Where Emmsy's established friendships continue to support us on our journeys.....

[SparklyPseudonym]

Here we go again . Let the good news flow....

Good idea, go armed with questions. Write some down in case you forget.

hoholaydee, CriCri, Sparkly, mibbes, Piper, Georgie* thank you so much for your concern, it's lovely to hear how common this is, it's not enough just to read it in books, and yes it was locely to see that it is a baby not a fluke, it's in my uterus and not a tube and there is only one so in a way I'm glad I had the scan.

Fruity I'm registered at Epsom rather than St Helier because it's a dive! Was blood on the toilet seat whilst I was in the EPAU yesterday! and when I was in with my kidney infection years ago there was a piece of human crap on the floor for 6 hours!! They also ignored my friend everytime she buzzed when she had her littlen so basically too scared to risk it. It's also the place I found out about the pre-cancer cells so the whole place is connected with bad feeling for me. Although I didn't know that Epsom doesn't have a 'high risk' unit bu St Helier does....that doesn't mean they'll leave my baby if it needs help, only tranfer it so I'm not sure if that's something I need to worry about at this stage?

Georgie I'm so sorry to hear your news, that is a really tough decision to make. I don't know if it's any help to you, and I don't want you to think I'm trivialising your situation but there is a article in my Feb edition of 'Red' magazine from this woman who had a little girl with DS. I'd be happy to bring it on Friday if you're still coming out?

Oh Georgie. I just read this and my heart is aching for you. I can't imagine how you must be feeling. The next step is your decision only and you must not let anyone tell you what to do. Being positive - there is over a 95% chance of having a baby without DS. I'm thinking of you lots and keeping everything crossed for you. Sending you so much love. Please keep posting if you want to talk. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

PS. Have contacted Mollie because she has Kate's number and I know Kate will have the right words. xxxx

Just got in from work
Georgie I so want to just give you one huge hug and let you cry on my shoulder, I can't believe how unfair life can be, all we do is worry about getting pg, then we worry for 12 wks, just when you think everything is OK it blows up in your face I am so so sorry to hear of the test results, it is a very personal choice and not one that people can ever judge you on. How has DH taken it? I wish I could give some proper advice but just don't know what to say my love. As always we are here to listen
Bella Sorry to hear of your scare too, take it easy and try not to worry too much.

I couldn't bring myself to do the cheery post at the same time,
Mibbes Oh my Evan is absolutely delightful, he is so so cute I definately want to kidnap cuddle him The slippers/shoes were gorgeous!
CriCri Love Elise's party dress she too looked adorable!

Well I just want to wish you all a Happy New Year and to say thanks to everyone who has supported me this year. Let's hope 2009 is a good one!

Georgie still thinking of you x

X post with Sparkly I have text Kate as she has taken over from Emmsy with the worldly wise knowledge but I have a feeling she was going to friends tonight and not sure if she will be able to access MN

Guys. Thanks from the bottom of my heart. It's New Years Eve and you should be celebrating. I've realised there's nothing I can do til we see the consultant on Saturday. I've had some great advice from the ladies over on Pregnancy. Seems as if it's not all doom and gloom. And as one said, there's worse things that having a baby with DS.

I've also herad form one lady that got a skewed result from Babybond then went somehwerel else and got a diff result.

I'm going to try and get a second nuchal scan/bloods done ASAP before I head down the CVS route.

DH being so bloody lovely it's making me cry all over again. He's trawled the internet with me to get all the info we can.

Just send up a prayer to whoever you believe in for this LO.

I'm send you all lovely vibes for a great evening and a very very prosperous 2009. xxxx

Will be heading next door in half an hour and need to bath DD so had better head off.

Want to wish all of you a very happy 2009. You've been fantastic this year, supporting me through TTC, pg and m/c and I'm not sure I would have survived without each of you. I really hope that 2009 sees us all with healthy pregnancies and babies. Lots and lots of love to all, esp to you G. Mollie, Ei and Piper Lots of babydust to you. BFPs for us next year - as I said to Mollie on the phone, "PMA" (even if it only lasts until the end of this post).

