Questions week of 10/18

spartan4life

What questions do you have this week?!

ccmrc143

For anyone who has been pregnant before, when did your first trimester symptoms begin to get better? Also, how soon can your OB use a Doppler to give peace of mind about heartbeat instead of needing an ultrasound? 

For everyone, when are you planning on starting your registries? How soon after you announce do people start asking for a link? 

spartan4life

@ccmrc143 I feel like with my first, my symptoms started to wind down about 10-12 weeks. I felt almost completely normal by my 12 week appointment. With this baby, I haven't honestly had consistent symptoms other than being extremely tired. As for the registry, I don't feel like people started asking until after shower invites went out. We did our first shower early at 24 weeks because my sister was also pregnant and she was 6 weeks ahead. We wanted to do the shower together and she had to travel so it was early. 

SkilledSailor

ccmrc143 said:

For anyone who has been pregnant before, when did your first trimester symptoms begin to get better? Also, how soon can your OB use a Doppler to give peace of mind about heartbeat instead of needing an ultrasound? 

For everyone, when are you planning on starting your registries? How soon after you announce do people start asking for a link? 

Quoting cuz I’m lazy.

I had 1st tri symptoms til week 14. I tend to have rough 1st tris though. 

No idea about the Doppler but I would think around 10 weeks. 

I start my registries early because I like the welcome gift boxes but no one asked for links til shower invites went out except my mom who is extra. 

mkc3888

@ccmrc143 last pregnancy my symptoms didn’t get bad until the end for first tri and I vomited until the day I had her.  As far as registries, I started one already. Maybe the day I found out lol because I’m crazy like that.  I don’t think people asked last time until shower invites went out. 

ckmb_1250

@ccmrc143 I’m pretty sure I was still feeling 1st tri exhaustion until maybe 15 weeks, but felt great after that.

nbcarlson

@ccmrc143 the symptoms part varies for everyone but I usually start feeling better towards the end of the first trimester 11/12 weeks. My doctor used the doppler last week at my appointment at 11 weeks and it was still pretty hard to find the heartbeat. They said 14 weeks and on it's really easy to find the heartbeat. 

texas_t

ccmrc143 said:

For anyone who has been pregnant before, when did your first trimester symptoms begin to get better? Also, how soon can your OB use a Doppler to give peace of mind about heartbeat instead of needing an ultrasound? 

For everyone, when are you planning on starting your registries? How soon after you announce do people start asking for a link? 



****GAAAAHHHHH - STUCK IN A BOX!****

Mine tend to start getting better around 10 weeks.  Doc was able to find baby last week on the doppler for me at 10 weeks.  I start my registry immediately because I don't want to forget anything.  This is my 3rd kiddo, so I doubt people will be asking this time around , so it's solely for me.  First time around, it was when the shower was I think.

brynn_mamaof4

Is anyone doing the NIPT genetic testing? I have mine scheduled for Wednesday and I’m feeling very nervous for it. This is my 4th, and something I’ve never done (and wouldn’t ever care to do). I’m doing it for my fiancé, he’s a bit of a hypochondriac and struggles with some anxiety so he wants to do “every genetic test possible”. I agreed, but now I am having anxiety BECAUSE of it lol and I am a super chill person. We talked last night and he is so sweet and supportive and said for me to tell him why, maybe he isn’t seeing something - and he said we don’t have to do it. 

My thoughts, it’s not going to change anything for us. And the test doesn’t definitively tell you if something is off. It tells you a likelihood, so if something was off I would just be a worried wreck my entire pregnancy. I would rather come to find out those things when baby is born and know that ok, I am faced to deal with something and we will work it out together then. I don’t like the thought of wondering/worrying myself into a frenzy, and maybe for no reason at all. 

He said he didn’t think about it that way and understands, and it’s up to me because he doesn’t want me and the baby to stress out. Plus I know with any serious developmental issues we will more than likely get a hint at the 20 week ultrasound. 

