@lillywonderland I know you don’t spend very much time with
your doctor during delivery anyways. Everyone keeps telling me that it’s the
nurses that are the most important. But it’s still the idea of having some
rando there that doesn’t know me and my situation. I am considered high risk.
So who’s to say that they even read my chart.
The smaller clinic that I like has a hospital attached so
they do deliveries right there. If for some reason there was an emergency and
they needed to transport me to a larger hospital I would most likely go to the
one I’m thinking about leaving. They’re about 15-20 minutes apart.
I haven’t thought too much about a doula or anything. One of
my best friends is a labor and delivery nurse so I did think about asking her
to be there. MH doesn’t really like her tho so he might veto it lol. MH is a
first responder so he does know some medical terms. He’s pretty calm under
pressure too.
I’ve never heard of interviewing an OB. Would that be
considered an appointment?
@rms924 Thank you. That does help. They work for me, not the
other way around.
*TW* TTC history
Me:32 DH:31 Married: 8/2015
TTC #1: 4/2017 Testing: HSG, U/S, BW, and DH's SA all normal DX: Unexplained 8/2018: Clomid + TI = BFN 9/2018: Clomid + TI + Progesterone = BFN 11/2018: Clomid + IUI + Progesterone = BFN 12/2018: Letrozole + IUI + Progesterone \\ Cancelled due to cyst 1/2019: Letrozole + IUI + Progesterone = BFP! \\ EDD Sept 30th, 2019 10/7/2019: Healthy baby boy!
@LJMoon6 ugh that is beyond unprofessional of them, I'm so sorry they put you through that (not to mention your request is so normal it's standard so many places) - what is up with that place!?! Glad you are looking at where to switch and hope you find somewhere you feel good about. I would hope the smaller clinic you're interested in could tell you how
they're equipped to handle your medical needs, and give enough details on
the hospital where they deliver so you can make the decision if they
are right for you - I would ask under what
circumstances they would transfer you to a different hospital and where you would go. My provider does the thing where you get whichever OB is on shift when you go into labor (and, if you're in more than 24 hours, you'll get handed off) - but they also mix up who you have appointments with toward the end so you'll have a shot at having met who delivers you before, which sounds different than your big clinic. It's for sure a little weird, though, and I think I'm more nervous about it this time than I was with DS (for the not really reading the chart reasons you mention). It sounds like you have some people who can be good advocates for you during labor (YH if he doesn't want your friend there). It's worth having that. There are a lot of people in and out during/after labor, and shift changes happen, and it's good to have someone there to make sure everyone does grasp what your medical concerns are. This isn't you being demanding at all, @rms924 is so right - these people work for you.
Ugh, I got a call today that I have to redo my NIPT blood draw. I guess the lab didn't seal it correctly. I am just venting more than anything. What's another week in the grand scheme of things, I guess?
I had my NT ultrasound today and they "strongly advised" me against NIPT since I'm not high risk or AMA. I was like, "what's the downside"? And they said "it's not necessary"....ummm....thanks, I'd like all the information I can get. Anyway, they don't do blood draws there (office is in a huge hospital...?) so I had to schedule the blood draw for Monday. It's not at all a big deal, but I'm spoiled because I knew sex at 11 weeks last time. I'm 12 today and will have to wait more than a week! I just want to know now and know that all is well with the little lime. Good news, though: No fluid on the neck! Baby was a healthy-looking little wiggle worm!
@LJMoon6 True - the nurses ARE the most important during deliver (IMO). The Dr basically just “catches” and “stitches”. 😉 No, it wouldn’t be an appointment. When I called to interview my pediatrician I just said I was PG and looking at a few practices and wanted to sit down and have a chat with one of the doctors. They were super receptive and they were able to squeeze me in for like a 20 minute chat! Just call and tell them that - basically you would like to see the offices and talk to a NP / OB as you are a prospective client and wanted to meet them before you made a decision.
@kgg2241 boooo! I’m sorry you have to get it redone!
@LJMoon6 I'm sorry that you've been put in a position where you feel you need to switch practices. That's not fair to you. I actually switched from a big practice to a much smaller one between my pregnancies for some of the reasons you cited. During my last pregnancy at the big practice I was not able to build a relationship with any one OB since I had to see all the DRs that deliver since there was no guarantee I would know who would be on call when the time came. When I was finally admitted I saw 3 of the doctors (my water broke but I had to be induced) and none of them remembered me. Most of my stay I was seen by nurses and residents. It felt so impersonal and I just didn't like it.
After my pregnancy I looked for a small practice that was also affiliated with the hospital I delivered at since they have a NICU and better ratings than the one closer to me. The practice I'm now at has been wonderful. Everyone from the nurses to the Physicians Assistants and the 3 OBs have taken the time to answer all of my questions. I think it's worth meeting a few practices to find one you feel comfortable with, especially since you already have some medical things that may affect your labor. You should only be charged for a consultation if at all. You can call your insurance to ask.
Had the NT scan and NIPT on Wednesday the 6th. Tech said US looked good and Doc would call. The Doctor called on the following wednesday (the 13th) and said everything looked good! Less than 1 in 10,000 chance.
We had our NT scan today and everything looked good! The little peanut was being photogenic and cooperating so well that we even had a second us tech come in so she could practice. They said LO is textbook and everything's perfect! We also got our NIPT results back (took less than a week) and everything is normal! I'll pick up the envelope with the sex in it tomorrow from the clinic. I'm hoping to do cupcakes but I haven't checked with any bakeries yet.
*TW* TTC history
Me:32 DH:31 Married: 8/2015
TTC #1: 4/2017 Testing: HSG, U/S, BW, and DH's SA all normal DX: Unexplained 8/2018: Clomid + TI = BFN 9/2018: Clomid + TI + Progesterone = BFN 11/2018: Clomid + IUI + Progesterone = BFN 12/2018: Letrozole + IUI + Progesterone \\ Cancelled due to cyst 1/2019: Letrozole + IUI + Progesterone = BFP! \\ EDD Sept 30th, 2019 10/7/2019: Healthy baby boy!
Hey ladies! I don’t participate on here as much as I’d like to, but I wanted to share my experience with my NT/NIPT in case anyone else has a similar experience.
I had my NT scan and Harmony blood draw on 3/7. I went into the scan mainly just excited to see the baby, not really concerned about anything being abnormal. It took the tech FOREVER to get the NT measurement, mainly because the baby wouldn’t stop moving and never seemed to be in a good position. I did notice she tried to take the measurement numerous times and got different numbers each time. I kind of thought the NT looked thicker than I remembered it being with my son, but I couldn’t be sure. Eventually the OB came in to look, then the tech came back and they finally got a measurement they were satisfied with. The tech promptly left and the OB (not my regular doc, I go to a midwifery clinic at the same hospital) very bluntly told me the measurement was high at 3.0. She made it sound like it was pretty bad (which after doing my own research I now see its really not that high, especially since the baby was measuring 13w5d). We went to the genetic counselor right after and she told us that the measurement was above 95th percentile which gave us a 1/25 risk of a trisomy. Not THAT high but again, she made it sound more dire than that. Right after that meeting I had my blood drawn for the Harmony test and spent the next week SO anxious.
A week later I got impatient and called for the results, and thankfully, it came back low risk (ballpark 1/10000) for all three trisomies - and a boy! There’s obviously a possibility that something else could go wrong, but it just goes to show that a high NT measurement doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. I just wanted to share in case anyone ends up in a similar situation.
@madamerwin that is fantastic news your results came back low risk.
for some perspective - those of us who are pushing people to get an NT and not just an NIPT had a measurement of 7.0+. Not to throw numbers out like it is some contest, but I wouldn't want a remark like "but it just goes to show that a high NT measurement doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong." to be taken the wrong way.
@chichiphin I think I speak for everyone here in saying that you are NEVER lurking! I/we are always happy to see your name pop up and love the perspective and information that you graciously share and offer. I hope you are doing and feeling as well as possible
@madamerwin I'm not going to try and scare you, and it's 100% possible your LO is healthy with no problems, but I would ask for a repeat scan at either 14 or 16 weeks to check fluid. Speaking from personal experience.
Our nipt came back normal and we are having a girl! Huge sigh of relief. We did the MaterniT Genome which is the most extensive so it helps relieve some anxiety with my(38) and husbands (50) age. There is a lot more concerns with a male over 50 that is outside of the trisomies.
@nomangos23 we have an early anatomy scan this Thursday (at 16w) to check on everything.
And @chichiphin fair point. I know there’s a huge difference between a 3.0 and higher numbers in terms of possible implications, and I wanted to share my story since I’ve found there are a lot of scary stories out there and it’s easy for people like me (with anxiety problems) to immediately jump to worst case scenarios.
@madamerwin Actually not true, my number (in my first pregnancy) was a 2.6 and things did not turn out okay. Hoping your babe is perfect. Good luck on Thursday.
