[SDlawyer30]

Marie - Thanks for your input on the carriers and slings. I obviously have no experience since this will be my first child, but I have a good friend who swears by the Ergo carrier. She hated her Baby Bjorn and bought the Ergo, and when I told her I was pregnant it was one of the first things she said I have to get. I actually just bought one as a shower gift for my younger cousin who had her baby last week, and I can't wait to see what she thinks. I would also mention that I bought her the infant insert, which apparently allows you to use it a little earlier than you might otherwise want to and it allows you to use it a little more like a sling, with both the feet poking through one side, and their head more supported with the insert part. I have no affiliation with it either, and I highly recommend it - from everything I have read, its supposed to be really comfortable, easier on the back, and I like that you can use it on the front, side and back.

A quick question on the slings - I have been checking them out recently, and what was the one you mentioned? I am so confused by some of them and which are best - some look insanely complicated to use. I was checking out the PSling the other day online, and granted they are ridiculously expensive, but I read the instructions on how to use it, and I am fairly certain I would never figure it out. The instructions on their website made my head spin and I could only imagine spending all that money and not being able to figure it out. I think you would need some advanced degree in fabric folding to get that one figured out!

[infertilitynovice]

First of all, I don't think anybody's wrong for wanting to use medications during delivery. Despite what anyone else says, you cannot convince me that it doesn't hurt in a way that is incomprehensable. Having said that, I would like to try to go with out meds, but that is just me. Actually, I'm very interested in hypno-birth. My MIL was hypnotized with my DH and said it was a wonderful experience. It is something has has been catching on over the last decade or so, and I'd like to find someone local to help me with this. But, if the hypno-birth thing doesn't work out, and the pain becomes too much for me, I am not adverse to getting the epidural.

2 yrs ago I got to be my BF's "back-up" coach and attended her birthing classes with her. She and her husband are both pilots, but he worked for the airline at the time. She didn't know if he was going to be there for the birth at all, and he was never there for the classes. It turns out he got to be home in time, but I really enjoyed the class. I did not find that we were stirred away from meds. In fact there was a whole class about what to expect from the anesthiologist (sp?) and the meds that are available. There was great information about what is happening to the baby, what to expect during earliest labor, and actual full labor, the policies at the hospital, what to expect after labor (healing, etc), and the difference between false and real labor, and how your partner can help to relieve your discomfort before and during labor.

Even though I kind of took this class already 2 yrs ago, it wasn't for me. I plan to take our local birthing class. This will be my only pregnancy and I would like to have to whole experience.

If I had already had children, I wouldn't probably do the birth class.

tcrsmom ~ I'm so sorry to hear that you've recieved this scary news. I hope the amnio goes smoothly and that it will reveal that the prior results were off base. We're all here for support if you want to vent.

[dherbert]

Melissa, my sentiments exactly! This may be my only child, and I want to experience everything possible, with drugs of course!LOL I say any woman who can get through 100% natural childbirth is stronger than I could ever be, good luck!! I have thought the giving birth in water thing is pretty cool, but our hospital does not offer it. Anybody thinking of this technique???

[GEwifey]

Melissa-Thanks soooo much for explaining the birthing class for me, see it was just ignorance on my part about the class. After your explanation I do have a better understanding of it now.

[eggy]

Lisa- I posted on your other thread, but wanted to touch base here, too. Please do not make yourself too crazy (easier said than done, I know) -- this is all speculation, not certainty. Until you have definitive results, you've got to do your best to stay calm, for your own sake and for the sake of your baby. If you can go for acupuncture or a prenatal massage to help you relax, that might not be a bad idea. Try to stay busy, and be sure to indulge yourself these next several days -- read some trashy magazines, get a manicure, eat chocolate, whatever makes you feel good. We are all rooting for you and your baby. Keep posting, and keep us posted.

Originally Posted by tcrsmom

My specialist called and my bloodwork came back (the second trimester from the quad screen) and my risk for downs is now 4 out of 5. My anatomy scan was scheduled for next Thursday but she wants me in first thing Monday morning for the scan and ammnio. I am devastated and am now wondering how to survive the weekend as well as the 10-14 days for my results.

[Sweetpea]

Chandra-I took an infant care/childbirth class for first time parents. It was geared toward all types, and gave info about stages of labor, and types of pain meds available. It refered people to other classes like Lamaze, or Bradley, who wanted more breathing. I learned basically nothing, except on the breastfeeding day. (I guess I did learn about the stages of labor-and that was impt.)
I know that your two boys had IUGR. Did they induce, or were they C's? what was your experience like?

I feel bad for my best friend right now. I think she's confused. she (newly preggo) wants to use a midwife, and has found one she feels a personality fit w. Only thing is that this midwife told her that she wont give an epidural before 7 or 8 cm. My friend really wants an epidural, and pain meds. I dont think she realizes how long it can take to get to a 7 or 8, and how bad it really hurts. She's already signed on, and thinks this lady is just what she wants. I think she's going to but heads w the lady during labor. I think its the recipie for the perfect storm. My point-I guess I get the feeling that most people who want to use midwives also want to go med free.

People going drug free:
pwr to you and good luck.
and as another side note-I totally think a midwife or doula would help you achieve your goal of going w-out meds. If you are committed to going drug free, the investment of this kind of support might be what makes the difference. I have a friend who had an amazing natural birth exp. If anyone is interested, Ill type it out in a post later.

[Sweetpea]

Lisa,
I know how delicate a situation like this is, and Im not trying to raise false hopes, bc I know an honest mindframe is really important, but just to ballance the scales heres a story or two- my mom had her last baby at 46. They told her that they were 100% sure he had downsyndrome. they tried to have her get a late abortion too. He was born perfect. Now hes 17, and in that totally wonderful and normal rebellious teen stage.

Also, I walk twice a week w my neighbor, and she told me a simmilar story out of the blue last week-maybe it was for you. A friend couldnt concieve for years. She asked her local pastor (my neighbors dad) to pray for her, which he did. She conceived miraculously, and was later told by her dr. that her baby had downs. She was devastated, but would not abort. The baby was born perfect, (and actually, particularly cute).

These could be seen as miracles, (perhaps they were) but if you really look at them, they might also have been times when science was just wrong, and the prognosis was always ok.
These two experiences are only meant to say that those tests arent always right. So wait until they have firm results, and even then, be careful.

My prayers will be with you. Im so sorry for the test results that you got, and for all of the emotional unrest that Im sure its causing. Try to keep moving, and see what they say next. Like I said, Ill be praying for you.

[GEwifey]

Marie-That's odd the midwife would wait until 7-8cm to give the epidural, I was under the impression, that once your 7-8 cm, it's basically too late and it really doesn't help. I got my epidural w/ my youngest at 7-8cm, I think I was maybe 5-6cm when they called the anesthesiolgist, but by the time he got there I was 7-8cm, and there was no time in btwn me getting the epidural and when I started pushing. So the epidural was kinda useless...LOL But because of the IUGR I was induced both times, even though I know baby Ashtyn is still little now, I'm really interested to see what they say about her size on Monday at my anatomy scan. With both pregnancies they really starting monitoring me for the IUGR sometime around 6-7 months, I had to see a nutrionist because they thought I just wasn't eating, which wasn't the case at all, at the time I just didn't gain weight. Anyway, I had numerous u/s to check their growth, for Greg (my oldest), I had a regular OB visit that morning, and was scheduled for a growth u/s that afternoon with a perinatologist, after he did the u/s he sent me right over to the hospital to be induced, they actually induced me the next morning. With Timothy (my youngest), I was already 4cm when I went to my OB visit that morning, so I was sent to over to the hospital and was induced me the same day.

