Trish: [00:00:00] Hey mama. Welcome to Pregnancy unpacked. I'm Trish, a labor nurse of 16 years, mom of seven, and your birth vesting. I'm gonna be walking you through not just baby bumps and fruit sizes, but the entire identity shift that pregnancy. C will be for you. Each episode drops every Wednesday, and we're gonna unpack what's happening in your body, what to expect, what to do, what's normal, even when it feels extremely weird, and how to actually feel supported emotionally and physically.

You're gonna hear from me where I'm not gonna sugarcoat it, but I'm gonna be cheering you on along the way. You can follow along each Wednesday because pregnancy deserves more than outdated advice and Google anxiety.

Welcome back to Pregnancy Impact [00:01:00] Mama. You've made it to week 16 through 18, and things are starting to feel more real. Maybe you're showing, maybe you're not, and maybe your brain is playing all sorts of tricks on you. Crazy dreams, all the things. But this episode is packed with straight talk, some science, and some support.

So let's get into it. Let's talk about baby development at 16 to 18 weeks. Your baby is now about four to five and a half inches long. About the size of an avocado or a dill pickle, both of which are pretty yummy. They're growing lashes, eyebrows, tiny little fingernails. And guess what? Their ears are working, so sound waves are traveling through the bones in their ears, and they might start reacting to your voice, which is so stinking cool.

I love that. That's so amazing, right? They know their mama's voice, their muscles are developing and their practicing swallowing [00:02:00] and sucking, which is really important part of their development. You're probably starting to feel those little butterfly flutters, which are gentle little baby movements. But if this isn't your first pregnancy, maybe you've already felt them and you probably recognize them.

If it's your first pregnancy, you're probably questioning what you're feeling, but you very well might be feeling that little baby being in their moving around. Every tiny little change is just a sign that your little baby is becoming uniquely who they are. I wanted to talk about testing at this stage and what you can expect because you're gonna be offered some tests, one or more of these tests.

So the first one is the quad screen or the triple screen. This is a blood test done between 15 and 22 weeks, but ideally they want to do it between 16 to 18 weeks, which is you right now. What it's doing is screening for neural tube defects, like [00:03:00] spina bifida, down syndrome, and some other chromosomal conditions.

It measures four different substances, A-F-P-H-C-G, estriol, and inhibit A. But remember, this is a screening. This is really important. It's a screening, not a diagnosis. It does tell if there's a higher or lower chance, but it is not a yes or no. Some of these tests are notoriously false positive. The a FP test, which is the alpha-fetoprotein, say that real quick, can be done separately, or they can do it as a part of the quad screen.

And this measures levels of a FP of protein made by the fetus. And if you, there's abnormal levels that could suggest neural tube defects or abdominal wall defects. But again, screening. So if any of the results are abnormal or if your family has a [00:04:00] history, your provider may refer you to a genetic counselor so that you can get better support.

And if they offer that, I really suggest that you take it. Let's talk about the ultrasound scans around 16 to 18 weeks. Some practices might offer a peak ultrasound or even an early anatomy scan where you can see your little baby's limbs and the organs forming the heartbeat and maybe possibly catch the glimpse of the gender if baby cooperates.

But let me just tell y'all my story. So I was pregnant with baby number four. I had three boys at home and I think I was like 15 ish weeks, I don't remember. And my midwife was like, let's do a scan. And I'm like, heck yes, Susan, let's do a scan. And so we did a scan and she's like, now do not take my word for it.

I don't know if I'm right or not, but this looks like a girl. Well, I had three boys at home, so all I could think was girl, I. It's a [00:05:00] girl. And of course I went and told everybody I was having a girl. I bought girl stuff. Well, I go to my big anatomy scan and guess what? It's Gavin. It is not a girl. So even if you think, you know, based on an ultrasound, now y'all are way ahead of me.

This was a long time ago. You get all the blood tests and all that early on, so you probably do know, but let me just tell you. I did have a student horror story with that where she had the testing and it said that she was having a girl. She had a gender reveal, not a girl. She went back for the anatomy scan.

That was a whole horror story. 'cause the guy that did it was off his wall. Crazy. But turns out he was right and it was a boy and she has a son now. So again. Here's what I wanna talk to you about, because finding out that the baby's different the way you thought, isn't it? It might set you off a little, but it's not super concerning.

But what if you do hear something concerning? The [00:06:00] first thing I want you to do is I want you to take a deep breath and in your head, I want you to be like Trish said, this does not mean something is definitely wrong. Here's the thing, even if it's like a little bit of what seems like it's wrong or something you just didn't expect to hear, I.

A lot of times on our pregnancy happy hour, my students will really express how difficult it is even to hear something little off that you weren't expecting. So I just want to let you know that it's okay to feel those feelings and to walk through those feelings like they're legit, they're valid. But I also as a labor and delivery nurse who's been on the other end of being with parents who have heard this is wrong or that is wrong, and then it's not wrong.

