Oh no.... sorry that you couldn't see much downtheshore; did they say why it was so grainy?? The 2 ultrasounds that we've had so far have been extremely clear, so I'm hoping this one is as well.

[grailseeker14]

The creepy one was one of the last pictures she got - it was a straight on image of baby's face, totally looked like Skeletor or the Terminator looking right at you. I didn't realize what it actually was a picture of until I got home and looked at it in good light. I love it but I couldn't put that one on my fridge and have her staring at me every time I needed to feed my hungry belly.

[hmr11913]

grailseeker14 -- Too funny! Cute little Skelator!!

We have the 2nd ultrasound picture on our fridge; it's a booty shot in 3D where you can see the booty and the little legs, and something dangling in between.... DH is convinced that's the wiener, but I think it was just an umbilical cord lol.

[mrsg80intn]

I have nothing to offer, but wanted to say I hope it goes well and that the time between now and the appt goes quickly!

[mpiemont]

With all 3 AS's I've had, I never asked about anything specific except how my cervix looked because I had a history of a cone biopsy which can cause shortened/incompetent cervix and preterm labor. But as far as the baby goes, they much have a standard "checklist" of things they look at. You will be amazed at the things they can see and measure. I like knowing what they're looking at so if the tech isn't "narrating" I'll ask- what's that? what are you looking at now? etc. Good luck!!

[tealappeal]

Have a wonderful AS! Hope everything looks great. We won't go for ours for a while so I have no advice

[downtheshore]

Feb 6, 2015 16:53:40 GMT -5 hmr11913 said:

Oh no.... sorry that you couldn't see much downtheshore; did they say why it was so grainy?? The 2 ultrasounds that we've had so far have been extremely clear, so I'm hoping this one is as well.

I just thought it was tough to see what I was supposed to be seeing. Like, "this black blob is her stomach." I'm glad that the machines you've seen are more clear! Good luck. It was exciting.

[dawnstar898]

Good luck, so exciting! I hope the time goes by fast

[hmr11913]

Thank you everyone!!! Very anxious for these next 8 days to go by quickly!!