I was looking at my OBGYN's website and they have a list of tests they offer pregnant women. I don't even remember all of these being options when I was pregnant with ds!
Cycstic Fibrosis
CVS
Nucal translucency
AFP
Amnio
Gestational Diabetes
20 week ultrasound
Group B Strep
I think we'll probably do group b strep, gestational diabetes and the 20 week ultrasound. I also plan on asking for an ultrasound at my first appointment (7 weeks 2 days) to check where the baby implanted (I have a bicornuate uterus so we need to know if it's implanted in a smaller horn or in the bigger part of the uterus).
I don't think there's anything that we would abort for so I can't imagine a reason for me to do any of the other tests. I would like the 20 week ultrasound because if there is anything going on with the baby that would require specialized care then we need to ensure we have everything set up and we're at the right hospital.
I'll do the 20 week u/s and probably gbs and gd and I'm rh negative so I want to be tested for antibodies. Last time we did the nuchal just to get an u/s lol but I think if we hear the hb then I'm fine without one
Steph: I hadn't looked into this yet since the number of tests available makes my head spin, but because of this thread I did take a more serious look. I haven't seen the doc yet, so we'll discuss it with him, but I think we'll probably go with the first tri screening (hCG, PAPP-A, nuchal) and then amnio after that if warranted. Since I can't recall seeing anyone state this explicitly anywhere on MDC, I want to say that we would terminate under certain conditions. Also we'll get a 20 wk ultrasound, don't know about GBS, and probably ask about an alternative to the diabetes test.
Asheya: Hi! I've seen you post a few times in our DDC. Are you due in Oct? If so, please visit the Roster and Getting to Know You threads and tell us about yourself.
The way I look at it now, we will get the 20 week anatomy scan (mostly because I am dying to find out if it's a boy or a girl) and possibly the glucose test. Other than that, well... I've been tested out the wazoo with the first two, since I had excellent healthcare, but this time around I don't have any. Since everything is going to be paid for out of pocket, things will be minimal. Besides, there is nothing that an early ultrasound or CVS or amnio could show that would be a reason for us to terminate. We will take what we are given, and gladly. If there are issues we need to know about, the 20 week scan will give us some idea, and we can prepare. Other than that, for us there is no added value in any tests. It won't change the outcome, and it won't change how we feel about the baby.
I haven't decided what tests I might get. I wanted to point out that just this week they released the results of a study showing that babies who get surgery in the womb to correct certain spina bifida conditions have better outcomes than babies who get the surgery after birth. The prospect of treating problems before the baby is born makes me more open to accepting testing. For me, it's not just about whether to abort or not. (see: http://children.webmd.com/news/20110210/fetal-surgery-better-odds-for-spina-bifida-kids)
I'll only be doing the 20wk (maybe 25 or 30wk instead) US to check the placement of the placenta since we are doing a HBAC. Bad placenta placement is my only concern. I'm testing my blood with a glucometer rather than doing the GD test and simply turning down all the rest.
With my last pregnancy I had no testing done and only 1 ultrasound right in the beginning. Actually, I had the GBS because the midwife recommended it. I've had some early babies and if I ended up having to birth in the hospital (and declined or did not have time for the IV ABs) and I had not tested, they would consider me positive and we would have to stay for 48 hours for observation. I tested negative.
This time around I will probably have no testing done, although I might get the GBS depending on whether the rules are still the same. I am considering getting a 20week ultrasound and I might consider asking them to tell me the gender. Haven't found out with my last 5 pregnancies
Yay for HBAC! The later you can wait to do the ultrasound, the more accurate the information about the placenta will be, as the bigger you get the more likelihood the placenta will move away from your cervix. A mother who recently took a prenatal course with me had 1st trimester bleeding and an ultrasound revealed what looked like it could be placenta previa (placenta totally covers cervix making vaginal birth impossible). However, a 3rd trimester ultrasound showed the placenta has moved away from the cervix. She has had quite a lot of worry about it, but in her case the ultrasound was not routine as she was having a problem (the bleeding).
Quote:
Originally Posted by NDFanatik
I'll only be doing the 20wk (maybe 25 or 30wk instead) US to check the placement of the placenta since we are doing a HBAC. Bad placenta placement is my only concern. I'm testing my blood with a glucometer rather than doing the GD test and simply turning down all the rest.