Hey ladies! I don’t participate on here as much as I’d like to, but our NIPT results came back and we are having a healthy baby girl! I'm so excited to have 2 little girls though my husband would have loved to have a boy.
@LJMoon6 I switched providers halfway through my previous pregnancy. I moved from a small practice that worked at a big teaching hospital to a larger one that worked with our smaller hospital. I was able to meet all the midwives at the larger practice but had the benefits of a small hospital. I was much happier with the nursing staff at the smaller hospital and even if I stayed at the small practice I wouldn't have been guaranteed my Doctor if they weren't on call at the time. Even at the smaller hospital though I honestly don't remember much about which of the midwives were there at any given time but just remember the nurses as being the ones there throughout my labor.
Did anyone else do the Counsyl/Myriad NIPT? I just got an email that our results are ready to be viewed. I want to log on to look at the them, but I don't want to see the sex yet. Does it hide it?
ETA: To answer my own question, yes it does. I had my coworker look lol. And results came back negative for any detectable chromosomal abnormalities. I am so so relieved. We will find out the sex when I get home from work.
Haha thank you, @lillywonderland. I don't know yet! I am going to try to slide away from work to maybe get a balloon or cupcake. I'll see if I have time.
@lillywonderland I ended up going to a baby store after work and picked out one blue and one pink onesie. I then had the girl working look at the results on my phone (without me seeing) and put whatever one it was in the bag. It turned out so fun!
we had abnormal results at our 13 week US genetic counselor said we might be looking at trisomy 13 NIPT came back “negative” tho I’ve learned it’s only 90% accurate. Yesterday had 16 week US and amneo. Results still abnormal and NOT good. Baby has HPE and a single artery umbilical cord.
We don’t know how extensive the defects are. Can range from “so mild you may not even notice” to “very severe.” i really just want an answer. Yes or no would be so much easier than “it depends...”
@moxyligeia I am so sorry you are dealing with this and the uncertainty. Whatever the outcome, we are here for you. I'll be thinking of you and your family.
@moxyligeia oh my gosh. The unknown is awful! Will there be a point at which you will get some more information? I’m so sorry. I’ll be thinking about you so much.
@moxyligeia I am so sorry. The amneo will also look at T13 as well as confirm.
Are you able to be seen by someone in a maternal fetal medicine group for an additional scan and consult? Perhaps an OB who works with a children’s hospital? We got the most in-depth answers and assessment after going to a specialist and not a regular OB group.
@moxyligeia I’m so sorry you got bad news. By 20 weeks or so they should be able to see more of the brain development to see if you are looking at alobar or any of the other kinds. Alobar is the most severe. Semilobar and lobar tend to have better prognosis and they really should be able to see that on ultrasound.They should ask be able to see if baby has any of the accompanying characteristics of HPE.
@moxyligeia I just wanted to add that I am so sorry you are going through this uncertainty and I pray that you are able to get some clarity soon. Will be thinking of you!
Just got a call from the doctor. Bloodwork from NIPT* (edit: not NIPT, sequential screen*) came back with increased risk of trisomy 18. They are recommending amniocentesis but apparently I'm near the end of the window for that (by 20 weeks, and I'm 17w4d now). I'm a little bit in shock, I've had quite a few ultrasounds as I was hospitalized for a bit (multiple sclerosis flare) with no red flags. NT was normal. DH and I are freaking out. I guess we are trying to schedule as many tests for tomorrow as possible (a Friday, of course) and then we have a 2 week wait. Deep breaths.
* Edited because typos drive me crazy and because I had a sequential screen* that I "failed" (the NIPT is being drawn today and that's what we will be waiting for now... If that's positive for T18 then we meet with the MFM, have an ultrasound, and decide whether or not to do amniocentesis).
Re: NT/NIPT Discussion Thread
@lillywonderland I know you don’t spend very much time with your doctor during delivery anyways. Everyone keeps telling me that it’s the nurses that are the most important. But it’s still the idea of having some rando there that doesn’t know me and my situation. I am considered high risk. So who’s to say that they even read my chart.
The smaller clinic that I like has a hospital attached so they do deliveries right there. If for some reason there was an emergency and they needed to transport me to a larger hospital I would most likely go to the one I’m thinking about leaving. They’re about 15-20 minutes apart.
I haven’t thought too much about a doula or anything. One of my best friends is a labor and delivery nurse so I did think about asking her to be there. MH doesn’t really like her tho so he might veto it lol. MH is a first responder so he does know some medical terms. He’s pretty calm under pressure too.
