Calling all the Pregnant PS''ers

[nycbkgirl]

Date: 1/27/2009 8:00:10 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 1/27/2009 7:22:50 PM
Author: nycbkgirl
Cdt- thanks...that''s the reason I was askin ..dh lol...he is the same way ..says I can''t have the spicy stuff..but I can''t help it.

Well if pregnant women couldn''t eat spicy food then all the Thai, Mexican, and East Indian people in the world would sure be in trouble!! The only thing that will happen if you eat lots of spicy food when pregnant is that your child will have a preference for such foods later! It apparently flavours your amniotic fluid... and your milk.

mmmmm....Mexican ....now im hungry again!

 

[ChinaCat]

CDT- Ok, so some boys named Layne: Layne Staley (lead singer of Alice In Chains; though he did die of a drug overdose) and Layne Ulrich (son of Metallica''s Lars Ulrich). So I guess it''s a boy name, if that helps!!!!

Spicy food- Haven''t heard that, and like the other girls here, would be in big trouble if that''s true. I eat a lot of Mexican and Indian food. I have read that if you have a lot of morning sickness to avoid spicy foods b/c it could make it worse. But that''s it! So tell DH to back off.

Re: names. Blen, I think you recommended Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana- and I am loving it, it''s so fascinating. I haven''t actually picked any names yet, but I love reading about all the different trends and such. Oh, and I don''t think I ever commented, but I love your names- Augusta is so elegant and you don''t hear it much (I know it''s a middle name).

I just "gave up" one of my names to my BFF- DH wasn''t really into it so might as well, right?

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 1/27/2009 11:36:42 AM
Author: littlelysser
Pandora & NYC - Our genetic counselor recommended doing one or the other. What can the NT scan pick up that the CVS or Amnio cannot? I haven''t heard of anything that the NT scan will reveal that wouldn''t be revealed via CVS. I''d love any additional information you might have.

As for me, I was not interested in the NT scan for a number of reasons. The first being that it is only 85% accurate. The second being that it is a screening test as opposed to a diagnostic test. Unfortunately, I don''t think I could be okay with knowing that my chances of having a baby with a trisomy is 1 in 1000. I could still be that one. I much prefer the definitive answer. I''m also a bit leary of the false positives that often come with the NT scan.

I saw the genetic counsellors twice early on - mainly because DH has an autosomal dominant condition that can have serious implications for the baby. Turns out that they couldn''t test using amnio/cvs anyway and so they will do cord bloods straight after birth.

I spent a lot of time talking to them about my worries about just relying on the NT scan. They got me all the details of my hospital''s false positive and false negative rates - which had just come back with analysis of the past year''s results. Since my hospital has the highest birth rate of any hospital in the UK, offers the NT to all women, has state of the art machinery and the guy who invented the NT test is at the next door hospital and personally trains the staff at mine, I was pretty reassured.

The CVS will only give you answers regarding a select few chromosomal abnormalities - there are hundreds of others that they don''t test for. You are only ruling out T21, T13 and T18 - not every trisomy out there.

With the NT scan, they will also look at the baby''s organs and structures - they can potential pick up problems with the heart, brain, major organs, limbs, spine, blood flow, cord problems, the state of the placenta. None of these will be picked up by amnio/CVS.

For me the NT scan combined with blood test was the most important (in my hospital''s case it is reckoned to be 95% accurate) and I would have done the CVS if I had anything under 1:1000. When I saw the scan and couldn''t see any soft markers (I did a lot of research on what to look for) and saw a lot of things to make me feel very positive, plus getting the fanastic numbers that I did, I was very reassured and opted out of the CVS.

My numbers were:

Background risk T21 - 1:205
Adjusted risk T21 - 1:4075
Background risk T13+T18 - 1:370
Adjusted risk T13+T18 - 1:7372

As you can see the numbers were good enough to make me question the 1:50 risk of miscarriage for CVS.

I would really recommend doing both - plus you get the chance to spend a good 30 minutes and then some oggling the baby.

 

[Blenheim]

I just realized that I have STRETCH MARKS on the undersides of my (*)(*).

Ebree - good to see you too! Hope everything's going well.

Testing urine - my midwife has me dip my own strips, haha. I mean, I'm sure that she'd do it if I asked her, but so far she's just given me the strip and told me to go pee in a cup, dip the strip, and bring it back to her so we can read it together.

