[schumachm]

Renni-I like your plan no need to torture yourself twice. I have read the amnio is safer than CVS, but not an expert.

Mrs.M- to the twin club. I so wanted twins in my first and second pg for the same reasons. It took us 8 years for our first, 5 for second. I have to admit that really had no interest in twins this last time, but God's plan was sooo different. I cried for the whole first u/s, but soon realized what a blessing it is. I am so happy for you.

IMHIS-They really are so much fun to see. Sometimes as sick as I am, I can feel a little scared and emotional. It never fails seeing them on screen always puts everything into perspective, and I find the strength for another day. Just wait until he is born, you will not be able to put him down.

LisaB-Great news that all is well. The time will fly by, while you are getting ready for your little one.

Hall-I am the same way. I take the safety thing to max, and it drives dh crazy. I guess because I have to take so much meds I just want to control something. I thought in the hospital I might be able to eat a ham sand, and my ob said he would personally go get it if I promised to try and eat a few bites. I went crazy. He was the one who just told me no deli meat, and now he is saying give it a try. He said he would take his chances on the bacteria if I would eat something. I would never do it.

KBL- for being a single mom. You are amazing. My emotional state runs the board on most days, but I always seem to get through.

AFM-I passed out this morning trying to get the kids ready for yearly check ups, but did not seem to hurt myself. I took my blood sugar and it was 31 . I tried to eat, but could not keep it down. I am so S.O.L.

[HallieL]

schumachm-wish i could help ya, glad that your okay and that is great about the ham, my ob said deli meats are okay if you warm them up.


renni-amino is safer than the cvs, we went for all the genetic counseling and the amino is 100% and safer cvs is 98%. The cvs scared me.

Mrs. M-congrats on the twins, enjoy them.

Feeling under the weather today. I have allergies/asthma and think that everything is more pronounced and of course i don't want to take anything. I've been approved to take my inhaler but don't take it much. We did some cleaning on sunday and generated a lot of dust, since them been sneezing up a storm and head all congested now. Second cold during the pregnancy but baby is okay so i'm okay.

[kblythe]

Hallie,

I took benadryl throughout my pregnancy as needed. My ob cleared me for that and tylenol and that was pretty much it! I've taken a few more things post-pregnancy, but since I am still feeding him some breast milk, I still have to be careful about what I take.

Kathryn.

[LindseyK23]

Renni - why would you have to have an amnio after a CVS? I thought people mainly did one or the other - with CVS being done earlier but a bit riskier. Do they test for different things?

I am planning to do the first trimester screen with the NT ultrasound and bloodwork. When I had my daughter they didn't offer me this, it was a different OB practice and I was only 33 or maybe it wasnt as common three years ago. But I did have the quad screen last time and my Dr seems to only offer one or the other this time, but I dont know if this first trimester screen checks for other problems or just Downs syndrome? I guess I can ask when I go. I am not even really sure why we are doing it except to hopefully reduce some of my anxiety.

[EvaR]

Originally Posted by HallieL

Feeling under the weather today. I have allergies/asthma and think that everything is more pronounced and of course i don't want to take anything. I've been approved to take my inhaler but don't take it much. We did some cleaning on sunday and generated a lot of dust, since them been sneezing up a storm and head all congested now. Second cold during the pregnancy but baby is okay so i'm okay.

I also have allergies and asthma, so I know how you feel. My doctor told me to take either Benadryl (which knocks me out) or Zyrtec (which you have to take everyday, but it doesn't start working for a week), in addition to my inhaler and daily dose of Singulair. I try not to take the Benadryl unless I REALLY need it, but I have been using my inhaler A LOT more. The doctor isn't too concerned about the increased usage though because I was told that if I can't breathe, neither can the baby.

I have a feeling I am going to need something else soon too, because I feel as though I am coming down with my 2nd sinus infection Like you said...as long as the baby is ok...we can deal with all this.

[EvaR]

Originally Posted by LindseyK23

I am planning to do the first trimester screen with the NT ultrasound and bloodwork. When I had my daughter they didn't offer me this, it was a different OB practice and I was only 33 or maybe it wasnt as common three years ago. But I did have the quad screen last time and my Dr seems to only offer one or the other this time, but I dont know if this first trimester screen checks for other problems or just Downs syndrome? I guess I can ask when I go. I am not even really sure why we are doing it except to hopefully reduce some of my anxiety.

My OB told be that the NT scan was offered to women 35+, so maybe that is why you weren't told about it the first time. The NT scan checks for Trisonomy 13/18, in addition to the Downs Syndrome. We did it because although we had made the decision not to abort, we wanted to prepare ourselves in case the test showed something was wrong. That way we could start doing research, so we knew how to prepare for the baby. It was also good because I got to see my little jellybean moving around on the screen too.

I will warn you though, my anxiety wasn't put rest until we did the AFP test at 16 weeks because my NT results for Trisonomy 13/18 weren't where the Peri wanted them to be. I was at 1/600 for the NT Scan and 1/12,000 for the AFP.

[schumachm]

Lindsey-I think Renni would only have to do the amnio after the CVS if the CVS showed something was wrong. The amnio is the end all test, but if something is found on any of the other tests the amnio has to be done. That is why a large number of women just have the amnio. Why risk two tests. That is the way it was explained to me.

Halliel-I take 25mg of Benadryl through IV every 6 hours and have done that since the 2nd week of pg. It is a class b drug, so it is safe. I did it with the other two kids as well, and they are just perfect. I also take phenergan which also helps with nausea, but it is a powerful antihistamine. I took it throughout my other two pg's as well. The other stuff I take is just for nausea. I am sorry you are suffering. I have a friend that got listeria from deli meat (thought she had warmed it up enough) while she was pg, and lost the baby at 23w. I am totally freaked by deli meats.

KBL-Your are breastfeeding too, you are super woman.

AFM-I am off to see peri tomorrow and I pray he has some answers for me. Most peris are over two hours away, but we found one over an hour away. It will be so hard for me to get there, but I think I would do anything to feel better.

[HallieL]

schumachm-no deli meats for me, except in the extremely hot panni maker, gosh 2 hours, making me feel better about our peri that we go too, the first time, we were there 3 hours, last time 2 hours and it was funny last time they said the reason was because the computers were down, we all laughed in the waiting room because we wanted to know why the wait all the other times. We are going back to the peri on monday because during our level 2 u/s they could not see the spine, saw everything else, so mondy we get annother look at our precious little girl.


We opted for the sequential screen where you get the nt scan/bloodwork, then hear the results and then get more blood work later. Gives you 91% accurate results, but the nt scan pretty much tells you if you are having down baby and the level 2 u/s tells you if there is anything else wrong.



thxs for the benedryl suggestions ladies, i associate benedryl with hives which i got last night. There is a coworker at work who has a nasty cough. I think i'm okay and know that if i need it i can take my inhaler. We have wood floors and get our house cleaned once a week. Not going to carpet the baby's room, god for bid she gets my allergies. I'm praying that doesn't happen. I've stayed away from nuts during the pregnancy because I was told that if you have a nut allergy, you can pass it to your baby.

[eveeidel]

Hi everyone, I would like to join you guys I am 39 and with twins this is my first pregnancy. I am 9 weeks and so far so good. The only draw back that Ive had is thata I had some bleeding on and of and they found a small hematoma. I am on bed rest untill the 5th of agusut. To see if the hematoma goes away.
I have my nt scan and blood work in two weeks but whatever the results are dh and I have decided not to do a cvs or an amnio. We have heard that there is a very high risk of miscarring with twins and the amnio.
we did some genetic testing before our ivf and everything was normal. So I was wondering aside from the age factor what are the chances of the babies having down syndrom if the genetic testing was well and there is no history of it in the family?
wishing everyone lots
Eve

[HallieL]

Eve
and congrats, hope the bedrest will work for you. As far as genetic testing goes and down, two completey different things. Downs is based on your age, i'm 36 so i had 1/200 chance of having a baby with an extra chromosone. Genetic testing is when you and your husband have similiar backgrounds and can be a carrier for a gene. Down's and others are chromosonal, gentics are genes. I'm of jewish background so for genetic testing it was cystic fibrosis, tay sachs and about 19 others, my hubby is italian so we had a slim chance of any genetic problems since we come from different genetic makeups and neither of us are carriers for our genetic problems thankgoodness

Not trying to scare you, just inform of the difference between genes and chromosones. Genes you have to carry, chromosones can happen to anyone and as you get older, your chances of chromosonal problems go up.

