FTM Questions for STM+ -- April 17

adirat · April 2017

Who has questions?

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adirat · April 2017

Today at my OB appointment, the doctor recommended getting the "ultra-screen" test even though we are getting a CVS. This is a combo blood test/ultrasound that gives you probabilities for trisomies. It seems silly to me to have that done since the CVS will tell us definitively while the screen just gives you a statistic -- especially because it'll be after our CVS, which is Thursday. Is there something I'm missing? She mentioned it also looks at anatomy but it's so early I don't know what you could even see. It also isn't covered by our insurance.

I can't find much info online about this but I'm leaning toward not doing it. Is this a mistake? Have others had experiences with the ultra-screen?

kissthesky32 · April 2017

@adirat I wouldn't do it. That seems redundant and silly. Plus, you're already getting definitive info. I'm pretty sure the only anatomy they check is the NT.

slaven · April 2017

@adirat Honestly I'm clueless, but it seems like if your CVS has more definite results that that's the best option, especially since the ultrascreen isn't covered by your insurance. I'm having some kind of chromosome test done but not sure exactly what it's called (perks of Korean dr). My foreign care case worker (aka translator) said it tests for DS but didn't mention any others. I get one blood draw at my next apt (12 weeks) and another at my apt at 14 weeks. The results will be in before I'm 16 weeks. I also get an U/S at every apt so they may also do an anatomy check. Everything my dr does in house is covered by my insurance and DH is worried about defects even though we don't have any known risk factors.

adirat · April 2017

@kissthesky32 @slaven Thanks, that's what I'm thinking -- not worth it.

kissthesky32 · April 2017

If insurance paid for it, then sure. But it don't think it's worth paying out of pocket for something that'll give you the same (not as thorough) info.

ariasbabyblog · April 2017

We were given the option of a DNA based blood screening test for DS and 3 other trisomies. It is a combination blood test and anatomy scan after 10 weeks. It isn't covered by our insurance, but I called the company and they said they will only bill us around $350 since we will be self-paying. The test is 99.whatever% accurate since it is testing the baby's DNA and as an added bonus we get to find out the baby's gender much earlier than with our previous two pregnancies. This screening is also less invasive, so it is safer for the baby than an amniocentesis.

I've never had a CVS, so I honestly know nothing about it, but if your CVS is definitive too, I see no reason to double up your screenings.

c+mpeachey · April 2017

The other anatomy they check is heart, kidneys, brain and spine. It is important. But they also recheck those things and others at the 20 week scan.

Still up to you what you are comfortable with

jess0211 · April 2017

@adirat our genetics counselor said that paticular test is less accurate than even the NIPT and definitely less so than the CVS. Not sure why he would recommend it if you're gettinf CVS. It's really just a screening test.

emucoleman · April 2017

@adirat Do you have a problem in your genetic history that you're aware of? Maybe your doctor just wants to cover all the bases. I think it's odd they would recommend that without giving a more thorough explanation as to why.

adirat · April 2017

Thanks all. I will be having the anatomy scan done for sure. @jess0211 that is helpful to hear from the GC you saw and confirms what I've been reading online.

@emucoleman I am a carrier of a genetic disease, which is why we are getting a CVS, but no family history on either side of physical birth defects.

DuchessOfCambridge · April 2017

Guys, baby wraps look incredibly intimidating and hard. I'm leaning towards getting a carrier with snaps because of it and so DH could use it too. Does wrapping get easier/faster? It looks like a pain but baby looks so snug in it!

BayCamp · April 2017

DuchessOfCambridge said:

Guys, baby wraps look incredibly intimidating and hard. I'm leaning towards getting a carrier with snaps because of it and so DH could use it too. Does wrapping get easier/faster? It looks like a pain but baby looks so snug in it!

It's a learned skill. YouTube is a lifesaver. I know you've mentioned you're petite so getting the right size wrap for you would make all the difference. Ring slings worked easier for me, less of a hassle to learn. But trial and error is your best bet. Local Babywearing groups will let you try on all the varieties and see what works best.

