December 2014 thread #2

[ParanoidCoventGarden75]

Due in December? Welcome to the never-ending 1st trimester of the Xmas baby club.
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Personally, if my bloods and nt come back looking bad, I'm going for the Harmony blood test, which is not invasive like the amnio or CVS . I'm 40 which raises the risk for Downs, Edwards, Patau syndromes substantially.

I won't be going ahead with the pregnancy if it comes back positive for a number of reasons, we have no immediate support network, financially it would be a nightmare, my parents are in their eighties and will have increasing needs soon, my only sibling lives overseas, my partner's parents are also old and one suffers from dementia. It would be too much.

But, I think that if we were ten years younger, with a better support network, we'd be far more likely to go with it.

Hi all. Treacle i hope this all works out ok for you xx

ive been feeling amazing yesterday and today. I have been making the most of it, done a bit of house cleaning, had a starbucks (decaf), ate some chocolate (haven't enjoyed it in weeks) and am now 'working' on my laptop aka faffing!! I will do some work, I will. I felt great two days last week and then horrendous on Friday right through til Wednesday, so im taking these two days again. My boobs are sorer again, which is 'confirming' my pg for me as otherwise im sure id be neurotic and believing that something horrible had happened.

Is there anyone from NI on here? I saw my GP on 9th April after I got my bfp on 1st April and I've heard nothing since. I keep waiting on a letter to arrive but nada. I see all of you talking about booking in appointments here and then scan appointments. What's the difference? Will i definitely have both? Shouldn't i have a letter by now? Im 9+2 and this is my first and also why im completely clueless! I keep thinking that if I still have nothing by start of next week that I will ring GP surgery. Any ideas ladies?

emily i don't think we get downs testing in NI so ive no advice at all. Sorry. chilli i have also had some miscarriage dreams about other people weirdly, and also some bleeding dreams about myself. It's just our worried sub conscience coming out in our dreams. Try not to dwell on it. But as sasseh says, no more poas, it does not help and makes you worry more.

9+2

Hi Martie my mum lives in NI and I spend a lot of time there so hello!

Hi Martie I'm from NI, am 9+3 and received my scan date last week.

You should definitely get it any day!

Peace as far as I understood it's being offered to every pregnant women I think it's called the nunchal scan or nunchal screening. I am in Kent so could vary I suppose county to county? It's between 11 and 13 weeks with your dating scan they can give you a percentage based on the size of the neck I think it was followed by a blood test to tell you what percentage of risk you are and then if it comes back high risk you can have further invasive tests

Martie from people on here it seems that you either have a booking appt around 7-8 weeks with the mw and then your dating scan from 11-13 weeks or some ladies seem to have had just one appt at 11-13 weeks that included seeing mw and the dating scan. I've had a mw appt at 7.5 weeks which was just registering my pregnancy if you like! She wanted to take bloods but I wasn't ready so I went for bloods at the hospital instead at 9+6 and then I have another mw appt at 11+3 weeks she us coming to my house (luxury!!) she's asked for 2 wee samples and lots of forms to be filled in and then I am hoping for my dating scan between 11.5 and 13.5 weeks! Still no letter though!!
10+1

peace it's the Nuchal Transulency scan and as far as I'm aware it's offered to everyone at the "12 week scan" (it needs to be done between 11 weeks 2 days and 14 weeks) It measures a pocket of fluid at the back of the neck and combined with a blood test, gives you an at-risk score. Any number lower than a risk of 1-150 will be offered further testing.

I will be having it. I will also go for further testing should the risk score be high.

Re: appointments, I emailed the midwives, it's self referral where I am, to check that they were dealing with my form, as I'd dropped it in two weeks earlier and heard nothing. They emailed me back my appt dates the next day and said that a letter was on it's way. My booking in will be at 12+4 and my scan is 13 wks exactly.

Emily, I think everyone is offered the nuchal translucency scan (I kind of assume that they do it at the same time as the dating scan). They measure the fluid at the back of the neck and has to be done before 14wks so that there is fluid to actually measure. If it's above a certain measurement it can indicate Downs, but it's not an exact science and there are false positives (my ex and his partner got one, although went on to have a daughter without Downs). They also look for other markers, like lack of a nasal bone, which can also indicate Downs.

Emily, we didn't have the nuchal scan with DS as we didn't want the added worry of it. Also it wouldn't have influenced our decision to carry on with the pregnancy. We wont be having it this time either.

6+3

Morning sickness is abating! Yay! Started at 6 weeks and last 3 days I'm nearly normal! 10+3

DH and I had the discussion about testing last night too. Previously with our other DCs, we didnt have any testing done and I was happy with that. But I am nearly 39 so I think my risk is something like 1 in 120 - which isn't that bad tbh.

I don't think we would terminate for downs personally but I wonder if forewarned is better. Not sure!

All the best today treacle

I'm now officially a member of the Elasticated Waistband Trouser Wearing Society. Pregnant ladies, Bon Marche is your friend.

I'm not sure about forewarned either daddypig.

I would like to know if it were Edwards or Patau before the 20wk scan though, as terminating earlier would be a bit easier. Someone I know had a surprise Downs baby recently, even after testing, so there are no guarantees.

We've been discussing whether to have the Downs test too. I honestly don't think i would be able to abort. I'd be a little sad if the test showed issues but I'm sure I would still have the same amount of love for a child with disabilities. Still can't decide if I'd rather know in advance and be prepared though.

So tired today and I feel like a big fat whale. I've always had a bit of a belly but it feels huge. I really hope nobody has noticed it and put 2 and 2 together!

When I was pg with DS I opted not to have the NT screening as I couldn't face being put under pressure to abort when I knew I never could. This time around as I already have DS to worry about I think I will have it done just so that we can be prepared if there are any issues. It's a very personal decision though and worth putting some thought into.

I think I'd like to know so I could get my head round it before the birth. I'd like to think it wouldn't matter but due to the sector I work in, I see how having a disabled or extra care baby puts strain on a family which is life-long. I'd like to think it wouldn't make a difference to whether I kept it but I don't know how I'd feel if I had to make that decision. I'd like to think I would.

Shattered today. Had a nap in a quiet place at work. :)

In my area of London we get our midwife appt between wks 10 and 12 (sounds late compared to some of you) and then the scan separately. I'm having a combined scan which includes the dating scan and nuchal scan - I'm not sure what I'd do if the risk comes out high for downs, but would like to know so I can make an informed decision. I'll also have the blood test for downs as well - the doc told me they use a combination of the blood test and nuchal scan to assess your risk. I'm not bothered about needles/blood tests though, so that's not really a factor.

Exhausted today!!!! Thinking of going to the fish and chip shop but that doesn't sound too healthy does it?!

Kate my dinners this week have revolved around various types of pasta and various freezer food. I normally have a lot of fresh fruit, veg and grains etc but this week I can't face it. Go to the chip shop, you'll be fine.

x

Hello all

I didn't have nuchal last time, wasn't offered in other pregnancies, and I don't plan to do it this time as wouldn't change anything. I was tempted for the same reasons others have given ie forewarned. However someone advised me it could instead cause needless worry and stress so left it. Hard decision though!!

Man, yesterday felt nausea was dropping off and got pretty worried but felt dreadful this afternoon and tummy has ballooned! Esp weird as usually I take ages to show and feel massive already.

emily - I have had all mine at home, all great experiences. If you are keen I would really recommend although it is not for everyone.

Friday tomorrow thankfully!

Good luck tomorrow natasha and yay abouttime!

Thanks bighairy fish and chips done!!! Now off to bed! Zzzzz....

I forgot its Friday tomorrow! You've completely made my evening!

Yes good luck to Natasha and anyone else having checks/scans tomorrow.

It's been really interesting to hear everyone's take on the antenatal testing. The midwife thought I was v unusual last time when I declined it.

I would never judge anyone for any decision they make as it is so personal. However I am really grateful there is a forum where I can discuss it openly. I never think of late 30s as "old" but some of the stuff you read online makes you feel it.

I have a (private) 8 week scan tomorrow night. Although this is baby three it doesn't feel remotely real and I still expect them to say I must be mistaken

littlesarah I have ballooned in my tummy too. I'm only 8 weeks so what actually is it?!

I'm glad you said that OohDaddyPig. I'm 37 (just - was pregnant at 36!) and have been feeling like I'm the oldest person to ever give birth from what I've been reading/hearing.

Glad I'm not the only person whose stomach has ballooned! I'm only 7+5 so I'm guessing it's just bloat. Very conscious of it though. Been trying tofind a floaty top for work tomorrow as I'm sure people are going to start wondering!

Hello from another 37 year old! My hospital does midwife and nuchal scan on same day. I'm hoping they will also be able to check baby's heart as my husband was born with congenital heart valve problem and had to have open heart surgery as a teenager. He still has to go for annual check ups but that doesn't stop him smoking like a chimney!!
As for finding out if baby has down's or not is a really tough as you don't know how you will react until you are in the situation. However, it would be much better to know in advance and be prepared for the birth of your child who will need a knowledgeable parent.
I never thought I would get pregnant and had given up 2 years ago; so the fact that this miracle has happened to us naturally while I was least expecting it is something I cherish.
My challenge is to get over my phobia of being in hospital etc. I had burst appendix about 14 years ago and was in a critical condition. When I got home, I had my first massive panic attack and since then I don't trust all doctor's and am very nervous in hospital. So much so that my heart rate stops me from doctors letting me go home!
Sorry for the long rant- I just watched Vertigo road trip on Bbc I player and feel I should tackle it. Xxx love to all