Date: 1/27/2009 4:36:29 PM
Author: Sabine

I hate trying to think of names. All the names both dh and I really LOVE are in the top 5 names for 2008 (both boys and girls!). I don't want to do that to my baby, but we're having trouble coming up with names we like even half as much.

If it makes you feel any better, there are fewer babies being named the most popular names now than there used to be. So even if you have a baby with a top 5 name, they won't be as likely to be known as "Emily P" or a "Jacob M" as they would have been when we were in school. Using info from SSA's website about number of births, to illustrate (they don't have 2008 info out yet):

USA 2007 Boys:
Jacob 23,886
Michael 21,618
Ethan 20,785
Joshua 20,254
Daniel 19,869

USA 1977 Boys:
Michael 67,529
Jason 55,587
Christopher 46,762
David 40,500
James 39,994

USA 2007 Girls:
Emily 19,105
Isabella 18,874
Emma 18,127
Ava 17,865
Madison 17,731

USA 1977 Girls:
Jennifer 58,936
Melissa 26,877
Amy 26,723
Jessica 24,833
Heather 23,754

ETA:

Spicy food is supposed to help induce labor, but (a) that may be an old wives tale - I haven't looked into it, and (b) most of the natural methods really won't work unless you're about to go anyway. Maybe that's where NYC's hubby is getting his worry?

China - thanks! I love it too.

I'm glad that you're enjoying the book.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 1/27/2009 9:13:51 PM
Author: Blenheim
I
Testing urine - my midwife has me dip my own strips, haha. I mean, I''m sure that she''d do it if I asked her, but so far she''s just given me the strip and told me to go pee in a cup, dip the strip, and bring it back to her so we can read it together.

Me too but I only show it to her if it looks like it may be positive at all. I also found out I will do my own swab for GBS! I was happy about that because it means one less week having to worry about "grooming" down there, which is actually impossible now anyways! Internals don''t start until about 37 weeks.

 

[littlelysser]

Pandora - That is completely the opposite of what will happen with the CVS test in the states. Perhaps the difference is an international one - or a difference from hospital to hospital.

I thought I may have been confused and called the genetic counselor we are working with and she confirmed for me that the CVS test here tests for every trisomy and nearly all chromosomal and genetic defects and most other birth defects, other than spinal bifida. How strange that the tests are so different in the two countries! And at my hospital, the CVS test is accompanied by a thorough U/S - where they will look for many of the same things they looks for w/ the NT Scan - including the neck fold and general issues with other abnormalities.

Finally, I can''t believe how high the rate of miscarriage is! I live in a city with a wonderful women''s hospital - they have a great genetics center that does CVS testing on a regular basis. Their miscarriage rate is under 1 in 1000.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 1/27/2009 9:40:17 PM
Author: littlelysser
Pandora - That is completely the opposite of what will happen with the CVS test in the states. Perhaps the difference is an international one - or a difference from hospital to hospital.

I thought I may have been confused and called the genetic counselor we are working with and she confirmed for me that the CVS test here tests for every trisomy and nearly all chromosomal and genetic defects and most other birth defects, other than spinal bifida. How strange that the tests are so different in the two countries! And at my hospital, the CVS test is accompanied by a thorough U/S - where they will look for many of the same things they looks for w/ the NT Scan - including the neck fold and general issues with other abnormalities.

Finally, I can't believe how high the rate of miscarriage is! I live in a city with a wonderful women's hospital - they have a great genetics center that does CVS testing on a regular basis. Their miscarriage rate is under 1 in 1000.

This was the rate that I read about too... I wonder, Pandora, was the 1/50 rate an older statistic? Apparently the m/c rates for amnio are also much lower than the typically touted 2%, actually more like .07%...

ETA Lysser, is the fact that you have had spotting a factor at all in the risks of CVS? I don't see how it would be unless there was evidence of a hematoma/bruising or something, but just wondered if you had asked.

 

[littlelysser]

Yup, DD, I asked. Of course I asked.

They told me that they are only concerned with bleeding that occurs on the day of the CVS test. In other words, if I were to be bleeding on the day of the CVS, most likely, they will not do the test.

The counselor also told me that they do a thorough U/S beforehand - and if anything looks wonky, the won't do the CVS.

As for my bleeding, I don't have a subchorionic hematoma - at least not one that was large enough to be seen on either of the U/S's. I do have a small fibroid, that he said may have caused the bleeding, but otherwise, he saw no cause. Which is a good thing!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 1/27/2009 10:01:13 PM
Author: littlelysser
Yup, DD, I asked. Of course I asked.

They told me that they are only concerned with bleeding that occurs on the day of the CVS test. In other words, if I were to be bleeding on the day of the CVS, most likely, they will not do the test.

The counselor also told me that they do a thorough U/S beforehand - and if anything looks wonky, the won''t do the CVS.

As for my bleeding, I don''t have a subchorionic hematoma - at least not one that was large enough to be seen on either of the U/S''s. I do have a small fibroid, that he said may have caused the bleeding, but otherwise, he saw no cause. Which is a good thing!

Good! When is that test done, around 12 weeks?

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Hi, Ebree!!

I''d been wondering about you, girl! Good to know you''re still "around."

Take it easy and know your friends here are thinking about you! And we missed you!!

 

[Pandora II]

Interesting.

I know my hospitals miscarriage rate is extremely low for both amnio and CVS - although CVS is a bit higher. However they still quote the 1:100 v 1:50 miscarriage rates.

Probably because they would end up doing 6,000 a year if people felt it was safe. Instead they offer everyone all the other tests and pick out the ones they are worried about.

Interesting about the range of abnormalities tested for. I would think it''s probably a cost issue over here - it''s all paid for by the government. I know that the genetics team tried very hard to get me testing for the hereditary spherocytosis and they were told that there was no test available.

I would totally have the CVS if they can offer you that range of results.

I''m probably also a sucker for the chance of a u/s - normally you only get 1 or 2 in the UK - so the NT scan has a huge upside here. (You''ve never seen someone as happy as I was to hear I had partial placenta praevia... another u/s at 35 weeks

.)

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 1/28/2009 8:30:57 AM
Author: Pandora II
Interesting.


I know my hospitals miscarriage rate is extremely low for both amnio and CVS - although CVS is a bit higher. However they still quote the 1:100 v 1:50 miscarriage rates.

Maybe someone quoted you the wrong numbers then, because those aren''t extremely low IMO. I''ve also heard the same numbers that llysser and DD have.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 1/27/2009 2:02:36 PM
Author: EBree
It''s good to see you too, neat!

How are those adorable baby boys doing? I check the Mommies thread periodically, but it''s been awhile. Maybe I''ve missed new photos?

I did post a few in the mommies thread, but I will shamelessly post some more for you here! They are doing great, sleeping right now thank goodness. We are at 6 weeks, so this is supposed to be the peak of the fussiness, which would be really great because they aren''t all that fussy for the most part!

Here is one of their 1 month photos, Dex on the left, Max on the right.

 

[neatfreak]

And here is little Dex, he''s the thinker for sure. He always connects so well with the camera.

 

[littlelysser]

Pandora - The difference in the medical/pay systems is probably the answer. Admittedly, I''m not a huge fan of the American system - because it is so horrid, well completely lacking, for those without insurance, but I suppose it does have its benefits.

DD - The test is done between 10 and 12 weeks. There was some fear in the early days of the test that it could cause finger and jaw abnormalities - particularly if done before 9 weeks. So far as I can tell, most of those studies have been discounted and there appears to be no risk to the fetus (other than the low rate of m/c) - particularly if the test is done after 10 weeks. I''ll be 11w4d when I have mine.

 

[neatfreak]

And here's Max. While we are stereotyping we think he's going to play football.

He loves to just throw his head and body around and bonk us. Not to mention his very very loud flatulence (and his love of giving us a big huge grin right after) which will lend itself well to locker room talent contests.

 

[littlelysser]

Neat - Your boys are ADORABLE!!!

 

[Courtneylub]

Oh my goodness, Neat! Dex and Max are adorable! They just can''t get any cuter than that.

 

[Sabine]

Oh my gosh neat, Dex and Max are just adorable! How are you holding up?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 1/28/2009 9:44:20 AM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 1/28/2009 8:30:57 AM
Author: Pandora II
Interesting.


I know my hospitals miscarriage rate is extremely low for both amnio and CVS - although CVS is a bit higher. However they still quote the 1:100 v 1:50 miscarriage rates.

