The big ultrasound - 19w1d

We had the big ultrasound this morning, and the news is 90% good. Great actually!

First, the technician started doing the exam, and I asked if she could turn the monitor so I could see, but she said she needed to do all her measurements with the screen facing her, then we could have some fun.

So I was in the dark for a while, but DH got to see everything. At one point he laughed and said the baby looked like s/he was running, that the legs were moving real fast! How cute! I'm a runner, and while I've toned it down to fast walking on the treadmill since becoming pg, I think the baby is picking up that trait from me! The technician commented that the baby was very active, and it was hard for her to get a few measurements. She said the doc would try when he came in.

So then she turned the screen, and wow! The baby was so big compared to the last u/s. I could see chambers in the heart, the spine, and when the baby turned to me, we could see facial features, it was very cool. She printed out a few pics for us, then the doc came in.

First, the doc went over the previous diagnostics tests for downs/trisomy, etc. All the great numbers I already knew. He also commented that the baby was very active and he understood why the technician couldn't get some of the measurements. But he was able to.

Then he told me that everything looked normal, and therefore, the odds of downs, which had previously been ~1/2000 was now ~1/4000. So that sealed the deal for us - no amnio!

He said the cervix looked nice and long and closed, and that the placenta is in the front. Which is no problem, but explains why I haven't felt the baby move, even with all the activity. He said it's like the princess and the pea - there's an extra mattress in the way! I thought I felt the baby move last night, but I think I want to so badly that I'm half imagining it... but he said I will appreciate this later, as it will help to buffer the kicks when the baby gets bigger!

But now the 10% that's not so great... my fibroid has grown from 3cm to 7cm, and is protruding into the uterus. It used to be on the outside. Luckily, it is in the back, so it's not sucking nutrients off of the placenta and competing with the baby. However, it is very close to my cervix. Which means is could block a vaginal birth and result in a planned c-section.

He wants to keep an eye on it to see how it progresses. He said he's not going to order ultrasounds every two weeks (even though I begged him!), but he wants me to come back for another ultrasound at the beginning of my third trimester.

I REALLY don't want to have a c-section, but I'm trying to look at the positive side of this....
1) I get another ultrasound in about 6w
2) If I do have to have a c-section, I'll get an additional 2w off of work on disability. meaning 8w of disability + 3 weeks vacation for 11w total
3) No possibility of an episiotomy or tearing
4) If it's planned, I get to plan it!

That's all the positives I can think about. Not sure if it comes close to outweighing the negatives (surgery, recovery, difficulty holding/lifting the baby, scarring, never getting my flat abs back, and missing out on a more natural birthing experience), but I guess it's out of my control!