Commodore Nicole's Blog: Pregnant? You're forty-three years old!

Just wanted to drop an update about the new employee. Things are going along swimmingly and everything is good.

During a visit with the Outside HR contractor, she suggested that I might consider having some additional testing done. The OHR didn't believe that the testing was necessary, but that based on my age, several performance issues could come up with the new employee. Since I'm of "Advance Maternal Age" at all of 35, there could be some genetic abnormalities. That combined with my very slight Jewish heritage, the baby could be prone to a few genetic issues.

Having consulted with a few other Hiring Managers about the Triple Screen or Nuchal testing, I felt that it was a small ordeal with lots of peace of mind. The Triple Screen has 2 components, first is anUltra sound to look for signs of problems and the second is blood testing.

Mikko and I arrived with plenty of time for the U/S - to the wrong place because I wasn't paying attention. Did I mention he also nailed me in the head with the passenger seat sun visor? We are SO going to talk to Kinnunen Corp. HR about that. We waited for a few minutes and then were called back to speak with the doctor. The doctor detailed the procedure, the results and what that would mean. As I said, I'd talked to several moms about this screening before and pretty much knew exactly what he was saying. It basically boils down to this: the results could be something so severe, parents may consider terminating. It's not pleasant. But like I said, the peace of mind was the goal.

After our consult, we were off to the U/S. The tech got off to a good start and then nothing.


IC II flipped and went to sleep (So like Daddy). No amount of jiggling, or turning got the prospective employee to flip again for a better view. I had drank A LOT of water, as requested, and the more she pushed down with the scanner, the more I was afraid I was going to have any accident. So the U/S was declared a wash, and a follow-up was scheduled.

Three days later we were back in the office. We got to skip the consuling and when right for the big show. Having consumed a bucket of pop over several hours pretty much gaureenteed that the candidate would be "up and at 'em". So active in fact, IC II had hic-cups (So like Mamma).


Baby was good and the tech was able to get all the measurements she needed. We were of course told that they'd call with the results with in a few days IF something was urgent.

Following the U/S we headed over to the Lab to have the blood drawn for the second part of the test. After a blood technition fail, another stepped in and got what was needed. Same thing, they took a few vials of blood and sent me on my way.

Thankfully, I was headed out of town, and that kept me from obsessing about the results. A few days after I returned from my trip (and still no phone call) a form letter arrived and told me via a list of bullet points - nothing was found.

Peace of mind achived. Although I'm a little concerned that the candidate is not one for pictures. We are now up to 3 photo oppurtunities and have yet to get a decent picture for the Employee ID card.