November 2020 Babies - Thread 4

[Sakura54]

Another new thread for the Nov mums to continue our discussion. It’s nearly time for our dating scans!

Hi all....just joined thought I’d say hello I’m 11 weeks tomorrow had my booking appointment yesterday and 12 week scan next Wednesday. It’s my fourth baby and I’m 35

I wouldn't recommend it (and @Spoons1987 is probably going to tell me off for even mentioning it on here ) but I found my Doppler from DS in with my maternity stuff, so DH and I had a play with it and we found baby's heartbeat (and mine, thankfully ) 💓

I'm 11+5, and my dating scan is next week, but this has given me a bit of peace of mind until then.

To the people who have difficult veins - a couple of small things that you could do to try to make it easier are: stay very well hydrated, have some more water in the hour prior to your appointment, and try to keep your hands as warm as possible, maybe even pop a pair of gloves for a bit while you're on your way to the hospital or in the waiting room, and/or wash your hands with very warm water before going in (don't burn yourself tho!).
I take bloods at work regularly, and even though there is no guarantee these things would work, they do sometimes.

@BuffaloCauliflower you can get a form of harmony test on the nhs. You dont have to pay for it. It tests for the risk factor of a number of FFAs and downs syndrome. Technically a harmony test is private, usually done at about 10 weeks, and it said to be more accurate. However, the nhs screenings are still accurate as both just test for the risk of the conditions, rather than the conditions themselves.

You can find more information on the nhs screenings here .... www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/screening-amniocentesis-downs-syndrome/

and the harmony test information is here ....... www.oxfordfertility.co.uk/treatments/harmony-prenatal-test/

@Firstbaby2020 In Ireland it seems to be a case of you are only offered the screenings with the HSE if you are a higher risk of having these issues (I am irish but living in the UK). Other than that, you have to pay for it, and only some hospitals do it. Here is the HSE website link .....www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/child-health/screening-tests-during-pregnancy/types-of-pregnancy-screening-tests.html

@SqidgeBum my read of the NHS testing was it’s not as comprehensive? Happy to be told I’m wrong though!

From what I can see from those links I posted, they both test for the same things (Downs, Edwards, Patau's), and both test for the risk of the conditions, but for some reason the harmony claims to be more accurate in its testing. I know the harmony can inlcude sex which the NHS doesnt mention until the 20 week scan. Honestly, I have never had the harmony test, only the nhs one, so I dont know the science behind it. I am sure there is a lot of research out there into both that may be able to give more clarity.

Thank you I’ll have a proper read, assuming my scan goes ok tomorrow and there’s something to test

@BuffaloCauliflower From what I remember the standard NHS test measures hormones in your blood and also the nucal fold at the back of the baby’s neck which along with maternal age gives a probability of the baby having Downs/Edwards/pataus. For example very high HGC and very low Papp A are an indicator of Downs. I think it’s around 80%accurate. The Harmony test is supposed to be 99% accurate and looks at Fetal dna in the mother’s blood.

@bluebell94 @BuffaloCauliflower @wannabebump good luck with your scans today x

FWIW I went for private NIPT (they do Iona text here) because I’m a worrier by nature and I was 39 when I got pregnant with DC1 so knew that raised my risk automatically.

I’d had a MMC 4 months before I got pregnant with DC1 so I was already very anxious and knew that if I got high risk results from the combined test I’d go for NIPT first over diagnostics (amnio/cvs) but with probably a couple of very anxious weeks of waiting whilst results came back. So for me, it made sense to go straight for it.

We’ve done the same this time (currently awaiting results) as I’ll be 42 when this one comes.

I think they are meant to be a lot more accurate than the combined test

Aaannnnd my sickness is back. I literally just threw up when it’s just been constant nausea for weeks. Thankfully I’m not working today so hoping it goes by tomorrow but still have to look after DC so DH can work. Just eaten an ice lolly as wanted something cold and wet but now my stomach is dancing again

Hey everyone, I’ve not posted in a while because my sleeping pattern has been terrible and nausea is still very much a problem. I seem to feel a lot better the later in the day it is so I’ve been trying to sleep through the day to avoid it

I’ve also got my scan today so there’s quite a few of us. I’m so worried about it. I phoned yesterday just to double check my partner isn’t allowed to come which he isn’t but I was told I can take a video. Hope everyone’s scans go well today.

@SMcG1 good luck with scan x

Just on my way to my 12 week scan 😬 Good luck to everyone else who has theirs today! X

I joined this group back in thread 1... it’s moved quickly! Sounds like lots of scans coming up today.. best of luck to everyone

I’m 11+6 today and have my scan a week today. Will be my second at the same hospital... I swear I can already feel movement but perhaps it’s just wind! Seems very early...

Hello, long time lurker here, thought it was about time I said hello. I’m due on 19th November so nearly 10 weeks. Had an early scan at 8 weeks so not feeling too anxious although there’s plenty that can go wrong I know! I have a little boy who’s nearly 3. Nice to meet you all

@WildflowerPetals good luck with scan x

Good luck everyone who has scans. I hope everything goes perfectly.

I ate a children's size beef burger last night. (Which I think is actually an achievement because I haven't been able to eat anything apart from melon and grapes) And actually wanted it. I haven't eaten beef since I was about 2 haha just don't like the taste. That's a weird one.

Best of luck to everyone with scans today! Will be thinking of you, so let us know you get on okay. X

Good luck to everyone having their scans today!

Good luck to everyone with the scans today! Let us know how it goes.

Good luck to everyone with scans today x

@60sPony we must have the same due date as I’m also 11+6 today 😊

Good luck to all the people having scans!

Re the harmony test, it is more accurate than the NHS tests for screening Downs, but I’m not sure for Edwards and Pataus. I think if you get a low risk result that is reliable, but it also produces a high rate of false positives for Edwards and Pataus, ie you get a high risk of one of those but the baby is fine. I am still getting it but I’m aware that the way they present their stats in the marketing is quite misleading, so do do your research if you’re thinking of getting it.

Good luck to those with scans today! Looking forward to seeing lots of good news ☺️ x

I decided to opt for NIPT due to my age nearly 38. It's on Monday and trying not to think about it as it seems so long away and don't want to obsess