First Trimester (Week 8-12)

Once we got the first confirmation scan during our first visit to the doc we had been somewhat careful with what we eat and things we should take note of.

On the 9th week the doc prescribed further Utrogestan and some Folate-Iron supplements. The scan at 9th week revealed a much more clearer fetal outline where we could make out it's head and even the umbilical cord.

We also scheduled for a Early Fetal Screening for Down's Syndrome on Dec 19 at Raffles Hospital. It was said to be the most accurate non-invasive method currently available for assessing the risk of Down's Syndrome and involves an ultrasound scan and a blood test between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. This is called Nuchal Translucency Scan with maternal Serum Biochemistry Screening Test for Down's Syndrome wich is also known as the First Trimester (FT) Pregnancy Screen. The Detection rate of Trisomy 21 by this method is about 90%, for a false positive rate of 5%.

Normal results tell you that there is no need for further testing unless you have a separate concern, such as a known genetic disease in your family. Positive results tell you that there is a greater than average chance of a birth defect. However, if the average risk for your age is very low or your risk is above average but still very low, you may choose not to have any additional diagnostic tests.

Update: So far the initial ultrascan results on both the width of the clear (translucent) space in the tissue at the back of the developing baby's neck and Nasal Bone assesment, showed that they are within the normal range. Babies with abnormalities tend to accumulate more fluid at the back of their neck during the first trimester, causing this clear space to be larger than average.
This greatly reduced the chances of Trisomy 21 from 1:900 to 1 in 11000. Upon the result of the Biochemistry it will be reduced even further.

We are scheduled for a structural scan in a month's time.

I have made an overlay to show where the fetus is positioned.

TIPS: Morning sickness - We started making ginger tea and that helped ease some of the gastro discomfort associated with morning sickness. We also tried to stay away from oily and fried food. What seemed to work well was crystallized ginger: