Bumpety Bump- Feb 2008

[samsmam]

Here you go........

Sorry to hear your news, scully. Take care.

Have had an incredibly stressful 24 hours. My blood test result came back at 1/240 for Downs, etc making me what they term as 'borderline high risk'. Have barely slept, and spent most of yesterday evening in tears, trying to assimilate the news. It was the level of the two hormones that apparently made it high, particularly the hcg level (double the average, apparently) even though the nuchal result came back normal. I went to the hospital this morning and spoke to the consultant, and what they've offered me is another scan at 16 weeks (6th Sept) where they will look for other abnormal markers. Then, with more information in hand I could decide or not to go for the amniocentisis. If they don't find anything, there'd be no need to go for the amnio, and that is what I'm hoping at the moment. I know that percentage-wise, 1/240 is comparatively low (99.5% chance of a completely healthy baby!) but still having the prospect of another test stops me having to make more 'absolute' decisions (1/240 versus risk of losing the baby) .
Bloody numbercrunching NHS.

Sorry for long post. Nice to get it all off my chest in writing.

Violeta - I so don't know what to say to you..."don't worry" is pathetic and useless and it all makes me hate numbers, statistics and probabilities (and I'm a mathematician!)

Really hope the anxiety eases and you manage to get it all in perspective - as you say 1/240 is still very small!

Crap, crap, crap to statistics!

Hope you don't mind me dipping in here.
Scully I'm so sorry about your loss.
I'm in a very similar position to you Violeta. I had a nuchal on Tues, done privately as there is none on the NHS here. Result came back 1:186. It's much better than my age related risk of 1:75! but still not great and has had me surfing the net like crazy. I've decided not to have an invasive test because the risk of miscarriage is greater than the DS risk - BUT - its not easy. I've booked an anomaly scan for 18 weeks because I think this is the soonest they can identify clearly some of the other markers. If they are present I will then have an amnio, but I'm trying not to think that far ahead. I think I would have to consider termination but that is pretty horrendous at such a late stage and I would have to travel for it. Good luck with all your considerations. My dh sees all of this rather differently to me and it is very stressful.

Hi braid,
It's great to hear from someone in the same situation. I feel exactly the same as you - just hoping that the anomaly scan will prove my worries to be unfounded and then they'll adjust the numbercrunched risk assessment. I've been told I can have an amnio on the same day as the scan if I decide to go ahead with that, but I may well do it in a private hospital if it comes to it. At least I'll have more to go on at that stage after the scan rather than these rather abstract, meaningless numbers.

The consultant also told me that it would be perfectly possible to do the blood test again and come back with completely different results because levels can change on a daily basis. They don't offer that for logistical reasons of course, and she did also tell me that it wouldn't affect the fact that I'd had a 'positive' result, but it still makes you think just how random this whole thing can be.

The very best of luck to you as well. It's horrible, isn't it? And I'm sure the stress doesn't do any good whatsoever but I just can't help it.
When's your 18 week scan? Which ante-natal club do you usually post on?

Thanks Jo, also. Hear hear on the 'crap to statistics'! I'll make that my motto of the day!

I'm a lurker Violeta. Baby due end of Feb but will probably appear in March as my other two have been late.

I was told not to bother with the blood test available here - which is the triple test done at around 15 weeks as it is less accurate than the nuchal. I wasn't too confident of the nuchal result as the baby was in an awkward position and I don't think the practitioner does them all that often. I looked up my last babe's nuchal (when I lived in London)and the numbers where very similar but the risk much lower and I conclude that age is a big factor though I was only 2 years younger. 18 week scan is on 25 Sept. I'm about to go for 2 weeks holiday and try to persuade myself to stop thinking about it.

Very good to be in touch with someone in the same position too. It's not an easy subject. When you reach 12 weeks and the baby has hung on in there you expect to celebrate and tell the world. I'm rather muted now.

