5th Sonogram

We had our 5th sonogram today with the perinatologist at the Fetal Care Center at Baylor Dallas. They were doing the second half of the nuchal translucency test, which makes sure the baby is developing without any chromosomal disorders. Also, it checks the baby to make sure everything else is developing well and we were hoping to finally get a confirmed gender. This is going to be a long post, but here we go...

The Gender
The doctors were able to confirmed the gender, and it is a GIRL! The doctor showed us several shots of her girl parts to confirm it. We are so excited to finally have a confirmation. I was afraid to purchase anything before, thinking I would jinx it or something. Now, I have saved up all my gift cards from Christmas and my birthday and I am ready to go shopping for girl things!

The Name
We have decided on Charlotte Leigh Moore. Her nickname will be Charlie. Mark first mentioned this name a while ago and it really grew on me. Plus, it just has so much significance to it being two family names, that it just means a lot to both of us. Charlotte is the feminine form of Charles which is a family name in Mark's family and the middle name of his father and grandfather and his brother's name. Leigh is the feminine form of Lee which is a family name in Beth's family and her mother's maiden name and her brother's name. Charlie as a nickname is the combination of the two names.

A BIG Baby
The baby is developing great without any issues, and we even the face and there wasn't a cleft lip. Actually, she is quite a big baby, weighing in at 10 oz. A baby should weigh about 7 oz at week 18. Also, all her measurements (except her head) came in at 19 weeks 5 days. Her head showed exactly 18 weeks. So, it isn't a bad thing, but our baby is big! We have been calling her "tubby" because I just can't seem to eat enough. Well, now the nickname truly fits.

Placenta Previa
Today we found out what has been causing some of the complications I have had. The doctor noticed that the placenta was sitting very low. It should be at least 2 centimeters from the cervix and mine is nearly 1 cm. This isn't a huge problem, but it is something that will keep me in that "high-risk" category. I will be monitored closely, and will return to a specialist in a month to check. Sometimes the placenta will move upward on its own, and this is what we are praying for.
If it doesn't then I will have to have a c-section. If I start having complications again, I will be hospitalized. As long as no more complications occur, they usually deliver babies around 37 weeks if the baby is developed enough to keep the mother from going into labor. I am not sure if Charlie's large weight is a good thing or a bad thing in this situation because Placenta Previa can cause intrauterine growth restriction. I am being told not to lift anything or do any housework that takes longer than a minute; so once again, I have been told to "take it easy." Click Here for a link to an article on Placenta Previa.

Perscription I Can Handle
Alhough our baby is large, I am not. I am still having some trouble gaining weight (mainly because I am still suffering from morning sickness). Two weeks ago the doctor told me to have a chocolate milkshake everyday. Today, the perinatologist told me I need to eat Wild About Harry's Frozen Custard. He says frozen custard produces beautiful baby girls. Truthfully, it has a lot of calcium which is what the baby needs. I like being told to eat Ice Cream and Custard! Now, if only I could get past this nausea.

I'm leaking?
We ran a quick errand on our way home from the doctor this morning. While in the store I felt this cold, wet feeling on my stomach. I looked down and touched my stomach, and yes, there was a cold wet dot. I immediately thought "I'm leaking." I guess I thought I was leaking amniotic fluid? I am not sure what I thought was coming out of my belly button. Before I could say anything Mark looked over at me and said "the gel is in your belly button." It then made sense to me: the ultrasound gel was in my belly button. I told him what had been going through my head and we laughed. I know that it is not possible for women to leak out their belly buttons, but I find it comical that this thought still went through my head.

Pictures of Our Beautiful Baby Girl...
Remember you can click on the pictures to enlarge them.

This is my favorite, because I think it is easy to see everything. She is all curled up.

Both of these show baby Charlotte sucking her thumb. How precious!

When we saw this picture. I said that she must be a soccer player. And, the doctor said maybe she will be a minister... "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:15)

Here is a great profile of the baby's head.


I think these last two are kind of scary looking. Mark thinks it is really neat how you can see the baby's face. These type of pictures show that the face is developed correctly, and no cleft lip.