I’ve never heard of interviewing an OB. Would that be considered an appointment?
@rms924 Thank you. That does help. They work for me, not the other way around.
Married: 8/2015
TTC #1: 4/2017
Testing: HSG, U/S, BW, and DH's SA all normal
DX: Unexplained
8/2018: Clomid + TI = BFN
9/2018: Clomid + TI + Progesterone = BFN
11/2018: Clomid + IUI + Progesterone = BFN
12/2018: Letrozole + IUI + Progesterone \\ Cancelled due to cyst
1/2019: Letrozole + IUI + Progesterone = BFP! \\ EDD Sept 30th, 2019
10/7/2019: Healthy baby boy!
TTC #2: 12/2020
2/2021: Letrozole + TI = BFN
3/2021: Letrozole + TI = BFN
4/2021: Surprise! Natural BFP! \\ EDD Jan 6th, 2022 \\ Chemical, betas not rising
8/2021: Letrozole + IUI + Progesterone = BFN
9/2021: Letrozole + IUI + Progesterone = BFN
10/2021: Letrozole + IUI + Progesterone = BFN
11/2021: Letrozole + IUI + Progesterone = BFP! \\ EDD July 29th, 2022
@kgg2241 boooo! I’m sorry you have to get it redone!
@mamaber2204 Yay for a good NT!
@LJMoon6 I'm sorry that you've been put in a position where you feel you need to switch practices. That's not fair to you. I actually switched from a big practice to a much smaller one between my pregnancies for some of the reasons you cited. During my last pregnancy at the big practice I was not able to build a relationship with any one OB since I had to see all the DRs that deliver since there was no guarantee I would know who would be on call when the time came. When I was finally admitted I saw 3 of the doctors (my water broke but I had to be induced) and none of them remembered me. Most of my stay I was seen by nurses and residents. It felt so impersonal and I just didn't like it.
After my pregnancy I looked for a small practice that was also affiliated with the hospital I delivered at since they have a NICU and better ratings than the one closer to me. The practice I'm now at has been wonderful. Everyone from the nurses to the Physicians Assistants and the 3 OBs have taken the time to answer all of my questions. I think it's worth meeting a few practices to find one you feel comfortable with, especially since you already have some medical things that may affect your labor. You should only be charged for a consultation if at all. You can call your insurance to ask.
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
We also got our NIPT results back (took less than a week) and everything is normal! I'll pick up the envelope with the sex in it tomorrow from the clinic. I'm hoping to do cupcakes but I haven't checked with any bakeries yet.
Married: 8/2015
TTC #1: 4/2017
Testing: HSG, U/S, BW, and DH's SA all normal
DX: Unexplained
8/2018: Clomid + TI = BFN
9/2018: Clomid + TI + Progesterone = BFN
11/2018: Clomid + IUI + Progesterone = BFN
12/2018: Letrozole + IUI + Progesterone \\ Cancelled due to cyst
1/2019: Letrozole + IUI + Progesterone = BFP! \\ EDD Sept 30th, 2019
10/7/2019: Healthy baby boy!
TTC #2: 12/2020
2/2021: Letrozole + TI = BFN
3/2021: Letrozole + TI = BFN
4/2021: Surprise! Natural BFP! \\ EDD Jan 6th, 2022 \\ Chemical, betas not rising
8/2021: Letrozole + IUI + Progesterone = BFN
9/2021: Letrozole + IUI + Progesterone = BFN
10/2021: Letrozole + IUI + Progesterone = BFN
11/2021: Letrozole + IUI + Progesterone = BFP! \\ EDD July 29th, 2022
I had my NT scan and Harmony blood draw on 3/7. I went into the scan mainly just excited to see the baby, not really concerned about anything being abnormal. It took the tech FOREVER to get the NT measurement, mainly because the baby wouldn’t stop moving and never seemed to be in a good position. I did notice she tried to take the measurement numerous times and got different numbers each time. I kind of thought the NT looked thicker than I remembered it being with my son, but I couldn’t be sure. Eventually the OB came in to look, then the tech came back and they finally got a measurement they were satisfied with. The tech promptly left and the OB (not my regular doc, I go to a midwifery clinic at the same hospital) very bluntly told me the measurement was high at 3.0. She made it sound like it was pretty bad (which after doing my own research I now see its really not that high, especially since the baby was measuring 13w5d). We went to the genetic counselor right after and she told us that the measurement was above 95th percentile which gave us a 1/25 risk of a trisomy. Not THAT high but again, she made it sound more dire than that. Right after that meeting I had my blood drawn for the Harmony test and spent the next week SO anxious.