[Daney]

Lisa- I am so sorry about your results,, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I know its gonna be a long wait for the amnio results,, but try to have faith there are alot of false pos. out there

[Sweetpea]

Chandra-thanks for sharing your experiences. I love that you were able to have a vaginal birth both times. Im so sick of seeing SO SO SO many c sections on a baby story. (can you tell I really dont want one?)
--on the epidural--I know its weird. I had a simmilar exp to yours. Mine came around then, and it was really too late. Thats why I think my friend doesnt get it. I tried to explain the whole thing to her, but she really likes the lady-and for some reason, trusts her. Waiting so long would definatley disqualify her as a midwife I would use, I think (even though I'm not using one) I think she doesnt deal w that many women that want pain meds, and the way she discussed them w my friend reflected that.Thats why Im nervous for her, since I know my friend wants drugs.(and has a low tolerance for pain)

[infertilitynovice]

Marie ~ I'm with you about the c-sections! It seems like one tiny little blip happens and they rush you off to surgery! I don't want a c-section, but I've kind of resigned myself to the fact that I might have to have one. My mom never dialated more than 2cm with me and had to have a c-section. My brother was scheduled b/c a vbac wasn't even an option then. Of course, they won't hardly do them now either. My cervix was clamped up so tight for my HSG that my doctor had to puncture it to get the cath in. I know that it could have had to do with the time of my cycle too. Plus, this is my first and they tend to be late which requires induction, and seems to most often lead to c-section these days.

Long story, (kind of) short, I really hope that I don't have to have a c-section, but if it happens then at least it is a 2in scar above the pubic bone and not hip to hip like it was for my mom.

[eggy]

Hey Ladies-

So quiet! Hope you're all doing well this weekend. My husband is hanging out in the yard, but I am a delicate flower, avoiding the sun, so here I am at the computer.

OK, so you know how people are forever saying stupid/insensitive things regarding pregnancy and babies? I heard a real winner yesterday.... One of the salespeople at Sur La Table asked me if I'm going to find out what I'm having. I gave her the Cliffs Notes version -- baby's legs crossed, so not 100% certain yet. She responded with, "Well, I found out ahead of time with both of my children, and I regret it because then I had nothing to look forward to." Oy.

[infertilitynovice]

TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A FORUM ADDICT!

So, DH and I bought tickets to a few concerts this summer b/c I know it will be quite sometime before we'll be able to do this and SOOO many great shows come through Boston, it is hard to resist. Anyway, so I got Rush tickets for his birthday and then saw that Tom Petty was coming through too. I bought them both online but clearly wasn't paying attention b/c I accidentally picked dates that were on the same weekend. So we decided since our anniversary is next weekend, we'd just make a "babymoon" (of sorts) out of the weekend and stay at a local hotel instead of driving back and forth. Now the kids are staying with a neighbor and DH and I are free to just be a couple for a weekend. BTW, Tom Petty was absolutely awesome last night. Rush should be great tonight too. In August we're going with our neighbor friends to see Journey, Heart, and Cheap Trick...should be tons of fun too. So, I'm introducing the baby to great music in utero. We've got good seats to all the shows but I made sure we weren't too close to the sound system to cause any problems. I'm here, in the hotel, and couldn't resist checking our thread here before we wander down for breakfast.

Eggy, I like your "delicate flower" comment, very cute!

I hope everyone's weekend is just great!!!

[tcrsmom]

Today I had my anatomy scan and they did not detect any "markers" for the down syndrome but my blood test results were still high and I was put in a high risk of carrying a down syndrome baby. They did the amnio right on the spot and ordered the FISH report so I should have an initial diagnosis or report in about 24-48 hours. I found out I am having a BOY!! He was by no means shy and left no doubt what he was carrying between his legs. I am continuing to pray that he will not have down syndrome but being realistic as well with my high results. My biggest fear was having the down syndrome with the heart defects that are common with them and today they did not see anything wrong with his little heart so that is a bit reassuring.

[eggy]

Lisa- Glad to hear there are no heart markers and that you're feeling somewhat better. Moreover, congratulations on having a boy! It's nice to hear you got two bits of good news from your anatomy scan. I'm assuming everything else looked fine, too. I hope you're ok while you wait for your results, and please continue to check in here. Thinking of you....