Georgie My parents have a routine every NY where they turn a coin over at midnight. They make a wish and keep this coin for the whole year...it's a daft thing to do, but do it tonight and make a wish.....
Just wondering: you know how they changed your edd - could this be something to do with inaccurate measurements? Have no idea how these odds work but a hoping that there could be an error.

Sparkly I think I might do the coin wish too, it's a lovely tradition to start

Sparkly I'm wondering that too. Which is why I want to get a 2nd opinion nuchal scan.

I am going to do the coin thing. I'll take anything at the moment. xxxxxx

Georgie Still thinking of you and you're right there isn't much you can do until Saturday. Had a look on your thread in pg and lots of them had really positive stories about either outcome. I would hate the waiting like you. We are all with you in spirit if not actually there in person. Lots of love to you and DH.

Just wanted to post and wish you all a Happy New Year and thank you for all the support and laughs in 2008 - never would have thought when I stumbled on this thread that it would become a lifeline.

The only word I can think of to sum up 2008 for me and in fact for us all is eventful. Here's hoping that 2009 brings us all everything or even just THE thing we are wishing for.

Will be doing the coin thing too Sparkly

Georgie am sending you positive thoughts and saying a wee prayer for your bean. Good idea getting a second opinion. I know 2 girls who had high risk results and had perfectly healthy babies and like Sparkly said there is a huge chance you will not have a DS baby xx

Just wanted to say all the best for 2009 when it comes ladies. You are a top bunch of girls and I sincerely hope that 2009 brings big bumps and bouncing babies to you all. (Just wish I lived closer so I could actually meet you all !) Love mibbes xx

First post of the New Year......

---- can this be used as a sick face? Didn't get to bed until gone 3 , had far too much to drink and feel great now ....

Georgie Was thinking of you lots last night and spoke to my next door neighbours (both medically trained) and they seemed to think that 1 in 38 odds were very low. I'm quoting the bloke here now and I'm not sure how accurate this stat is but he said, 'There's a 1 in 20 chance of your child be born with something anyway so 1 in 38 odds is very promising'. When are you likely to get an appointment for second opinion? Have been thinking of you.

How is everyone else feeling about tne NY? xxx

firstly HAPPYNEWYEAR to everyone of you lovely ladies.

I didn't manage to stay awake to welcome in the new year fell asleep at approx 11.30pm, I'm such a light weight these days!

Georgie sorry to hear that your going through such a worrying time at the moment. I didn't have the nuchal test's with any of my children, midwife even said to me early last summer that if I had the nuchal test it would definately give me a high risk result then I would have to pay for a cvs anyway, I just decided that I would take a chance and luckily it paid off in my case. It was constantly on my mind that I could have a DS baby but my desire to have this last baby,after having the 2 consec M/C's was fa too stong and I had to take a chance. I know a little DS boy who is in my eldest son's class (Mainstream) two of my children have been to his house to play, he is a lovely little boy, so I suppose this made it easier with my decision, I didn't pay for a cvs as I thought that this would only give me more to worry about, I remember having a conversation with fruity some time ago on msn, she said she would rather know if a child was going to be DS, it would help her mentally to prepare, we all handle things differently, you have to discuss things with your DP and make your own mind's up. You may decide to terminate this pregnancy, that's your choice, no one would think any less of you for making that decision if you so wished, I can only hope that you do not suffer too much pain with what ever decision you choose, my heart goes out to you, lots of love my lovely lady XXXX

sparkly hello my hellishly hung over friend at least you saw the new year in! hope you don't suffer too much today. you will have to have another sleep, then the hair of the dog

