Less than 12 weeks pregnant club! 2

IamJen

mirrorimage0 wrote: »

yes but if there was something majorly wrong then it would be picked up early enough for you to make informed decisions or come to terms with surely. i really dont undersand why you would skip a scheduled scan.
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The thing for me is, that the majority of women given high-risk status for Downs at least, go on to have unaffected babies. For me personally (and I don't dis anyone one bit who wants the NT test), the worry created here outweighs the potential benefit. The miscarriage risk, though small is a big factor for me. In both older women and PCO women (both categories into which I fall), the risk is slightly higher.

--just reading Milliebear's post now and she sums my feelings pretty well

carolineb23 wrote: »

iamjen, you can have the 12 week scan and decline the nuchal testing (They won't measure the nuchal fold in the scan and won't take blood for testing). That's what we decided to do as we wouldn't have gone ahead with cvs or amnio had the result come back high risk anyway. But it's a very personal choice.

That's good to know. 8-20 weeks is a long time between scans, especially when it's likely that I might not be feeling movement yet. I don't want to subject the bean to more ultrasounds than necessary either.

I really really don't begrudge anyone who wants the scan. I'm just not sure I agree with the NHS stance that it's a "necessary" thing.

mirrorimage0

so have the scheduled scan and not the tests at least it shoud put your mind at rest that bean is still there and growing as should. just realised you had an 8 weeks scan too is that usual in your area, our first one s the twelve weeks so thouht thiswould be you first scan. x

milliebear00001

I agonised over whether to have the blood work done (no nuchal then) with my first. In the end I decided not to. My reasoning was that it was statistically much more likely that I would get a 'false' high risk reading, than a real abnormality with my baby. I was only 28, and false high risks are much more likely with younger women. My decision didn't even raise an eyebrow at the hosp - it was never questioned. I did note though, the quizzical raised-eyebrow I got from my doctor when i made the same decision with my second child (three years late, different health authority). He wanted to know if I had religious reasons! I told him 'no, just mathematical ones!'

I suspect, if I'd been older, I'd probably have had the tests.

It is worth bearing in mind that there aren't actually that many abnormalities the blood work tests for, and lots they don't. Many of the severest abnormalities (for example, anencephaly) would also be picked up by a skilled scanner.

mirrorimage0

right have cleaned the bedrooms including the snake tank and scorpion tank, have doen some washing and decided to get dressed (properly lol) and take the boys out on thier bikes but the sun has now dissapeared boo

oohh you can save 15% at argos on cots and mattresses if you use the code COT15

portsmouthali

pawpurrs wrote: »

Yes agreed, the decision is harder if you are borderline, but I still think the tests shouldnt just be poo pooed they are there for a reason, and they are NOT just for downs syndrome, as many people percieve when they refuse the tests. It is of course a personal choice and some opt to have a cvs just so they can make provisions and start to make plans for a special needs child. The risks are very low nowadays for CVS and amnio should you come back with a high risk result. Each case has to make decisions, based on information given at the time, I am glad I decided to take the decision to have the test, and I did consider not having it, although the outcome was heartbreaking, would I have the test again absolutley.

http://www.arc-uk.org/

We didn't have any extra screening when I was pregnant with my son as I was very much of the opinion that I'd keep a baby whatever problems it had.

However we are this time, as:

A) I'm dead old

Having a child with major disabilities would have a massive impact on my son's life (and ours, for that matter) so we'd want to consider our options carefully.

Should the tests come back with a high risk result, I'm fairly certain that I'd want to go for the CVS/amnio and find out as much as possible. But of course none of us know how we'd really feel until we're faced with that decision.

It's good to hear the views of someone who has been there so thanks for posting Pawpurrs xxxx

MacLurky

Hi Glittermonster!

Me and DH wandered around Mothercare yesterday afternoon too!! I'm just 5 wks today, dh was so excited especially about all the gadgets

Felt quite down yesterday and today guess hormones making me mental already...

Going out for lunch soon so hopefully will cheer me up!

Have a good Sunday everyone!

pigpen

After reading a few articles/interviews with the man (or one of) who developed the NT test (and the things he or one of his minions told my friend when he saw her after a 'high risk' NT about 5-6 years ago) and he said most sonographers were giving incorrect measurements because they didn't know where they should be measuring and a lot of authorities miscalculating because they were not using the correct data/formulae I don't see how it can be particularly accurate, granted they were a few of years ago and I would hope sonographers had had some decent training in stuff they were meant to know so could do it properly.

I won't have the tests, though I will have the dating scan as I have absolutely no idea when this was conceived and if the 12 or 20 week scans pick up something which looks a little off I will consider the options given then. I would refuse the amnio/CVS if the results came back high so it is a waste of time me having the NT/bloods.

IamJen .. the 8 weeks scan won't be used for dating it will just be to check viability. Especially if it is a private one, the NHS won't acknowledge the findings. I would suggest you go for the 12 week dating scan being offered as well as the 8 week one.. it can't hurt to have the extra reassurance all is as it should be at that moment and see how you feel on the day regarding the NT.. if you don't want it it is simple enough to refuse.. noone has ever tried to persuade me to have they accepted I refused it and just did the dating measurements. If you do choose to have it and it comes back high risk you can always refuse further testing.. that is your right.

The test are thoroughly explained to everyone (or they should be.. and we can always ask if we are unsure) so I feel it is something which is the individuals choice and met with an informed decision, should be theirs alone.. My decision is right for me and pawpurrs right for her and everyone else should be free to make their own mind up too.

I was amused by the number who have said they need to discuss the tests with dad.. The thought never even crossed my mind to discuss it with him.. maybe my XH's total lack of interest has rubbed off and I assume OH would be the same.

IamJen

mirrorimage0 wrote: »

so have the scheduled scan and not the tests at least it shoud put your mind at rest that bean is still there and growing as should. just realised you had an 8 weeks scan too is that usual in your area, our first one s the twelve weeks so thouht thiswould be you first scan. x

I didn't realize that you could do just the scan without the tests until just today when reading here. That is the most likely scenario in my mind now, though we have about 5-6 weeks to decide for sure.

The early scan is a private one. Old lady PCO patients like me (who are a bit overweight as well) are high risk for early miscarriages, so we're paying for the scan just to put our minds at ease a bit. We've heard some not so positive things about the unit here that does the scans as well. Several women felt like they were really dismissive, and they are notorious for scheduling/rescheduling nightmares. So, yeah. It's about a hundred quid, but totally worth it to us at this point.

portsmouthali, just remember you're only as old as you feel, etc. There are at least two others here who are 38 and I'm, well, older than that.

pigpen

IamJen wrote: »

I didn't realize that you could do just the scan without the tests until just today when reading here. That is the most likely scenario in my mind now, though we have about 5-6 weeks to decide for sure.

portsmouthali, just remember you're only as old as you feel, etc. There are at least two others here who are 38 and I'm, well, older than that.

You can refuse anything.. antenatal visits, gp visits, bloods, scans, inductions.. for example. I know a few women who refused scans after concerns about it increasing the chances of lefthandedness and dyslexia.. personally I think that is rubbish but their choice. I refuse antenatal visits unless I feel the need to go.. I know if I am ill I don't need to see the mw every 4 weeks or see the need to if I am well.Most things that go wrong for me either the medical profession caused it or they couldn't see it coming to prevent it.. I always have a low grade urine infection.. if they give me AB's it gets worse affecs my kidneys and I get thrush.. if I leave it it stays the same causing no symptoms at all. Later in pregnancy my kidneys swell which is usually ok but last time my kidneys were working at 5% efficiency and the toxins starting shutting down my liver.. they couldn't predict that none could.

So long a you and baby are doing well al is good.

oh.. I'm no spring chook either at 37 (OH is 29) and I feel about 400

RedwoodBrook

Well, I for one will be having any and every test they can throw at me.

By refusing some tests you could also be putting you and your baby at risk. Say they discover something at any one of the tests offered that is treatable if detected but if left is potentially life threatening.
Also, if there is something wrong with my baby I would want as much time as possible to prepare for it. Him/her being born then the hospital telling me the baby has X,Y and Z wrong would destroy me and all the 'dreams's I had for the future. If I knew in advance, I could come to terms with it. For me, a disabled baby wouldn't make a jot of difference as to whether or not I kept it but I would like to know in advance.

I'm just remembering that poor lady who was on here recently. She lost her little boy at 16+4 I think, because of some sort of syndrome that was detected. She had to choose between ending the pregnancy or letting it happen naturally. Atleast she knew what was happening and didn't wake one morning having lost him.

Perhaps Im just getting on my soap box because we are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to be tested for things and have good antenatal care. Looking at the majority of the world, I think its pretty selfish to refuse things other pregnant women would give their right arm for.

Rant over, apologies if I offended anyone.