Pregnant at 35+ (old ovaries, new lines) - Thread 2

[M4v3r1ck]

Setting up a new thread! Hopefully I can tag some of you! 😃

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7
@ImpatientTTCer
@Katiekattty
@TTCat39
@MgW1

Hi @feelingsicknow - that's exactly what happened to me, except that I didn't go ahead with the blood test! Congratulations on your BFP x

Welcome and congratulations to everyone who has joined since I was last here (a while ago! 😂)

For all those anxiously awaiting scans, I wish you lots of luck! I had a private scan at about 5w5d, and another at about 8w3d. Had my 12 week NHS scan a few weeks back and was surprised at the difference the HD makes with the private scans….you can see so much more detail! And also it was nice to see the heartbeat, I wasn’t shown anything like that at the 12w. God dammit it was wriggling about though (bit like me during a long film) so everything seems ok.

Hope everyone’s nausea is manageable and/or gone now! I’m 15 and a bit weeks now and it’s only just fading away although I still feel very sick when I don’t eat carbs every couple of hours. So. Many. Carbs. I think I’ve already put on my entire expected pregnancy weight 😭

How is everyone doing?

Congratulations @feelingsicknow so pleased for you. Will you have an early scan? Xx

@ImpatientTTCer it’s amazing how different the scan images can be. All our nhs ones with ds were really good. The one today was quite poor. She did say I had a bit of gas in my tummy which was obscuring the image a bit. I hope for a better one next time. Glad your sickness is improving. Unfortunately I’m very unwell with vomiting throughout the day. I’m hoping the GP can give me something tomorrow. Carbs are a pregnant girls best friend. I’m rather proud of myself for eating a whole McDonald’s tonight and it’s staying down for the moment. Xx

@Catconfusion

Congratulations *@feelingsicknow* so pleased for you. Will you have an early scan? Xx

Probably - think we did it around 10 weeks last time. Just a bit of reassurance really.

Hey everyone, just wondering if anyone else has HG? I’m 6 plus 4 today and can’t stop being sick. It’s so gruelling. I’ve spoken to my GP and got some promethazine. I’ve not taken it yet as it causes drowsiness so waiting until I don’t have my ds on my own. I’m the worst parent at the moment. I’ve just had to put cartoons on the last couple of mornings. Just wondering what medications others have found useful.

@Catconfusion I had to take nearly four weeks off work for 24/7 nausea, couldn't really walk without assistance, look at screens or shower my myself. The anti histamine thing you describe didn't work on its own for me but my OB has now added Maxolon and it feels like I'm back from the dead - I'm getting about 6 hours useful time in the day now and able to go back to work. Don't be afraid to ask your doc for extra help! Mine said that if this one didn't work there is also another kind. This one has been the subject of a study of 6,000 pregnancies with no indication of related issues (we checked).

Private scan recommendation for anyone in London. I've been to Dr Ushakov at City Ultrasound (right by Spitalfields market, close to Liverpool st) at 7 weeks and 10 weeks and he's great. He has extra sensitive scanning equipment which meant he didn't need to do internal on the first one and could still detect heatbeat. The 10 week we did both, as internal allowed him to check details like the number of chambers in the heart (which is madness). I also got my NIPT blood test there and it's come back within 5 days, so I've got positive news that I'm low risk for downs and also found out it's a lady! Anyway, it seems like a lot of the scan places don't necessarily have a doctor there giving diagnostic info so I thought this could be useful info, especially for those of us not on the West Side! Not cheap but I think reasonable given I could go on a Saturday and I felt very taken care of.

@MissL85 if it makes you feel better my OB (private) says its nonsense that these days women over 35 are automatically high risk. I'm 37 and he says he's considering me absolutely normal unless and until there are other risk factors to consider. That being said, in the private route you have more scans and appointments in general, so it may be that they like to put you on the higher risk track on nhs just to keep a closer eye? I don't know though as this is my first viable pregnancy.

@rainfrog21

Private scan recommendation for anyone in London. I've been to Dr Ushakov at City Ultrasound (right by Spitalfields market, close to Liverpool st) at 7 weeks and 10 weeks and he's great. He has extra sensitive scanning equipment which meant he didn't need to do internal on the first one and could still detect heatbeat. The 10 week we did both, as internal allowed him to check details like the number of chambers in the heart (which is madness). I also got my NIPT blood test there and it's come back within 5 days, so I've got positive news that I'm low risk for downs and also found out it's a lady! Anyway, it seems like a lot of the scan places don't necessarily have a doctor there giving diagnostic info so I thought this could be useful info, especially for those of us not on the West Side! Not cheap but I think reasonable given I could go on a Saturday and I felt very taken care of.

Seconded, he is amazing, really knows his stuff and an expert on fetal abnormalities. Had my abnormality scan and nipt there, and plan to go back again at 23 weeks

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 glad to hear your scan went well, assuming all OK with nipt too? Did you find out the sex? Our nipt was all clear and we found out we're having another girl, which we're totally thrilled about! Also pleased that following the nhs scan they've brought my due date forward by 5 days, the less time spent pregnant the better in my book! Morning sickness has eased off a lot and is easily manageable with snacking (although that means I'm a total fatty pants at the moment 🙈)

Thanks @rainfrog21 it’s taking the edge off for now but I still feel pretty rotten. I luckily have a very good GP so will go back on Monday if there’s no improvement. I’m definitely able to eat more so that’s encouraging.