Bella really pleased you got to see a HB it's such a relief, usually sends me into floods of tears! Try not to worry about bits of old blood that you may see, as long as it doesn't keep coming and turn into fresh blood. Sorry that the MW was a bitch, I have met a few like that, you can report them to the senior MW, they have no right to treat people so badly, especially when your already feeling vulnerable hope the rest of your pregnancy is as trouble free as possible.

fruity DS on nick junior, once you let them on your laptop o computer you can't get them off! they take over, my lot are heavily into club penguin at the moment, the 4 of them are members, thank goodness Amy is too little

scully hope your feeling ok today? try not to overdo it XX
mibbes sorry your feeling so worn out hun, I feed Amy every 3 hours and find it hard and I am only bottle feeding (can't BF as had a reduction years ago) have you thought of expressing a few bottles so you can have a rest and let your DP do a little feeding? I have head that cabbage leaves can help with engorgement but don't really know enough about it, may be some paracetamol would help a little XX

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

This is going to be a great year for all of us, I can't feel it!

Well, I'm getting far too used to these lie ins (back to 6:45 starts from Monday ). I've just woken up . Thanks heavens for Milkshake and Cbeebies
I nearly didn't see in the New Year. Kept falling asleep on sofa. I woke up just in time. I had to shout to DP who was on the bog, he nearly saw the new year in in the bathroom!

DP made a delicious Lasagna then we had Ben and Jerrys (50% off in Sainsbo's btw) Phish food and Chocolate Fudge Brownie. We had a whole day and night without IL's!!! IT.WAS.BLISS. Well apart from the row we had in Sainsburys in the morning

I kept getting texts during the night. One at 1:50am! I swear this particular friend is only nocturnal she only ever texts me really late at night. Should turn phone off really.

Sparkly Sounds like you had a great evening I hope you get to go back to bed. I did the coin thing but forgot and did it at about 12.30 - does it still count?
Emmsy You have an amazing memory! I think it was me who said that.
How's your delicious little Amy? I don't blame you for falling asleep - I only woke up from the sound of fireworks outside. I've no idea what that Club Penguin is. little SIL is on it.
Georgie How are you feeling this morning? Been thinking of you xx
Bella I've also heard some awful things about St.Helier - sounds awful!. Did you know it was built back to front? I've no idea about Epsom. I'm with St.George's this time around. No idea what it'll be like. I had DS at Chelsea and Westminster which I reckon was ok but had nothing to compare it to at the time - that reminds me, gotta get my preg notes from them.
Scully How was your new year? I was thinking of you yesterday as obviously you had already celebrated it Did you allow yourself a little drink?
I allowed myself two glasses of bucks fizz - spaced well apart
Piper How was your first New Year as a married couple? That will be me next, I mean this year [scared!]
Bloody hell, suddenly everything that was happening next year is happening this year! It's going very very fast.

Happy New Year ladies, hope 2009 brings happiness!

Mollie thank you for your concern, things seem to have settled now.

Emmsy was amazing to see the heart beat, DH was so interested too was really sweet!

Fruity Have you seen St Helier? It is filthy! My friend took his little boy in when he had croup and actually risked leaving with him before being seen as he was more concerned that he would catch something worse! Apparently there was vomit swilling around on the floor of the children's ward!!!
Do we have a time to meet tomorrow in Debenhams Cafe? xx

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Just a quick post for Georgie. Started thinking about you last night in one of my nightime toilet trips! When I had my nuchal (which was done by the consultant at the local hospital although we paid for it) I had it at 12+4 and he was able to give us an intial 1 in whatever, which he explained would be final when blood tests done. What made me think that your test sounded different was that he gave me an earliest date that I could have the blood tests - which was about 14 weeks.

Just wonder if your bloods were taken too early, although I don't want to give you false hope. Sounds like you are going to get a 2nd nuchal anyway - glad you are seeing your own consultant tomorrow so I'm sure he can add an opinion. Hope you are doing OK.