What are you thoughts? Pros/cons I’m not seeing to this type of testing? I’m afraid he’s just being nice. I can work it out and handle my emotions if I need to and do this for him for his anxiety. He seemed like he understood and agreed when I brought up all that. But I just want some opinions before I cancel appt weds or go. 

mrosek91

@brynn_mamaof4 I'm also due with my 4th, and have never done it and don't plan to. Like you, it wouldn't change any of our decisions, and would just cause me to worry for the entire pregnancy, (something I'm doing enough of without needing extra cause.)
What makes my situation a little different is that my DH is super laid back and isn't interested in the tests. Also, I was tested before we got married, and know that I am not a carrier of the common genetic diseases.

texas_t

@brynn_mamaof4 Hey friend.... We aren't doing it either because it's just a screening and not a test.  If it was an actual diagnostic test, I'd do it.  I figure we'll get a good amount of information at the 20 week anatomy scan and if we need to do anymore testing then (like the quad screen), then we can at that point.  

ec1212

@brynn_mamaof4 I'm doing 2 genetic blood tests, starting tomorrow. I'm doing something branded the MaterniT21 test and the NIPT. They test for most of the same things, but my OB uses them in tandem to get a more accurate picture since (as you mentioned) no non-invasive tests are totally accurate or diagnostic.

I'm AMA - I'm comfortable with these tests because, if something could be wrong (and there's a higher likelihood something could be because of my and my husband's ages), it gives me some time to research the situation and mentally prepare for that outcome. I don't think getting unexpected results would freak me out for my whole pregnancy, but I've never been there so I could be wrong! 

I'm not planning on doing CVS or an amnio - I'm not comfortable with the increased risks of miscarriage or infection. Nothing would change my mind about carrying, so I don't need that level of information in advance.

My husband also would have preferred that I did the invasive tests. I think if he were with a different woman, he might not proceed with a pregnancy if there were major problems. But he's with me, so he has made peace with my decision to do what's in line with my beliefs and what feels safest and healthiest for me.

brynn_mamaof4

@mrosek91@texas_t @ec1212 thanks for the insight! That makes me feel a little better. I’m leaning toward not doing it... @texas_t yes I like how you put it as a screening test, and not a diagnostic test! That’s how I feel about it, especially in regard to the 20 week ultrasound. More testing can be done at that point if they see something that is actually of concern. That to me is more definitive than a screen/likelihood. 

I do have a cousin with a severe developmental disability. She has IDIC15, extremely rare - and out of 34 cousins she’s the only one with some sort of mental/developmental issue. She’s 22 now but functions around the age of a 2/3 year old with other severe problems. His nephew is autistic but that’s something that wouldn’t even screen anyway. I’m 33, he is 46. Two more years I guess I’d be consider a “geriatric” (lol.. so silly) pregnancy.

mimser

@brynn_mamaof4 I did it last pregand we are doing it again this time. It did bring me a ton of anxiety last time and I had to get 2 redraw, for everything be fine in the end, but us finding out like 5 weeks later... to tragically lose the pregnancy a few weeks later. I think we are doing it again out of habit, but at the same time I do feel weird about it as I don't think I'd feel comfortable doing the diagnostic tests if our results required it. 

This is obviously a very personal choice, but just wanted to agree that yes, it can create a lot of anxiety.

brynn_mamaof4

@mimser thank you for your insight! I’m so sorry you experienced a tragic loss. Im sure that brings up a lot of emotions/anxiety with these types of tests. Good thoughts and vibes your way ✨ 

SkilledSailor

@brynn_mamaof4 I’m doing it (that’s the non invasive test, right?). Partly because it’s currently free through H’s work. It likely wouldn’t change anything for us but I love to prepare so say we found out there was a likelihood of downs then I would want to have support groups, books, etc all ready to go before baby’s arrival. I had a rough 4th tri last time and wouldn’t want to try and navigate all of that post-partum 

brynn_mamaof4

@SkilledSailor yes it’s the blood test! And that’s great it will help you feel prepared and navigate through the postpartum. It’s so important to do what is best in regard to our own personalities/worries/anxieties. I’m so up in the air about it because I don’t KNOW how I would feel because I’ve never done it or been in the situation... but I imagine I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the rest of my pregnancy/birth bc of the “unknown”. I don’t like unknowns, I like facts. Even if they are just thrown at me out of the blue, I know I’ll handle it after I digest it. 

Argh, I’m so torn! 

alexandraseattle

@ccmrc143 I had bad nausea until 18 weeks with my last pregnancy. 

