16 weeks private scan

 Private scan and sex reveal. 

We decided that we was going to book a private scan at 16 weeks, this is our scary week in pregnancy and a milestone for us. Yes while I am carrying this time and there are so far no complications. Regardless it was at 16 weeks we lost our first born, then again nearly lossing Ariyah also at 16 weeks. Ben had his stitch placed as an emergency due to his cervix shortening, thus it had actually opened by the time he was in theatre. Luckly the stitch was able to quickly be put in to save our baby as well as Ben being on bed rest to keep her in. 

This is why we needed that reasurrance, also another reason was that due to covid the rules currently are that I must attend scans and appointment on my own. Partners or children were not permitted until the 20 week scan.  Hence he had not got to see baby yet. Which was horrible and nerve racking for him. 

We were lucky to have a Doppler and be able to heart babies heartbeat and feel baby moving very early on. Whilst it is still not the same for him to actually see baby and their heartbeat on the screen. It alway made it more real and special for both of us.  

The scan was amazing we got to see baby very clearly, as our pot of gold  was sitting in a perfect position to be able to see all the features, their organs and watch them move was just magical. Us being together and see what miracle we had created. Ben teared up too. The baby was healthy and growing well. No worries at all.  We got a sneaky peak of baby in 4D, where we both think that baby look like Nico. He was born at this gestation so was crazy to see the resemblance. 

At the appointment we could also find out babies sex.. (not gender please refer to previous blog links below) 

https://transdadtoourrainbow.blogspot.com/2020/08/sex-vs-gender.html?m=1&zx=513c38b1099326d6

We were not originally going to find out but I hate surprises. We felt it also meant Ben could bond more and we could plan together for a name and bedroom. Our friends also wanted to do a little surprise reveal for us, only small with close friends and some ballons in the garden. They organised it and it was a lovely celebration that we were able to involve Ariyah in too. 

We got her to decorate a box which our friend put silver or gold ballons in, our twist on pink or blue. Because although we did do a reveal, these are normally very stereotypically gendered. Something we strongly disagree with gendering a baby because they cannot yet express who they are. Therefore it announced it as their biological sex of female or male. We used gold for girl and silver for boy. Our friends got us cakes made to and all gathered in the garden to celebrate. This was was great as well with covid being able to safety see everyone in the garden. 

Ariyah opened the box and revealed the coloured ballons. Unfortunately for you all we are not reveal it publicly yet. Only a close circle of people know and we will reveal there sex to family and everyone at our baby shower.

I will be making a post about gendering and no conforming parenting. Eirther way we were happy that baby is heathy. We had a lovely day celebrating the baby and getting this far in the pregnancy. 

(Written at 17weeks)