#2 IVF 14 Weeks - Harmony Test Results & Gender Identified

 Hey ladies,

If you guys have read the previous post, I apologies if it made some ladies uncomfortable with the news shared. I just wanted to document all the steps that I went through with my 1st viable pregnancy and hopefully it could help some ladies who are going through the same boat as I am.

I even search in forums and groups online, surprisingly that there are alot of ladies going through the same issue.. I even read some NT (Nuchal Translucency) were 4.7mm, 5.2mm, 9.0mm & 13.0mm and most of them commented that my NT is still within the normal range of 3.5mm and below, according to the UK standard measurements. I am not sure why my country is stating the range to be 2.5mm and below. It could be for the group range/ statistically researched outcome..

So today is the day, 30th December 2020 we will get the Harmony Test Results & another scan done today.

We arrived earlier by 1 hour for the scan. Scheduled for 8.30am but we are already there at 7.30am. Hahaha!!

We had a quick breakfast and went for the scan at 8am. Got called 15mins later to do the scan.

Subhanallah, seeing lil bean moving around, the lil arms, legs, fingers and toes, the spine and butt.. I was really in love with the lil one.. Took few photos and we went over to the next clinic for the consultation with the Dr.

We sat down in the clinic, and at roughly around 9.30am we were called in. Also, I needed to do a Gestational Diabetes checklist (GDC) where I need to record my sugar level reading daily. Oh my goodness, my fingertips are already nerveless or should I say NUMB with no sensation due to the constant poking daily, 7 times a day! Before after meal and before bed.

Surprisingly, my sugar level has been constantly great! It's like lil bean helped regulate my sugar content and from the scans, lil bean is not beyond big from the gestational measurement as per stated by week, lil bean is growing well and consistent as scheduled.

We got in and was attended by 2 lady Drs who seems cheerful and happy! I hand over my GDC records and she mentioned that I should continue doing it until my visit to the Diabetic Dr which is scheduled on 21st January 2021. I took note and waited patiently for the Harmony Test.

"So before I hand over the Harmony Test, do you want to know the gender of the baby?"

I was shocked and totally forgotten about that part! I looked at Mountain Bear & I knew he had peek into the test results in front of the Dr. 

I kindly asked to have the gender portion tape with a small paper or sticky pad and the Dr gladly do it. LOL!!

"Ok that's done!" She said

"Now, let's get to the real reason for the Harmony Test. In your previous FTS, your risk for Down Syndrome is 1:860 which we will still considered it as mid risk. What we wanted to know if the Harmony Test will help show a proper reading to the previous test. Now, the results from the Harmony Test shows that for all Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18, Trisomy 21 are 1:10,000 which is at the lowest risk for your lil baby. And there is no chromosome abnormalities detected. So, you can relax now, baby is fine."

ALHAMDULILAH!!! ALHAMDULILAH!!!! ALHAMDULILAH!!!! I could feeling the lightness in my heart and shoulder upon hearing the results.. Lil bean is well & growing well! Alhamdulilah!

So we thank our Dr and proceed out, smiling behind our face mask and went to sit at a corner to see the gender. I was excited to know & mountain bear mentioned that he notice from the scans we went through that He had a feeling lil bean is of that sex. While I mentioned to him it was the opposite sex. Well, reasons is because we used a Gender Prediction kit which we used during my 1st trimester. LOL! It could be the right one or the opposite outcome!

So gently I peel of the sticker on the gender result, it was what Mountain Bear has guess!! HAHAHAH!! I was surprised and wasn't upset it didn't turn out to be what I thought! I guess his fatherly instinct kicked in when he saw the scan.. "It's ok love, we can get that gender you wanted on our next try.." I laughed and smiled at him, wanting to kiss him right there!!! 

We got up and head out for a visiting to my in laws.. At the same moment, Mountain Bear texted his best buddy with an icon without saying the gender. His buddy, who had 2 children of the same gender wanted an opposite gender baby on his 3rd try! And when he knew Mountain Bear had the gender he wished for, these 2 mens laughing out loud! HAHA! 

I am soooo happy to see him feeling great.. And I am super blessed to be given a chance to carry a child in me. A child which is part of me & mountain bear.. the man whom I really love and madly crazy for.. 6 years being two is amazing!! I can't wait for our 7th year to be a trio!

That's all for reading this blog ladies!

I will update you guys on the next scan & appointment with the Diabetic Dr.

Till then! 

#2 IVF 9 Weeks & 12 Weeks Update (FTS & NT results)

 Hey ladies,

I would like to apologies on the long missed out on updating this page.

I have been very very very busy with work and also the symptoms that I had during my pregnancy.

