August 2017: the one in which we'll get midwife appointment

[Fattycowagain]

Shiny new thread!

Due dates:

29th July
sparklyuggs

30th July
letmehaveabloodyname
chicken86

31st July
hrfvenia
sandsandwiches

1st August
claralane
holz657

2nd August
blink1982
mochachocachino
FlaminFlamingo99
kezmarie
drewob0

3rd August
sociallyacceptablecookie
thisismee
loubella11

4th August
yolorolo
intothewoods84
goingtoinfinity

6th August
bryonie2017
fuzzinmybrain
bellybean

7th August
timefor2

8th August
largemelons
fieldsandgrasses (twins)
mulderitsmex
oatybiscuits

9th August
thenorthernluce
alexnorthernireland1
icelemongin
scatterbrainedlass
wantingbaby

10th August
whoateallthejaffacakes
firsttimer12345
sockgnome
dryice
heatherbaby

11th August
mrsg280516
airyfairy1991
lixon
pollycazaletwannabe
loulabelle1990

12th August
cocochops
watchingitallagain

13th August
Lizzielicious

15th August
fattycowagain

16th August
writerwannabe83

17th August
justmumr
lynseyc83
user1480930113

18th August
glasgowgeorgie
sara237

19th August
itsalwayssunny
firsttimer144

20th August
oggy88

21st August
thirdthoughts
onlymrsmac

22nd August
spacecats3

23rd August
zigazigahh

24th August
tirednick
flashaaaah
fudgecrackers

25th August
nicky883
putputput
butterybollocks

27th August
kirstyinnorway
denna81
mmmmalbec
trenzalor

28th August
okydoke

29th August
brainfried1986
bluesdetoi
herewegoagain31

30th August
dizzydaisylou
thatsalovelybush
hellsbellsk

edd tbc
alpacarabbit
zelda91
gemgems2214
lunalovepud
superc3228
choccyteapot
tmi26
scottishlady7
heatherxo
alphon5e
stormcloud10
loobylou0226
misst2095
jasperpotato
swimchick1980
catherinebee85

My sonographer told me my bladder was too full, so don't worry too much. Just drink as normal but hold off going to the loo for at about an hour beforehand, I reckon. I had a blood test straight after the scan and having lots of water prior to that makes it easier to draw blood, so strike a balance!

Just to add a slightly different perspective to the testing discussion, as I've described in some detail on a Facebook thread my 12 week scan didn't quite go to plan. Ultimately I ended up having a cvs on Wednesday because I was told there was no point having additional blood tests with the markers I had and because I wasn't comfortable proceeding with no further information (I was not in the least pressured into having one, just given my options very factually by the NHS consultant, which included doing nothing further)

I did a lot of research into the risks of cvs and amniocentesis before deciding and they are massively overstated. Even the nhs forms and arc (a counselling organisation for anyone going through the testing process) website refer to the 1% figure but everything independent/scientific I read/what I was told by my consultant made me comfortable that the risk is closer to 1/1000 given advances in technology and practice. My risk of having a baby with a genetic or severe structural issue is around 1/3 and I suffer from anxiety so knowing is much better for me than not. Also my own consultant had never caused a miscarriage after performing thousands and 5 days on I appear to be out of the woods for that (touch wood!). I also agreed there was no point doing blood tests instead of a cvs when they wouldn't be definitive.

We will get some results today or tomorrow, then a full genetic profile in 1.5 weeks. We'll then get early abnormality and heart scans from 16 weeks. I'm not putting myself under any pressure to make any kind of decision until we're fully appraised (and husband is very happy to ignore for as long as possible..).

Clearly it is a very personal decision but happy to chat to anyone who is wondering what having a cvs entails etc because I was initially very concerned when it was suggested as an option given a lot of what you read on forums etc.

Thanks Heather and Northern - I was concerned about the "leave 2 hours for the appointment" part of my letter if it had to be a FULL full bladder!

Good luck today Zig!

Lixon it sounds like you are going through a very nerve racking time, I think you are wise to avoid having to think about decisions until you have definite results. Will be thinking of you

Positive thoughts for you lixon

Sounds like you've had a lot on your plate Lixon, I'm not on the Facebook group so had missed it. Hope you get some positive results today and that all goes well for you and baby.

FWIW I'd have made the exact same decision as you in your situation. I think that's what I dislike most about the blanket Norwegian ban on Down's testing (and some other tests)... it is 100% up to parents and the government has removed the choice here.

