Questions - First week of April!

mrs_drc_rn

I didn’t see this started so I’m selfishly starting it since I have a question! Will delete if it’s a duplicate! 


I may be overthinking this a little, but wanted to find out what you ladies would do. So, MFM recommended I have an MRI done at 24 weeks to rule out placenta accreta. He wanted me to come to his hospital (Tier 2) to have it done because they have a “special accreta team.” I have a script and precertification to have it done at the hospital where I work and where my OB’s office is (Tier 1).

I called the insurance company and it’s a difference of being responsible for 10% vs 20%. I looked around on the Tier 2 hospitals website and just see that a couple of their radiologists gave a presentation on accreta, so I kind of feel like MFM was maybe exaggerating a bit. 

We’re already dealing with so many bills relating to my melanoma and I’m not looking forward to paying extra for a test that I could have done for a lower price. Would you follow MFM and go to the Tier 2, or just go to the Tier 1? I just can’t imagine that the latter would completely miss something like that. 

Sorry for the long post. Gold stars for whoever made it through that!

carrotsandpeas3

@mrs_drc_rn I understand the concern about cost. I would think the other radiologists would be able to look at it, but for something so specific, it would definitely only be to your advantage to have specialists look at it. Any chance you are going to meet your deductible and out of pocket maximum through your insurance this year? I was stressing about which hospital to deliver at, etc based on price and then realized that I am going to hit my out of pocket maximum either way. Just something to consider. I know it might mean more money now versus later in the year, but otherwise it might balance out in the end.

mrs_drc_rn

@doctormom33 We’ve met the deductible and I’m pretty sure will meet the OOP maximum. I think I’m just getting frustrated with all of these medical bills coming in and I’d love to be able to get this MRI done for less. I just don’t know if they really are “specialists” there, you know? Ugh!

proudparent2b

Could you ask OB for their opinion? Personally I’d want at least one of the two doctors to agree with the path I choose prior to proceeding with that option.

mrs_drc_rn

@proudparent2b I feel like he’ll tell me to go with MFM’s recommendation but I did just email him to see what he says. 

Firemanswife11

@mrs_drc_rn yeah, I can definitely sympathize with the whole money thing as that's probably my life's biggest stress but at the same time I agree with PP about having an actual specialist check it out. And getting a second opinion from your doctor now that you've had some time to step away and evaluate your options. 


AFM ... Anyone else getting kicked in the vagina like all the time? This baby is breech and DS1 never was so it is so unusual to feel this. I mean, I definitely did not experience butthole punches until like 37 weeks last time. Lol. So lovely. 

7425cait

^ bwahahahaha! Butthole punches! Yes, this kid is way lower early on than DD was. Everything feels so low. The baby was head down last scan, so it's literally vag punches all day. I rarely feel anything above my belly button. 

mrsbubbles-2

@mrs_drc_rn - I'm super cautious so I'd go with the T2 scan. I think I'd rather have the T2 tech do it rather than risk the T1 tech doing the scan then the MFM saying that the images don't show <whatever they're looking for> and have to have the scan performed at the T2 place anyway.

@Firemanswife11 - no kicks to the vag but I'm only just starting to feel consistent movement this week. And because of the anterior placenta I'm getting kicks and stuff to the sides and pretty low on my belly

I have been getting the feeling that baby is pushing into my bladder though. Like I'll be fine then OMG need to pee NOW! But there's not much there, know what I mean? I don't think it's a UTI because the 'need to pee' sensation isn't there all the time, it just pops up suddenly. So I guess that's my question, sort of? Baby, right? This doesn't sound like UTI symptoms?

Firemanswife11

@mrsbubbles-2 yeah, I have that sensation of "must go now" and it will actually go away if I wait a few minutes (if I KNOW my bladder isn't full). I sat in the bathroom for like 10 minutes earlier peeing drops at a time though because I guess baby was playing with my bladder or something. THAT was annoying. This pregnancy is so different from my son, haha. I hate that feeling of instant bladder spasm. 

elsieisamoocow

@Firemanswife11 omg yes on the butthole punches! Half the time I’m just sitting here trying to figure out how the kid is positioned based on where he is kicking and hitting me. Vagina punches, butthole punches, colon kicks... pregnancy is fun

mrs_drc_rn

Thanks ladies! I know in my heart that I should go with the Tier 2 facility and I know I would probably worry about the results being accurate if I didn’t. I think I’m just discouraged with all of the medical bills but I know, ultimately, it’s money well spent to make sure baby and I are safe. And we’ll always be able to make more money! 

@Firemanswife11 @mrsbubbles-2 I’ve definitely been feeling more of the vagina/bladder kicks lately. Exactly like that sudden feeling of having a full bladder but then it passes. 

aj1327

I’m feeling all the bladder kicks!

Had anyone’s doctor brought up Zika with them? Mine did today and it Caught me totally off guard. What’s everyone using to keep mosquitoes away? 

7425cait

@amac12999 maybe it's because of your location? I haven't spoken about zika, but then again, it's expected to snow again this Saturday. We haven't really worried about it here in the North. I'll probably all more about it come summer. 

neeraja_k

@amac12999 It hasn't been brought up to me personally, but there's posters with the basic information about it in every OB's exam room and waiting room I've seen. But I also live in the "never ending winter" north, so I don't think it's any real risk here unless I vacation to south Texas, Florida, or internationally. 

DEET containing Off! brand works well for me when I'm out in the yard or backpacking. My mom had some success taking brewers yeast supplements that make you less attractive somehow. Before taking it she was like a hummingbird feeder for the dang things. 

hezzer78

@amac12999 Not yet, but I imagine she will - solely based on where you and I live. I had just planned on using DEET Off and staying inside in the AC as much as possible this summer Our last dog passed away in November, so no need to be out walking if I could go just go to the gym and walk in the AC! 

livinthesunnylife

@amac12999 I had my son during the bigger Zika scare in 2016.  I think it's mostly about staying away from the really bad areas (Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico, etc.)  As for repellent, I really like using the Johnson & Johnson baby lotion in the light green bottle. 

melbel0824

I’m going to Florida in May, but the the north part of the state. I checked the CDC website a couple weeks ago and it looks like the most prevalent area of Florida is still Miami and even that is significantly less than it was a couple years ago. I’m seeing my doctor in a couple weeks so I’ll ask about bug spray, but I’m also not too worried. 

ssthomps

I live in South Florida, and my OB has not brought it up. I will ask at my next appt. though. 

mrs_drc_rn

Thanks for all of the input today ladies! I emailed my OB and he said that while my hospital is acceptable, the Tier 2 facility is preferable. He mentioned if I have it done at my hospital, we could always take the DVD to the other place for a second opinion but I think just going right to the Tier 2 hospital will just give me better peace of mind. 

aj1327

Yes, pretty sure it’s my location. I’m pretty sure I’ve already been bit once. I don’t have any reaction to the bites so I never really know. We’ve had no Zika in our area though so I wasn’t worried at all until she brought it up. 

@hezzer78 I plan to stay in as much as possible too!

mrs_drc_rn

@amac12999 despite needing to ask all of our admissions if they’ve traveled to an area with known Zika risk in the last six months, I have never even thought about that risk for myself. I don’t think there were ever many confirmed cases in PA, but I will definitely be making sure I wear my big spray when the weather warms up! 

melprop

@Firemanswife11 I’ve definitely been feeling the vag kicks, butthole kicks, bladder kicks, basically everywhere but the front of my stomach. I’m at the point where my pelvis & lower back are just constantly sore and achy. I’m sure it’s not just all from the baby kicking, but it’s not fun. 

melbel0824

I have two questions.
One, how much water did you drink before your A/S ultrasound? I'm pretty sure the receptionist at the imaging center said 64 oz an hour before, but I'll be dying if that's true.
Two, my tailbone is getting really sore after sitting in my chair at work. Any suggestions for a pillow or something to put on my seat?

juliebird6

@melbel0824
RE water - with my first, they told me something similar.  With this pregnancy, they haven't given me any sort of guidelines for drinking water before appointments at all, which I find really interesting!  Do they just think I remember all this?  Anyway, I just made sure to not pee right before the appointment so I had a full bladder.  It was fine, but I normally drink about 100 oz/day so I was probably around 40-50 by the time of my appointment. 

Also, RE the chair - the same thing happens to me.  I have to get up and walk around multiple times a day to get off my butt.  I also ended up getting one of those standing desks that you can use either sitting or standing, which is really helpful.  This is the one I have.

pghctwife

melbel0824 said:

I have two questions.
One, how much water did you drink before your A/S ultrasound? I'm pretty sure the receptionist at the imaging center said 64 oz an hour before, but I'll be dying if that's true.
Two, my tailbone is getting really sore after sitting in my chair at work. Any suggestions for a pillow or something to put on my seat?

With my first they said a full bladder for the dating u/s but that was it. My a/s this time they had me empty my bladder first - it was over an hour long and lots of pushing on me to get the right images, could have been a problem lol

Firemanswife11

@melbel0824 they told me 32 oz of water but I just drank my usual coffee and there were no issues. I would have died if I drank 32 oz of water because I basically drink and I automatically need to pee lol. 

mrs_drc_rn

@melbel0824 when I was 16 weeks along I went in for a vaginal ultrasound with an empty bladder and the tech ended up doing an early anatomy scan for my file since I hadn’t been there yet. She was able to see everything she needed to so from that point on I never made it a point to drink any water. Just drank like I normally would beforehand. 

carrotsandpeas3

@melbel0824 they gave me no instructions and my scan was at 7:30 in the morning, so I was pretty dehydrated. They also had me give a urine sample right before, so I really don't think it matters. I can't imagine doing the scan on a full bladder. I would have peed myself with all the pushing.

melbel0824

Thanks ladies! I was leaning towards not worrying about how much I drank and just drinking my normal amount. I'm peeing every 40 minutes anyway, so I don't think I need to worry too much about my bladder being full.

@juliebird6 I wish I could have a standing desk! I'm in a temporary location right now and will be until I go on maternity leave so a standing desk isn't possible. I definitely get up and walk around, but at the end of 9 hours my ass still hurts lol

scottishlass1213

@melbel0824

I have this for my desk chair at work: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EBDV9BU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's pretty comfy but I also rotate between that, my ball chair and my standing desk LOL

juliebird6

A ball chair might be a good option too!

neeraja_k

They never told me one way or another before my A/S, so just to err on the side of caution I maintained a full bladder, minus the tiny little sample for the urinalysis prior. But yeah, it was ridiculously rough having to hold it in while they were pushing all over down there. Then when I asked where the bathroom was (the place is a maze once you get past the front counter) she walked off and forgot about me, so I had to sit in a little waiting room in the back to wait on my nurse practitioner for another 20 mins with my legs squeezed shut and my eyeballs floating. 

aj1327

She had me empty my bladder before the scan and got all the measurements we needed. They never said anything to me about water with DS either. 

livinthesunnylife

@melbel0824 I've never been told anything about drinking a bunch of water before my A/S. 

I work at a medical company so we have a lot of healthy seating options.  By the end of my last pregnancy I would rotate between the ball chair and my desk chair.  But why not just bring in a pillow to sit on as a cheaper/easier option?  My tailbone gets angry too

mrsbubbles-2

I was told just don't pee for about an hour before the scan and mine was fine. I did have to go like immediately after because of all the pushing with the wand. Baby girl is super uncooperative for all the scans lol!

hannerbananers

I was told to drink 1.5L of fluid one hour before. Well we waited an extra 45 minutes for our appointment and lets just say I was dying. The tech spent about 5 minutes getting measurements then let me pee it all out for the rest of the scan. By the end my bladder was full again. She said no way did I have to drink that much

hfooter

I’m always told to drink a full bladders worth, whatever that is. So I had 32oz at least and she made me go pee because my bladder was too full lol

7425cait

I've never been told to drink water before hand with either of my pregnancies and I went to two different ultrasound places. That's so strange that everyone is getting different instructions.

neeraja_k

Is anyone losing hair already? I'm starting to shed and I'm trying not to worry, but it's hard. PGAL anxiety is no joke.

Last year when I was apparently in the process of losing my 6 week old pregnancy unbeknownst to me at the time, my hair suddenly started falling out in handfuls days before the actual miscarriage made it's appearance. I was still losing hair up until when I conceived this time, complete with really thin spots. After a few weeks with this pregnancy I finally started growing it back in, which was a relief, and I rarely found more than a hair or two after brushing/washing. 

But in the last couple of weeks I feel like I'm shedding so much more suddenly. My scalp has been really irritated lately, so I've been switching products around from what I was using, wondering if I was allergic to it suddenly. I shampoo 2-3x a week using a tea tree shampoo which seems to help the scalp feel better if nothing else. So I'm not sure if it's related to that, or if it's just my hair going through a cycle, or if it's all the stress I'm under lately. 

Is this in the realm of "normal"? It's on my list of questions to ask my OB this coming Tuesday just to be sure, but I'm trying not to get overly worried about it for now, considering I'm still feeling daily movement and my last ultrasound looked blissfully normal. 

ssthomps

neeraja_k said:

Is anyone losing hair already? I'm starting to shed and I'm trying not to worry, but it's hard. PGAL anxiety is no joke.

Last year when I was apparently in the process of losing my 6 week old pregnancy unbeknownst to me at the time, my hair suddenly started falling out in handfuls days before the actual miscarriage made it's appearance. I was still losing hair up until when I conceived this time, complete with really thin spots. After a few weeks with this pregnancy I finally started growing it back in, which was a relief, and I rarely found more than a hair or two after brushing/washing. 

But in the last couple of weeks I feel like I'm shedding so much more suddenly. My scalp has been really irritated lately, so I've been switching products around from what I was using, wondering if I was allergic to it suddenly. I shampoo 2-3x a week using a tea tree shampoo which seems to help the scalp feel better if nothing else. So I'm not sure if it's related to that, or if it's just my hair going through a cycle, or if it's all the stress I'm under lately. 

Is this in the realm of "normal"? It's on my list of questions to ask my OB this coming Tuesday just to be sure, but I'm trying not to get overly worried about it for now, considering I'm still feeling daily movement and my last ultrasound looked blissfully normal. 

Are you feeling movement? That gives me piece of mind. I reflect back on the day to make sure I felt movement and it decreases the anxiety. 

melbel0824

@neeraja_k I think movement is always a good sign. This probably isn’t helpful, but I always shed a lot and that hasn’t changed at all. I just googled and it looks like it could just be a vitamin deficiency. I would ask your doctor about it, but also maybe switch to a shampoo and conditioner with biotin if you can.