[Amila]

I had a hospital birth with DD, a homebirth with DS (but didn't switch until 16 weeks, prior to that I was with a midwife practice).

Now that I am going to my homebirth midwife for my entire pregnancy, I don't think I will be getting any tests done- she just wants to see me around 10 weeks to hear the heart tones.

I feel left out! Lol, I had an ultrasound with both at 6 weeks, so I feel like I should with this one, but what is the point really? And I guess about 8 positive pregnancy tests is enough to let me know I am preggo without having to obsess over hcg levels...

Anyone with me?

 

[fawny]

I know what you mean about all the pregnancy tests, I've taken like 10! LOL. Luckily I got in on a co-op and got about 50 tests for $20 so basically I could pee on a stick every day if I wanted, lol.

Aaaanywho with DD I only had one ultrasound at 20 weeks and I'll do the same with this one. There is growing evidence that having multiple ultrasounds can be harmful to the baby (sort of like how women used to get x-rays when they were pregnant back in the day but now we know that is BAD!) so I'm pretty happy to only have one.

 

[Amila]

Yea I definitely know what you mean- I did TWO novelty 3-D ultrasounds with DD before I know better. Imagine the panic I felt when I researched it after the fact. But I am still kind of going to miss seeing that reassuring heart beating on the screen

 

[Eresh]

I'm planning a hb with this one. I had one with DS as well. I'm not planning on doing any testing (other than the POAS ... I only used up my 4 remaining tests after my first BFP

) though I'm debating doing a 20 week anatomy scan.

I still haven't gotten around to calling a midwife. I was planning on doing that today but got caught up in sewing diapers. Maybe I'll call this evening.

ETA: I will probably do some bloodwork to check my iron levels and maybe my vitamin D levels. I'll wait to talk to my MW about that though.

 

[Dirkey]

I'm planning a HB but will probably due my prenatal at the OB's until the last trimester. Anyone having problems booking a midwife? Mid-october is the midwifery conference in Tenn.

 

[Melly24]

I'm not doing HCG bloodwork and wont see my midwife til 12 weeks. I'm only planning on one US at 20 weeks. Will probably do a bunch of the other bloodtests but not all. Havn't looked into fully yet but am not doing the gestational diabetes test. That drink is foul and it made me feel disgusting for over a day.

I'm debating with myself whether to have an early US at 7ish weeks, just to see a heartbeat. I have a history of loss and that would ease so many of my fears.

 

[tanyab]

My mw does a complete bloodwork and urine screen (not hgc) at the first prentala visit. I'll have that and maybe the 20 week u/s. That's probably it. I had a hospital birth last time and more u/s than I could count.

 

[JSJSS]

I know how you feel, I had a hospital birth with my first and this time I'm planning homebirth and paying out of pocket. My midwife said that she doesn't do any u/s but if we want to we could go somewhere and get it done around 20w. I'm debating because we will have to pay for it ourselves and because I will miss "seeing" our little one before it comes like we did with DD!

 

[FtMPapa]

I want to be a homebirther, I didn't know about the midwifery conference! That could make things just a little more difficult.

I haven't heard back from the homebirth midwives yet, I called about a week ago, and I know for a fact they have several people due right about now, baby season is in full swing around here. (How long do you guys think is reasonable to wait? I figured I would call them back and leave another message tonight.)

Tomorrow, at 6w2d I am having an early U/S. It's important for my peace of mind, I've had three early, early losses, all around 4-5 weeks, so this is the furthest I've ever made it, and it's important because I need to confirm that it's a intra-uterine pregnancy and find out if there's one or two, because of the IVF.

There is mounting evidence that repeat ultrasounds are not completely benign, but I don't think it's fair to liken it to x-rays. X-rays are known to be harmful, period. Ultrasound is known to be safe, but lately concerns have been raised. Personally, I think it's a lot of hype, and I won't hesitate to have medically warranted ultrasounds done all through pregnancy.