Happy New Year all

Georgeie Not sure if kate has text you yet but she was in Devon yesterday with bad reception and won't be home til 6pm tonight.
I read your pg thread before posting, I have to say it all sounds very encouraging on there. How are you feeling today, did you get any sleep?

Hope the rest of you celebrated in your own way and had a lovely evening? DH got very drunk which annoyed me a little but only coz I couldn't seem to get merry no matter what I drank! This morning I twisted my back so can't do a lot just about managed to get to the PC but only for a quick look. Not a great start to 2009 but hopefully it's just a distraction

Have just been for walk in park and pub lunch. Felt fine but feeling weak since eating. Could really do with an afternoon nap but DP has gone to his mother's house (she hasn't been well this week so he's been there lots)
Has anybody played Mr and Mrs? We played it next door last night and it's very funny to see how much people know about their husband/wife. DP and I won which shocked me a little...
Mollie I can only imagine how you managed to twist your back . I hope it's a bit less sore this afternoon.
Fruity So much happening in your life this year!! It was our four year engagement anniversary yday and I don't think DP even noticed . I kept getting texts until about 3/4am. I think it's because the mobile networks get so blocked up....
Emmsy HELLO!! I'm not suprised you ended up asleep before the bells....I'm knackered after looking after one child all day - you must be constantly exhausted. Can you upload some new piccies of Amy? Id love to see her. Lots of love to you and yours. xxx

Happy New Year everybody Sounds like Sparkly had a good night and I am also intrigued about Mollie's back
Fruity Glad you had a good evening with DP last night. This year is definitely going to fly by for you with new baby and wedding to look forward to!
Georgie How are you doing today? Had a quick look on your thread in pg and noticed somebody else had recommended the Fetal Medicine Centre in Harley St. As I said before, I can't praise them enough, they were great. The scan lasted 45 minutes and the sonographer was looking at all sorts of markers for DS plus some for other syndromes. Combined with the blood test you have beforehand the results are very accurate. The guy in charge (can't remember his name) is one of the top men in this field. Noticed our local hospital had some guidelines from the FMS on the wall in the scan unit so looks like the NHS is looking to them for advice too. Hope you can get an appt for a 2nd opinion sorted tomorrow and that you're managing to put together some questions for the consultant. Should add after yesterday's post, which might have sounded rather harsh, that DH loves his sister to bits and can't do enough for her. She can read, write and is pretty independent although she still lives with her mum as she couldn't manage on her own. She's a lovely person too. I think DH remembers how tough it was for his parents when his sister was growing up, which has coloured his view somewhat. Today there is probably more support around and society is more accepting of DS.
Emmsy Big hello to you! I'm glad you said Amy is still being fed every 3 hours on formula as it's reassuring - Elise seems to be having a feeding frenzy today for some reason. She's finally dropped off which will give my poor boobs a rest! Can't wait to see pictures of Amy when you get a chance to post some.
Hello to everyone else

Hello lovely ladies. You are just wonderful. You keep making me cry. We've just come back from seeing some really good friends and I've had a good chat with my g'friend. I'm trying to put things more in perspective. I just want to get thru tonight (with some sleep!) and then get on the phone to the FMC tomorrow early doors. The thing that I've found from trawling the net is that NT scan/bloods is that there's a surprising degree of difference between what's good and bad re: nuchal measurements. And there's still 97% chance that everything is OK.

Fruity Could I call tomorrow after I've got thru to FMC? I'm going to beg them for any appt they have. So might need to drop everything and rush off at a moments notice.

Criri The post wasn't harsh my love. It's great to get some good inside info rather than wishy washy stuff. I need hard evidence at the moment.

Mollie Kate did text me. Thank you. Said she'd try and geton her tonight.

Sparkly I did the coin thing at midnight. Hope it works. . How's the head now. also went for pub lunch. Ah, the bliss of not having to cook!

How's everyone's hangovers?! Am really looking forward to watching Jonathan Creek later on.

Mollie That shouls read, 'get on here tonight'...