Thanks for asking! I'm not due in October, which right now I am quite thankful for as I have three children aged 5, almost 3, and 18 months! They keep me busy, as well as the work I am doing with Mothers of Change for Maternity Care, the Maternity Care Research Group out of the University of British Columbia, and offering prenatal classes online through my childbirth education company, Connected Childbirth.
I am on these boards to help with questions and offer insights, as a mom of 3 and a childbirth educator who believes in physiological birth and informed choice. As you can see I have a paid advertising membership, which means I get those links, image, and text at the bottom of my signature and the blessing of mothering.com to post useful information in all the forums, as I am also trying to create awareness that Connected Childbirth exists and that I offer prenatal classes online in realtime.
Yellowdart, that is an aspect I hadn't really thought about. I've heard of in-utero surgeries to close holes in the heart as well. Pretty amazing.
We'll do the nuchal screen test. Last time around I didn't know it existed until after I had a high AFP result at 18 weeks and ended up going to genetic counseling, where I opted to do a fancy ultrasound but not the amnio.
I'll only be doing the 20wk (maybe 25 or 30wk instead) US to check the placement of the placenta since we are doing a HBAC. Bad placenta placement is my only concern. I'm testing my blood with a glucometer rather than doing the GD test and simply turning down all the rest.
Hey, don't forget that the placenta will move up a ton after the 20 week because the is still growing. Lots of women are diagnosed with complete/partial placenta previa at the 20 week ultrasound only to have the placenta move up closer to their due dates!
Originally Posted by Asheya
As you can see I have a paid advertising membership, which means I get those links, image, and text at the bottom of my signature and the blessing of mothering.com to post useful information in all the forums, as I am also trying to create awareness that Connected Childbirth exists and that I offer prenatal classes online in realtime.
I like October being for October. If someone wanted general info, they could post in "I'm pregnant", no? It feels weird to me. But I am certainly capable of being wrong.
Maybe if you used the typical greeting of "DDDC" ie Due Date Club Crashing? I'm not the board police, that's for sure. Just a long time member.
I think this 'industry insider' advertising program is fairly new, and just started sometime around January. When I was asking mothering.com about how I could best let women know about my services, this is what they suggested. I wondered if it might be strange for me to be posting in the DDC, but I figured that since this is the program I signed up for that that's what I'm supposed to do! I only provide information and do not overtly say anything about my services in any of my posts. I figure if people find what I have to say interesting or helpful, then they can check out my website and my services from the links provided in my 'industry insider' signature. If you are finding this concept weird, maybe you can let mothering.com know.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jane
Quote:
Originally Posted by Asheya
As you can see I have a paid advertising membership, which means I get those links, image, and text at the bottom of my signature and the blessing of mothering.com to post useful information in all the forums, as I am also trying to create awareness that Connected Childbirth exists and that I offer prenatal classes online in realtime.
I like October being for October. If someone wanted general info, they could post in "I'm pregnant", no? It feels weird to me. But I am certainly capable of being wrong.
Maybe if you used the typical greeting of "DDDC" ie Due Date Club Crashing? I'm not the board police, that's for sure. Just a long time member.
we typically don't do any testing or any u/s unless warranted.
I will have at least 1 and probably 2 u/s done (the first at 8wks and then the 2nd around 20) just for peace of mind due to my loss history.
I do think that tests can lead to more tests to more questions, more problems, more worry, and a lot of times they are wrong.
Also an amnio increases the risk of m/c so it is not something I would choose to do.... a live baby with a few "possible" problems is way better than a dead baby in my book. just my opinion.
Yay for HBAC! The later you can wait to do the ultrasound, the more accurate the information about the placenta will be, as the bigger you get the more likelihood the placenta will move away from your cervix. A mother who recently took a prenatal course with me had 1st trimester bleeding and an ultrasound revealed what looked like it could be placenta previa (placenta totally covers cervix making vaginal birth impossible). However, a 3rd trimester ultrasound showed the placenta has moved away from the cervix. She has had quite a lot of worry about it, but in her case the ultrasound was not routine as she was having a problem (the bleeding).
