December 2010 - good-bye flat tummies (as if I had one... ha ha ha)

[Persnickety]

Right, I've done the honours. This is our new thread.

And don't forget the stats thread

High nuchal result panic! Just had the scan and the babe was still there, had two arms, two legs, beating heart, brain etc. big relief.

HOwever I'm now in a panic as it has a 2.5mm nuchal translucency, putting me in the 92nd percentile when taken with its crown rump length. Bloods due back Monday to give me my risk status but in a panic. We'd still keep the baby but I'm panicking anyway.

Did anyone else have a high result but then bloods showed low risK?

bebsy75 - sorry you're having a stressful time. I didn't have the issue, but remember that the combined result is far more accurate than the NT measurement alone. So with a borderline measurement (and 2.5mm isn't that high), it's the combined result to look at. Hope you get good news (or no news as that's good news!).

Is anyone else getting fed up of their boobs going mad? I've gone up to a FF cup from a C cup already and now my boobs have started aching again like they're going to have another growth spurt. They're so bloody heavy and I'm convinced they're going to start leaking soon (teeny bit of oily discharge so far). Aargh!

Hi Bebsy, I had a high risk to start with because of my age, and a fold of 2.4, but the bloods did bring my risk down slightly.

Try not to worry too much.

Bebsy Try not to worry too much, I didn't think 2.5mm was too high. Easier said than done not to stress but I hope everything turns out ok for you. I was told that I would of heard by last Friday if there were any issues but have not been given any results. Will they send them in the post?

On a more positive note I think I'm one of the few that is happy with the bigger boobs mine were a small B and now I am bursting out of my bra. Off to M&S after work to get a new one! As I have small boobs am I ok to still wear underwire? I have read lots of bits saying you shouldn't whilst pregnant.

Bebsy I had my nuchal on Monday. Mine was 2.8mm (at FMC) with an overall risk of 1/1273. I am 40 so my age didn't help. Obviously, my bloods must have been bloody fantastic.

Then, C&W (NHS) measure 2.1mm six hours later. Am rather confused about it all and it has done more to shatter my confidence in the bloody test than help me make any decisions.

So, my overall rating is pretty good (esp for an old bag) but I can't really get past the worry of the 2.8mm -- but is it even right?!?!

I have preliminary booked a CVS for Thursday week, but haven't really decided yet whether I'm going to show up or cancel it.

lavita I wore an underwired bra until about 7 months with DS as that is when it became uncomfortable, but my boobs didn't grow really The main issue is causing problems with milk ducs if I remember correctly so aslong as it is well fitted and comfortable I see no problem with underwires!

I had underwired breastfeeding bras with DS, and yes, I am still in underwires now and intend to be for some time!!!

Bebsy I am sorry you're having this stress. I don't think 2.5mm is that high though. And Persnickety I can see why you have no confidence in the test - what are you supposed to do - have another one and take the average?! Could the people who did the second scan give you any comfort that the first lot had just messed up?

Whatever the case, the overall rating is what matters - it really is a function of your age, your bloods and the scan.

As for bras - hmmm - wore underwire the whole way through last time as that was one piece of pregnancy advice that seemed to slip under the radar...Was unfortunately rubbish at breastfeeding, but I am positive that was a combination of not realising you have to eat your own bodyweight in food every day, and the fact that DD got thrush in her mouth and couldn't suck properly for the first week or so. I have just ordered an Amoralia bra that has a small "wingbone" in it set back away from the breast but is still meant to give you some shape. We shall see...

The first test (2.8mm) was FMC and they are supposed to be the best. The second one was at C&W (2.1mm) and was very much a rushed job compared to FMC. I talked to FMC last night and asked him if it was normal to get such a big variation in readings on one day, and he said no. So, who's reading is right then? They can't both be right. But, as you say, even with my 2.8mm reading I still came ou with 1/1273 overall. So I am trying to remember to look at the big picture.

I have sent an e-mail to FMC to ask if the calibration of the machine could explain the difference and asked if I could come back just to have the nuchal fluid remeasured on a different machine. It will probably say say something wildly different. But, I NEED to know which number to believe.

My fear with the CVS is that I am far more likely to miscarry a perfectly healthy baby than I am to get a positive for T21.

ARGH!!!

But, again, trying to remember the overall number was pretty good.

Scan went well but dates were wrong so just creeps me into a January due date so not on this thread any more
How was everyone elses?
x x

You can always type on both threads (if you can keep up). Or you can just stay here and we won't tell the January lot.

DS was due end of May and I used to type on May and June threads.

Sorry, forgot to say glad the scan went well.

Persnickety, if they will measure you again so you get some certainty, that will be good - but it really is all about that final number. Don't forget that in some postcodes they don't even do the scan - just the bloods. And your result is good - a friend of mine had a 1 in 130-something overall result...and her baby is absolutely fine.

japhrimel yes, mine have gone mental too.

And I don't like having big boobs - (though 32DD isn't that huge) and it annoys me that so many of the things you read say how marvellous it is. To me it just makes finding clothes that fit harder work!! So all you smaller boobed women out there - enjoy how easy they are in non pg life and remember that some women envy you!

Glad scans are going well and seomum I agree with Persnickity that you should stay here with us. We're much more fun and I'm sure a lot of us will end up giving birth in Jan anyway.

Bebsy don't obsess about it too much. The nurse and the sonographer both told me that the NT means nothing on its own.

persnickety also, try not to hinge on one or other result. Also, if you choose not to have the CVS please cancel your appointment instead of not just turning up, especially if its on the NHS. Missed appointments cost taxpayers a fortune and these days, every little helps! (Sorry, not meant to be a lecture, just plea )

Babycentre has some quite good explanations on NT scans and it looks like 2.8 is only just above normal so again, without the bloods, means nothing. I know its easier to say than do, but remember that worrying doesn't actually change anything and what will be will be.

Of course I'll cancel if I don't go. Of course I do feel I give the NHS so much fricken money they ought to have plenty . But someone else may be in a panic for an appointment and I wouldn't want it to not be available for them just cause I was too lazy to call and cancel it.

Lavitabella - the issue with under-wired/non-wired bras isn't to do with how big your boobs are but how much they are changing. If you stick with under-wired, it's essential you get measured more often and change your bras every time your boobs change size, or the underwire will put pressure on them and could cause blocked milk ducts and mastitis. Soft cup bras have far more give in them and shouldn't have pressure points so you can get away with some variation in size. My boobs are changing slightly on a weekly basis, so under-wired bras would be far too much hassle and expense.

Ha ha you guys are interesting so I'll stick with you lot aswell especially after reading all these posts to get to know you all!

persnickety my hospital only does bloods and I'm quite pleased by that as they seem to be irratic with the results it must be really frustrating for you though!

Good news re scan SeoMum. GP had my EDD 31 dec, then midwife changed to 1st Jan. Will see what scan says next week. I've popped into to read Jan thread, but I prefer it here.

My boobs are being a pest, bought 2 new bras this week, and had to take my bra off about 1 hour ago as it was annoying me. We should get a special maternity allowance for bras, going cost a fortune at this rate!

Hi all

So had scan at dinner time. Everything is fine. happy wriggly baby. it curled up in a ball so they couldnt do a proper measurement. The lady was bouncing on my tummy with the scan thing to make him stretch but just roled over with his back to us, stubborn already.

Well off to bed soon as for some reason I was awake at 3 this morning and didnt get back to sleep

Night all

Interesting about the bras japhrimel I have to admit to not getting round to it and wearing a bra that does feel like it is digging in slightly. I do have a couple of maternity bras from last time around, but they always seem to be in the wash. I certainly don't want to give myself mastitis - not pleasant.

Glad for everyone who have had scans and sorry to those who have had concering NT results. We ummed and ahed and decided in the end not to have the test at all, but it is a completely personal decision.

I had an appointment with a doula today and I really liked her. She is a trainee so will only charge £200 which includes 4 visits pre/post natal, being on call for four weeks around my EDD, the birth itself, hiring birth pool, tens machine and homeopathic birthing kit etc... Seems like a v good deal to me so I think we will book her. Is anyone else thinking of having a doula? I know they are quite pricey, but we can pay in installments as well.

I'd like to second the bra allowance, maybe the government should change the health in pregnancy grant to a maternity bra grant!
I went to Mark & Sparks and I am now a C/D from an A/B she told me not to buy underwired but the other ones were too darn fugly iI'll keep monitoring closely and change again Japhrimel if the grow too much, thanks for letting me know the real reason though, I did wonder.

Glad your scan went well Seomum definitely think you should stay on this thread though. My edd was the 14th Dec but as twins are full term at 37 weeks it's most likely I'll be giving birth in November. I'm staying here though

Persnickety Hope you're ok, to be honest I think a lot of people would be happier not having the nuchal like the old days it's a lot of added extra stress and unless someone said you have a 1 in 5 chance it's difficult to weigh the odds. Even 1 in 5 is an 80% chance of a healthy baby? Sure you will make the right decision for you.

Had my scan today, so relieved to see little baby. I had to empty my bladder though, apparently it was too full to get a good reading! Then baby decided to go to sleep, and no prodding from sonographer was going to wake it, I had to keep jiggling about to wake it up for her to get measurements, then it'd roll over and go to sleep again. Hope it sleeps that well once its born. Me and dh think it might be a boy, certainly looked like one when she was scanning up from its toes to its body! Will have to wait for 20wk scan to check, but definitely would like to know so we can tell dd (5) who is desperate to know!
Nuchal is 1.6 and will hear by Monday if bloods give me a high risk, so my fingers are still crossed. Measurements give me due date of 28th (adds 2 days) but thats what they did with dd and she was a week early, so I think i'll stick with boxing day! Hopefully it'll be here before Christmas.
Hope everyone else gets good results from their scans and bloods etc. i would love to be able to post individual replies to everyone, but I'm so tired after such a busy day I've already forgotten most of what was written. I'll hopefully be a better mn'ter when I'm less tired in a few weeks.

Hi all, had my booking appointment today and heard the scary word 'VBAC' for the first time. The midwives asked about my previous delivery and I had a moments satsifaction when she had a look at my previous notes which bore out the fact that I was told 2 completely different things about the reason for the EMCS last time - grrrr!

Naively didn't realise that a VBAC would mean consultant appointments as well. I'm convinced I'm going to break down into tears if I have to keep going over what happened last time. It took me long enough to come to terms with it, I could really do without reliving it coupled with god knows what scarey statistics about the risks of uterine haemorrhage and the like. Guess this is where the mentally tough bit is going to kick in for me.

Anyway, second attempt at nuchal scan on Friday so hope that goes ok.

Woohoo scan today and I was just blown away by the reality of a little live person inside. I think since my bleeding at around 6 weeks there's been a part of me that's been convinced they would find a MMC today. So, so mad. I spent most of the afternoon looking the picture.

Sorry to hear about those of you who are worried about test results. I have yet to go through it and know I'll be a nervous wreck. Very good idea to keep remembering that the probabilities are usually heavily in your favour, even when they aren't as good as you'd like them to be.

morning all,

so good to hear about others' scan results. i'm up early because i'm nervous, but will report back later.

should have said - it's my scan today at 10.45, hence the nerves!