This is your NT Scan? Be prepared that they may not be able to determine the sex this early, especially if it's a girl. My tech didn't even attempt a guess at the sex, and many others don't as well, I just don't want you to be disappointed!
She didn't call it an NT Scan (I don't think, this is all so new). She said it was the blood work to test for chromosomal abnormalities because of my advanced maternal age (blech). My sister is 24 weeks pregnant and had this done and found out the sex.
Am I missing something? I'll take all the advice I can get. They said about a week after the blood work they'd have the results of the sex.
Ahh... It sounds like it's one of the chromosomal tests (Harmony, Panorama, M21), so yes, with these you will find out the sex if you request it. Very fun to know early, and best of luck with good results from the tests.
2. Pregnancy-related AWs/vents/randoms for this week? I feel like I'm finally mentally prepared that this baby is coming soon. I am not dying for him to come, but I know that it is imminent. I have no freaking clue what to do, but my mom will be around to help and we can handle it. Also, I started reading The Nursing Mother's Companion and there's a lot of good information about how to hold the baby for BF, improving supply, treating irritated nipples, etc. I think it will be a great reference!
3. Do you plan to/did you take maternity pictures or newborn pictures? I skipped the maternity pictures because I don't love having my picture taken or the way I look with a baby bump. I feel like I would have been laughing nervously the whole time. We are splurging on a newborn photography package because newborns are so damn cute. Also, we have professional pictures of our dog hanging in the house, so we can't really let it look like he is more important than the baby. LOL
4. What is your favorite TV series? Ever--Friends or Sex in the City. Currently--The Mindy Project.
I'm going to check out this book! Right now nursing is the most intimidating thing that is to come for me, even more so than l&d. Thanks for the rec
I asked MMM for recs last week, and this book was recommended along with The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and Breastfeeding Made Simple. I shied away from the former after a few people described it as "hardcore" and "intense." Apparently it's not supportive of working moms, and I have enough anxiety that I don't need to spend money on a book that makes me feel bad.
I will say that Nursing Mother's Companion begins by talking about how all labor interventions are bad (c/s, induction, epi, and narcotics). I plan to have an epi and hope that it doesn't adversely affect my ability to BF. I wish these writers could keep their preaching to themselves and just tell me how to BF!
2. Pregnancy-related AWs/vents/randoms for this week? Had my 39 week appointment this morning. A full 4 cm dilated and 80% effaced. I'm not doing as well as I would like with the waiting game. And if we decide to have more kids I will absolutely decline the internals before 39 weeks, because knowing is killing me! I expect to go in to labor every time I turn around and it's totally sucky. So I'm really trying to just enjoy the last few days of pregnancy. If she isn't here by my due date on the 31st I will go in that morning to start pitocin. The nice thing is that since I'm already dilated I won't have to go in the night before for cervidil, and I can get a epidural as soon as I like. I'm thinking at this point she is probably going to wait until induction.
How long have you been 4 cm? What did your OB say about this? I was only 1.5 cm last week, but when I asked my OB about the point of cervical checks he couldn't come up with anything compelling other than "you can't go past 4 cm without being in active labor." So maybe it's coming very soon for you??
2. Pregnancy-related AWs/vents/randoms for this week? We helped my parents move this weekend and I was very careful not to lift anything too heavy, even though it made me feel like a lazy bum, because I'm worried about spotting again. I held lots of doors and carried some light stuff, but that was it. Thankfully my parents had friends to help and my H did a lot too. My mom told me, "I'm not going to be the reason you have to call your doctor on Monday!" lol
My silly vent is that I feel like I'm a lot smaller than I should be at this point (23w). People keep telling me how tiny I am, and a girl on FB who is 11 weeks posted a bump pic this weekend and she's bigger than me! Granted it's her fourth kid, but still. I am 5'7 and have a long torso, but I feel like the baby bump should be bigger by now. I'm sure I'll be eating my words in a few months, ha.