It was a rough start but everything seems to be better now!

I will try my best to recall my appointment dates.

9 Weeks - 12 Weeks Gestational

We had the FTS package done. Which is known as FIRST TRIMESTER SCREENING... It's consist of 2 things. A blood test & a detailed scan.

I had my blood drawn during my 9 weeks pregnancy & my scan at 12 weeks 6 days. I was feeling anxious.. I shouldn't have google nor view details on NT (Nuchal Translucency) scanning.. I read up that if the NT range is above 2.5mm, baby has a high chance of Down Syndrome or other chromosome issues.

I lay down, and had the sonographer checked on me while Mountain Bear is awaiting outside. Everything looks good! Baby has a Nose Bridge (NB present) both arms and legs, eye sockets, mouth, brain etc.. But when it was time to scan for the NT, I notice the NT was alil thick.. My heart instantly crushed.. I tried not to show the sonographer that I knew what was going on.. And I saw the measurement she did, 3 times..

It was 3.0mm.  

I tried to stay calm.. Seeing the lil bean sleeping soundly, really slept like Mountain Bear! With the arms over the face and crossed legs.. So the sonographer called for Mountain Bear, he came in and was amazed, seeing lil one doing well in my womb.. "Subhanallah" were the words he said when seeing the lil one moved upon hearing his voice.. I tried to smile it out and pretend that everything is fine (well, it was fine... Just the NT is thick). I got cleaned up, sonographer print some image of lil bean and hand it to Mountain Bear.. We sat outside, my heart felt heavy.. I kept rubbing my belly.. How much I love the lil one. Mountain bear notice I was being quiet which is clearly not me and asked why.. I told him, 

"Lil one's NT is slightly thicker.. They wanted it to be 2.5mm and below for this gestational period, but the result shows 3.0mm"

Mountain Bear just hold my hand and say, "It's going to be all fine, insyallah!"

I sat down, closed my eyes and tried to calm myself, not to cry.. 

About 15 minutes later, we were called to consult with the Dr.. 

"Scan for baby physical looks good! The NB is present, the arms, legs, spines, brain, kidney, stomach, bladder are present.."

I smiled and nodded..

"But we want to let you know that the NT is on a thicker side.. we wanted to see a 2.5mm on a pregnancy this long but yours is 3.0mm"

My group age risk for Down Syndrome is 1:519

My results stated risk for Down Syndrome is 1:860

Which clearly, should make me feel better, right? But they suggested that I am still at the mid risk.

So they refer me to a counselor who will help decide with us on the next steps. I couldn't speak much. I told them thank you and was told to proceed to the main level and see the counselor.. While we were sitting outside of the room, I saw a lady, well in her late 30's, sobbing while her husband stand beside her, rubbing her head.. I could see her belly were formed. Like well in 30 weeks gestational. And I heard their risk was 1:8... My heart crushed badly upon hearing that.. I hold Mountain Bear hands tight.. No matter what happen, lil bean will be in our lives.. I will never go for a termination of any sort if there isn't any life threatening risks involved.. 

Our number came up and we went in. The counselor asked if we wanted to get a Harmony Test done.

Saying it cost slightly more ($760 before subsidy) but it shows a 99% accuracy on Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18, Trisomy 21 & also shows the gender of the fetus, and abnormalities on the chromosomes. The results will be out in 2 weeks, just nice for our next review with the Drs.

I initially didn't want to get this done. Same goes to Mountain Bear. But I know that, if I didn't do this, I will cry and be worried unnecessarily and my pregnancy might be affected by it (emotionally & mentally).

So I decide to have it done. The counselor smiled and sent me to the next room to have my blood done. It was quick and professionally done, we head home.. 

No, we went to go for a walk.. Mountain Bear wanted to bring me out for a short walk & shopping to hopefully put this matter away for the moment as worrying on it now, it has no solution. In 2 weeks, we will know..

So I read up that taking in additional 1 more tablet of Folic Acid can help reduce the risk of Down Syndrome in early pregnancy. And I did that, just as I got home.

I was clearly still upset, I cried in the shower as I rub my belly and telling the lil one that I love you dearly and will never do anything to harm or hurt them.. Got out of the shower, saw Mountain Bear arranging lil bean scan photo in his workshop nicely.. And he told me this, "this child is here to help & save us in hereafter, we will still love & care for the child no matter what.." He clearly made me feel that I am not alone in this battle.. I was indeed blessed.

So yes, I will return to share with you on Week 14 on the outcome and hopefully everything goes well.. Thank you for reading this and I hope you ladies are doing well..

Take Care & Lots of love!