You may also be offered an ultrasound scan. It is very common for a scan to be done in early pregnancy (around 12-14 weeks) and perhaps another later on.

The main reasons for a scan are:

• to help date the pregnancy;
• to check for more than one baby;
• to check the baby’s growth and development;
• to monitor the placenta

Ultrasound is increasingingly efficient at -diagnosing abnormalities, notably spina bifida and Down’s syndrome. Practices vary, but if you want your partner there he should he able to accompany you, and you may be offered an instant photograph of the scan, although you will probably have to pay for it.

Depending on your age and your family’s medical history, you may also be offered other tests. If you are nor, and would like them, ask.

1. The nuchal scan

Done at 11-13 weeks, an ultrasound scan measures the thickness of the nuchal pad (fluid) in the baby’s neck. A thicker than average pad may indicate abnormal chromosomes, so you may be offered an amniocentesis.

2. The AFP (alphafetoprotein) test

This is done at 16-18 weeks. A blood sample is checked for high or low levels of AFP, which may be associated with spina bifida or Down’s syndrome. An ultrasound scan can rule out or confirm the diagnosis.

3. The triple test

Sometimes called the Bart’s test or serum screening, this is done at about 15 weeks. A blood sample is tested for chemicals that help to calculate the risks of Down’s syndrome or spina bifida. You may then be offered a diagnostic scan or amniocentesis.

4. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

This is done at around 10-1 / weeks and involves removing a tiny frond of the tissue that forms the placenta and examining it for chromosomal abnormalities, especially Down’s syndrome.

5. Amniocentesis

Carried out at around 18 weeks, amniocentesis involves having a needle inserted in your abdomen to draw off a sample of amniotic fluid. The sample is then checked for abnormalities, especially Down’s syndrome, but also spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis and haemophilia. It will also determine the sex of the baby: if you do not want to know, say so.

6. Getting the results

None of these tests is perfect. Both CVS and amniocentesis carry a small risk of miscarriage and any test could increase your anxiety (although, since the results usually show that there is nothing to worry about, some women are more reassured by them). None of the tests offers a totally certain diagnosis and even routine ultrasound has its critics.

If a test shows that your baby is likely to have an abnormality, you may want to consider a termination. You should be given a chance to talk this through before you have the test. Even if you know you could not consider a termination, you may want the time to prepare for having a baby with special needs.

Depending on where you live, your ethnic origin and family history, you may also be offered other, less common tests. You should be given the chance to discuss the associated risks and benefits before you decide whether to go ahead.

I got my period but it’s not all bad news. It means I’m up for another embryo transfer again next week. I have been waiting for this to push through for as long as I can remember, and I dearly hope that the procedure would be successful this time around. I hope the good vibes around me (coming from the overwhelming support of my family and friends) will help make this long-time dream a beautiful reality.

To support that good vibes, I am searching online for kids furniture as early as now. You know what they say. If you really really want something, you have to visualize it clearly in your mind in order for the power of the mind to work. So I’m thinking cute baby kids furniture almost everyday and how my baby will look so perfect in/using them. I don’t care if it’s a girl or a boy. I can always redecorate and replace the kids bedroom furniture I have in mind to accommodate the arrival of our precious one.

One week to go! I’m really very excited. Friends, please pray for me. Your prayers would mean so much. I am aching for this to finally come true. I want this more than anything in the world. I hope and pray for this to be my greatest birthday present of all time.