Today's Ultrasound & Pregnancy Update

Now that I have passed the point of miscarriage (women are allowed into Labor & Delivery at the hospital after 20 weeks), I am being closely monitored on many levels by my doctors. Tomorrow I will be 26 weeks, which means the baby would survive, but probably have loads of issues. So today I had my first ultrasound making sure my body isn't going into labor (cervix check, placenta check, baby check) and I actually got a peek at this boy's face! Here's his profile:
And here is a look at his nose and mouth and his hand/arm over on the side like he is shielding his eyes. During the ultrasound, I saw his little mouth gulping fluid and his eyes moving back and forth (open). So sweet!



Now for the pregnancy update - I know there are many women out there that would love to get pregnant and can't or can't keep a pregnancy or have babies with genetic issues, so I'm not going to sound whiny - I am extremely grateful for how far I have made it. However, I am now being continually tested for something called cholestasis. It's a pretty serious condition that causes insane amounts of itching all over the body, especially at night (exactly what I have been dealing with for a couple of months now - think: yeast infection all over your body that no amount of cream will cure). It's caused by the liver dumping bile acid into the mom's (and ultimately, the baby's) bloodstream. There is a still born risk (the leading website has a section for infant memorials - ugh) with this and doctors always induce labor the moment the lungs are developed. I've been tested twice now - the first test came back normal and I was just tested again yesterday (still waiting on these results). Usually the blood doesn't show anything until the third trimester, so we'll see. I'd like to think I am just have allergies, but I've never had this in my entire life, so I'm thinking something is going on.

Also? Still having major morning sickness. It's a bit like first trimester, where I have little warning and I could end up spending the day on the couch (if Colin is home) or out and about praying I can keep my food down. Not sure why the morning sickness hasn't subsided yet and quite honestly, I can handle it, if I didn't itch incessantly at the same time. What a mess I am!

At any rate, the baby looks great right now and as of now I am not going into labor. And quite honestly, seeing that sweet little face moving around on the ultrasound today gave me just the encouragement I need while spending the night awake either nauseous or itching.