Weekly Appointment Thread (4/11 - 4/15)

missteacherlady16

Sorry, I forgot to post this yesterday!

Hope everyone has great appointment this week!

How far along are you?

How did your appointment go overall?

Any ultrasound or doppler?

Did your doctor or midwife answer any questions or concerns you had?

mrszoess

13 weeks today. 

nt nt scan went fantastic! saw the baby for a loooong time and he thinks it's a girl! 

it was my first appt w the mfm and he was fantastic and apparently is the head of fetal medicine in NJ. 

smmatt08

How far along are you? My appointment was yesterday at 15 weeks

How did your appointment go overall? Super quick appointment, my doctor said she wished all her patients yesterday were as easy as me! Weight, blood pressure check, peed in a cup (will I ever learn to NOT miss), listened on the doppler.

Any ultrasound or doppler? Doppler. Doctor found the heartbeat momentarily then had trouble finding it again because the baby was moving around so much. She commented on how active my child was, I shared this info with my ADHD husband later and he laughed evilly.

Did your doctor or midwife answer any questions or concerns you had? I didn’t really have any questions. The nurse who took my blood pressure acted like it was a little high (126/70) but the doctor didn’t make any comments. I should probably mention to them that I have diagnosed myself with “white coat syndrome” and suggest they recheck my blood pressure at the end of appointments. 

westcoastfoodie

How far along are you? 15+2

How did your appointment go overall? Pretty standard, nothing out of the norm, which is good!

Any ultrasound or doppler? Doppler and she found the heartbeat right away!

Did your doctor or midwife answer any questions or concerns you had? Just the questions I had about being diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Womp womp. 

mizzkbrat

How far along are you? 15 Weeks

How did your appointment go overall? Good, easy breezy!!! Quick check, Pee in a cup, blood pressure, fun stuff. 

Any ultrasound or doppler? Doppler and she found her heartbeat right away. She had to push down hard though which made my back freaking hurt. She said that the baby was moving tons (we kept losing the heartbeat) and moving towards the back at my spine and was causing pressure. Ugh that pain. 

Did your doctor or midwife answer any questions or concerns you had? I asked about traveling to Florida in July and he said "have fun" He must want me to get Zika. 

blaf322

How far along are you? 13 + 3 today

How did your appointment go overall? the end result of the appt was good (NT scan) but we expected that b/c of all the genetic testing. That said, my doc said they'd be able to look for a couple of other things with the scan, which the US tech denied so who freakin knows. 

Any ultrasound or doppler? Yep... and it royally pissed me off that the US tech was so transactional about the visit. She didn't even give us a moment to see the baby move. She was whipping the US wand around like crazy so we could hardly see anything at all. The whole NT scan took 5 mins.... FIVE MINUTES. There was no reason for her to rush us out like that. So annoyed. I'm not looking for the exact same, amazing, experience we had with our US at the RE, but come on! Okay, rant over.

Did your doctor or midwife answer any questions or concerns you had? Nope... didn't even see my MD 

ejmo68

How far along are you? 15w 5d 

How did your appointment go overall? FAST! I was in and out in under an hour, but good!

Any ultrasound or doppler? Doppler and heart rate was 145!!! What a wonderful sound. 

Did your doctor or midwife answer any questions or concerns you had?
I had one question about my blood work but it turned out to be nothing. 

szwill86

How far along are you?12+5

How did your appointment go overall? NT scan went well, genetic counseling- not so well. 

Any ultrasound or doppler? saw the baby for a long time during the NT scan where he/she was bouncing around like crazy! It's so different to compare the growth from my last US at 7 wks to now. 

Did your doctor or midwife answer any questions or concerns you had? dr said the NT measurements and growth were perfect, but that for now I have an anterior placenta which could change as the pregnancy goes on. But according to the genetic counselor, my hcg levels were high and my PAPP-A levels were low for my age (29) making my down syndrome risk 1/45 when it should be 1/450 for my age range. But my other trisonomy risk levels were in a good ratio. Meeting with my OB for my reg 12 wk appt tmrw to discuss the next steps (CVS vs NIPT). It's been a hard afternoon. 

Michi1382

@szwill86 FX for you! Those Down Syndrome numbers can be scary. I'm going through something similar now and am waiting for the results of my second blood work that I opted for. Just know (and I'm sure you do) that your baby is perfection and that we'll be here for you when you get those results/talk with your OB. All these damn blood work numbers can be intimidating.

booksandicecream

How far along are you?
13w6d
How did your appointment go overall?
I had two appointments this week. On Tuesday my OB/GYN did the normal stuff plus bloodwork because I don't have antibodies to rubella. She also did a super quick (1-minute) ultrasound to ensure baby is alive and kicking. Today I had my genetic risk assessment (not sure if it's the same as an NT scan) and it was SO COOL!! The screen was projected onto the wall in front of me and I saw every body part up close and personal. Also unexpectedly learned baby's sex - we are having a boy!
Everything looks normal but I have to wait on the blood results so won't know officially until next week. 
Any ultrasound or doppler?
2 ultrasounds, 1 doppler 
Did your doctor or midwife answer any questions or concerns you had
My appointment today was with a prenatal geneticist so HECK YES I asked questions! And once he realized I am well versed in fetal development he opened up and explained EVERYTHING. So, so happy today. 

ejmo68

@books&icecream so glad you have such awesome appointments...I am jealous you had 2 ultrasounds. I can't wait till May 4th to see our LO again. 

blaf322

szwill86 said:

How far along are you?12+5

How did your appointment go overall? NT scan went well, genetic counseling- not so well. 

Any ultrasound or doppler? saw the baby for a long time during the NT scan where he/she was bouncing around like crazy! It's so different to compare the growth from my last US at 7 wks to now. 

Did your doctor or midwife answer any questions or concerns you had? dr said the NT measurements and growth were perfect, but that for now I have an anterior placenta which could change as the pregnancy goes on. But according to the genetic counselor, my hcg levels were high and my PAPP-A levels were low for my age (29) making my down syndrome risk 1/45 when it should be 1/450 for my age range. But my other trisonomy risk levels were in a good ratio. Meeting with my OB for my reg 12 wk appt tmrw to discuss the next steps (CVS vs NIPT). It's been a hard afternoon. 

so sorry you're going through this As a PP said, whatever the outcome, your LO is perfect and we'll be here to support you/cheer you on! ::hugs:: and good luck at your appt tomorrow!

BabySunshine4

How far along are you? 13w 5d

How did your appointment go overall? I had light spotting last week and during today's appointment my doc tried to find the heartbeat for a couple of minutes with the doppler but didn't hear it. So she had me do an ultrasound and they saw it right away. Scary appointment at first but it ended just fine.

Any ultrasound or doppler? both

Did your doctor or midwife answer any questions or concerns you had? Some questions about having some "down days."

CaptainPhasma

How far along are you?
As of yesterday 12w2d

How did your appointment go overall?
Pretty good, this was part 1 of a sequential anueploidy screening testing for trisomy 18, 21, and neural tube defects like spina bifida. The test included an US for NT scan and a blood draw. I was referred to another office for the test, so I didn't see my regular OB. We had to wait a while since this office specializes in prenatal testing for high risk pregnancies so a few patients that arrived after us were seen first because their stuff was more urgent or acute which was fine except that my bladder was bursting and my husband had to get back to work.

Any ultrasound or doppler?
Ultrasound! So relieved to get to see the baby looking so baby-shaped, kicking around and waving, especially before we announced the pregnancy to the public. Apparently I have a small cyst in my left ovary which they weren't concerned about, said it was probably the ovary I ovulated from (neat!)

Did your doctor or midwife answer any questions or concerns you had?

For the most part. As I said, it was a referral so not my usual doctor. I was disappointed to learn the test only screened for 2 trisomies, unlike some genetic tests like Harmony, MaterniT21, Verifi, Panorama, etc. I know it's just a non-invasive screening, which is not diagnostic, but we won't be doing a more invasive test like amniocentesis unless these results show we have elevated risk.

*Trigger warning*

21 (Down's syndome) is less concerning to me. Yes it would be hard, and I would definitely prefer to know in advance so we can prepare, but I think we could give a special needs kiddo a great life. I'm much more concerned about 18 (Edwards syndrome) which is usually fatal early in life and those kids have it really bad, we'd have to think long and hard about that one and whether we could avoid a short life of pain and suffering. Which I why I was disappointed the screening doesn't reveal other trisomies like 13 (Patau syndrome) which can be even more fatal. But the doctor there reassured me that those other trisomies are much more rare, and much less likely to result in live birth and usually cause miscarriage early in the pregnancy. So I feel better that so far the little sprout looks healthy and active. I wish I could protect it from everything that could cause it harm or hardship in life but I'm looking forward to October come what may.


Apologies in advance, these are just my random thoughts and concerns, I'm sure others have differing opinions as they are entitled to decide what's right for them.

scostel2

I actually had 2 appointments this week! 

How far along are you?  12 weeks, 3 day

How did your appointment go overall? yesterday I had my NT scan. The ultrasound part went well! It was so cool to see the little one moving around so much. They said they'll call me next week with the numerical risk factor results. Today I had my regular appointment with a different doc from my practice and an early glucose test. They'll call next week with the glucose test results. Thankfully; the doc prescribed me diclegis so I can stop vomming every hour. He also told me not to lose any more weight (which is a first for me, I'm overweight so it's normally the opposite lol). He was really nice and put me at ease because I've been nervous about meeting the other doctors in the practice. 

Any ultrasound or doppler? both. Ultrasound yesterday, Doppler today. 

Did your doctor or midwife answer any questions or concerns you had? I always feel like I have questions and then when I get there, I have none lol he did give me the medication I wanted though so that was awesome.  

simcal18

How far along are you?  12 weeks today!

How did your appointment go overall?  Overall very well.

Any ultrasound or doppler?  NT/ERA ultrasound

Did your doctor or midwife answer any questions or concerns you had?  For the most part.  I was VERY cranky because this was our NT/ERA ultrasound and they were running 30 minutes late, so I had to sit there nervous as hell with a crazy full bladder for a half an hour before we even started.  And then once we got started baby was not in the right position, so I literally had to empty my bladder a cup at a time until the doctor could get the measurement she needed.  Not my most comfortable experience.  The good news though is that the measurement looked good once we finally got it and we got to see lots of baby squirming around (and an adorable butt wiggle), so overall I was quite happy.  :-)