At a minimum, I'm planning on six weeks, twelve weeks, and 20 weeks. If I make it to 42 weeks, I'll have one then to check the placenta.

I do draw the line at the "mall ultrasounds" those video things with the really high resolution that are operated under dubious conditions. I know that sonographers are well-paid and have excellent benefits, so it's unlikely a kiosk in a mall could be competitive with that, so I'm dubious about the training, qualifications, and experience of the people running the machine.

In my less-sane moments, I remember that I have a relative who is a sonographer, and maybe I could go live with her and she could bring a machine home from work and scan me every night. Then I remember that I could just rent a doppler.

 

[Sihaya]

With DS, we didn't use doppler until I was in labor, have any ultrasounds, or have any tests besides the pee test at each mw appt and the GBS test at 36 weeks. My last pg, I had an u/s at 10 weeks to confirm a suspected m/c. Before that, I hadn't done any testing or monitoring besides taking HPTs.

This time, I'm being a lot more "interventionist" than the last two times due to my loss, but most people would laugh if they heard me use that word to describe what I plan on doing:

• I did have two blood tests done at 12 and 15dpo to see if my betas doubled but mostly to check my progesterone since I'm pretty sure my loss was due to low progesterone. Levels were fine so I won't be checking again.
• I'm going to let my mw use the doppler at my 12 and 16 week appts before we switch back to the fetoscope at 20 weeks. I just can't fathom waiting until 20 weeks to know for sure that there's a little beating heart in there.
• I'm still not having any ultrasounds unless medically necessary.
• I think I'm going to decline all testing this time, including the pee sticks at appts, though I'm still considering the GBS test because it would really simplify things in case of a transfer.

 

[FtMPapa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sihaya I think I'm going to decline all testing this time, including the pee sticks at appts, though I'm still considering the GBS test because it would really simplify things in case of a transfer.

Excellent point!

I am going to get the GBS test for that reason. It's much better to have the test on file so you can prove to the hospital that neither you nor your newborn need their stupid antibiotics. It also helps because they then know that you've had what they consider "adequate" prenatal care.

I've heard the trick is to make sure you test negative the first, and only time, you take the test. I'll be doing the Hibiclens/garlic/whatever trick going into the test, just in case. Many hospitals have a rule that a positive test is always a positive test, so if you test positive, it doesn't matter if you later test negative.

 

[AmBam]

I've had my last three at home and will have this one at home also. My mw is 4 hours away, so I won't see her too many times. I'll do the urine test each time and she'll check the hb with a doppler each time. That's it. I dont' do any blood work or ultrasounds. I'm ok with an appt at around 12 weeks just so I can hear the little heartbeat, then I'm ok doing my own prenatal stuff. I'm not too concerned.

 

[JessieBird]

I haven't decided for sure on HB - with our midwives, we have the choice of home, birthing centre or hospital. DS was born at the birthing centre and I loved it so we may repeat that, or maybe home this time. Either way, all of our care is through a very wholistic, naturally-minded birthing centre and I probably won't see a doctor at all for my entire pregnancy.

I won't have any early ultrasounds, but that's fairly standard here for pregnancies with no known complications even if you're with a conventional doctor. I don't think I'll be able to resist the 12 or 20 week scans though. I did full bloodwork early with DS and again recently at my annual check up so I don't feel the need now. I'll definitely say no to the GD test. Our midwifery practice advises against it anyway, unless you have strong risk factors. And this time I'll insist on having the GBS swab test around 32 weeks, then again at 37 or so. Last time I tested + at 37 weeks which left me no time to treat it. DH was pretty insistent on the antibiotics and will be again this time too (I was undecided so his vote tipped the scale), however he and our midwives are fully supportive of being proactive and trying to clear the bacteria if I test + again. I wish I'd known more about that the first time around.

