Made big u/s appt.

izzourclue · July 2010

Just made my appt for my big u/s. I'll be 19 weeks. Excited for the u/s. They said I can bring a writable DVR disc to make a video of it. However, they are also making me see the genetic counselor because I am considered "advanced maternal age." That was like taking a bullet. FWIW, I am a very young 35 thank you very much. That part of the appt. will be a gigantic waste of time since I've already decided not to do the quad screen and its too late to do the NT scan.

35 is such an arbitrary cut off point. They really should evaluate it based on real data. I've read that recent data doesn't really even show a link between maternal age and risk of downs. Whatever.

uklawgirl · July 2010

I am 35 as well and my doctor has not mentioned doing any genetic counseling around the big u/s time. We are doing the quad screen, just to find out if there are any issues to be prepared for. I think that if you've considered what you'd do if any issues showed up, then you don't need to talk to a genetic counselor. (You can always do that later after the u/s if it shows something anyway.)

KeyRyn320 · July 2010

"advanced maternal age" bwahahahahaha It sounds like the medical and nice way of saying Old Mother Hubbard. LOL

I called yesterday to make my appointment for sometime in the first week of August but the imaging center hasn't called me back yet. I'll be 18 weeks so hopefully Baby D will cooperate so we can see what we're having!

izzourclue · July 2010

uklawgirl:
I am 35 as well and my doctor has not mentioned doing any genetic counseling around the big u/s time. We are doing the quad screen, just to find out if there are any issues to be prepared for. I think that if you've considered what you'd do if any issues showed up, then you don't need to talk to a genetic counselor. (You can always do that later after the u/s if it shows something anyway.)

They are sending me to a perinatal clinic for the u/s. I am sure they have more experienced techs and better equipment than my OB's office. My doctor has not expressed any concerns with my age, but the perinatal clinic told me its standard to require anyone 35 and over to see a genetic counselor. "Standard of care." Whatevs. I'm not too concerned. Almost all the women on both sides of my families have had children in there late 30's early 40's and there is no history of downs or any other chromosomal issues. The women in my family also don't start menopause until their late 50's. I agree if the u/s shows something, I would want to talk to them, but to have to do it even if you aren't seeing any issues is kind of stupid IMO.

uklawgirl · July 2010

izzourclue:
uklawgirl:
I am 35 as well and my doctor has not mentioned doing any genetic counseling around the big u/s time. We are doing the quad screen, just to find out if there are any issues to be prepared for. I think that if you've considered what you'd do if any issues showed up, then you don't need to talk to a genetic counselor. (You can always do that later after the u/s if it shows something anyway.)
They are sending me to a perinatal clinic for the u/s. I am sure they have more experienced techs and better equipment than my OB's office. My doctor has not expressed any concerns with my age, but the perinatal clinic told me its standard to require anyone 35 and over to see a genetic counselor. "Standard of care." Whatevs. I'm not too concerned. Almost all the women on both sides of my families have had children in there late 30's early 40's and there is no history of downs or any other chromosomal issues. The women in my family also don't start menopause until their late 50's. I agree if the u/s shows something, I would want to talk to them, but to have to do it even if you aren't seeing any issues is kind of stupid IMO.

Yeah I agree- that's a bit much to be required to see a genetic counselor with no issues at this point. I hope it goes well!

girllennon · July 2010

My OB didn't mention an NT scan, but I pushed for it since I will be 35 after the baby is born. I guess my doc didn't think to say anything since I do look like I'm in my early 20's. I know of no known genetic issues on my side nor DH's side, but I want to make sure there's no unknown issues at this stage of the game.

SBear12 · July 2010

What in the world is the point of seeing the genetic counselor if you're not doing the NT scan/quad screen? Will they just sit you down and say, "here's your age, here are the stats that may or may not be applicable, good luck"? What an odd, arbitrary requirement.

The AMA designation cracks me up. What's the other one, "geriatric pregnancy"? My good friend had that label slapped on her a few years back and we both couldn't stop laughing about it.

kpv · July 2010

They may recommend and amnio if they see anything unusual on the ultrasound.

izzourclue · July 2010

kpv:
They may recommend and amnio if they see anything unusual on the ultrasound.

I could see it if they see anything on the u/s, but while making the appt, she said seeing the genetic counselor is required no matter what they see on the u/s. Just because of my age.

izzourclue · July 2010

kpv:
They may recommend and amnio if they see anything unusual on the ultrasound.

I could see it if they see anything on the u/s, but while making the appt, she said seeing the genetic counselor is required no matter what they see on the u/s. Just because of my age.

izzourclue · July 2010

SBear12:
What in the world is the point of seeing the genetic counselor if you're not doing the NT scan/quad screen? Will they just sit you down and say, "here's your age, here are the stats that may or may not be applicable, good luck"? What an odd, arbitrary requirement.
The AMA designation cracks me up. What's the other one, "geriatric pregnancy"? My good friend had that label slapped on her a few years back and we both couldn't stop laughing about it.

Good Lord! How old do you have to be to be considered geriatric pregnant? Its ridiculous that phrase even exists.

SBear12 · July 2010

izzourclue:
SBear12:
What in the world is the point of seeing the genetic counselor if you're not doing the NT scan/quad screen? Will they just sit you down and say, "here's your age, here are the stats that may or may not be applicable, good luck"? What an odd, arbitrary requirement.
The AMA designation cracks me up. What's the other one, "geriatric pregnancy"? My good friend had that label slapped on her a few years back and we both couldn't stop laughing about it.
Good Lord! How old do you have to be to be considered geriatric pregnant? Its ridiculous that phrase even exists.

Honestly, I think she was only 35! I remember reading an article back when I was pregnant with Lyla where Halle Berry was laughing at having been called that too. I wonder if AMA was supposed to be the more politically-correct term to replace it?

whits900 · July 2010

Just wanted to clarify something here (not sure if it needs to be or not) - but on regular ultrasounds you cant see everything - a specialist has to do the NT scan. Which is probably why they ask you do that even without the NT scan...

And my doc does something similar - even if you don't get the scan they say anyone who will be giving birth when they are over 35 they "strongly recommend" to get genetic counseling.

I actually have seen some data about the risk going up at 35. I'm not a doctor or anything, but based on what I read, your risk increases no matter what as you get older, but a sharp upswing happens late 30s (the report I read was actually closer to 40). Not sure where I found this - I think it was one of the reports the genetic counselor gave to us....

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