It doesn't mean something is definitely wrong. Sometimes the babies just went in a weird position. And remember, there's also human error, so sometimes a technician just couldn't get a clear view. So if your results are outside the normal range, or [00:07:00] the ultrasound raises a little flag, your provider might recommend the following.

So they may recommend just doing a second ultrasound, like in a week or two to get better images or verify what they think they saw. The next thing they might do is refer you to an MFN, which is a maternal fetal medicine doctor that's a high risk doctor. They are specialists who handle a higher risk pregnancies and can do detailed anatomy scans or genetic testing.

They also might recommend an amniocentesis, and I don't know if you're like me, this girl right here is scared to death of needles, and that was like one of my things. I'm like, no way in hell will I do an amniocentesis. But if they need to, you know. I would just talk it through with your doctor and your counselor.

It's a test to collect and examine amniotic fluid, which can tell them a lot about what's happening with that baby, but it's not commonly done [00:08:00] unless your risk is really high. I. And you agree to it. So remember this, you always have the right to ask for clarification. You always have a right to get a second opinion, and you always have the right to take time before making any decisions.

And I know you guys, 'cause I hang out with my pregnant mamas all the time on our hangouts. I know you feel, oh my gosh, if I ask a lot of questions or if I refuse, or I ask for time, they're gonna think that I'm difficult. That is not true. That is just how we've been conditioned, especially as women, to just be making quiet and go with the flow.

But this does not make you difficult. This is your human. This is your body, and as much as we fight for our rights, for our bodies, I want you to remember that asking questions, taking time does not make you difficult. It makes you prepared. So anytime that thought comes into your mind, I want you to just nip it in the [00:09:00] booty.

Here's the mindset check for today, right? You are allowed to question. You're not difficult for asking questions. You're not paranoid for wanting to understand what's happening. And if you're not understanding, keep asking questions until you do, because that is exactly what informed consent is, and you can tell I'm getting powered up in my nervous system right now because I've seen so many women bamboozled by.

Not getting a thorough answer. You are not high maintenance girl for wanting to make informed decisions. That makes you powerful. That makes you powerful. Okay, we're gonna revisit morning sickness and nausea relief because some of you are still in the thick of it. And I see you because I was there when I was pregnant with Lainey.

So here's some supportive tools. Pick what resonates with you, what's comfortable for you. So there's traditional, which is the vitamin B six. And Unisom, which they call Diclegis. Or you can mix it yourself with the right stuff. Just talk to your provider. Eating small, frequent [00:10:00] meals, you know, ginger, well, I guess that would fall into holistic.

So yeah, holistic ginger chews, acupuncture bands, magnesium lotion on the belly, which also helps with aches and pains. My doulas and I are all about the mag lotion. Also just lifestyle choices. Don't skip meals, decrease the caffeine. Stay hydrated, avoid heavy scents, and you can also rub a little bit of peppermint oil under your nose so that any weird smells like your husband's deodorant doesn't make you nauseous.

You know, this is hormonal and girl, it is completely out of your control. But I can tell you the minute Lainey came outta me, I was no longer sick, like literally sick from day one to the day she came out of me. And then I was like, hmm. What is wrong with me? And then I was like, oh my gosh, I'm not sick anymore.

So if you're still sick, girl, I feel you. I see you. I know it's depressing. I remember just feeling like this is never gonna end. I am so depressed. And I was in nursing school, y'all. You can't even imagine the smells I [00:11:00] had to smell. Anyway, I. So here's my advocacy tip of the week. If something feels off, even if you can't explain it, bring it up.

You do not need permission to talk about what you're feeling, even if it's based on intuition, because honestly, that's the strongest thing you have, girl. Your intuition is everything. Your mom intuition is your superpower. So here's some action steps for this week. If you are offered a test, write down your questions before your appointment.

Do your research, come to me, send me a dm. We can chat, ask your provider what the next steps would be if something looked off. Track how you feel each, each. Scratch that. Track how you feel each day, physically, emotionally. Look for patterns and remember, you are doing amazing. You don't need to know everything.

You just need to. Keep educating yourself. Trust your intuition. Keep showing up. I promise you the last half of this [00:12:00] pregnancy is gonna zip by. I know it doesn't feel like it, but it will. I'm here. I'm cheering you on every single stinking week, girl. So until next time, you are the magic. You're amazing. And don't forget it.

Hit subscribe. Leave a review. If you're on Spotify, leave a comment, ask a question. I'm trying to remember to check those. I didn't even know they existed until recently. But guys, I am so proud of you. You are doing such an amazing job building your human. I will see you again next Wednesday. Bye for now.