Hi there,
have actually been on this thread before, but not posted for a while.
I am actually 14 weeks pregnant, however I don't know what is happening as had massive, and I mean massive, blood loss on Monday.
My trousers were drenched and even the bathroom carpet has blood stains on it as loss was so severe.
Was taken to hospital by ambulance and was scanned following day, but scan was inconclusive as had empty bladder due to the fact that I didn't know I was being scanned that day - the scan had been booked for the following day, but they managed to squeeze me in.
The baby's heartbeat was seen and baby seems ok development-wise, but owing to my empty bladder the sonographer could only guess that the blood loss was due to problems with placenta...possibly that the placenta is close to the cervix? Not certain until further scan appointment though.
Can anyone with experience of severe blood loss/placental problems share their experiences with me please.
I just need to prepare myself psychologically really, just in case I end up having another miscarriage.
To add insult to injury we lost our last baby to mc at 6 weeks in August 2006.

Oh Goodness, RoseQuartz, Scully, Violeta, Braid -- this growing a baby thing is really tricky, isn't it?

I don't have any relevant helpful experience, except I thought risk of m/c following amnio was 1/100, so 1/240 risk of abnormality still might not justify having an amnio (?)

There's a current thread under Pregnancy topic about what amnio involves, what benefits it could offer, other aspects.

RoseQuartz -- I think you should start a separate thread under Pregnancy topic to ask about experiences with that kind of bleeding, get the experience of more people.

Good luck all, xxx.

What sad news from everybody.

Scully -so so sorry to hear about your loss. Thinking of you and your family

Rosequartz - I remember you from the satrt of the thread. I really hope for the best for you. When is your re-scan? (Sorry if you mentioned it already).

Braid & violeta - sorry to hear you are both relatively high risk. Have you considered CVS? I went for Nuchal & bloods at FMC in London, and was prepared to stay for CVS on the same day if I had 'bad' results. You can have it done by Professor Nicolaides on a wednesday, and although his miscarriage risk on paper is the same as nationally (legally have to give national average), I have read in several places that in reality, he has performed something like 700 CVS with no miscarriages. This may not be useful to you, and I hope it won't add to your worries, but I thought that if I mention it, you can decide for yourselves.

Thanks pobletsmum. I'm too late for a CVS - I've been told that they're usually done between 11 and 13 weeks. The risk of miscarrying afterwards is also apparently higher, and quite often they'll have to do an amnio afterwards anyway because things can be inconclusive. Leaving it gives me time to think over it all more, and I can also have an anomaly scan before then as well. If it does come to doing an amnio, I have looked at the website of the FMC actually having heard good things about them on this site. I do hope it won't come to that though.

lljkk - agree with you completely about comparing the figures. It's what's keeping me relatively level-headed at the moment really. Good results from the anomaly scan will rid me of all those niggling worries completely.

braid - have a good holiday. Taking your mind off all of this is definitely the best policy.

rosequartz: How worrying for you. I hope you get another scan soon.

Rosequartz - this must be really worrying for you but at least baby had heartbeat and looked to be developing normally. I'm seen threads on here before from people with severe blood loss like you had - doctors couldn't explain why it happened but baby was fine. I would make sure the doctors are doing everything they can regarding scans etc as it can't do you any good worrying with your other lo's to care for too.

Braid and Violeta - I'm sorry you're worried too. My midwife told me that although they class anything over 1/250 as raised risk when you think about the probability of it being a healthy baby it doesn't sound like a high risk at all. Both of you have over a 99% chance of baby being absolutely fine. I have heard too that the triple test can be swung by factors such as not being as far on as you thought, or further on. We don't get a nuchal scan here but I assumed that it was newer and more accurate than the triple tests. So if your nuchal was ok violeta I would try to stay positive. Your anomaly scans will hopefully reassure you both when you have them although I know they must seem a lifetime away just now.

I have my triple test on Monday and 2nd scan date on 14th September. Still seems a little unreal at the moment although I do look as if I ate too many pies!!

Hope everyone else is doing fine.

Rosequartz hope all goes well with you

Regarding the downs screening results - I have measured double tests in the past (predate triple test) and they can vary from week to week so try not to worry too much. If I got an increased risk I would just get a repeat or combine the result with what the scan shows. Even though the labs are strictly monitored; a slight increase in a HCG result or decreased AFP can really alter the overall results.

Hello. Haven't posted for ages and it's taken a while to catch up with everyone!!

For new people, welcome and hope you're feeling ok.