 

[fawny]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FtMPapa There is mounting evidence that repeat ultrasounds are not completely benign, but I don't think it's fair to liken it to x-rays. X-rays are known to be harmful, period. Ultrasound is known to be safe, but lately concerns have been raised. Personally, I think it's a lot of hype, and I won't hesitate to have medically warranted ultrasounds done all through pregnancy.

Sorry, I just want to clarify what I meant. What I meant was back in the day everyone thought xrays were fine during pregnancy but then it was discovered they were super dangerous. I am just wondering if it'll be like that say 5, 10 years down the road with ultrasounds. Right now we might think it's safe but maybe they're not as safe as we think? That's all I meant

If it gives you piece of mind than by all means get one at 6 weeks, I'm wishing you TONS of sticky baby vibes!!!

 

[outlier]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sihaya With DS, we didn't use doppler until I was in labor, have any ultrasounds, or have any tests besides the pee test at each mw appt and the GBS test at 36 weeks.

Sorry for the hijack, but Sihaya, I have a quick question for you (and anyone else who's done this). I don't intend to get any ultrasounds and am uncomfortable with the thought of using a doppler for the same reasons. Did your mw or ob have any problem with you refusing the doppler? I'll have my first mw appointment at 10 weeks and am worried about the reaction I'll get when I say I'd rather not use it. TIA!

 

[Naomismom]

I'm going with a family doc in a hospital and I am fairly certain they do not do early ultrasounds. I'm not sure how it became the norm.

I don't think ACOG considers it part of a normal early prenatal checkup either.

 

[Sihaya]

Quote:

Originally Posted by outlier Sorry for the hijack, but Sihaya, I have a quick question for you (and anyone else who's done this). I don't intend to get any ultrasounds and am uncomfortable with the thought of using a doppler for the same reasons. Did your mw or ob have any problem with you refusing the doppler? I'll have my first mw appointment at 10 weeks and am worried about the reaction I'll get when I say I'd rather not use it. TIA!

It really will depend on your midwife. For me, it was something I knew I wanted to minimize when I was interviewing midwives before I even got pg with DS. So, I chose a mw who I knew was fine with a very minimal amount of intervention and monitoring. I also wanted to make sure the person we hired was familiar and comfortable with using a fetoscope since, due to the prevalence of dopplers, some never learn how to use it. I ended up with a mw who trained with mostly Amish mothers and who is used to women who want very little monitoring.

If I didn't know the mw well yet and didn't have a lot of others to choose from, I would just say "No, thank you" and leave it at that to gauge their reaction.

 

[mom2brooke]

With #2 and #3, we skipped most tests. No glucose, no maternal serum screening, not GBS either (which I got flack for from the ped. in the NICU (normal for my babies due to benign genetic seizure disorder) and I just brushed him off). Had one U/S at 20ish weeks. This time around I'll be opting for an early ultrasond to check for twins, just a gut feeling. My midwives just moved offices, so I won't get a call from them until next week. It's so hard to wait! lol

 

[honeybee]

The only ultrasound I have ever had during pregnancy was at 41 weeks with ds1, to check fluid levels as I was refusing induction. Refusing a routine ultrasound was my first "crunchy" parenting decision... and I did it based on ACOG recommendations. Routine ultrasounds in low-risk women have not been shown to improve outcomes for baby, but DO increase the chance of interventions, such as induction and c-sections. So, I passed.

For my homebirths, I peed on a stick to check keytones, etc. at every appointment and I get my iron checked. I do not do bloodwork, glucose, or GBS testing.

I would get an u/s for medical reasons or if I was very unsure of my due date or if I was measuring large and suspected twins. Yes, I know eventually the mw would be able to tell there were twins, but I would rather know sooner than later.

 

[oliviab]

with DS I was with a hospital mw until 34 weeks, so I had the all the tests ultrasounds etc....with this one I called my midwife and she said....oh no hurry, just call me when you are ready to have your first appointment...

so I guess I dont really know when that is...haha....any suggestions as to when a good first appointment would be?

I have put myself at about 6 weeks so far.....