I now have the "preggo head" full-on and can't remember much. I'm surprised I haven't screwed up royally at work or missed a mtg.

Here's the dates, so far, of all the regular doctor visits:

1) 3/27/08 - first, 'confirmation' visit. Internal Ultrasound at I think 10 weeks. My doc doesn't have you come in until around then, so that she can confirm the baby's heartbeat. Never did ask why, specifically, but I think it has to do w/ a lot of Nervous Nellies (I'm one of 'em) parading through her office too early to tell anything concrete. Smart doc; I'd have been in there way before, right after my home pregnancy test! Check weight and pee in a cup too. W/ the internal ultrasound, could hear the baby's heart beat. Paul took video/audio on his phone. I think it became a bit more concrete then.

2) 4/10 - Appt #2. Regular check up. Weight check up and pee in a cup. More info from doc; nurse tries to hear heartbeat w/ a 'doppler radar' or some such gadget but she couldn't get it. Doc came and in it took her awhile too, but she finally got it.

3) 4/11 - SPECIALIST APPT - referral to genetic counselor. Concerned about Down Syndrome because of my age; this doc does the testing. She sends all her patients who might need this to this guy. Very nice doc - been an OB/GYN for years and years, still has a faculty appointment at the University of Colorado Denver and teaches. Most of his time he does genetic testing.

4) 4/18 - SPECIALIST APPT - This is the 'nuchal translucency' testing w/ the blood work. A specialized ultrasound tech did this ultrasound - went over all the baby's parts to make sure they were there; looked for Down Syndrome markers (and apparently could not see any at this stage!) and went over how the whole test works.

5) 5/8 - Appt. #3 - Regular check up. Weight check and pee in a cup. Again listen to baby heart beat w/ hand-held doppler device. More news and what to expect.

6) 6/10 - Appt. #4 - ANATOMY ULTRASOUND!!! Looking good! Again Paul took video/audio w/ his phone. Got real pics at this one; pretty cool! Doc not in the office today, come back in two days for visit w/ her.

6a) 6/12 - Appt. #4a - Regular check up w/ doc cuz she wasn't in the office on 6/10. Everything tracking normal so far. Can't recall how many weeks here - you do the math from 3/27.

7) 6/27 - SPECIALIST APPT - the doc wanted me to get a 'fetal echogram' to be sure that baby's heart is developing A-OK at my 'advanced maternal age'. This is a DETAILED look at the baby's heart; again looking for markers for Down Syndrome and/or possible defects that are detectable at this stage. I think I was 19 weeks. Doc reviewed, and could not tell any DS markers nor defects at this time! Great news! Paul went to this one too; pretty darn cool to see that little one moving around in there!

8) 7/10 - Appt. #5 - Regular check up. Weight check and pee in a cup. Measured my belly again; I must be right on at this stage cuz she didn't mention a thing. I think 25 weeks. Did I say that someone figured out that the measurement of your uterus in cm is the same as the # of weeks along you should be. I should research that and post an article!

9) 8/7 - Coming up - Appt. #6 - Gestational Diabetes screening test. Drink a horrible glucose solution and then 1 hr later take a blood test. If I fail this one, based on the blood test results, then I go in for a longer, more intense testing appointment. If I pass, then I'm good to go; no further testing; keep watching what I eat!

10) and more: After 8/7 - doc says I need to go every two weeks. So, let's see.... that means Aug 21 or so....Sept 4 and 18....then 1 x per week up until delivery: Oct 2 or so, then every week in October. Yeah, can't wait. I'm a little tired of doctor visits already.

I KNOW - QUIT YER BELLYACHIN'!!! All for the safety of this kid!