3. Do you plan to/did you take maternity pictures or newborn pictures? We'll do newborn pics, but no maternity pics. I'll be 29 weeks at my brother's wedding though, so we'll have some nice pics taken while I'm pregnant.
4. What is your favorite TV series? Parenthood. I'm sad it's ending after next season
She didn't call it an NT Scan (I don't think, this is all so new). She said it was the blood work to test for chromosomal abnormalities because of my advanced maternal age (blech). My sister is 24 weeks pregnant and had this done and found out the sex.
Am I missing something? I'll take all the advice I can get. They said about a week after the blood work they'd have the results of the sex.
Ahh... It sounds like it's one of the chromosomal tests (Harmony, Panorama, M21), so yes, with these you will find out the sex if you request it. Very fun to know early, and best of luck with good results from the tests.
How can I learn more about what tests are supposed to be done and when? I feel like I'm flying blind just trusting my OB, who I do really like. I'm scared to just start googling.
I'm not high risk or anything, but I'll be 35 when I deliver which put me in the AMA category.
1- 31 w 2- we finished the big kid room so baby2 will have a nursery soon! Also, we did a little family getaway for my birthday over the weekend. We have made the decision to not include kids on any trips again for a while... 3- yes- newborn 4- probably Dexter (season 4)
Post by stategirl08 on Jul 21, 2014 12:46:10 GMT -5
1. How far along are you this week? 6weeks 6 days 2. Pregnancy-related AWs/vents/randoms for this week? The bloat has shown up hard core. But it's all in my abdomen above my pelvis and so I just look fat :/ 3. Do you plan to/did you take maternity pictures or newborn pictures? I do plan to take both. Haven't thought about it beyond that 4. What is your favorite TV series? Law and order:svu
Ahh... It sounds like it's one of the chromosomal tests (Harmony, Panorama, M21), so yes, with these you will find out the sex if you request it. Very fun to know early, and best of luck with good results from the tests.
How can I learn more about what tests are supposed to be done and when? I feel like I'm flying blind just trusting my OB, who I do really like. I'm scared to just start googling.
I'm not high risk or anything, but I'll be 35 when I deliver which put me in the AMA category.
Thanks for all of the info!!
I'm not AMA (I'm 33), but have learned a lot about the different tests just from reading these boards. People offer lots of valuable information. With that though, you'll get lots of differing opinions on what is "right" or "wrong." I would perhaps find a trusted web site like the AAOG (if you're in the US) or something similar in your country, and see if they lay out what's recommended. I'm of the mindset to allow my trusted MD to order what he feels is necessary, but I do respect those who choose to better inform themselves. My doctor presents options and allows us to choose, giving both pros and cons (we recently had to choose whether or not to have an external version performed on our breech baby (where the MDs manually turn the baby from the outside), and he gave us his personal opinion as well as his scientific one, which was helpful.).
So, all that to say, I would suggest you start a thread on here and ask other's opinions on tests, or go on your own on a trusted medical web site.
Ahh... It sounds like it's one of the chromosomal tests (Harmony, Panorama, M21), so yes, with these you will find out the sex if you request it. Very fun to know early, and best of luck with good results from the tests.
How can I learn more about what tests are supposed to be done and when? I feel like I'm flying blind just trusting my OB, who I do really like. I'm scared to just start googling.
I'm not high risk or anything, but I'll be 35 when I deliver which put me in the AMA category.
Thanks for all of the info!!
Here is my experience, but some offices do far fewer tests so YMMV.
~8w: dating u/s
9-12w: chromosomal test (Panorama etc.), if offered
11-14w: NT scan and associated bloodwork--The NT scan is an u/s that measures the translucency of the nuchal fold on the back of the baby's neck, which is a marker for Down syndrome.
