Today was my Nuchal Translucency ultrasound. The Nuchal Translucency is a transparent space behind the neck of a fetus, the measurement of which can sometimes indicate risk for genetic disorders. My trained eye could see instantly that both of my babies had unusually adorable neck-backs, but still I was relieved when the perinatologist confirmed that the measurements were normal (1.4 and 1.2mm). The appointment was not, however, without incident.
Baby A cooperated immediately, wiggling into position and giving us an array of adorable pictures, like this one:
And this one:
And my favorite, this one, in which it flipped upside down and waggled its long legs at us:
Baby B, on the other hand, had no interest at all in being photographed (something about ultrasound machines stealing your soul, I think). He bobbed out of view and waved an arm at us threateningly…
…before turning stubbornly on his side to lay still. The babies are stacked one atop the other in my abdomen, and Baby B’s angle did nothing to help the poor ultrasound technician, who poked around for twenty minutes before having me roll on my side to try to jostle the little so-and-so into place. Eventually we got the necessary measurement and afterwards, Baby B turned to face the camera:
I think that was a warning.
At the end of the exam, the technician whipped out a fancier ultrasound transducer, this one glimmering with gold-plate and studded about its hilt with rubies. This transducer had the power of three dimensions, and seeing my bobbing, shimmying babies in 3-D was indescribable. Tomorrow I will start announcing that I am pregnant, and I am finally starting to believe it is true.
Baby A:
Baby B:
Both babies—B is on top. A on the bottom (upside down, maybe?):
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Those are by far the cutest babies I’ve every laid eyes on!
…and the 3-D ultrasound? SO cool.
congratulations congratulations congratulations congratulations congratulations congratulations. i am so incredibly happy for you and so. very. thrilled. that you are believing it to be true. at long long last.
The science babies are looking good. I am very happy for you. Congratulations!!!!
Wo-hoo!
I had my NT scan 10 days ago (I am exactly a week ahead of you) and seeing that the baby now looks human was pretty incredible. Hearing that the risk is low is not too shabby either.
Congratulations on your good news and hopefully you will be able to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy with as low level of worry as possible (I tend to worry a lot, but am training myself not to).
I don’t know. A looks like the really freaky one to me! I don’t understand that shape at all! Are you sure it’s not actually a puppy or something?
I’m speechless. They’re just… perfect!
Wow, that is awesome!
Good luck!
Adorableness in 3D! Amazing! I love that they have different personalities right from the get-go. I wonder if you’ll be able to tell which is which from how they act after they are born…
Dang those science babies are cute :)
J
You and Scott sure do make adorable babies! We are brimming with happiness for you guys!
Wow – they are absolutely gorgeous! Congrats on a great appointment!
Baby B kind of looks like Leonardo Da Vinci.
Congratulations!
How wonderful! Doesn’t it just seem amazing to be looking at such miracles, and they are right there, inside you. :)
Enjoy!! :)
Yeah! They are adorable and kicking! I love the spunk! So, you called one of the babies “HE” do you have Mommy intuition?
One of my favorite parts about working at a perinatology clinic was the huge smiles and pictures moms and dads would walk out of the ultrasound rooms with. Sheer happiness is contagious. Congratulations! to you.
Yea!!! You’re having Gummy Bears! So Cute!
Congratulations, Alexa! I’m so happy for you.
That baby has some long legs.
That whole 3D thing is amazing… I had an ultrasound of my daughter that was taken on the morning of what turned out to be her birthday (7 yrs ago) – so her baby book includes the most amazing in-utero photos!!!
Your Science Babies are nothing short of beautiful. Be well.
Congratulations! They look like they are doing wonderfully. Are you able to tell the sex on either baby yet? Or do you want it to be surprise?
You have little tiny people in you! Not skeletors, but babies! I’ve never seen a 3D ultrasound so early on.
Hurray for healthy babies!
What wonderful news!! Technology is amazing, to be able to see the babies in 3D, how great you must feel! Its really good to know all is going well for you and the babies. Heres to all 3 of you doing a fantastic job at staying happy and healthy!
Great, great news. Yay Science Babies!
I’d say you’ve got a little trouble maker on your hands! And Congratulations on the wonderful news and beautiful scans!!!
Absolutely perfect! I think it’s always good to have one cooperative and one on the spunky side. Are you thinking of learning genders when the time comes or are you one that wants to be surprised?
WOW.
That was amazing to see — how exciting!
Hey, you have babies in there. And those 3D pictures are neat.
Aw, I love those blobby alien early ultrasounds. Congrats on the great results!
YAH YAH, those pictures are amazing
I’m scared of Baby B.
Alexa,
Hi! I was in your mind/body class last spring, and heard your good news that you were expecting TWINS! I am so thrilled for you! Success after one IVF, and doubly blessed.
FYI: I, too, am expecting! Our third IVF was a charm! Traveled to St. Louis, after the drs. in the Twin Cities wouldn’t “listen” to me! Well, it worked, and our little bambino is due on April 17th!
Take care and smile!
They look perfect! :-) Have fun announcing!
Wowee! Those are some damn cute babies! The technology they have today simply astounds me.
Congratulations!!!
Wow, it seems like you were just getting a positive beta and seeing those sacs on the u/s screen. It’s amazing how fast they’ve grown!
Oh the gummy bears comment!
This is deliciously sweet, indeed. You think you’ll find they’ve been comparing you to J. Lo for your silence?
Wow, those pictures are amazing! Congrats on the good news ;)
They are adorable. Take care