November 1014 - thread 5 - the rainbow collective romping (and limping) into 2nd trimester!

[weeonion]

hi folks - thought we should have a new thread!

I just had some crappy news. Apparently I have low Papp-a levels. They said I have a low risk of DS, but the low levels of Papp-a may cause restriction to the baby's growth or me to develop high blood pressure. They are scheduling loads of scans to check growth.

I am so worried. I can't believe this, how will I be able to enjoy this pregnancy? I'll just be living from scan to scan to make sure the baby is ok.

The only thing that gives me hope is that my mother and my sister had babies with low birth weight, but everything was fine otherwise. They never had any blood tests. I'm just hoping it runs in the family and this is all that will happen and nothing worse.

I'm dithering over a doppler as I have an anterior placenta, so not likely to hear anything. I love the t-shirt and the hungry caterpillar outfit - totally need that!!

My good news of the day is Downs results back at 1:1600, which will do nicely. :)

oh blamber - that is tough news. Was it the hospital that gave you news? did they reassure you on anything else? As you say - maybe it is a family thing that wasnt necessarily picked up in yr mum / sis but everything was fine.

Have you checked out / started a new thread in tests/ choices as there could well be others who have / are experiencing it who can give a more informed opinion?

Oh blamber sorry to hear that. I suppose the good news is that if they are doing loads of scans you'll be confident you know everything you possibly can. But that's not all that comforting.

blamber I also have low PAPP-A levels. Haven't seen my midwife since the results yet, but did know it is associated with low birth weight etc. I'm taking comfort in the fact that it's not very specific (so having low levels doesn't necessarily mean they'll be a problem) and I'll get to see the Butterbean on a couple of extra occasions before they arrive. It is hard not to be anxious about it though

Also, my cousin had a low PAPP-A in her most recent pregnancy, and she's just given birth to an 8 pound 3 healthy baby boy

Sorry to hear that blamber but I do think that in some ways we know far too much these days and scare ourselves senseless over nothing. The amount of mothers I know who have been told there is some sort of serious risk to the baby or it's too small or too big or not properly formed in some way and have all gone on to have perfectly normal, healthy, happy babies is insane and they had terrible stressed out pregnancies over nothing. Last time they were harping on about pre-eclampsia and had me in and out of that bloody hospital like a yoyo when DD and I were both absolutley fine. This time they're all up in arms about diabetes and big birth weights and my age and I just feel like screaming "Oh fuck off!!!!" at them. I know it's hard but try not to stress yourself out, believe everything is fine and just enjoy the extra chances to see your baby. I've been told today I'm going to have far more scans every few weeks now but I do think they are just fuss farting, but it'll be nice to see the baby.

Blamber I hope it's Ok and just another one of those things they tell you to over worry you!

Anyone else getting extremely keen to find out the sex?

Thanks everyone. The hospital called me today, but they also said that they do not know much about the link as more research needs to be done.

Teancakes they seem to be on top of it with all the scans but I wish I could do something. I did read about taking low dose of aspirin to improve blood flow to placenta and reduce the risk of preeclampsia, but I don't want to take it without medical guidance either.

Sorry to hear that Blamber. Maybe post on the main pregnancy board to see if anyone else has had low PAPP-A and can reassure you. With DS, when we were told we were high risk for Downs I also took comfort in knowing that we would have a few extra scans. Every cloud.....

Hugs Blamber. I haven't got anything useful to add to what's been said already, but know that we're all rooting for you and your little one and sending hugs and love for a healthy pregnancy xx

Blamber sorry to hear this but I agree with Tea that it's not a very validated link so hopefully they are just being over-cautious and all will turn out ok. Doesn't make it any less worrying for you though I know, but try to stay positive. Fingers crossed all will be ok.

Have had a very up and down day and feeling stressed now. In serious need of a very large glass of wine, but can't have one!

OK so I've not eaten since midnight for this stupid pointless diabetes test, I've been awake half an hour with the appointment at 8 and I already feel sick, headache and painfully hungry. Forcing a pregnant woman to not eat is just cruel. I'm going to throw up or pass out by the time this is over.

Oh no Random. I know exactly how you feel, I have to do the same once a month for a cholesterol blood test. Make sure you have a bag full of snacks and a good drink ready for as soon as you get out go there. Fingers crossed you get good results

Found you all again. I'd managed to press hide by mistake and it took DH and I about an hour last.night to sort it. I even started a new thread to try and hunt you all down! Anyway.... Crisis over... X

BrandSnob I don't know how you do it!! I can't fast at the best of times but during pregnancy is just cruel. Sipping my Lucozade now and trying to work out if I can sneak a nap in one of the beds without anyone noticing till the 2 hours are up before the next bloods.

How horrible! I couldn't do it not pregnant!
I ate chocolate every time I got up for a wee last night I'd be fucked!
How pointless when you know it's not a problem!

Blamber, sorry to hear you had stressful news. I hope it gives you some comfort that you know it's being monitored now. You'll get to see lots more of your Bean too, which will be lovely

Tigsy, I'll ship you over a virgin Daiquiri - not quite as effective as a glass of wine, but tends to make me feel a bit better anyway!

Random, hope you have made it through the morning without fainting Get some food and some water down you ASAP (if only so you have enough strength to clobber the next doctor who comes at you with a needle!)

Oh dear, glad you're back with us, amy

Having had the ABs to clear up my UTI two weeks ago now, I received a snotty phone call this morning from my GP surgery saying could I please go and pick up my prescription as it was so urgent Rang back to say I'd already had it only to get through to the same obnoxious woman in the dispensary that caused all the problems initially. Who then told me 'Well I can't interpret test results, I don't know why you're asking me.' She then mumbled something rude about young mothers!

I'm not asking you anything, you miserable bitch. I'm telling you I've already had my prescription, the problem is cleared and the ABs you're holding for me in the dispensary are surplus to requirements!

How dare she?! I am appalled - no wonder some vulnerable people feel intimidated into not seeing a GP when they're poorly! There aren't even words for how angry I am right now. Arggggggggh!!!

Wow twig let how horrible! I'd make a formal complaint!

one of my pet hates is people linking two totally irreverent things, you're a young mum (and I'm younger and dare anyone question me on age and they'll get a mouthful!) and you had a problem regarding prescriptions which you were trying to rectify.... Two totally separate things! If you were 40 you'd probably still be pissed off that a. she wasn't listening to you b. They thought it was ok to make a pregnant woman with a uti wait 2 weeks and c. that she was so rude.
Probably trying to blame you for her own incompetence!

Also some shops used to sell fake cocktails in juice form but I can't find mojito juice anymore :(

Try This maybe, alita?

I rang the receptionist straight back and said I wanted to make a complaint - they're emailing me the form now. I hope she gets formally disciplined for it. That level of rudeness is inexcusable even in a stranger on the street, let alone somebody who is supposedly there to be non-judgemental and to provide health care!

However, I have recklessly ordered the VHC sleeping bag/hat combo despite DP's instant hatred of it and now I feel a bit better

Thanks twig!

I saw a mickey mouse equivalent to your catapilla r and I have to have it! It has HUGE ears :p

Definitely unprofessional to link your age and pregnancy to what you were phoning about!
People can be so prejudiced and judgemental, being young doesn't automatically mean you have no idea, I could have had more contact with babies and children than a 40 year old for all anyone knows... being young or old doesn't dictate how good a mum you are! I'm sure plenty of older mums will have similar prejudice issues too and it's just so unfair, we will all bring different qualities to our kids based on our lives and personality not our age!

It's so funny but people always assume I'm early 20s and treat me like a moron so I always slip into the conversation that I'm 37 and you should see the instant change in attitude, like I suddenly grow a brain in front of their very eyes. I don't remember being treated so badly when I was young but I definitely notice it now. I get looks of absolute horror when I say I have an 8 year old - you can see them trying to do the maths! It's because I live in jeans, trainers & hoodies, apparently a 20 year old uniform though actually I made far more effort back then! It's not right but I definitely notice it.

It's difficult, isn't it? I look very young for my age anyway, which probably doesn't help matters and I very rarely make the effort to put on make-up etc. It does help me to look more my age but I spent every morning and evening grubbing around in mud and horse poo or getting slobbered on/slimed/haired by my pony, so to be honest clean and not smelling of horse is my usual standard for whether I'm acceptable in public or not!

But I also think that I'm not a 'young mum' in the sense that those nasty, judgemental people tend to mean it - which implies that you are a) clearly pregnant by accident because 24 is obviously not old enough to actually want a baby b) obviously going to live on child benefits by popping out child after child for the rest of your life and c) utterly incapable of being a fit mother and therefore to be accorded no respect by the real mums out there.

I will hastily add that these are not my views! But I hardly show at the moment and only friends really know, not even our wider circle of acquaintances. And yet I've already faced this attitude from a couple of people, which was a bit of an unpleasant shock. Yes I'm quite young, but as alita pointed out, that has no bearing on my ability to parent a child. Frankly, I am healthy, independent, in secure employment and financially stable. Which I think is a lot more than a lot of real mothers in this part of the world can offer!

Ok... rant over. That went a bit nuts. Sorry!

Fooooood!!!!!! Oh my god I will never take food for granted again! Hobbled straight to Burger King and am currently gorging on s large Big Beefy meal!! I know but I deserve it dammit and it was quick! Omnomnomnomnom!