16-18w: quad screen--tests for markers for spina bifida and chromosomal disorders
~20w: anatomy scan--Comprehensive u/s that looks at development of all organs, can also tell you the sex if you wish to know and didn't do the early chromosomal test
~28w: gestational diabetes screening--This is where you drink the sugary drink and then have blood drawn. My office does a one-hour screening, and if your blood sugar is too high then you follow up with a three-hour glucose tolerance test.
~36w: test for Group B Strep--Vaginal swab is tested for the presence of GBS, a common bacteria that can be passed to the baby as it passes through the birth canal. Testing positive is really common, and it just means that you need IV antibiotics while you're in labor.
I can't think of anything else that's standard. I had growth u/s at 26, 30, 34, and 38w due to a high fundal height measurement. Oh--I don't know if all offices do this, but fundal height literally involves your OB measuring the length of your uterus (pubic bone to top of uterus) with a measuring tape. Very high tech. LOL. This gives her an idea of whether you're measuring "on track" as the measurement in cm should be the gestational age +/- 2 cm. My first measurement at 24w was 27 cm, so that triggered growth u/s.
I'm curious to see what additions people have for this list!
2. Pregnancy-related AWs/vents/randoms for this week? Finally feeling movement, although not as consistently as I'd like. I know it's not the worst thing, but having an anterior placenta makes me feel like I'm missing out on movement.
3. Do you plan to/did you take maternity pictures or newborn pictures? Yes to both
4. What is your favorite TV series? I have a few that I try not to miss, like housewives, and parenthood.
1. 19w6d 2. Feeling movement pretty regularly (which is awesome b/c at the a/s they told me I have an anterior placenta). DH even felt it this week and I was disappointed with how unimpressed he was, haha. I tweaked something in my stomach when rolling over in the night and freaked myself out, but things seem fine, so I am trying to relax. I think I am always going to find something to worry about! 3. Probably try to do maternity ourselves or have a sister do it. Haven't given much thought to newborn pics yet. 4. I loved Friends, The Tudors, Arrested Development. Current fave is probably Downton Abbey.
How can I learn more about what tests are supposed to be done and when? I feel like I'm flying blind just trusting my OB, who I do really like. I'm scared to just start googling.
I'm not high risk or anything, but I'll be 35 when I deliver which put me in the AMA category.
Thanks for all of the info!!
Here is my experience, but some offices do far fewer tests so YMMV.
~8w: dating u/s
9-12w: chromosomal test (Panorama etc.), if offered
11-14w: NT scan and associated bloodwork--The NT scan is an u/s that measures the translucency of the nuchal fold on the back of the baby's neck, which is a marker for Down syndrome.
16-18w: quad screen--tests for markers for spina bifida and chromosomal disorders
~20w: anatomy scan--Comprehensive u/s that looks at development of all organs, can also tell you the sex if you wish to know and didn't do the early chromosomal test
~28w: gestational diabetes screening--This is where you drink the sugary drink and then have blood drawn. My office does a one-hour screening, and if your blood sugar is too high then you follow up with a three-hour glucose tolerance test.
~36w: test for Group B Strep--Vaginal swab is tested for the presence of GBS, a common bacteria that can be passed to the baby as it passes through the birth canal. Testing positive is really common, and it just means that you need IV antibiotics while you're in labor.
I can't think of anything else that's standard. I had growth u/s at 26, 30, 34, and 38w due to a high fundal height measurement. Oh--I don't know if all offices do this, but fundal height literally involves your OB measuring the length of your uterus (pubic bone to top of uterus) with a measuring tape. Very high tech. LOL. This gives her an idea of whether you're measuring "on track" as the measurement in cm should be the gestational age +/- 2 cm. My first measurement at 24w was 27 cm, so that triggered growth u/s.
I'm curious to see what additions people have for this list!
2. Pregnancy-related AWs/vents/randoms for this week?
None. Feeling good on the pregnancy front and I hope to have another two months of that.
3. Do you plan to/did you take maternity pictures or newborn pictures?
I've never done maternity photos or newborn photos. We did professional family photos last fall (loved them) and want to make it an annual thing. We might delay them this year and take them when the new baby is a few weeks old.
4. What is your favorite TV series?
Just one? Love Veep and DH and I are watching season three right now. House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, Mad Men, Parenthood, The Mindy Project. I miss 30 Rock.
2. Pregnancy-related AWs/vents/randoms for this week? For some reason I'm still getting nausea, the past 2 days have been bad. Unpredictable. Might be too much sugar, I had two fun-sized twix after lunch. But that doesn't seem like a ton of sugar to trigger it. Who knows.
3. Do you plan to/did you take maternity pictures or newborn pictures? TBD on how I'm feeling. I'd really like to do newborn with my wedding photog, but I'm not sure she would do newborn photos.
4. What is your favorite TV series? DH and I watch a lot of TV, we talk the entire time about the show and it's one way we bond. All time fave is hard, but I love: Sex and the City, Roseanne, Golden Girls, Big Bang Theory, Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, Mad Men, Game of Thrones, Homeland, The Wire, Family Guy. We're currently watching Friday Night Lights and so far my pregnant self really enjoying Riggins. And I feel less awkward about it crushing on a teenager now that I know he's actually my age!
1. How far along are you this week? 26 weeks tomorrow.
2. Pregnancy-related AWs/vents/randoms for this week? I have 99 days until my due date. Holy crap! Being in the double digits is scary! I have my glucose test tomorrow and hope it goes well. When I was pregnant with my daughter I had the orange drink, but this time my doctor gave me the fruit punch to drink so that's what I'm having. I hope it doesn't make me sick!
3. Do you plan to/did you take maternity pictures or newborn pictures? I think we'll most likely do newborn pictures. We may take a couple family pictures closer to October when I look round pregnant (right now it just looks like I've gained a lot of weight in my stomach, which is the last place I gain weight when I'm not pregnant, instead of a pronounced baby bump).
4. What is your favorite TV series? I don't know if I have a favorite. I really liked Grey's Anatomy, but can't really watch it anymore. Old favorites are Gilmore Girls, the Nanny, Golden Girls, Designing Women and Veronica Mars. I'm realizing now I really like shows that are the lives of strong women. Hmm. That's interesting
Post by chedominique on Jul 21, 2014 16:11:25 GMT -5
1. How far along are you this week? 28 weeks.
2. Pregnancy-related AWs/vents/randoms for this week? 3rd trimester is interesting. I can't sleep and my vision is off. Also, I almost puked at one of my jobsites. Even though I'm feeling this way, at least Baby Che is having fun and kicking along!
3. Do you plan to/did you take maternity pictures or newborn pictures? We just booked our maternity pictures for 8/9. We are thinking about getting the newborn pictures taken through the hospital.
4. What is your favorite TV series? Vampire Diaries and Chicago Fire.
Post by imimahoney on Jul 21, 2014 16:52:01 GMT -5
This is my intro, hi! I'm a reg on April 2012 and my 2 yr old is named Ari.
1. 6 weeks, 3 days. 2. I started zofran this morning. It is a seriously glorious drug. I don't feel like dying which is amazing since I've felt like death for the past week and a half. 3. We'll do family pics around November but not true maternity shots and then newborn pics after the baby comes. 4. The Americans, Mindy Project, Parenthood and Grey's.
Post by hillarywhitney on Jul 21, 2014 17:56:22 GMT -5
1. How far along are you this week? 38 weeks and 6 days.
2. Pregnancy-related AWs/vents/randoms for this week? I can't believe this will be my last Mom to be Monday post (being induced tomorrow)! It's so surreal. I keep using the word, but it's so true. I'm finishing up some last min. things around the house. Feeling....mostly ready. Since dh and I knew about the induction last week--we made sure to really enjoy this weekend. It was a wonderful weekend.