[schumachm]

Eve! We now have three girls pg with twins. I too have severe bleeding on and off, but it is because I vomit so hard the blood vessels in my cervix burst. I too was told that down syn had nothing to do with genetics. The chances increase with age, but can happen to anyone. I think that is the rule of thumb for chromo issues, but genetics has equal chances no matter what your age. My ob told us that he really wanted to avoid CVS because the value of the test really is not worth the risk. He did tell us that the amnio is only done with twins when it is really needed because the increase in complications go way up with twins.

Hall-We are doing the same thing for tests. I wait for 3 hours or more at my ob's office. I am not looking forward to the hour and half drive, and then the wait on top of that then the drive home. I already know that it is going to be a wait because they are working me in. I have to be there at 7:30 for u/s and then I will get to see the peri whenever he can find the time. My dh is making a bed in the car for me since I have trouble sitting up for long periods of time.

AFM-Does anyone know when the sex organs are formed in preg. I know at 16w-20w you can tell on u/s, but I was just wondering how early they form.

[ekb88]

Hi ladies -you can add me to this list. I turned 41 last week, and the week before that had the shock of my life by getting a natural bfp while waiting to start ivf#3.

I had my first u/s this morning and saw the h/b. I'm still scared about everything working out, but so far, so good anyway. Happy to join you all!

[eveeidel]

Hi Hallie,
Thank you for the clearing up the difference between genetic testing and down syndrom. Since its my first one reads all kind of things and gets confused. Both my husband and I are jewish so probablly have to test for genetic testing.
Eve

Originally Posted by HallieL

Eve
and congrats, hope the bedrest will work for you. As far as genetic testing goes and down, two completey different things. Downs is based on your age, i'm 36 so i had 1/200 chance of having a baby with an extra chromosone. Genetic testing is when you and your husband have similiar backgrounds and can be a carrier for a gene. Down's and others are chromosonal, gentics are genes. I'm of jewish background so for genetic testing it was cystic fibrosis, tay sachs and about 19 others, my hubby is italian so we had a slim chance of any genetic problems since we come from different genetic makeups and neither of us are carriers for our genetic problems thankgoodness

Not trying to scare you, just inform of the difference between genes and chromosones. Genes you have to carry, chromosones can happen to anyone and as you get older, your chances of chromosonal problems go up.

[eveeidel]

Schumachm,
Thanks for the welcome and the advice on the genetic testing and down syndrome.
I heard the sex organs are formed and can by seen by week 18
Eve

Originally Posted by schumachm

Eve! We now have three girls pg with twins. I too have severe bleeding on and off, but it is because I vomit so hard the blood vessels in my cervix burst. I too was told that down syn had nothing to do with genetics. The chances increase with age, but can happen to anyone. I think that is the rule of thumb for chromo issues, but genetics has equal chances no matter what your age. My ob told us that he really wanted to avoid CVS because the value of the test really is not worth the risk. He did tell us that the amnio is only done with twins when it is really needed because the increase in complications go way up with twins.

Hall-We are doing the same thing for tests. I wait for 3 hours or more at my ob's office. I am not looking forward to the hour and half drive, and then the wait on top of that then the drive home. I already know that it is going to be a wait because they are working me in. I have to be there at 7:30 for u/s and then I will get to see the peri whenever he can find the time. My dh is making a bed in the car for me since I have trouble sitting up for long periods of time.

AFM-Does anyone know when the sex organs are formed in preg. I know at 16w-20w you can tell on u/s, but I was just wondering how early they form.

[tcrsmom]

Not to hijack this thread as I had my son 8 months ago but wanted to clarify some of the points. My son does have Down Syndrome. NT is just a screening tool and does not indicate Down Syndrome as my NT was normal. I had the quad screen which included bloodwork and the bloodwork was what indicated a higher risk. I belong to a down syndrome board and have seen lower risks than mine have a baby with down syndrome and then higher risks that end up having the correct chromosomes. While yes more chromosomes issues are linked with advanced maternal age but if you look at the statistics there is a higher percentage born to younger women. In fact, we just had a 19 year old have a baby with down syndrome in my city. Also a level 2 ultrasound can indicate certain markers but are in no way a diagnostic tool. My level 2 u/s showed no markers with my son. The only true diagnostic tool is CVS or Amnio for Down Syndrome. While the new testing is highly accurate in catching those babies with Down Syndrome they also provide a lot of anxiety for those because there is a high false positive rate. Congrats on your pregnancies and I hope they are uneventful!!