Molly -

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Hi - My name is Sabrina and my
middle child was born with anencephaly. My youngest girl is now 2 years
old and is a happy, healthy, thriving child. I was much relieved after
my first ultrasound (which was at 10-11 weeks) - my doctor was also able
to point out the head/skull and do some other measurements which were
able to rule out anencephaly. If they were able to see the entire head,
I'm thinking that's pretty definite because the head/skull would not be
fully formed if the baby had anencephaly.

I had a second (level 2) ultrasound at 20 weeks in which they were also
able to see the spine (to rule out spina bifida) and took other
measurements, which was even more reassuring. I also took the extra
folic acid at least halfway through my pregnancy - I don't remember my
doctors saying to stop it until after that second ultrasound. I think
it was psychologically a benefit for me because I felt like it was the
one thing I could do to help make sure she was healthy - the good news
is that folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning that what your
body doesn't need, it just expels. So I don't think it hurts. Most
doctors will give you the news straight, but you could always ask
point-blank - are they sharing everything they know?

All through that pregnancy, I just prayed a lot and kept telling myself
to relax and not worry - I didn't want my stress to affect the baby
either. I never got around to it, but some of the pregnancy journals
they have out now (I've seen them at Target and Hallmark) might help if
you are one who likes to write.

Best wishes for a healthy pregnancy and feel free to email me if you
need a listening ear.

Sabrina
Mom to Matthew, Sarah in heaven (Jan 2002), and Emma


Edward wrote:

> I went to the doc on 9/8 and found out that I am 2 months pregnant. I
>hope every thing goes well and I do not have a problem with this one.
>I am realy scared that something will happen. The doc said that from
>what she can tell from the ultra sound that the baby's head looks how
>it should, but I still wory. On my first ulra sound with Leo he would
>not stay still for them to get a good look at him. So I can not go
>back to his ultra sound to see if there is a diffrence. Oh this baby
>is going to be a ham for the camra the baby let the doc take as many
>pitcher as she wanted to. My doc told me I can stop taking the fulic
>acid, but from evey thing I have read that it is best to take it for
>the first 3 months. This worys me because what if she did notce
>something and is afraid to tell me in case she is wrong. Do you think
>I should wory? I pray for jelly bean (my baby) every night that
>nothing will go wrong. I will be happy in about 7 months when I am
>taking home a happy healthey baby. Any advice from those of you that
>have had a baby after loosing one that may help with the woring or any
>thing elce. Any advice would be helpful.
> Leo's mom Molly
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