Hello,
I'm a lurker & been looking forward to joining you all for a while. I was waiting til after the 12 week scan & tests but actually am writing a bit earlier than planned as you are such a supportive lovely lot. Lixon, I wanted to say you sound like you're dealing with a difficult situation in as considered and balanced a way as is possible. Sending you so many wishes that whatever happens it will work out ok.

This is my 3rd dc, I am 12+5, due on the 17th. I am 40 so because of the elevated risks of great old age had the NIPT scan & bloods yesterday. I've got a tilted uterus so the sonographer did a vaginal scan, which gave incredibly clear images of a very mobile baby. It was lovely and she showed us the baby's full bladder and belly - & said that means it is swallowing well - and waving hands, and very kicky legs. At the end though she said the nuchal measurement was 2.9. Apparently that is the high end of normal, though being a total fool I then used an online calculator that told me the risk of trisomies is 1:16 (although the NT measurement is not awful, together with my age it bumps up the risk a lot). So I am now banning myself from Google and sitting on my hands til we get the bloods results in a week. She did tell me that just looking at one or two factors is pointless when it comes to risk, & that you just need to wait to have all the details...

Anyway. I hope everyone is ok this morning. Any news Zig about your scan yet?

Lixon hope your results have come through now. Sending positive thoughts.

I had my dating scan yesterday - everything seems in order and 20 week scan has been booked. I now have an EDD of 16th August making me 13weeks tomorrow. which is good to know as it's been driving me mad not knowing how far along I was. We have opted to have the screening test.

Lixon - sending you my thoughts and best wishes for positive news

Hello spink Congrats on your scan, and definitely stay away from Google! All the best with your blood results - am sure they will be absolutely fine.

MustBe - glad your scan went well and great news on the EDD! That also makes us due date twins as well as scan twins - my due date was brought forward from 23 August to 16 August (although I suspect that this DC, like DC1, is in fact just big and will end up being two weeks late). Had a lovely scan with a waving kicking baby who refused to cooperate so there was a lot of rolling and hip shaking needed from me! Very relieved and still can't quite believe it. We are getting the screening done too - I strongly suspect I will end up with a high risk result (DC1 was 1:96 for Downs and apparently anything over 1:300 is treated as high risk so I can see history repeating itself) so am prepared for a call in the next few days but will try not to worry too much about it.

Feeling absolutely awful (dizzy, nauseous, no appetite, keep nearly fainting) - fingers crossed it will all clear up soon.

Hi all. I had my scan this morning and all is looking good. My due date has been brought forward to 12th August now. My DM is happy as she loves the idea of sharing her birthday with her first grandchild!

Congrats to those with more lovely scans! Mine is tomorrow, I'm so excited. Lovely clear picture SickRose

Welcome spink and stay away from Google! The NIPT will give you a more accurate indicator of risk and you'll scare yourself to death by googling.

Glad to hear scans have been going well for most.

Lixon I know I've commented on Facebook but your post made me tear up, it was so sensitively written. Fingers crossed for a positive outcome for you. It's amazing how overstated the risk with a CVS is. I know testing is an emotive subject, I have a friend with a sister with Downs and she gets very defensive about testing, to the point where our other friends don't tell her if they're getting tested. Very tricky and I can see both sides. I did the NIPT myself.

current dates;

26th July
pancakesandmaplesyrup

28th July
sparklyuggs

30th July
letmehaveabloodyname
chicken86

31st July
hrfvenia
sandsandwiches

1st August
claralane
holz657

2nd August
blink1982
FlaminFlamingo99
kezmarie
drewob0
jan2014m2b
thisismee
bryonie2017

3rd August
loubella11
thesnuggleisreal

4th August
yolorolo
intothewoods84
goingtoinfinity
choccyteapot

5th August
sociallyacceptablecookie

6th August
fuzzinmybrain
bellybean

7th August
timefor2
madamewoods86
thenorthernluce
firsttimer12345

8th August
fieldsandgrasses (twins)
mulderitsmex
oatybiscuits
bernardsarenotalwayssaints

9th August
whoateallthejaffacakes
alexnorthernireland1
icelemongin
scatterbrainedlass
wantingbaby

10th August
sockgnome
dryice
heatherbaby

11th August
mrsg280516
airyfairy1991
lixon
loulabelle1990
watermelon2016
llemma

12th August
cocochops
watchingitallagain
furo
sickrose

13th August
Lizzielicious
justtrixie
stinkbaby
tmi26

14th August
mistletoeprickles
zelda91

15th August
erneyandagnes

16th August
writerwannabe83
rainydayzandmondays13
mustbethursday
zigazigahh

17th August
justmumr
lynseyc83
user1480930113
namelessninja
spink

18th August
glasgowgeorgie
sara237
catherinebee85

19th August
itsalwayssunny
firsttimer144
cadihaf
rosel27

20th August
oggy88

21st August
thirdthoughts
onlymrsmac
blueiguana
teamlentilq
alphon5e

22nd August
spacecats3
pisghetti

23rd August
allthedinosaurs
clevername

24th August
tirednick
flashaaaah
fudgecrackers
littlemisssunshine33

25th August
nicky883
butterybollocks
dixiechick1991

26th August
rocco87
yolkybokey

27th August
kirstyinnorway
denna81
mmmmalbec
trenzalor

28th August
okydoke
amber9083
scottishlady7

29th August
brainfried1986
bluesdetoi
herewegoagain31
lucylou1234
westynottingham

30th August
dizzydaisylou
thatsalovelybush
hellsbellsk
titihood
slpro

edd tbc
alpacarabbit
gemgems2214
lunalovepud
superc3228
heatherxo
stormcloud10
loobylou0226
misst2095
jasperpotato
catherinebee85
safarisunsets

Amazing job Jaffa! Thank you. I had my scan last week; EDD moved by one day to the 12 August.
Hope everyone is ok

Thanks Jaffa! I've moved ahead after the scan to the 10th. I guess there will be lots of changes in due dates going on around now!

Great to hear good news regarding everyone's scans this week.

Thanks for the list jaffa, will be lovely to see us all drop off one by one in August with interesting tales about how it went

Thanks Jaffa, I'm now 4 August after my scan gave an adjusted date. DD was late so suspect this one will be too though!

Hi everyone.

Glad to hear about all the lovely scans. And sorry to hear that you're having a tough time, Lixon. Hope you have some good news soon and your anxiety is lifted.

Had my scan today, too. All seems well although the baby was really fidgety so the sonographer had trouble getting measurements and any decent pics.

I went into work straight afterwards and told my colleagues and some of my classes. It is such a relief to not have to hide it anymore... (also, so nice to be out of baggy jumpers etc - I wore a nice fitted dress today and it was lovely to be able to display my bloat/belly/bump in all its glory!).

Think I might head over to H&M/ASOS to buy a pair of maternity dungarees now as a treat!

Meant to say, my new EDD is 19th August as the wriggly little thing was measuring as 12 weeks 3 days.

Hello ladies.

Lovely scans!

Welcome newbies!

Just a quick post from me to recommend this book I picked up in a charity shop. It explains the facts and science behind the guidance on alcohol, smoking, caffeine, eating the "wrong" foods etc. And does an interesting comparison of NHS and the US healthcare system, as well as throwing in advice from France and some other countries. Really interesting stuff.

I found Expecting Better a really great read too.

Love reading about everyone's scan

I also enjoyed expecting better - what I particularly liked was that the author didn't go on to say what she thought the reader should do. Just present the evidence, let people make their own mind up. I'm choosing not to drink alcohol and to reduce the amount of caffeine I drink. With alcohol I don't typically limit myself to a small glass of wine or whatever so I'd rather just not bother at all than play the numbers game. I have the same attitude to drink when I have to drive - I just don't. For someone who would just have a couple of units now and again, then they may take the evidence and come to a different conclusion. I drink waaaaay too much coffee so cutting down is probably a good idea anyway!

So after making it to 12 weeks with only one episode of sickness I feel dreadful today

Thanks Jaffa for the list, feel like I've properly arrived!

Well this morning I'm at the dentist making good use of my maternity free dental care! anyone else got bleeding gums since being pg? Last time I got a 'pregnancy granuloma' (ah the hidden joys of pg) which was basically a patch on my gums that bled all the time... apparently having a professional deep clean can help avoid bleeds & granulomas...
Get your scale & polishes booked ladies!! ;)

Hi all, so pleased to hear about all the happy little babies having their pics taken! It's now 5 days til my scan (cannot wait! Nervous, scared, excited, you name it!)
It was so useful reading about the cvs stuff - thanks so much for posting, it's set my mind at rest. We're have the NT test done, forewarned is forearmed in my view. Fingers crossed all is well. And as soon as the results are through I will be excitedly telling lots of people our news!
I can't wait to be able to show my bump freely...wearing lots of supportive foundation garments today as I've got a concert to sing in at lunchtime - baggy clothes ready for a quick change after!!! Singing with an expanding uterus feels really weird - I worry about squeezing my poor little one too much! Hopefully having strong muscles down there will help when it comes to the birth tho!