Anyone else considering a "low tech" pregnancy?

[doulawoman]

I totally respect those who aren't, there are many great reasons to have ultrasounds, triple screening, amnio, GD testing and the like...but it there anyone who doesn't go for a doppler, ultrasounds, GD testing, triple screening etc. etc. Basically you pee on a stick, talk to your care provider, get palpated and hear the heartbeat when the fetoscope can pick it up? I didn't do a lot of testing last time but feel, for me personally, that I'd like to go this route this time unless i get a strong feeling or indication that such tests may be necessary....

[itsybistyspider]

With dd i had an ultrasound at 8 weeks (which I wished i hadnt- due to negative dr comments) and then the next time I had any exam or appointment was at 34 weeks (

 to meet the Dr) and then 38 weeks (scan only).  I didn't do any blood work after the first visit (which they did std's ect) 

This time I probably wont do any scans or   tests until at least 6 months. I may go in to "register"- I am in Denmark and i get free care, but I just dont want it. The only reason I will go at all is to be in the system so I can have a midwife at the birth. Ill do what it takes to get that- and not more. 

[wombjuice]

Hi there!  I am a midwifery student pregnant with my first baby.  I do not plan on using the doppler or having any ultrasounds during my pregnancy.  I may get some initial bloodwork done, as I eat a completely raw vegan diet and I want to make sure I'm not missing anything crucial, but that's it. 

Nice to meet you! :)

[DayDreamer]

I typed  a reply then it disappeared.

I am preg w/#4.

With DD 1, I did everything mainstream. Had all the tests, did everything the docs said.

With DS 2, I had a MW and a HB and I refused most testing. I did have some basic blood work and did use dopplers. No U/S, GD test, quad screen, etc.

With DS 3, I was planning a UC and had no official prenatal care. I did use test strips to pee on and I listened to the hb w/a fetascope. 

With this baby, I think I'm going to go the route of #2. I just think that's what works best for me.

[L'lee]

Seriously thinking about it. Last time, for the first half of my pregnancy I had a MW who rolled in the portable ultrasound for each appt and I had no idea there were any issues until later. I ended up switching to MWs who were much lower tech (and more mama-friendly instead of medical-friendly!), but still used dopplers unless someone requested otherwise. Now I'm pretty concerned about USs though, and I'm thinking of skipping them all unless there seems a reason not to. We'll see. I didn't bother with the GS testing last time, but I did get a blood sugar monitor and I tested once a week (one AM fasting, another 2 hours after dinner) just so I could make a dietary shift if needed, but there were no problems. My grandma had (probably TRUE, uncontrolled) diabetes with her last baby and she ended up with a 13 pounder! I didn't want a surprise like that. I don't remember triple screen, is that a blood test?

[wombjuice]

The triple screen (now a penta screen) is a maternal blood test that can (possibly) indicate if your baby is at risk for Downs Syndrome or other chromosomal disorders.  It has a high false-positive rate but can be useful for parents at risk of carrying a fetus with a chromosomal disorder (such as advanced maternal age parents) and who would consider aborting the fetus if this were the case.  The next step after the penta screen would be a Level II ultrasound, and then an amniocentesis.

[lactatinggirl]

I just had my initial meeting with the home birth midwife we're going to use today. I'm super excited that she doesn't care if I decline all testing throughout my entire pregnancy. I don't know about doppler though. She said she uses it in labor, but I don't know if she uses it in the appointments. Hrm. I'll have to ask her. 

[jessica_lizette]

I will probably skip all ultrasounds and would like to avoid doppler. We've never done the triple screen with our other two kids, and I'm not sure I feel the need for GD screening this time. I'm okay with initial bloodwork just to see where everything's at. This is our third baby and they haven't been spaced very far apart, and I've been breastfeeding for almost 4 years straight, so I'd just like to see how my body's holding up.

[demoonunit]

Would you lovely ladies mind telling me why your opting for a low-tech pregnancy? What are the risks of ultrasound and other tests?

[Eaglevoice]

Originally Posted by demoonunit 

Would you lovely ladies mind telling me why your opting for a low-tech pregnancy? What are the risks of ultrasound and other tests?

http://mothering.com/pregnancy-birth/what-you-should-know-about-ultrasound

[thorn]

there are also many studies on pubmed that discuss the risks and benefits of obstetrical ultrasounds.  

[*~*SewHappyNow*~*]

I don't plan to do anything, except pee on the sticks my midwife has me do to test for sugar and protein.  Perhaps a doppler a few times.  That is it.  I won't even do the glucose test, which I didn't do last time either. 

[doulawoman]

so gald to know I'm not alone! The only thing that slightly concerns me is that even at 20 weeks my mw's had a hard time finding her heartbeat partly i think because my placenta was in front and partly because they weren't very experienced with it...in my community i'll be the odd one out with no doppler use...i would consider it if we suspected a m/c etc and it was too early for the fetoscope.

For me, ultrasounds have not been proven safe...so i'd ike to get one only if there is a medical reason, not just as a routine screening...also they have a high rate and false positives and misreadings, esp as you get later in yoyr pregnancy (i.e. the whole "low fluid" thing with full term babies...we went through that....and we had a c section and i feel that the u/s was a big factor) also dd was freaking out during the two u/s i had...my belly was hot and she was frantic...it just didn't feel "right" for me and my baby...then i found out dopplers are actually higher radiation....also...after much reflection on my last pregnancy and birth my one regret is not trusting my insticts as they were bang on...and i felt like i'd hold mybreath for test results instead of tuning into mysekf and baby....i'm not saying it works that way for everyone and as i said if i felt or there was a valid reason to use a doppler or other test or technology i would. the gestational diabetes....i did a lot of research on it and concluded it is usually bogus even if you tru;y have it it can be controlled with diet modifications. plus in have dippy blood sugar and knew the results would be wild...i'd opt for a finger prick type glucose monitor, much much more accurate...

[Tonia Starr]

I have done unassisted pregnancies with my last two. Which means all I really did was pee on the pregnancy test and listen to the heartbeat with a stethoscope. (the heartbeat listening was purely for fun. could tell my babywas fin by how active he regularly was) I am very in tune with my own body so was aware of weight gain, etc.....Plus I had already had three uncomplicated easy pregnancies and labors/delieveries. :) To me, doctors ae for sickness and a pregnancy is NOT a sickness. Unless you have preexistingcondition or develop one...which has never been my issue. I find when you take it in your own hands you hold onto the power, instead of entrusting your dr with all of the details. I los that bonding with my first son through interventions in a hospital setting so this is an impornt issuein my life.

[noeonend]

We are doing a fairly low tech, but not all the way.

My first was pretty normal, although I did decline a lot of tests, and my second was a homebirth with dual care at an ob's.

This time around, I am not doing most things, but will have a short, early US(Endometriosis with some tube issues, just need to check on baby's location) and one at 20 weeks as a preventative check for any issues( we are homebirthing in a really homebirth unfriendly state, if there is any issue we need to know about it ahead of time).  I won't do any of the regular glucose tests, but we know I am severely insulin resistant and I will be regularly checking my sugars on my normal diet.

[ablepearl]

I am not really sure.  It depends on how I feel as the pregnancy continues.  I will probably have the 20 week ultrasound to check on the baby and give us a heads-up if something is wrong. Other than that I would like it to be as low tech as possible.  I am going to be followed by a different group of providers because we have moved and I am not sure what to expect at this point.

[Milly_P]

I've done the mw way, the unassisted way, and then the mw way again, but after my last experience, we are going the "average way". I'm not doing an amnio, or ultrasounds every month, but I will be hearing the hb at every possible moment, and doing an u/s at 7.5 wks, 13 wks, and then probably around 20 wks. might even do another one closer to term. After having done it the other ways, and with tragic experiences the last couple years, I feel more than comfortable with my decision. I respect those who are going the way I went before. I remember that mindset, and I know if I hadn't had those tragic experiences, I would still be in that mindset today.

[ablepearl]

Originally Posted by Milly_P 

I've done the mw way, the unassisted way, and then the mw way again, but after my last experience, we are going the "average way". I'm not doing an amnio, or ultrasounds every month, but I will be hearing the hb at every possible moment, and doing an u/s at 7.5 wks, 13 wks, and then probably around 20 wks. might even do another one closer to term. After having done it the other ways, and with tragic experiences the last couple years, I feel more than comfortable with my decision. I respect those who are going the way I went before. I remember that mindset, and I know if I hadn't had those tragic experiences, I would still be in that mindset today.

 I think that losses make things different.  I never wanteds an early 'dating' US before, but now all I can think about is if the baby is devleoping.  I am most likely going to ask for a quick peek at baby when I go in on Tuesday.  Then to 20 week, supposedly what cuased my stillbirth can be seen on US with a good machine.  Not that knowing would help, because with a thin cord there really is nothing they can do to save the baby :/

I DO want a low tech birth though, intervention free.

[doulawoman]

Originally Posted by Milly_P 

I've done the mw way, the unassisted way, and then the mw way again, but after my last experience, we are going the "average way". I'm not doing an amnio, or ultrasounds every month, but I will be hearing the hb at every possible moment, and doing an u/s at 7.5 wks, 13 wks, and then probably around 20 wks. might even do another one closer to term. After having done it the other ways, and with tragic experiences the last couple years, I feel more than comfortable with my decision. I respect those who are going the way I went before. I remember that mindset, and I know if I hadn't had those tragic experiences, I would still be in that mindset today.

As I said before I totally understand and do not at all judge this, and I can see it beinga choice I would make if I'd had losses or other complications. However, for me, if there are no red flags and no intuitive red flags, I feel that the risks are lower the fewer tests I do as they led to an extremely traumatic birth and unnecessary spinal taps, antibiotics, breastfeeding horrors and PTSD for me... I just wanted to know I wasn't alone in making these choices. I'm not really sure what you mean by "mindset" as I think it isn't always the same mindset that leads to the choice to test/not test. and I don't think there is a right answer, just what's right for you and the best guess you can make given your experiences, I'm sure that's what we're all trying to do! Just don't want anyone to feel alienated by this thread...

[lactatinggirl]

So question for everyone. Kind of a "what would you do?" thing. 

A friend of ours mentioned that we could have twins. Now my husband and I are super paranoid. Mostly because this is our second and the symptoms have hit me so much harder and faster and I already look like I'm 4 months pregnant (from bloating) at 6 weeks. We were planning on just waiting to hear the heartbeat until around 20 weeks when a fetoscope can, but I'm wondering if we should do a doppler just once around 11 weeks to make sure that there's only one in there. I have no reason to believe it's twins (like family history), but I just feel paranoid about it now. Would once with a doppler at 11 weeks even be able to tell if there are two? I'd really prefer to avoid u/s all together.