Maybe someone quoted you the wrong numbers then, because those aren''t extremely low IMO. I''ve also heard the same numbers that llysser and DD have.

Or, that is the rate iof m/c for people who have the procedure full stop, NOT the adjusted rate of *increase* in m/c due to the procedure. So the commonly touted 2% for amnio is the total, but the actual increase is rates is 0.7%, which is actualy not statistically different from zero according to what I read.

 

[fieryred33143]

They are so delicious Neat. I''m glad to hear they are doing well.

 

[fieryred33143]

I just wanted to drop by and say hello to all the future mommies. Today is a busy day at work. My boss keeps looking at me like this:

So I should go get some work done.

 

[nycbkgirl]

Thanks for the pics neat! Please put them up whenever u can...love it! I esp love seeing twins together

I haven''t felt any movement since last night and im freakin out lol...gonna go eat and lay down and see what happens.

 

[mela lu]

Neat - those boys are breaking me - they are so cute. Oh MAN. when I see something that adorable, it makes me want a litte boy!! LUCKY MOMMA!!!

NYC - I had zero fetal mov''t from Sunday night 8pm to Monday evening 6pm. I was a little freaked out too. My Middie told me to drink a glass of OJ and lie on my left side. Sure enough...the little bugger perked right up and kept on kicking like a ninja the rest of the night. Take a rest. It''s probably a growth spurt and they are getting lots of ZZZZ''s for their big spurt

 

[nycbkgirl]

O thank goodness im not the only one mela lol! Yeh I drink oj and lay on my back and wait for the kicks and sure enough there they go...but the boy kicks more than the girl..I wonder if its bc he''s the one near the cervix ..maybe I feel him more? But I feel so much better when I feel those movements..I wish I could feel them all the time at night they sleep well.no movement...
I wonder if I lay on my sides am I pressing on them? (They are on either sides)...I get scared that im putting too much pressure.

 

[fieryred33143]

NYC-hope you feel them soon! They''re probably just sleeping!

When should we start sleeping on our left or is that not really something we have to worry about? I''ve heard that sleeping on the left gives them more oxygen

I ask because I favor my right side and always end up on the right so I''m trying to condition myself to sleep on the left.

 

[mela lu]

They say the left is best...but don''t beat yourself up if you can''t. I try...but have an old sports injury in my left shoulder so I find my right side more comfy.

I wake up every morning on my back

no matter how I start out...so, yah. Go with the flow. lol.

***

PAGING LINDSAY: where did you find those gorgeous burp cloths online? the lemon yellow ones and the beautiful pink florals ones?

 

[Dreamer_D]

The general concesus that has been reached on here and from many of us talking to out docs/midwives is that you can sleep on your back as long as you are comfortable doing so. Sleeping on the back when the uterus is heavy *can* compress various arteries and veins, but YOU will feel this compression and wake up or feel poopy before it affects baby, so it is safe to use your own feelings as a guide. ETA and you can sleep on either side, it doesnèt really matter.

And I will tell you from experience, you will know when it is not comfortable! LOL! I slept on my back until I was about 32 weeks and then after that my uterus got too heavy and I felt like I was suffocating when I lay on my back... and it pressed on my bowels which is also not comfortable. More recently I need a pillow under my belly too to support the weight or I get back pain.

NYC My baby didn't move much on Monday for some reason, apparently babies have quiet days and active days! It worried me, I kept poking to see is baby would respond

The next day baby was active again. As long as you feel something every day I am fairly certain you don't need to worry. Also, lay on your side, you won't squish them! Remember, they are living in a baloon filled with water!

 

[nycbkgirl]

Thanks DD! I sleep on back as well with elevation from the pillow..I hear u shouldn''t sleep flat on ur back. But im such a tosser and turner (and I used to only sleep on my stomach so the change has been hard)...but thanks for the reassurance that I won''t squish them lol..bc they are on the sides and I hate having to "lay on them" but I know they are safe.
I did feel the movements after I ate (oj really does the trick)...but the boy is always more than the girl...he lays head down..and she is side to side..I wonder if position matters but I worry. I would''ve def called nurse if I didn''t feel anything today. Every phase is a new worry!

 

[mela lu]

CAR SEAT QUESTION:

My SIL gave me her 2007 "Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP" car seat.
How can I find out if it''s still "good" or not?

Thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction.