Minal's two years of hard work at IBM has paid off. She has been promoted to band 8, which puts her in same band as most of project managers she has worked with. There is at least some reward for those early morning flights, long working hours and being away from home.
Congratulations Mommy!
I know how much Minal loves her consulting job and she would love to continue consulting; only if it did not require traveling. It remains to be seen how things will shape up when, and if, she decides to go back to work. Right now she should be looking forward to a long long vacation and months and months of bonding times with our girl that she so badly wanted.
PS: Daddy got one too!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
20th week update
Prenatal visit at 19 weeks and 3 days
As Minal is cruising around (relatively speaking) in her second trimester there was not much dialog expected during this visit. This was supposed to be a formality (again, relatively speaking) than anything else. Her weight gain is in normal range; something that she does not believe since people keep telling her that she is not showing. Urine test showed everything normal. And we are done!
But wait, there was one that was to be highlight of this visit and one that we were looking forward to. That was results from Sequential Screening Test. We were to know results from Ultrasound and blood work at around 13 weeks combined with results from blood work around 15th week. This was to make sure the baby does not have any genetic disorder or Spina Bifida - abnormalities in baby's spine. The doctor discussed the results in detail and everything, according to the doctor, was normal and there was no reason for any concern whatsoever. We would have loved if she had stopped there. But she was "obligated" to discuss even more. So she started explaining numbers.
Before any tests actually take place pre-test numbers are arrived at based on ethinicity, genetic history etc. And then those numbers are compared with numbers from actual tests. For Spina Bifida, our pre-test numbers were 1 in 900. So far so good. But our post-test numbers indicated our baby had 1 in a 450 chance of developing abnormalities in spine. There goes "everything is normal" out the door. Minal starts gulping air and I start asking questions and trying to prove how those numbers could be wrong. The doctor did say that everything was normal. So what was that based on? Sure enough pre and post test numbers showed that chances of our baby having spine abnormalities had increased but 'everything is ok' was based on Ultrasound that she had 18th week. Ultrasound (visually and based on other measurements) showed that the spine was developing fine and was perfectly normal. Phew!
But that definitely does not do it for the first time expectant parents. The doctor could see the stress and concern on our faces and suggested that we could go for another ultrasound a few weeks later to re-confirm that everything was ok. Sure enough we opted for a second ultrasound.
About the rash
The rash has started to subside and is actually almost gone. Eucerine did it. Although it may take a long while for the pigmentation to give way to normal skin color. No more cream to prevent stretch marks (ouch!). Although she will continue to use Aveeno which help in stretching and hopefully she won't get any marks on her belly. Better than some scary looking rash that we don't know how it will affect the baby.
Boy or Girl
Yes we know! This is actually old news because we found out during Ultrasound at the 18th week. Remember how I had completely brainwashed Minal and led her into believing that we are having a boy no matter how much she wants a girl? Well, she won. We are having a baby girl!!
I do not know how God has been picking up signs but his system seems to be picking up wrong signs. During our long drives I used to pretend to have conversations with our imaginary child. And during those conversations I used to try to turn our child against the mom. And guess what name I gave to our imaginary child. Pinky. So there. Pinky is on her way. This is just like when we said ok, we are ready to have a baby and boom! Sure He is picking up wrong signs. I know what you are thinking. That this guys does not seem to be happy to have a girl. Well, that is not true friends. I am as much thrilled to have a girl as I would have been to have a boy. Just that I was wrong!
Other updates
We are almost packed and move is scheduled for next week. With having lost my right hand (Minal that is) I was thinking of calling movers. But a bunch of friends have offered to help and this week is our last week in Framingham. I am sure we will miss the convenience of all stores, malls and restaurants within a couple of miles from our apartment. But then Royal Crest Estates is a nicer place where Minal will get enough ground for her walks and it will also be a pleasant location for our folks. That reminds me Minal's parents are scheduled to arrive next month. But we are thinking of moving their arrival out by another month since Minal won't stop traveling may be until middle of June.
As Minal is cruising around (relatively speaking) in her second trimester there was not much dialog expected during this visit. This was supposed to be a formality (again, relatively speaking) than anything else. Her weight gain is in normal range; something that she does not believe since people keep telling her that she is not showing. Urine test showed everything normal. And we are done!
But wait, there was one that was to be highlight of this visit and one that we were looking forward to. That was results from Sequential Screening Test. We were to know results from Ultrasound and blood work at around 13 weeks combined with results from blood work around 15th week. This was to make sure the baby does not have any genetic disorder or Spina Bifida - abnormalities in baby's spine. The doctor discussed the results in detail and everything, according to the doctor, was normal and there was no reason for any concern whatsoever. We would have loved if she had stopped there. But she was "obligated" to discuss even more. So she started explaining numbers.
Before any tests actually take place pre-test numbers are arrived at based on ethinicity, genetic history etc. And then those numbers are compared with numbers from actual tests. For Spina Bifida, our pre-test numbers were 1 in 900. So far so good. But our post-test numbers indicated our baby had 1 in a 450 chance of developing abnormalities in spine. There goes "everything is normal" out the door. Minal starts gulping air and I start asking questions and trying to prove how those numbers could be wrong. The doctor did say that everything was normal. So what was that based on? Sure enough pre and post test numbers showed that chances of our baby having spine abnormalities had increased but 'everything is ok' was based on Ultrasound that she had 18th week. Ultrasound (visually and based on other measurements) showed that the spine was developing fine and was perfectly normal. Phew!
But that definitely does not do it for the first time expectant parents. The doctor could see the stress and concern on our faces and suggested that we could go for another ultrasound a few weeks later to re-confirm that everything was ok. Sure enough we opted for a second ultrasound.
About the rash
The rash has started to subside and is actually almost gone. Eucerine did it. Although it may take a long while for the pigmentation to give way to normal skin color. No more cream to prevent stretch marks (ouch!). Although she will continue to use Aveeno which help in stretching and hopefully she won't get any marks on her belly. Better than some scary looking rash that we don't know how it will affect the baby.
Boy or Girl
Yes we know! This is actually old news because we found out during Ultrasound at the 18th week. Remember how I had completely brainwashed Minal and led her into believing that we are having a boy no matter how much she wants a girl? Well, she won. We are having a baby girl!!
I do not know how God has been picking up signs but his system seems to be picking up wrong signs. During our long drives I used to pretend to have conversations with our imaginary child. And during those conversations I used to try to turn our child against the mom. And guess what name I gave to our imaginary child. Pinky. So there. Pinky is on her way. This is just like when we said ok, we are ready to have a baby and boom! Sure He is picking up wrong signs. I know what you are thinking. That this guys does not seem to be happy to have a girl. Well, that is not true friends. I am as much thrilled to have a girl as I would have been to have a boy. Just that I was wrong!
Other updates
We are almost packed and move is scheduled for next week. With having lost my right hand (Minal that is) I was thinking of calling movers. But a bunch of friends have offered to help and this week is our last week in Framingham. I am sure we will miss the convenience of all stores, malls and restaurants within a couple of miles from our apartment. But then Royal Crest Estates is a nicer place where Minal will get enough ground for her walks and it will also be a pleasant location for our folks. That reminds me Minal's parents are scheduled to arrive next month. But we are thinking of moving their arrival out by another month since Minal won't stop traveling may be until middle of June.
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