3. Do you plan to/did you take maternity pictures or newborn pictures? My sil took some maternity pictures for us (she does photography as a side business). And my mom (who is learning) took some as well. My mom will take some newborn pictures for us (ok, probably a lot!). But we aren't hiring anyone. Initially I really wanted to. But budget wise, it's better we don't. I hope I don't end up regretting that.
4. What is your favorite TV series? I can't pick just one. I don't think I have an all time favorite either. I love, The Office, Arrested Development, Veep, Dexter etc.
2. Pregnancy-related AWs/vents/randoms for this week? I'm still waiting for the blood test results from my NT scan, which was on the 11th. The tech said everything looked perfect during the US, so I'm not *really* concerned but I'm still anxious to hear everything's ok with the blood work. Also I still have a nasty bruise from getting it drawn! Ready for that to go away.
3. Do you plan to/did you take maternity pictures or newborn pictures? Probably not professional ones, although we will probably set up our own little "photo shoot" with the baby when we come home. We have a nice camera and a reasonably decent set of photography skills between us, and quite frankly it sounds like a hassle to try to schedule something around snowstorms (I live in the Northeast, I'm due at the end of January, and I have the absolute worst luck with weather ruining my plans. I'm already convinced DH will have to deliver the baby on the living room floor because we'll be snowed in )
4. What is your favorite TV series? Oh wow, it's hard to pick! Probably Friends, or Buffy. West Wing was also amazing.
Post by kballerina on Jul 21, 2014 22:16:25 GMT -5
1. 10w4d 2. I don't want to jinx it, but I feel like my all-day-sickness is lightening up?! 3. We will probably do both. We've talked about being a 1-and-done family and id hate not to have photos later. 4. Hands down, arrested development. Followed closely by that 70s show
Post by sparkythelawyer on Jul 21, 2014 22:19:07 GMT -5
1. How far along are you this week? 10 weeks! 2. Pregnancy-related AWs/vents/randoms for this week? Got to see the little nugget on an ultrasound today, and he/she was all wiggly and dancy! Until I tried to record it for my husband, at which the little jerk stopped moving and sat still. Little defiant jerk. 3. Do you plan to/did you take maternity pictures or newborn pictures? Newborn pics? Yes. Maternity pics? Not likely. I don't need to be memorialized all big as a house :-) 4. What is your favorite TV series? Justified!
I've been browsing Pinterest for art ideas in the nursery and man, there is some CUTE nautical theme stuff! I almost wish I had done that since we don't have a theme, just colors we are using.
Yes, I keep pinning more and more things! It's amazing how much they have! And, as a bonus, they even have quite a bit of Christian and nautical themed stuff. DH was adament that he didn't want the entire room to be sailboats, etc and wants to have some Christian inspiration in the room as well...win-win to have both! In fact, there was a gender-neutral wall decor that had Jeremiah 29:11 (one of DH's favorite verses) that he really loved. He wanted to have that in the room but I told him it wouldn't go with anything (regardless of doing a nautical theme or not). It took some convincing and showing him other ideas but now he's finally on board!
1. How far along are you this week? 32 weeks 6 days. 2. Pregnancy-related AWs/vents/randoms for this week? I'm supposed to start fortnightly appointments but there were no appointments available so I have to wait 3 weeks. I'm having a growth scan on the 31st. I wasn't expecting anymore scans so I'm looking forward to seeing the baby again. 3. Do you plan to/did you take maternity pictures or newborn pictures? We won't be doing either. 4. What is your favorite TV series? Grey's Anatomy, Bones, Criminal Minds, Downton Abbey, The Midwives
1. How far along are you this week? 2. Pregnancy-related AWs/vents/randoms for this week? 3. Do you plan to/did you take maternity pictures or newborn pictures? 4. What is your favorite TV series?
1. 21 weeks
2. We are team pink! I've known all along, but we are so excited. We immediately went to Baby Gap and got a bunch of stuff. FI was so cute...even picked out a couple things.
