12 weeks, 2 days Pregnant - NT Ultrasound

So today I am 12 weeks 2 days pregnant. I am feeling not too bad right now. It is Good Friday so its a long weekend and I need the time to rest. I have not been sleeping well at all the last few days. Even though I could have slept in today I was up at 6:37am because the air was so dry in my house that I couldn't sleep. 

I was feeling a bit better this week but then the last two days my gag reflex has been strong and I gag over everything. I also had the worst headache yesterday and I rarely get headaches. I think it might have something to do with dehydration but not sure. Still trying to drink a lot of water...

The most exciting news this week is that I had my NT ultrasound yesterday. It was the IPS testing which combines the results of an ultrasound (done near 12 weeks) with two separate blood tests. The 1st blood test is done the same time as the ultrasound, near 12 weeks and then the 2nd blood test is done near 15 weeks. It was recommended that I have the second blood test on May 9th. The ultrasound looks at the NT measurement which is a fold behind the baby's neck and the blood tests look for the amount of certain hormones in your blood. Abnormalities in these thing may indicate down syndrome or other birth defects. I was a bit nervous going into this test and I do not have the entire results yet. The ultrasound tech was not forthcoming with information. In fact, she was not friendly really at all. She wouldn't really answer any questions. Kept saying the doctor gets the information. At first, the baby wasn't moving and she didn't even mention a heartbeat which freaked me out. Then she pointed out the heartbeat (which was 161) and the baby was moving around which made me feel better. All she would confirm was that the baby had 4 limbs and a heartbeat. She wouldn't tell me the NT measurement when I asked so I panicked a bit. However, it was written on the paper that I needed to bring for blood work after so I got to see it. As far as I can tell based on what I read online the NT measurement is in a safe range so I feel better about that. 

However, I have read in discussion forums that people say the look for other soft markers such as the nasal bone and the length of the limbs. From what I can tell in the ultrasound, the limbs looked long but I can't really judge. I can definitely see a nose but I am not sure if the nasal bone is distinct by medical standards. I can't help but be a bit nervous until I get the official results. I have an appointment with my GP next Thursday so I might get some results then. Not positive if they will be in by then because of the long Easter weekend but I hope so. I just have to try and relax and take comfort knowing the NT measurement seems in the normal range.

Here is a picture from our ultrasound yesterday...the little spiegelmonster is definitely getting bigger. I can even see the leg stretched out and the foot pretty clearly!!!

And yes Mitch nicknamed the baby Spiegelmonster!!!