@brynn_mamaof4 we are doing genetic testing again and it would likely change our course of action if something was really wrong. With our first it gave us lots of peace of mind that things looked good. 

ruby0902

@brynn_mamaof4 - I did my genetic blood testing last week and am awaiting the results.  I'm with @alexandraseattle in that my husband and I would need to evaluate our path forward if something really came back wrong, and I'd prefer not to wait until 20 weeks to find that out. I agree that it's a little scary, but would also be great to have everything come back looking good or to understand next steps from a diagnostic or knowledge perspective if we need to investigate further. Just my two cents!

brynn_mamaof4

I guess my worry is, is that atleast with the genetic test I was doing it was a screening, and not something diagnostic/definitive diagnosis. More so says “you have a 1 in 26 chance of a baby born with downs” etc. if it was definitive I would feel better Atleast knowing that for sure this is what I’m faced with, these are my options, and this is how I can prepare etc. but with it still some sort of an unknown I feel like my anxiety would be sky high. I’m deciding for sure tomorrow morning so I can give them a 24 hour heads up if I cancel. 

spartan4life

@brynn_mamaof4 we aren't doing it. Like you, we have said it wouldn't change anything other than cause potentially unnessary worry. Like others have said, it's a screening test so really unless you plan to do more invasive testing, it just can cause a lot of worry. I think there are definitely uses for it if AMA or family history of these common illnesses, but for us, we don't have that (I'm 32) and I agree that a lot of it would be found at the 20 week ultrasound.

That said, we did do the sneak peek to find out the sex because I can't wait for that and it would have probably been one of the only reasons I did the NIPT 😂

yellingbanana

@brynn_mamaof4 I did not get the screening (NIPT) test with my other 3 pregnancies. Didn’t want to worry. But I am with this one, mostly because it tells the gender too! Oh, and I’m now 36.

texas_t

@spartan4life When do you get the results of the sneak peek?

nbcarlson

@brynn_mamaof4 We haven't done any of the genetic testing with our previous 2 and won't with this one either. Like you, it wouldn't change our course of action. I do hate missing the 12 week ultrasound though because they're so cute lol. 

yellingbanana

Is it Friday yet? 

I need pregnancy pillow recommendations. Have you used one you love? I’ve never really needed it, just used a pillow in between my legs. My body is definitely older this time! I can’t sleep because I’m not comfortable. Our mattress is relatively new and I have a tempurpedic mattress topper. I keep waking up unthreatening middle of the night for a few hours. Which pillow do you like? 

spartan4life

@texas_t I'm supposed to get it today! 

texas_t

@spartan4life OMG! Eek!

mrosek91

@yellingbanana I have the snoogle and love it! I actually want to pull it out, but I have a feeling once I do my 4yo will realize I'm pregnant (he's very perceptive.) so I'm waiting 2 more weeks...
DH and I actually have a bet, he thinks I'm overestimating DS#1's abilities, so I'm going to pull it out once we're ready to tell him, but before we actually do, and see what happens.

gusgus14

@yellingbanana another snoogle lover here! 

ec1212

@yellingbanana I got one off Amazon off of a recommendation ... will let you know thoughts after a few nights with it (I think I have to give it a couple days to fluff up before I can use it). 

texas_t

@brynn_mamaof4 Did you make a final decision on the NIPT?

brynn_mamaof4

I am going to cancel! Going to peacefully make it to my 20 week ultrasound. I feel confident if something is of concern we can do more specific testing then ☺️

brynn_mamaof4

New question! About 4-5 years ago I remember seeing an awesome cosleeper that attached to the side of your bed and was flush with your mattress (so height adjustable). I can’t remember the name of it... does anyone have any recommendations? I prefer to cosleep the first few months at least. Last time I just put a little cosleeper in my bed but it was just us. Now with my partner, I don’t want to do that because he’s a weird sleeper. 

yellingbanana

@brynn_mamaof4 I used Arms Reach Cosleeper with all of mine. I LOVE them. They attach or not to the bed. Can’t remember if they are height adjustable though. 

ckmb_1250

@brynn_mamaof4 Halo sleepers are height adjustable but it has notches. So just FYI if your bed isnt the exact right height for one of the notches it might be awkward.