Hey, don't forget that the placenta will move up a ton after the 20 week because the is still growing. Lots of women are diagnosed with complete/partial placenta previa at the 20 week ultrasound only to have the placenta move up closer to their due dates!
Oh yeah I know, which is why I'm going to try and push the US as late as I can. BUT my husband REALLY wants to know the sex (not important to me, but it is to him) and it's usually better to see around 20-25wks so IDK.
I trust my MW to tell me if the placenta is in a safe position, but I also want/need that visual confirmation. I only want the 1 US so not exactly sure at this point.
We do the 20 week ultra sound and the gestational diabetes check and that is all. We figure anything they find on any test would never change the pregnancy for us, all of those other tests check for possibe developmental defects and oddities and any of those mean nothing for us, we will love and care for our child no matter what. Gestational diabetes can affect the actual pregnancy and i have no problem taking that one, this time we want to find out the sex before birth so i'm looking forward to the ultra sound.
I also wasn't planning on getting any testing or ultrasounds, at least at this point. Actually, not totally true, because I'm RH negative, so I'll test for that. I think you have to balance the infomration you get from testing with risks involved (i.e. ultrasounds) and how that would change your outcome or options. I believe the best way I can ensure a healthy pregnancy is through my own nutrition.
I plan to just do ultra sound. Not sure when. I'm sure curious to see how many are in there since I'm showing so early and was on clomid (and twins run in my family!). We'll see.
Some families like to do tests not because they would termintae the pregnancy but because they like to be prepared if they will have a special needs child. For us we'll be OK with waiting till birth.
Some families like to do tests not because they would termintae the pregnancy but because they like to be prepared if they will have a special needs child. For us we'll be OK with waiting till birth.
Can't do the diabetes screen because I've had gastric bypass and that glucose drink could darn near kill me. We want to do just one ultrasound, but haven't decided if we want to know the gender or not.
The only "tests" I want done are at today's appointment. I want to have my thyroid checked because I really suspect some problems there, and I would like to test for the toxoplasmosis antibody so I can stop wearing a freaking mask to change my catboxes. My pregnancy breath is gross and I hate breathing "recycled" air.
I would like to test for the toxoplasmosis antibody so I can stop wearing a freaking mask to change my catboxes. My pregnancy breath is gross and I hate breathing "recycled" air.
I love pregnancy because I use it as an excuse not to change the cat box, that becomes DH's job. IN fact I have convinced him that he had to keep doing it after dd was born because i breastfeed, better safe then sorry. lol.
I typically turn down almost all the tests. I don't do the GD screening, but instead will test my blood sugar with a glucometer for about 3 days somewhere between 28 and 32 weeks. Waaaaaaaaay better than drinking a bottle of sugar and actually a more accurate tool for discovering blood sugar issues.
If I decide to use a hospital-based provider, I will get the GBS, because like PP said, if I don't get the test, the will automatically assume me positive and try to force the ABX on me at birth or require baby to stay longer and possibly undergo additional testing.
In my last two pregnancies, I have not had any ultrasounds. If I go with a hospital-based provider, I will decline this again. If I instead go with a CPM, I am considering getting the 20 week anatomy scan to look for any congenital abnormalities that would indicate the need for a higher level of care at birth. Still undecided about this (heck, still undecided about who I will use as a care provider!).
That's pretty much all the testing I do.
Oh, and during the pregnancy, I request use of the fetoscope instead of the doppler for regular heart rate checks.
I will be turning down all testing with this pregnancy just like with my last. Luckily I have a MW that doesn't push them, even with me being 38. I've had experience with a false positive AFP and it was incredibly stressful. I won't go through it again.
We will probably not even have an U/S since we have to pay out of pocket for it. If for some reason my MW thinks there is an issue that needs to get looked at then I will consider it.
GD has never been an issue for me before and we will likely just focus on healthy eating habits instead of over loading with sugars. GBS can come and go so no matter what the test says, you r baody could have gotten rid of it or it could have formed between the test date and delivery. I will just stick with a hibiclens rinse prior to delivery since I stay away from ABX anyway.
For those declining ultrasounds, are you planning on using dopplers, or only fetascopes (post 20 weeks). Klemomma, please share more!
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