A week later I got impatient and called for the results, and thankfully, it came back low risk (ballpark 1/10000) for all three trisomies - and a boy! There’s obviously a possibility that something else could go wrong, but it just goes to show that a high NT measurement doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. I just wanted to share in case anyone ends up in a similar situation.
@madamerwin that is fantastic news your results came back low risk.
for some perspective - those of us who are pushing people to get an NT and not just an NIPT had a measurement of 7.0+. Not to throw numbers out like it is some contest, but I wouldn't want a remark like "but it just goes to show that a high NT measurement doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong." to be taken the wrong way.
*steps off soapbox*
ETA: YAY @LJMoon6 !!!
married 11.1.14
ttc #1 since 5.18
bfp 12.22.18 letrozole + progesterone
d&e due to trisomy 13/hydrops at 15wks
bfp 7.21.19 letrozole + IUI
little girl A born 3.26.20
married 11.1.14
ttc #1 since 5.18
bfp 12.22.18 letrozole + progesterone
d&e due to trisomy 13/hydrops at 15wks
bfp 7.21.19 letrozole + IUI
little girl A born 3.26.20
And @chichiphin fair point. I know there’s a huge difference between a 3.0 and higher numbers in terms of possible implications, and I wanted to share my story since I’ve found there are a lot of scary stories out there and it’s easy for people like me (with anxiety problems) to immediately jump to worst case scenarios.
@LJMoon6 I switched providers halfway through my previous pregnancy. I moved from a small practice that worked at a big teaching hospital to a larger one that worked with our smaller hospital. I was able to meet all the midwives at the larger practice but had the benefits of a small hospital. I was much happier with the nursing staff at the smaller hospital and even if I stayed at the small practice I wouldn't have been guaranteed my Doctor if they weren't on call at the time. Even at the smaller hospital though I honestly don't remember much about which of the midwives were there at any given time but just remember the nurses as being the ones there throughout my labor.
ETA: To answer my own question, yes it does. I had my coworker look lol. And results came back negative for any detectable chromosomal abnormalities. I am so so relieved. We will find out the sex when I get home from work.
Married 8/16/13
BFP#1 DS 11/13/16
BFP# 2 MMC dx @ 13w 10/30/18
BFP# 3 Preemie DD born at 38w (IUGR) on 8/28/19 weighing 5.5lbs. Our little miracle
eta - woohoo about the good results!! That’s more important than the sex parts, lol.
Trigger warning: bad news
@chichiphin
we had abnormal results at our 13 week US
genetic counselor said we might be looking at trisomy 13
NIPT came back “negative” tho I’ve learned it’s only 90% accurate.
Yesterday had 16 week US and amneo. Results still abnormal and NOT good.
Baby has HPE and a single artery umbilical cord.
We don’t know how extensive the defects are. Can range from “so mild you may not even notice” to “very severe.”
i really just want an answer.
Yes or no would be so much easier than “it depends...”
Married 8/16/13
BFP#1 DS 11/13/16
BFP# 2 MMC dx @ 13w 10/30/18
BFP# 3 Preemie DD born at 38w (IUGR) on 8/28/19 weighing 5.5lbs. Our little miracle
Are you able to be seen by someone in a maternal fetal medicine group for an additional scan and consult? Perhaps an OB who works with a children’s hospital? We got the most in-depth answers and assessment after going to a specialist and not a regular OB group.
married 11.1.14
ttc #1 since 5.18
bfp 12.22.18 letrozole + progesterone
d&e due to trisomy 13/hydrops at 15wks
bfp 7.21.19 letrozole + IUI
little girl A born 3.26.20
ETA: I hope you can get some more answers soon
Remember, whatever you and YH decide to do (if anything) it’s the right choice for your family. Sending you lots of love and hugs!
* Edited because typos drive me crazy and because I had a sequential screen* that I "failed" (the NIPT is being drawn today and that's what we will be waiting for now... If that's positive for T18 then we meet with the MFM, have an ultrasound, and decide whether or not to do amniocentesis).
Married 8/16/13
BFP#1 DS 11/13/16
BFP# 2 MMC dx @ 13w 10/30/18
BFP# 3 Preemie DD born at 38w (IUGR) on 8/28/19 weighing 5.5lbs. Our little miracle