Weekly Questions - 2/5

livinthesunnylife

I think it's anytime after 10 weeks 

legallykate

@7425cait The NT has to be done before 13w6d because after that the neck is no longer transparent. The NIPT does not have a limit as far as I know, if anything the longer you wait the more fetal DNA there would likely be mixed in with yours.

melprop

My OB told me we can always opt to do the NIPT after the anatomy scan if anything questionable showed on the AS. 

mrsbubbles-2

@7425cait So we spoke to the genetic counselor yesterday and she said that the main issue with doing the NIPT later is that it moves you out of the time frame in which CVS can be done (13 weeks) and into amnio territory (can only be done 16 weeks+). This of course would only be an issue if anything comes up on NIPT that indicates need for further testing. In my specific situation, my NIPT blood draw was yesterday at 12+4. If the results take 2 weeks to come back I'll be somewhere in the 14 week-ish time and would have to wait until I hit 16 weeks for an amnio if that's the direction we decide to go.

7425cait

Yikes. It's all so intense. I'm waiting to hear back from my regular blood draw that goes along with the NT. If that get flagged for potential issues, then we will go with the panorama or something before attempting a CVS or amnio.

princesslockness

S+TM I have a question. L is like 31(?) months old. He has said several times a week, for over a month now, that his eyes hurt. Not enough that they need a 'kiss better', but he brings it up on his own. We have him on full vision coverage. Is it possible to have a 2.5 YO get a useful eye exam, or do I just make him tough it out until he can better understand/communicate whats wrong?

Firemanswife11

@princesslockness yes, I have several friends who have had their kid's eyes checked that young, and younger. 

juliebird6

@princesslockness Yes. A mom from my Jan 17 BMB recently had an exam and now glasses for her 1 year old.  Worth going and checking it out.

alinafed

princesslockness said:

S+TM I have a question. L is like 31(?) months old. He has said several times a week, for over a month now, that his eyes hurt. Not enough that they need a 'kiss better', but he brings it up on his own. We have him on full vision coverage. Is it possible to have a 2.5 YO get a useful eye exam, or do I just make him tough it out until he can better understand/communicate whats wrong?

At 2.5 my son needed glasses and they had no problem testing his eyes to find that out. And my son never complained so I would definitely take him in if he is verbalizing it!

princesslockness

Thanks ladies! I have him scheduled for a couple weeks from now. Hopefully its just him using his new words, but just in case. 

lalala2004

mrs_drc_rn said:

@lalala2004 I’m in the same boat with being ridiculously exhausted all of the time. I blame my toddler. Does your OB have a patient portal to go on and view results? I’m OCD about looking over my stuff, even though my OB goes over everything at my appointment. I know for me, an iron panel wasn’t part of my initial blood work. My hemoglobin is always on the lower end of normal and I haven’t been the greatest at taking my iron lately. 

I feel like they do, but I have no idea how to get to it. I'm going to have to ask about that, too.

Firemanswife11

@lalala2004 I feel like I am literally asleep. I can't function. Haven't done a thing at work. This is the longest day ever. Exhaustion. Is. Real. 

calimom2524

Firemanswife11 said:

@lalala2004 I feel like I am literally asleep. I can't function. Haven't done a thing at work. This is the longest day ever. Exhaustion. Is. Real. 

I've been running around all over the San Francisco bay area today, like literally from one side to the other and back and I just kept going and going. Now that I'm back in the office I am sitting on a conference call and I feel like I could fall asleep at any given moment. This exhaustion is insane. 

proudparent2b

@princesslockness LO had an eye screening last year as part of a free local program. He was around a year at the time. There’s this hand held machine that they use that measures the eye to determine LO’s vision (not sure of specific terms). I’d guess that they’d probably still use this for your LO.

derbysquirrel

If you think you may terminate, earlier is better. Abortions are far simpler before 12 weeks, and nearly impossible after 16 weeks. 

delujm0

derbysquirrel said:

If you think you may terminate, earlier is better. Abortions are far simpler before 12 weeks, and nearly impossible after 16 weeks. 

This.  Depending on where you live, terminating even due to a diagnosis that is incompatible with life outside the womb can be extremely difficult the longer you wait.  Even in relatively liberal places like NY it can be hard to get an abortion once you're into the second trimester.  It is terrible enough to get that diagnosis, it is completely horrendous how difficult it then is on a grieving parent to have to work out the logistics of ending the pregnancy.  So the earlier the testing is done, the better.  At least if you would consider termination.

hezzer78

 Anyone have or used a pregnancy/body pillow? Are they worth it? I've seen the long tube looking ones, but I found these online: https://www.pregnancypillow.com/  (they're pretty pricey but I got a coupon from my OB) - they look so huge. Are they helpful for when I get bigger?

kburg15

I have the snoogle, but I actually much prefer my regular body pillow to it!

delujm0

@hezzer78 I also use a regular body pillow and love it.  It's both smaller and cheaper than an official "pregnancy" pillow.

lalala2004

I love my snoogle. I practically pulled it out before the pee was dry on my BFP

lakesideknitter

@hezzer78i just got this one and love it. Only $40
Full Body Pregnancy Pillow - U Shaped Hypoallergenic Maternity Support Cushion for Pregnant and Nursing Women - Comfortable, Therapeutic, Machine Washable - By ComfySure https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4DFVLL?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

aj1327

I have some kind of pregnancy pillow that I freaking love! 

elsieisamoocow

+1 for the snoogle! DH isn’t a big fan because we normally spoon to fall asleep, so I avoided bringing it out until I needed it. I did the other day and omg I’ve slept SO well since then! 

princesslockness

I have yet to put my pillow away. They have both been so well loved they had to be replaced. I use it constantly and am trying to decide how much I can spend on this next one.

LC12261012

I guess I’m in the minority that doesn’t really like the snoogle. It takes up too much room in the bed and I hate that I have to move it when I turn over. I still use it but I don’t think it’s worth the money. 

legallykate

LC12261012 said:

I guess I’m in the minority that doesn’t really like the snoogle. It takes up too much room in the bed and I hate that I have to move it when I turn over. I still use it but I don’t think it’s worth the money. 

I am meh on it so far. My main gripe is that I wish it was just for your body and not for your head, because I love my gel cooling pillow I normally sleep on but like the snoogle for between my knees/next to my stomach. And DH hates it since it takes up half of our Queen.

jsnakehole

I love my snoogle, but my big problem is that my dog loves it more so every time I get up, I risk having to fight him for my pillow back. DH loves it too, but he knows I'll just snatch it from him.

Firemanswife11

I have a confession re: pillows. My dog sleeps on a $120 gel-cooling memory foam pillow between my husband and I. In her defense, it was my pillow but I hate it. I much prefer the $6 pillows from Walmart. 

neeraja_k

Despite having a king size bed and the room for a full body pillow, I might have to settle for a regular pillow between my knees. I can't imagine rolling over, and having to try to wrestle a full size body pillow to the other side and fight with my CPAP hose at the same time. lol

And here today I whacked my dog in the butt with a wash cloth that I had in my hand at the time for sleeping on my bed when I wasn't in the room and then came in and caught him in the act. Apparently I have mastered Ninja Sneak Walking down the creaky hallway, he never even heard me enter the room. Ugh, the hair and smell, no. He has three nice beds in our bedroom, pick one dang it. It's bad enough I sleep with the "Mama's Baby" cat on me, all night, every night. If I roll over, she'll walk on me like one of those log walkers, then lay back down when I settle on a position. But now if I go on vacation, beds feel empty without it. Bottle fed cats...  lol

jsnakehole

@neeraja_k my littlest cat likes to sleep on my shoulder or across my neck like a scarf. Most mornings I'm up before my alarm because of his purrs. We let all three boys (a big dog and two cats) sleep in the bed at their leisure. It's not uncommon to wake up with the whole family in the bed.

dirtanddiamonds

I love my snoogle. I always end up with bad hip pain and it helps a lot. 

Firemanswife11

@neeraja_k we just got a king bed at the beginning of my pregnancy. I love it. I don't know how I ever lived before. Especially having dog(s) in my bed! 

lalala2004

I wish we could get a king size bed. It wouldn’t even fit in our room. So poor DH sleeps on the couch. Between me, the snoogle, and DS being in there half the night.... he is happier this way. And he keeps the baby monitor so I get better sleep. Wish my mom would stop “Worrying” about it. (Why did I tell her? I know...) Sleep is important.

elsieisamoocow

I don't move my snoogle when I turn over. I just have to move the piece between my legs which doesn't require a ton of effort. Also we have a king size bed (and I will never ever go back to a queen now). 

Secretstapler

I have just a regular body pillow, I think it was $10 or so at Target, plus a couple bucks for the pillow case.  It helps sooo much, but it is awkward to roll over with it.  But by third trimester, rolling over is awkward no matter what.  I had to get satin pajamas last time, so I could slide on the sheets.  I don't know how it will work this time, with third trimester in the summer.  I'm hoping it's easier to roll over without a pile of blankets on top.

It's so quiet today, especially compared to yesterday, so I don't know if anyone will see this, but I have a question as well: 

Does anyone have any experience with CenteringPregnancy, or any other type of group prenatal care?  My midwife practice is starting a new program where you do two hour appointments with 8-10 other women due in the same month, and in addition to the standard weight, blood pressure, heartbeat stuff, you have discussions about what everyone is experiencing and what we might need to know.  You do get one-on-one time with the midwife, too.  I've tentatively opted into it, and the group appointments start in March.  I keep hearing that everyone loves it, and it actually predicts better outcomes, but I'm feeling a bit nervous about it.  Has anyone else even heard of something like this?

Here's a link to the specific program I'm doing:
www.centeringhealthcare.org/what-we-do/centering-pregnancy

ecwk

@Secretstapler

YES!!!! I am the poster child for centering! I did it with DS and can honestly say it was one of the best decisions of my life. There were eight of us in the group and four of us have remained very very close, to the point we have done joint birthday celebrations for the kids last year and will this year, we did a group cake smash photo shoot last year which was the cutest thing that ever happened ever, we see each other all the time, we are basically best friends. Our kids are growing up together and we go through milestones (good and bad) around the same time and it’s amazing to have people to talk to IRL. I can not recommend it enough. I’m doing it again this time, and another advantage is that it is in the evening so I don’t have to take time off work! 

derbysquirrel

@Secretstapler
I've not heard of that, but it sounds awesome. It'd be great to connect to other local women due around the same time. It sounds like a great way to get support and make mom friends. I don't know anyone with babies in my area, so I'm a little jealous.

Secretstapler

@ecwk Awesome, thank you!  That's exactly what I'm hoping for.  I'm not very good at making friends, so I only have a couple of close ones, and none of them are anywhere close to the pregnancy/baby phase.  I'm really trying to talk down the part of me that wants to run and hide at the prospect of having to meet a bunch of new people.  But I really do think it could turn into something really great.  I'm so glad you had a great experience, I'm feeling more excited already!

ecwk

@Secretstapler we didn’t hit it off and get close until we formed a Facebook group at the end of our pregnancies. Then after we had the babies we went to one house to make lactation cookies together and that was that. We put the effort in at the start and now idk what I’d do without those girls! Also idk if you know but partners are welcome too! The dads in our group were hilarious! 

@derbysquirrel check with your practice to see if it’s offered! You probably would know already but maybe not!

ecwk

Also I’ve made a ton of mom friends through the breastfeeding support group I went to so if that’s something that’s up your alley it’s worth looking into when the time comes!