We're halfway!!

I had my 20 week ultrasound and appointment today and was relieved that everything looks great, and that my bp was 110/64!! This was a pinnacle appointment for me because by this time in my first pregnancy, my bp was starting to creep up a bit.

I can't say that the headaches I've had recently aren't concerning me, but Dr. M. said not to worry. Yet. (Dr. V. is on maternity leave and just had a baby girl.) They haven't been bad, and I had a virus that affected my sinuses, so it's most likely related to that. I only took a Tylenol once.

We decided not to find out the sex of the baby, but Brian couldn't help himself and peeked right when the tech told us to look away, and swears he saw a penis. Who knows. I waffle from day to day between feeling the yin or the yang of this baby's energy. The tech said four times that this baby is "extremely active," which doesn't surprise me given the family of origin of this child, but I had high hopes for a mellow-er babe after my first go-round.

I got really lucky, and met a doctor from Harvard a year ago who has developed the first-ever diagnostic screening test for preeclampsia, which is currently in FDA approval. I had my blood drawn today so that I can send it to him and participate in his research. This also means that I'll find out soon if I have indications of early preeclampsia, that would otherwise be undetected at this point. It is possible that this test will be available before the end of 2011! Now we just have to figure out how to send the blood to Cambridge tomorrow.

If you want to read more about Dr. K's work and the diagnostic test, go here. It is by far the most exciting and promising research advancement in understanding preeclampsia.

OK. That's all for now. Oh, wait. If you have any suggestions for boys' names that will work with the last name Lynn, have at it. We are completely stumped.