Friday, April 4, 2008

The Amazing 4D Ultra-Sound

So, I realize that there are those of you out there who are kind of weirded out by seeing a baby in such early stages of development, but I, personally, find it fascinating. Today we went in for a nuchal translucency screening. It is where they administer a 4D ultra-sound to test for birth defects and down's syndrome. I love it because they spend about 40 minutes just looking at your baby. I had this done when I was pregnant with Owen also. They also said the preliminary results of the tests look positive (no birth defects) for those of you who are wondering.

And, because I didn't give all the details in the first post:
Our baby is due the middle of October (the nurse told me the 14, the Doctor said 15 or 16, so I'm saying sometime in the middle).
We are very excited to have this baby coming. We waited till 12 weeks to tell everyone because it's a safer time in the pregnancy.
The doctor told me that he would not make me go a week past my due date as I have had to with Ryanna & Owen because Owen weighed 9 pounds, I can be induced at 39 weeks if all looks healthy.
My body has never gone into labor on its own, so I'm planning on being induced.
We don't have a name for either gender decided on. Derek has already been trying to pin me down, but I want to wait till I know boy or girl and then the negotiations will begin. Ryanna was a very easy pick for us, Owen was a very difficult decision to reach--but we absolutely LOVE both names. That's what I want is a name we both feel good about, not a name where one of us feels that we had to settle.
Now, back to the photos.

Our baby is not quite 13 weeks old and already, you can see the head, arms, legs, eye buds, hand development and feet. You can also see the heart beating and the tiny brain. For me, it is just simply amazing to think that life has developed so quickly.


The first shot is the frontal view. The second photo the baby has her (I'm just picking a pronoun here) back to us. When we started the ultra-sound, she was sleeping so peacefully, but the technician needed her to wake up. Once she was awake, she kept rolling over. So, here is the newest Petersen.

28 comments:

jonstone said...

Wow, things really do go over my head. I did read your last post, saw the picture and thought maybe you were pregnant. But when I read the post, I thought you had just included an image you found online (which you have done before) with a funny pop quiz. So thank you for making it clear to those of us with ultra-literal minds that can't read between the lines very well.

That said, I am so excited for you and your family! Although, I'm not going to sugar-coat it for you sister- taking care of three small children is no picnic. Luckily, Ryanna will be going to kindergarten so you'll really only have two babies at home- which is totally do-able. I'm looking forward to August myself.

I'm also so excited that you have an awesome doctor who has agreed to induce you a week early! Lucky! You must not be delivering at Banner Desert again. That is the best news second only to the actual pregnancy.

I need to call you.

jonstone said...

Sorry, that last comment was from me, not Jon.

Lara Neves said...

Hee hee...I agree with Tina. Going from 2 to 3 was HARD!

That said...congrats! I just love looking at these 4D things...they are amazing!

I'm glad your doctor will induce you early. That is great news!

Lacey said...

Love the new little Petersen already! It is amazing how much is going on inside your body! A good excuse for a nap!
Congrats again! We love you guys and can't wait to meet the newest addition!

Cari Florence said...

I LOVE the 4D ultrasounds myself. I got one of them for Brayden, and I will definitely get one for each future child. It was just amazing to be able to see the blood flowing through each ventricle of the heart!! I'm so excited for you guys, October is the PERFECT month for a baby.

Jenn Toon said...

The pics are amazing! 3 is not easy but after 3, you can have more. Ryanna will be a great help. Kylee went to kindergarten when I had #4! I missed her when she was gone. :)
That's great your doc looks at the past and will let you go early. :)!!!!

kjirsti said...

Audrey, I loved the pictures. I'm so thrilled for you; and frankly for myself as I love having nieces and nephews!

Destry said...

The 3D & now 4D ultrasounds are amazing! October is a great month to be born, if I do say so myself:)

Destry said...

By the way, that was me commenting, not Destry!

mmhamblin said...

Wow! That is so amazing!

wackywilsons said...

I am gone for a few days and look at all I missed! I was wondering what you were foreshadowing with the previous blog with you and your big beautiful belly...I thought you might be hinting something, but then you didn't say anything!

Hoo-ray and congrats...what made you want to have a third so soon? You feel ready and excited? Was this one planned? Do share details on how to prepare for baby #3 since you are now ahead of me too:)

Dori said...

HOT DANG!!! Your pregnant? That's so cool! Congratulations! I am so happy for you guys. I hope everything goes well, and I loved the ultrasound pics.

Crazymamaof6 said...

awesome! 3 kids. not that bad. 4 kicked my can. ryanna will be in school heavenly day! and won't owen still nap? nap time for everyone then. it's totally do-able!

Brooke said...

CONGRATULATIONS! We are scared to go from two to three. . .Two we weren't concerned at all, after all I have two arms and there are TWO of us (parents). I enjoyed my 3-d ultrasounds with Isaac, even though they were done so frequently because they thought he had brain swelling (nope just a big head!) I will say our pictures (3-d) were SCARY. I think mine were at 23 weeks or something and his eyes were open and it was just odd. But still surreal because you are looking at YOUR baby!

Thanks for sharing the pictures. Truly a little miracle! I am glad you will be able to be induced early this time around!!! Once again Congrats from the Mortensens!

Brittany and Scott said...

congratulations!!!! the things you miss when you don't see your visting teachers. i did however LOVE the paradise cookies. i did share with scoot and chocolate chip is my fav!! the 4d ultra sound is amazing. i can't even begin to keep up on technology.

rachel said...

I am the 10th of October. . . we might have to have rooms across the hall. . . if we aren't careful. Congratulations!!! Are you hoping for a specific gender??
What a cool 4D ultrasound. That is awesome!

Laurel said...

Wow, congrats! I can't say this is a surprise, but I have seen you twice since you first posted this, and I didn't check your blog until today. . .Sorry about that. We are very excited for you guys.

Steph Bowen said...

Congrats! I guess I'm not going to take a break from reading blogs for even one day. Look at what I miss! I'm so excited for you!

Kylie said...

YAY! Congratulations! How exciting, I am a bit jealous...I miss being pregnant. Well, kind of. Anyway, wonderful news!

Erin said...

that is amazing that life can grow so quickly. Congratulations, again!

JenW said...

awesome, i am so excited for you gusy!!!

Julie said...

I am going to have to stop reading your blog! LOL! It is making me way too baby hungry! The ultrasound pics were beautiful and miraculous. What a testimony that there is a divine creator orchestrating it all. Congrats again!

Tina said...

22 (now 23) comments! Seriously girl, you are popular!

Scott & Tami said...

Yippy!! I'm stoked for you guys. You will LOVE having 3 kids. I enjoy every second with them...even the middle of the night feedings...cuz before you know it they will be all grown up...I'm always just staring at Dallin when I'm feeding him in the middle of the night and realizing how lucky I am to spend that time with him. Love it!!! Congrats!!!

Jessica Martiele said...

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's really all I have to say, so...congrats! WOW! THREE! Um...congrats!

Lauren and Trevor said...

Wow, those ultra sound pictures you got are amazing. We are so excited for you guys! It'll be fun to have another one around the same age. Hope you are feeling well!

Ben and Anne said...

Congratulations!! Cool ultra sound pictures. I've never had one like that.

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