11 weeks and 5 day checkup: Thursday June 25 ... URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS FOR YOU

I went to the doctor for my 3rd checkup. I was so very nervous (again) because the 2 days prior to the appointment, I had seen pink when I went to pee. I was so scared that it was baby related but it was coming from my urine. I called the doctor's office and they told me that we would check to see if I had another UTI at the appointment. So I waited... and worried... I know I shouldn't and I really try not to but at times I admit that I did.

By the morning of my appointment, I was no longer seeing any pink in my urine and when it was checked there was nothing there. My ARNP at the OB said that sometimes when the uterus lays on the bladder it can irritate it. Hmm... good to know : )

I had to then decide whether or not I wanted the first trimester screening. At the last appointment, I assumed everyone did it. So I assumed I'd do it, too. But after really thinking about it, I decided that I didn't want to do it. This screening can show up factors pointing to possible Down Syndrome in the baby. I knew that if it came out positive (and there are false positives), I would worry myself sick. My friends Deanna, Kim and my mom thought the same thing. When I told them I didn't want to do it they were fine with it.

Then a few minutes later my ARNP came and talked with me about it. I explained my concerns and she said that I could still have the fancier ultrasound to see how the baby was doing and to measure its nuchal translucency. I decided to go ahead and do the ultrasound... mainly because I wanted to get to see my baby longer and to see the measurements and all. And it was a longer ultrasound. I was nervous but the nuchal translucency measured to be normal.

It was very cool to see Baby BG though... he/she was asleep and laying on it's side (as I do). It was curled up in a ball and the ultrasound tech had to jiggle my belly to wake it up. It sprang to life, kicking and throwing it's little arms. Precious. Then it calmed down and she measured it. It measured perfect for that day... exactly what I was 11 weeks and 5 days. Before she finished it threw its arm up again as though it were waving at us. Mom kept saying "Wave at mamaw honey!" and it started waving again. So cute! I got a lot of neat pictures (they are more enlarged so it's hard to make out what you are seeing) and I am posting them at the bottom of this post.

I also had to do a bunch of blood work including a blood clotting test, glucola test, TSH test, urine culture, and cystic fibrosis screening as well as a pap smear and a breast exam. I think that was all of them. The glucose test started when I was being checked in. I had to drink a cup of orange liquid that was really, really sweet. Then they had to measure my blood sugar 1 hour later. The results came back well. My thyroid (TSH) test came back still a bit high so I am now up to 100 mcg of Synthroid. The urine culture, pap smear and breast exam, again, was fine. The cystic fibrosis screening hasn't came back yet and that only leaves one.... the blood clotting test.

I received a call on Wednesday of this week that my blooding clotting tests all came back good except for one. I was diagnosed with MTHFR on July 2nd. This disorder is a clotting factor issue that makes my body not absorb folic acid, B6 and B12 as it should. Imagine that... all the years taking folic acid and most of it probably wasn't reaching my system. Though I am still glad I did take it just in case it has helped in some way. It can cause neural tubal defects, Down Syndrome, and blood clots that can clot off in the placenta and block the flow of nutrients to the baby. The ARNP that I am gaining trust in was out of town this week so I talked with a nurse in the office who consulted with one of the high risk doctors and I was put on Metanx and a baby aspirin daily.

Now, as you guys know.. I research and it is a blessing and a curse to be like that because now I'm wondering if I need to be on shots. The high risk doctor didn't think so but I want to run it by my ARNP just to see what she thinks. Do I want to take more shots? No. I just finished my progesterone (2 shots every day alternating hips since February). But I want to do what's best for my little peach (that's how big it is this week so that's why I called it a peach). I just want to do the best thing. God has given me peace about the situation and I feel like it is going to be just fine but I just want to know that I have explored every avenue.

So, as always, PLEASE keep my baby in your Prayers. I just want it to be healthy and to be able to carry he/she as long as possible. God has been so good to me throughout my whole life and I praise Him each day for this blessed miracle that He has performed in my womb. I truly believe this baby is my miracle and I feel so blessed to be able to have the opportunity to be a mother. I can't wait to hold my precious child and just sit in awe of all that God has created out of nothing. So amazing! Thank you Heavenly Father!

I also want to thank God for my loving family who are so wonderful and always there for me. My precious momma and daddy always have my best interest at heart and are always so selfless with me and my brother. I thank Him for my sweet little (not so little) brother who is growing up to be a fine young man. I also thank Him for my precious husband who truly loves me more than I could ever know. Thanks to God for my beloved grandmother, aunts and uncles, cousins, and in-laws. I just feel so truly blessed!

Ps. Pray for my husband's papaw... he's not doing too well and we are not sure if he's been Saved. We have talked to him about it but nothing has been confirmed and his sister has Prayed with him but we aren't sure. Also, Pray for my good friend Deanna's twins who were born on July 1st at 32 weeks and 5 days (I think). Abagail Grace 3lbs and 14.5 oz and Emma Alene 3lbs and 9 oz. They are doing good but still need our Prayers!

Without Further Ado..... Here's Baby Brittain-Goodlett AKA Baby BG (that's why I call him/her)

Baby BG on it's side, sleeping, curled into a ball and measuring smaller because of it!

Hard to make out but the head is on the right in all of these!

Baby BG's nasal cavity... cute little nose!