Thanks for the scan recommendation. All sounds great. We were quite happy with the nhs testing last time but then I was only 40. I’m 42 now so may well invest in nipt and earlier testing. We can’t really afford it but I think my anxiety will be through the roof if not. Xx

Also congrats on the positive scan @Noodella18 @A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 and @rainfrog21 It must be lovely to have that reassurance. Xx

Hi ladies hope you are all well, need to know I am not alone here. Is anyone else absolutely exhausted? I am 9+1 and I feel like I'm about 90 years old. I constantly want to sleep and my OH is getting fed up of me going to bed early and leaving him with the kids. He doesn't understand how such a small pregnancy can make me feel so awful.
I am also worried sick about my 1st scan and what my risk is going to come out as as I am 38 so inevitably it's going to be high !

Thanks for reading of you are still with me !

Hey @Gummybear17 all you can do is explain how the hormones are affecting you and that the first trimester is the time this is more pronounced.

Try not to worry about your age, it’s unlikely to cause any problems. I had my first dc at 40 years old and it just meant extra scans. You might not even be offered that as many many women have healthy pregnancies in their late 30s. It would surprise me if that alone made you high risk.

The first scan is always nerve wracking as mc is so common but most happen before 6 weeks. If you’ve got this far with no bleeding or cramping, chances are it will be good news. Hang on in there. Not long now. Xx

Thanks @Catconfusion I had a MC back in May so I guess that is contributing to my anxiety. I just need my energy back I have such a busy job and I am not sure how much longer I will cope feeling like this xx how many weeks are you ? X

Anyone had any dry nipples or discharge coming from them? I'm 11 weeks and 3 days and had some. Not sure if it is dry skin or discharge. It's like dried butter when I have investigated it and taken it off. It's only one of my nipples as my left nipple has always been inverted. I'm tempted to contact the doctors as I'm not sure it is normal at this stage. I had dry nipples a few weeks ago as I wearing a bra that was too small (I was struggling to work out what my size is).

@Gummybear17 I’m so sorry to hear about the mc. I’ve had three before this pregnancy. All before 5 weeks but quite traumatic. It’s really hard being pregnant after loss.

I’m 7 weeks now. We saw the heartbeat at our scan on Tuesday so that’s really reassuring and I know we’ve got past the point of my recent losses. I did however have a mmc at 10 weeks a couple of years ago. The baby only got to 6 weeks and we had no idea anything was wrong for those 4 weeks as I was very ill with symptoms. I know we were unlucky but it was so traumatic and I wish I didn’t know what can go wrong. We’re being monitored by our local EPAU so I’m having fortnightly scans which is helping to ease the anxiety.

I’m sorry to hear work is difficult at the moment. Are your work being understanding? Xx

@MissL85 not something I’ve experienced but worth mentioning to the GP or the midwife. Xx

[quote Catconfusion]@MissL85 not something I’ve experienced but worth mentioning to the GP or the midwife. Xx[/quote]
Yes, I'm thinking of ringing them on Monday.

@Noodella18 sorry I never get notifications for this thread for some reason!
Glad you're feeling better! I'm sure you're not a fatty pants at all 😂
Yes all came back totally fine from nipt, I was also low risk on nhs screenings, but after reading it's only accurate in 84% of cases, thought I'd better get the nipt. Yay for a girl! We are actually having a boy. I didn't mind either way, but my partners delighted with a boy.
I got moved forward also, my DD is now 4th feb, what's yours?

@Catconfusion I reckon do what gets rid of anxiety more. Get that extra private scan and nipt if you want, and just think how much we're saving on not drinking, going out less, no holidays etc

You’re right @A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 although I’ve not worked in a couple of years due to pregnancy loss and hyperemesis during pregnancy, also having such a young child and Covid. Not been out much or drank in this time. Money is tight with me being a sahm but I think it’ll be worth it now we’re having another. I’m planning to get my career on track in a couple of years. Luckily we’re getting regular scans on the nhs but I think it’ll be worth asking grandparents if they could help fund the nipt. Getting that reassurance a few weeks early will help with the anxiety. Xx

@Catconfusion that's totally different then sorry, being unable to work must have been tough. Having HG for losses is awful also xx

The NHS has started this year giving nipt for free if you're higher risk in their screening combined test. I think 1 in 150 is the cut off. So you probably won't need a private one, as I agree with my partner, mine was probably a total waste on money given the actual odds. He didn't want to get one so I paid for it myself

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 thank you, it’s been a rough couple of years but also joyous as we had our ds last year.

The attraction with the nipt for me would be to find out early if all is well or not hopefully at 10 weeks. I came out 1 in 2000 risk with ds on the nhs combined test even though I was over 40 so It’s possible we wouldn’t get offered the nipt on the nhs if we get similar results. The nhs combined screening isn’t nearly as accurate as the nipt as I’m sure you know. At 40 I was willing to accept this but I’m 42 now so the risks are much higher. I’d rather know with as much certainty as possible. I can imagine if the combined test at 12 weeks shows high risk, we’d then be waiting for the nipt test result and could possibly be 13/14 weeks in before we know. I think it would make it more traumatic finding out so late if somethings wrong. This is also a hyperemesis pregnancy so that’s 4 more weeks of vomiting. Obviously all completely worth it if baby is healthy and all is well.

I probably sound a bit negative thinking in so much detail about bad case scenarios. I have overall got a good feeling this pregnancy will be fine. It’s the ‘what ifs’ that make me want the nipt even more. Xx