The scan also did find that the umbilical cord only has one artery instead of two, which can mean issues, usually with the heart or kidneys. The doctor said that both those things looked good on the level II U/S, so there was no reason to worry, but he want to do a fetal echocardiogram to make sure. It can also lead to growth restriction, and possibly increase the risk of stillbirth, so I'll be getting extra growth scans and I think NSTs towards the end.
I'm trying to control my anxiety and concentrate on the fact that everything looks good now and they are going to keep a close eye on things.
3. I actually just e-mailed a photographer over the weekend to set up pictures. We're going to do maternity, newborn, 6 months, one year.
4. I've always loved ER. FI got me the entire series on DVD for my birthday last year so I started from the beginning and watched it all over again.
Oh, and here's the tests I've had so far (I had the blood tests drawn at an outside lab when I had the chance, so I can't remember the exact week);
9 weeks-dating U/S
11ish weeks-random blood tests including thyroid function, cystic fibrosis, CMV (because I work in a hospital) and toxoplasmosis (because I own pets that crap in a litter box).
12 weeks-NT Scan and First Trimester Screen blood work (tests hormones in Mom's blood that can indicate higher chance of chromosomal abnormalities). I believe this took the place of the Quad Screen (happens in the second trimester) for me. According to the genetic counselor we met with last week it is more accurate.
14ish weeks-1 hour Glucose Tolerance- She wanted me to test early I'm guessing because of a high BMI.
20 weeks-Anatomy Scan and cervical length checks (I'll have them biweekly from here to 32 weeks, but that's because I've had a LEEP and had a short cervix already).
Because I'm not AMA, they didn't offer me any of the chromosomal blood tests (Panorama, Harmony, MaterniT21). I declined the sequential screen, which I believe is just the first trimester bloodworm I had done with the NT scan, together with some tests in the second trimester that indicate risk for neural tube defects. The genetic counselor told me that pretty much anything that would screen for would also show up on the Anatomy Scan.
2. Pregnancy-related AWs/vents/randoms for this week? Had my 39 week appointment this morning. A full 4 cm dilated and 80% effaced. I'm not doing as well as I would like with the waiting game. And if we decide to have more kids I will absolutely decline the internals before 39 weeks, because knowing is killing me! I expect to go in to labor every time I turn around and it's totally sucky. So I'm really trying to just enjoy the last few days of pregnancy. If she isn't here by my due date on the 31st I will go in that morning to start pitocin. The nice thing is that since I'm already dilated I won't have to go in the night before for cervidil, and I can get a epidural as soon as I like. I'm thinking at this point she is probably going to wait until induction.
How long have you been 4 cm? What did your OB say about this? I was only 1.5 cm last week, but when I asked my OB about the point of cervical checks he couldn't come up with anything compelling other than "you can't go past 4 cm without being in active labor." So maybe it's coming very soon for you??
Sorry for the super late reply! I'm training my replacement at work so my internet time is about none Anyway, I have no freaking clue. Last week on Wednesday I was between 3 and 4 and 80% effaced, this week I was a "solid 4". But my water hasn't broken yet and I'm not in active labor as far as contractions and the like so I guess I keep walking around halfway open? It seriously concerns me! I really don't want her to come too early, but at the same time I DO NOT want to be that lady whose baby comes on the side of the highway. I have had some more serious contractions today, but still nothing consistent. If they persist throughout the day along with the bad back/hip pain I've had I may go to L&D to get checked tonight. I definitely feel much worse today than I have any other time recently. Hopefully it's the start of something? I hope your OB is right, cause this now knowing sucks!
Post by catscatscats on Jul 22, 2014 12:16:41 GMT -5
1. 9+2 2. Feeling headachey this week, and hoping my doctor calls soon. I hate when they post test results on ecare without any explanation of what they mean! 3. I want all of the pictures! We worked so hard to get pregnant, we need to document and celebrate it. 4. Guilty pleasure: the little couple. I also like Parenthood and Grey's.