Thank you again for all of your well wishes! Right now baby and I are doing fine. I had the amnio this morning, and it definitely wasn't as bad as I anticipated it would be. Our doctor literally wrote the book on this procedure, so I am feeling pretty confident that we shouldn't have any unexpected complications from the test (fingers crossed.) We had a full fetal survey don, along with the amnio, and got (hopefully) some good news. The baby (which is DEFINITELY a boy) has all of it's body parts, the legs measure normal (shorter can be a sign for down's), the neck was small and not filled with fluid (another sure sign), and most importantly we saw a pretty prominent nasal bone (the majority of children with down's syndrome are missing this feature.) Seeing this, and our super active baby, went miles to put my mind at ease.
Yesterday, we met with my OB and got some clarification as to what triggered their concern and the increased risk factor. I guess during the first trimester our nucleal fold measured 2.8. 3.0 is the cutoff for "normal" so the fact that I was on the high side of normal is the main concern. Also, when my blood work came back my HCG was 2.6 and ideally it should be 2.0. Everything else was totally normal including the AFP. These two things, combined, are what put us in the 1:30 category.
The good news is that our doctor ordered a FISH, along with the amnio, and if all goes as planned we should have our preliminary results by Friday, confirmation in 10 days. It's going to be a long three days, but seeing that big nose definitely allows me a lot more peace of mind.
Thank you again for your prayers and thoughts, I'll let you all know the outcome as soon as I hear.
Posts
12 comments :
I'm oh so glad to hear it went well. i'm anxiously waiting to hear the excellent results! Keep resting!
ps...good for you for standing up to the anonymous bully! What a coward!
Hi - I meant to comment on your last post to say good luck and fingers crossed. One thing though that I wanted to just say - and it by no means lessens the worry of what you are going through nor its implications - but when I started reading the blog "enjoying the small things' by Kelle Hampton it did completely change my view of Downs Syndrome. As in completely! No matter how this turns out for you and here's to that prominent nose bone - it's worth a read for any mother. Lou xx
I was appalled at AN's comment. So sorry that happened. I do have one question though... I am not judging just asking. The question for some reason has bothered me a couple of days. Maybe it's because of my own struggle to get pregnant (13 years and counting). With all that's it's taken to get pregnant with number 2, was the amino more for peace of mind/prepare for the babies needs/your own needs if they did have downs or to decide if you didn't want to keep the pregnancy? I'll sign my name unlike the coward from earlier - Kriss
Thinking of you and wishing you all good things.
I agree with LouBoo, I LOVE Kelle Hampton's blog. Her birth story/first year stories are truly inspirational beyond any blog I've ever read. I am also 15 weeks pregnant and opt-ed out of any genetic testing. I'm very low risk, but like Kelle, would rather find out at birth than worry for six months straight. I know everyone is different and definitely not judging anyone else, I just know what is right for me.
I was also wondering the same question as Kriss, although very personal, it seems as though everything else has been put out there and I'm sure others are wondering too. Would like to hear your thoughts.
-Angie
ps...website is www.kellehampton.com
Yummy -
I think your experience in the past few days has struck a chord with your readers almost more than any other topic you have blogged about. Especially those who have been pregnant, or have had this same experience, know the hope and anxiety to have the perfectly healthy child that you imagine. Of course we all love and respect the lives of children with DS, and recognize them for the special angels on this earth that they are. But I think every person who has a child with special needs goes through a period of grief or stress about the loss of what you thought would be. It is normal. It is okay to want a healthy child. Some parents fear whether they are able to care for a child with special needs. It is normal, and it is okay. And accepting whatever comes in the end is okay too. I hope you do not feel any obligation to explain your family's decisions and what you would/would not do. This is your place to share whatever you feel comfortable sharing. I can only imagine that in some way, although it garners a lot of support, blogging about this complicates an already stressful situation. Keeping you in my thoughts.
Glad things are looking more positive now. I'm sure everything will be fine. Kelle Hampton is an inspiration but you and your baby will be fine, just believe it! Hugs. Ciao. A.
Great news. My son's legs measured short and his head larger which were both markers for Downs. We opted against the amnio due to the risks and he was born just fine. What is funny is he actually has long legs and his head is normal. I hate these tests and may skip them altogether if we decide to
have a third child!
I couldnt agree more with Grace in TN....thats a very private and personal family decision with a lot of factors to consider that is nobodys business but your own. I am crossing my fingers and sending prayers your way for a happy healthy baby boy!
I'm not trying to stir a debate here, but at this point it's not just a "pregnancy." The baby has a defined sex, we've seen pictures...it's not really up to anyone whether or not to "continue on"...there's a child in there. I'm sure that there is nothing to worry about, but I don't think that saying it's a "private family decision" in any way validates certain choices. But we have no idea what Yum is thinking anyways so I don't want to speculate. And I don't think she would share her thought process on the blog (nor would I). I'm just a passerby sharing my view (as many others have done). -- Callie
Callie and Kriss. I have the same question and find the "personal private decision" line a bit ironic considering the nature of YMs blogging. I hope she eventually shares what has been going through her mind over this past week. I also hope she reads and learns from Kelle's blog, no matter what the test results say.
Post a Comment