Scully - not sure if you're still popping in but so sorry about your news and hope you're as ok as you can be x

Roseq - hopefully will see some more news from you but hope you're ok, must have been quite a shock.

There seems so many people having to cope with accidents and sickness, chaos and scary decisions! I'm so sorry everyone's going through all this and hope it gets better soon. I think yo almost forget you're pg at this stage!!

My headaches have finally gone. I was getting quite worried as last one I had one that lasted 4 days and all i could do was sleep, which I just don't have time for but fingers crossed all gone. Not bragging but I think at 15wks I'm finally crossing over into the blooming stage!! Got a load of ds's old baby things (all neutral stuff) and it made me feel really excited for the first time in a while. Amazes me how small these little people are!! We've got a pramette and car seat off ebay so feeling a bit more involved now!! Trying to do it as I go along this time - last time I did it all in the last 6 weeks - nightmare!!!!

Hi everyone. I haven't posted for ages but have been following the thread.
Sorry to read the sad or worrying news from some people. Pregnancy is one of the most worrying times.

Rosequartz, I hope things are ok for you. If it helps I know my cousin had several bleeds through out her pregnancy and she had a very healthy baby girl at the end.

I had my 12 week scan a few days ago and thankfully everything looks fine so far.

The preganancy is apparantly still classified as high risk. My first baby was stillborn at 28 weeks in 2002, but since then I have had 2 normal pregnancies, so I am surprised it is still high risk.

Has anyone else had anything like this?

Sorry violeta - I wasn't aware that there was such an early cut off. I believe the results are equally good at FMC for amnio, but I hope it won't come to that for you.

Counttoten - thank goodness your headaches have gone. They sound awful.

Bambiraptor - welcome back. I'm sorry I don't have any experience of stillbirth. Have you considered posting a message about it on the main pregnancy area? There might be more people to advise you. What extra input do you have to have through being 'high risk'? I hope it's just extra scans or something. You must have enough to think about without any extra worry.

I've been so busy replying to everyone else's messages I forgot to post my good news. I saw a Dr at my hospital on thursday and they have no objections at all to giving me a C-Section. I was expecting to have to argue my point, but they told me the risks then said it's my decision. It was such a relief to be taken seriously. It's a huge weight off my mind. I don't know that I will want a CS, because it is a major op, and I don't have to make the decision until much nearer the time, but just knowing that I have the choice takes the pressure off. (In case I haven't already said, I had a very traumatic 3-day long 1st birth experience, ending in foetal distress and forceps, and have been suffering what I am told is probably post-birth trauma ever since).

Go to go, my big baby (2 yrs old!) is awake upstairs and needs his milk.

Thanks all for your kind words.

Glad to say the blood loss is next to nothing by today, and is dark brown, not bright red as its been up to now.

Phoned hospital and mw said dark brown loss is good sign after such a big loss earlier, it shows that things are hopefully settling down...fingers crossed eh.

Having read some of the posts, I see that so many of us have our own problems in our pregnancies, hope everyone's problems turn out well and we'll all have bouncing babies.

So sorry for those who've had bad news, how awful. My heart goes out to you.

Is anyone suffering from heartburn yet??? or is it just me?
I cant remember having it this early with the other 3,mayeb its cause it twins this time round and things are expanding a lot quicker,im 15+6 today and can feel my bump right up to my belly button which i thought is quite high too compared to this stage with my singleys

Braid and Violeta - sorry you have had worrying news, I hope you are both ok.

Rose - that sounds positive. When is your next scan?

Miniandme - are things ok on the ex front now?

Egg - how has the move gone?

Ok here (ish). Seems that this preg is not going to be as easy as the last one. Just feel tired, tearful, sick etc and am constantly berating myself every time I get cross with ds and telling myself I won't be able to manage, which really helps of course!!

Dsd will be coming to stay in September and tbh, I am really worried about it. She rows with dh a lot, and was vile when I was preg with ds ("he will leave you of course, what do you think you are doing, having a baby with him?" etc) Things have improved a bit but she is rather volatile. She has chosen not to stay here for 3 years so (with her consent) ds has her room and we can't afford to move, so she will be sleeping in the front room. Her stuff will be everywhere (she is VERY messy) and I'm not sure I am going to be able to manage really! Arghh!!

Sorry, I know some of you have much bigger fish to fry.

I can't get hold of my midwife so have no idea when my next scan is likely to be.
Shall phone her again on Monday to see if she's around or ask receptionist to write a little note in her book asking her to phone me asap.
I have to see her this week anyway as hospital dr was concerned about my high blood pressure, so that will need to be checked.
I'm just hoping that she'll decide to do a home visit rather than me having to drive the 7 miles to see her - driving makes my bleeding worse for some reason.

beansprout - how long will DSD be staying? I hope it's just a short visit. Will your DH support you through the visit or will you be on your own with her quite a lot? how old is she? Defnitely sounds like a teenager...

miniandme - yes I've had heartburn from really early on, which I thought was weird. Midwife started prescribing me big bottles of Gaviscon advance at my booking appt! It has actually started to ease a bit now, but I expect it to be a recurring theme for the next 6 months, like the nausea & sickness. It's soetimes hard to know what is sickness and what is heartburn, cos the two sometimes seem to come at the same time. Bleurgh!

Hey ladies.

Quite a lot to catch up with so i'm not going to try to resond to everyone. So sorry to see scully's news.

Dh is home now and gradually feeling better. Can't do anything much for himself except make it to the loo (thankfully!). He is gradually working out how to do things and all the devices occ health have given him do make things easier. Thanks for the good wishes over the last week

Think i can feel baby move, infact pretty sure i can, depending on dates i am either 16+2 or 16+6 but either way definite prods have been felt in lower right of bump. I saw consultant on wednesday who said it was unlikely that it was movements but i know my body (being bolshy now) and i can't think of anything else it could be! Saw Consultant as i am considered high risk too (fibroid, age, gestational diabetes with dd2 etc) but he didn't really tell me anything i didn't know. I get extra scans to monitor fibroid and they wont do c-section unless anything changes. Fibroid is high up (hence my enormous bump) so isn't blocking the exit route! Have routine antenatal app monday but it's probably a waste of time as i've only just seen consultant.

Hope everyone has a quiet weekend.

Beansprout yeh all is quite on ex front,saw the solicitor on monday and she has written to him stating i have withdrawn all contact and that he is not to contact me or the kids in any manner,i got my copy thursday so he would have too but all has been quite so hoping he gets the hint that he has blown it big tme and not to come near us again.

miniandme - good news that all is quiet.

ginger - great news about your DH! 16 weeks doesn't sound at all early to feel movements. I felt DS move by about 16 weeks & you're supposed to feel subsequent babies earlier. How lovely for you to be feeling lo already.

hi everyone and hope you are all ok

This pregnancy thing can be such a worrying time its not fair that some get it worse than others.

Miniandme ive had constant heartburn for about a week so im off to get some gaviscon tomorrow to see if it helps.

Here's something to make you all smile (hopefully)
Two nights ago i had a very real dream where i had another beautifull boy on my birthday (12 days before due date) and we called him James, not Makka Pakka! it was so real, anyway i woke up and went into bathroom only to find i had leaky left boob and my nice white pyjama top had a big yellow patch on it!! very strange to have started leaking this early, but it might have been a one off.

Dp keeps calling me milk maid and i think we are sticking with James if its a boy.

Everyone keep your chins up and im sure things on feb thread will only improve xxx

that's lovely leesmum!

Hi, don't know if anyone's about but I'm a bit worried about something and wanted to air it so if I'm paranoid I can forget about it!! DS bless him jumped from nowhere on me this morning and I took all his weight and the impact on my lower stomach and shot up about a foot in the air cause it hurt. I got really upset cause it hurt and we'd just spnt ages telling him that he had to be careful and not jump on me etc. I just didn't see him coming. Anyway, now I'm woried that it could have done some damage. I've had no bleeding and I can't feel any pain but I have felt uncomfortable in my stomach all day since. I was feeling pretty bloated and heartburn like before that so not sure if I'm just being paranoid. Dp said it must take more than that and surely you'd be in pain but I don't know. Has anyone else had anything like this and if so did you go and get checked out. I guess I just think if I ring the docs they'll just dismiss it. Sigh if its not one thing!!!!