- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
North Dakota Babies
Katy and Brett ~ Runaway Bay, Jamaica ~ October 4, 2008
Questions
Okay, I feel really stupid asking these questions. But, I have to....
There is obviously a lot of stuff about pregnancy and parenting that I just don't know. For instance, I was reading on the Feb board and a question came up about whether or not everyone is doing an NT scan.
Okay, what exactly is this? And why would or wouldn't you do it? I thought it was simply an US to make everything is on track...but obviously not because I don't see any reason why you wouldn't do that.
That is just one of the stupid subject matter questions I have. I've got all the books, but I've come across nothing to answer my questions thus far.
Where do you learn these things? Where do you learn all you ladies know about SIDS, vaccinations, baby wearing...etc...
Honestly, I am embarassed to be asking this. I just....I have no one to ask. We haven't told anyone yet, I don't have a mom around to help me....oh jeez, now I'm crying...
ETA: Obviously, I've googled the NT scan so I know what it is now. I guess I just mean, in general, HOW did you learn all of the things you need to know?
Katy and Brett ~ Runaway Bay, Jamaica ~ October 4, 2008
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Questions
The NT scan is a test they do at 12 weeks and again at 16 weeks (I think, I forget what week now) that tests to see if the baby has any defects. They compare the two results to determine this...and if necessary than an amnio would be ordered to confirm the findings....
I know a few of my friends who opted out of this test, because there feeling was regardless of the results they were keeping the baby anyway....so they felt the test was no necessary,plus the test is known for a lot of false positive however others like myself wanted to know, and if in fact there was a problem, I wanted to prepare myself...
It is a personal preference unless the Dr sees fit that it must be done.
As far as all the other things..I asked many of my friends who just had babies, or I researched online or read books.....Honestly the internet and google searching my questions was my best source.
HTH a little bit!!
I learned a lot of this stuff right here. And from Google. And then eventually from reading all of the books that these lovely ladies suggested. Don't worry Katy, EVERYONE is clueless about this stuff--you don't learn about these things until you have a reason to.
If I remember correctly, the NT scan is a detailed u/s to check the baby's neural tube to assess the possibility of neural tube defects. It is a screening, rather than a diagnostic test. We chose not to do it for this reason. We ended up opting out of all genetic testing (just a personal choice). We figured that since most of the tests were screenings, if the test came back positive, the only way to know if there was really a problem would be to do more invasive testing (such as an amnio). We didn't know if we would be willing to do an amnio or other testing with higher risk of harming the baby. So, then we would have to accept that it could be a false positive, and then it would cause lots and lots of potentially unnecessary stress & worry. Does that make sense? That's just the way we saw it. We knew (again, personal choice) that we would not choose to terminate a pregnancy if there was a problem, so I didn't see the point in doing invasive testing to find out ahead of time.
Don't be embarrassed to ask your questions. That's what we're all here for. No one knows everything. That's why a community like this is so great--we can all contribute the little bits that we do know, & we can all learn from each other.
Don't be embarrassed AT ALL! I didn't know about any of that stuff before becoming pregnant, either. Most of what I learned came from WTE and other books, plus the awesome ladies here!
A NT scan is an ultrasound that they do in the first tri sometime that measures the baby's odds of having Down's Syndrome (and some other things, I think). Some people choose not to do it because it's not very accurate and can cause a lot of unnecessary stress, or because they wouldn't change the course of the pregnancy no matter what and don't want to know.
I didn't do it because we weren't considered high risk and I didn't want to deal with the false positives that it's known for.
We also didn't do the NT scan mainly because it wasn't going to change our decision about having the baby. Also I asked the nurse practitioner at our first visit why we would consider it (they weren't pushy either way on those sorts of tests, which I appreciated). She was very straightforward and helpful in her answers trying to make it as neutral as possible. So remember you can always ask those sorts of questions at your appointment. I had heard of it before I got pregnant but only because I knew of someone that had it done. It's commonly done at some practices and made to be more optional at other practices, so you may encounter that also. I'm just glad I knew it was optional (because not everyone knows that which could leave you with medical bills that you wouldn't have encountered otherwise since not all insurances cover things like that unless you fit certain criteria). Also I asked how long it would take to set up services (such as physical therapy) to help a little one with downs and was told I could get it done within a week of the baby being born, which was enough for me not to have the prenatal screening.
At my first appointment, I was given a folder of the tests. I briefly went through it while I was waiting and had a few initial questions that day. I asked if it was ok if I called with further questions and when I had to decide to do X or Y test. They had most of what I needed in the packet to make basic decisions and I didn't feel the need to call, but felt comfortable knowing I could if I needed to.
I learn a lot from talking to my friends that have kids, reading the goofy emails you get from baby center and other websites (usually they start with something then I look further in depth), and the books. I try to stick to websites I can trust, and you'll quickly learn which ones those are. If nothing else there are plenty of girls on here to answer questions or point you in the right direction to get an answer since we have all different levels of experience. Try not to worry about not knowing because we all have been there.
Well, I didn't have the NT Scan, I had the Quad Screen, which is blood work, but it along the same lines. There are a variety of opinions on this, and if you search around the boards you will likely find a discussion on any given day. However, I STILL STRONGLY advise you stay away until after your first tri is done -- too much craziness and second guessing and rumors.
I learned about the NT/ Quad Screen diagnostic tests first in a packet from my doctor, and then further reading in books - WTE and Mayo. Plus, I signed up for parenting magazines early on. I needed something to read in between trips to the porclein god, right?
They cover (almost every month) something on SIDS, and breastfeeding, and general saftey proofing, etc. They are kinda repetitive, but in a way, I think it is good (for parenting mags at least) since you don't always get a chance to read every issue and sometimes you want to revisit a certain topic. I cut out any articles I thought were really good and put them in a 3 ring binder.
Plus, if you take any classes (bf-ing, child care, cpr, childbirth/lamaze, etc) they are going to give you a ton of handouts and pamphlets.
And don't be upset about not having your mom around. Besides the obvious reasons she isn't involved... think of this ... your mom had you 30 years ago - any advice she would have would now be outdated. You are dodging a bullet here becasue you are avoiding sometimes unsolicited and often outdated advice that moms offer.
Oh, I also watched the baby shows on TLC until DH banned them. They gave me ideas and then I looked into new things/ products I had never heard of before.
Katy, remember, you have us. Always. Love you!!!
some of what I know cones from my family, some from friends, a lot from here.
I 2nd Blayne on the Mayo clinic guide. I also read the ACOG guide to pregnancy https://www.acog.org/ That's their website. I found it very helpful. I also agree not to over read, and stay away from what to expect.
The Internet is a great resource. I really like the I formation on the Bump. If you have a smart phone, there are 2 apps, pregnancy 411 & baby 411. And the American academy of pediatrics is my go to resource and pretty much my bottom line for all decisions I make regarding E. However, be weary of what you find / read on the Internet. For example all over the you will read to put breast milk up a baby's nose for congestion, but most pedi's will tell you that's a huge no no.
Also, don't be afraid to ask your OB questions. And if you don't like your OB find a new one. I left my 1st practice around 30w ( I can't remember Exactly when now) for multiple reasons and Dani left her 1st OB also. Make sure you have someone you feel comfortable w/. I suggest taking some classes too , like prenatal yoga, and maybe something at your hospital or birthing center. I was lucky enough to have Shannon near by, because I don't have many other friends local w/ kids. She was a lifesaver because she had gone through a lot of the same experiences as I did, just a few months prior. If you can find someone on your local who has had a baby where you will, it will be helpful.
Most importantly lean on us! I ask some of the dumbest questions, that I could probably find the answers to somewhere, but everyone always helps me out.
K+S 9.18.9 | DD #1 age 2 | PG # 5 EDD 9.17.12
Welcome to motherhood Katy! I agree with all of the above! (: If all else fails we are here to help. The ladies here have the real life experience on all different levels and views which is what I find most helpful!
Thank you so much girls. Obviously, I have entered the emotional stage of this pregnancy. Everything in the free world makes me cry/panic.
I think part of my lack of knowledge is simply because I haven't seen the doctor yet. I'm SURE, once we see her, that I'll know a lot more about what's happening in the coming months/weeks.
Thank you all for lending me your support. I really don't know where I'd be without all of you. Really.
Katy and Brett ~ Runaway Bay, Jamaica ~ October 4, 2008