Test results

I had mentioned that I had some blood work done at my initial OB appointment on the 1st.  Well I got the results back and everything was good except for my TSH levels weren't were they should be.  We are keeping an eye on them and will be retesting to see if they have resolved.  J and I were a bit nervous about waiting til my 2nd trimester since thyroid levels can affect the baby and can cause problems.  That's what we get for reading Mr. WebMD.  My doctor was sweet enough to let us come in sooner to get them rechecked and is willing to let us recheck as many times as we need.

I've never had any issues with my levels coming back abnormal so it definitely through me off guard.  We checked these levels when we first started the process, through the fertility clinic and nothing was wrong.  Then I had them checked again in April when I was doing my life insurance policy stuff.  It just is weird and I am hoping it resolves.

The doctor said it is very normal for your thyroid to get out of whack once you get pregnant but it generally resolves and levels out.  If it does not we will be going to an endocrinologist at that point.  Please send prayers that it levels out and doesn't harm the baby at all. :)

AFP

It is normal for most OB offices to do a routine test called an Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) which checks for certain markers in the baby.  I had mine a few weeks ago and was able to get the results within the following week.

Alpha-fetoprotein Screening (AFP) -- A simple blood test that poses no risk to the fetus, AFP screening measures the levels of alpha-fetoprotein in the mother's blood. Abnormal levels can indicate a brain or spinal cord defect, the presence of twins, a miscalculated due date, or an increased risk of Down syndrome. Since AFP levels can be elevated for a number of reasons, a positive test is usually repeated or followed up by other tests before a diagnosis is made. Very few women with elevated AFP levels are found later to have babies with birth defects

The test was actually really simple and non-invasive, it is a simple blood draw and that is it.  With this test they ask you quite a few questions to best determine what the blood says for results.  Since this is not my baby we just used the age and other information with the Intended Parents and a few questions about me.  They ask how old the egg donor was and that would be the age that my Intended Mother was when they retrieved her eggs.  They ask if there is any history of family genetic anomalies to get a history and go from there.

Results came back all negative for everything!!  This was great news and as for the blood work it proves that the baby is healthy and without any genetic anomalies.  We have our big ultrasound in a few weeks and the parents will decide from there if they want any further testing.

I do have to add that being a phlebotomist I have gotten a few calls from main lab saying such and such patient came back with a positive.  With this particular test if it comes back positive it does NOT mean that your unborn child does indeed have whatever came back positive.  It gives you a number such as 1 in 204 chance of having this, that is not a yes your baby has this anomaly.  If this had come back positive I am certain that my Intended Parents would have requested for me to have an amniocentesis which is a little more invasive and in my eye's can be risky (that is my opinion though).  That is a bit more accurate then the simple blood draw.

Unofficial Beta

Since I work for a blood lab I had always decided that I would get my blood drawn just for our own amusement.  I am glad that I did.  It gave us all a little peace of mind too!  The day I got a positive pregnancy stick I got my first beta done to check my HCG levels.  They generally have you do it every two days to make sure that the number is doubling like it needs to be.  If it isn't then it can mean all sorts of things.

On Thursday my first beta came back and it was a 13.  That means that the hormone level at 13 can be detected on a First Response pregnancy test and on a cheap dollar store one.

On Saturday I got my results back and they were 27.40 which means they at least doubled!  We were excited that things were looking good so far.  We are aware that anything can happen since it is so early at this point in the pregnancy.