RiverSong15 · April 2017

@adirat I'm not sure if the "ultra screen" is th combined screen I'm doing, but mine involves an NT scan and two blood draws, one in first tri and one at 16 weeks. She recommended the combined screen with the second tri blood draw because it looks for spina bifida in addition for screening for trisomies. Does CVS diagnose spina bifida? If not, that may be why it was recommended for you. It's also entirely possible she was recommending something out of habit without thinking about your particular situation.

baby3forme · April 2017

@DuchessOfCambridge I bought a Moby wrap for DD2 thinking it would hurt my back less than the snappy one did with DD1 but I honestly hated it. It was comfortable for both me and baby but I felt like she was going to fall out because I tied it. Obviously I YouTubed how to do it but it's sooo complicated when you're wearing it. Ugh I do not have the patience for that. Especially with a new baby. Snappy ones are so convenient just make sure you buy a supportive one or you'll feel it the next day!

ArtificialRed · April 2017

baby3forme said:

@DuchessOfCambridge I bought a Moby wrap for DD2 thinking it would hurt my back less than the snappy one did with DD1 but I honestly hated it. It was comfortable for both me and baby but I felt like she was going to fall out because I tied it. Obviously I YouTubed how to do it but it's sooo complicated when you're wearing it. Ugh I do not have the patience for that. Especially with a new baby. Snappy ones are so convenient just make sure you buy a supportive one or you'll feel it the next day!

This is probably close to how I felt. I trusted it less because I was tying it. Plus yards and yards of fabric is such a hassle. I'm sure it doesn't really make it any less overwhelming for those only a few inches taller than me, but to me there were definitely moments of "I'm too short for this." Plus we started out with a great, easy to use, and very supportive structured carrier. It was just way better from the beginning. Can't wait to use it again with a tiny baby!!

jess0211 · April 2017

To piggyback on @DuchessOfCambridge question, what carrier would you recommend for us petite gals who aren't going the wrap avenue?

kissthesky32 · April 2017

@DuchessOfCambridge I used the k'tan in the beginning. It's less intimidating and pretty easy to use. Once baby was a little bigger, I switched to an Ergo. I hate the Ergo infant insert (so sweaty!), so just roll a receiving blanket and make a "seat" at the bottom for baby.

DuchessOfCambridge · April 2017

Thanks @kissthesky32! The k'tan definitely looks a lot more manageable for me, I might actually give that one a try. There's a baby expo coming this summer that a friend told me about so I should be able to try out a lot of different carriers! Did you find the Ergo comfortable?

@ArtificialRed if I remember correctly you're about 5'1? I'm 5'3 so not super short but by no means tall. What carrier did you end up using?

Another question - does it just get really heavy and uncomfortable after a while to baby wear?

MississippiCatfish · April 2017

I love my lillebaby, and have seen a lot of petite moms say the same. You could check out the group "lillebaby love" on FB if you wanted to see pics.

kschref · April 2017

I am a huge K'tan fan. You do have to buy them based on your size and I've found that I generally do better with one that is one size smaller than what the chart recommends. So we do buy a different one for my DH. I used them with both babies until they reached 15 pounds or something like that. Then we use a Lillebaby or a Tula. I really wanted to love wraps, but I found even with the gauziest, most breathable ones I still felt like I was suffocating here in Texas.

BayCamp · April 2017

I'm 5'1, Tula worked well for me. I've heard great things about lillebaby as well. I wore my 30 pound 2yo the other day for over an hour and felt alright. But my body is used to it. Starting at newborn and wearing to toddler has developed muscles I wouldn't have if I went straight to toddler. A good carrier properly adjusted makes all the difference in long wearing comfort.

kissthesky32 · April 2017

@DuchessOfCambridge I am 5'4" and, as I said above, the k'tan worked for me. Size down if you get one. As for comfort, I use carriers as a way to hold the baby, but have my hands free. So, they're more comfortable than holding the baby all the time, but they're not overly comfortable. That might be just me though - my babies are very hot blooded, so I get very warm wearing them. Plus, I like to snuggle as much as the next mum, but I also need some space every now and then too. I wear the baby when I need to, but it's not my most comfortable solution.

DuchessOfCambridge · April 2017

Thanks for your help STMs!

adirat · April 2017

Thanks again and thanks for the wrap/carrier info. I've heard good things about Baby Wearing International and I'm going to see if there's a local chapter where we could try out different styles. DH also really wants to baby wear.

@kschref So glad to see you back

am1117 · April 2017

This is such helpful information! I'm a shorty (barely over 5 feet tall) and I definitely plan to look into the baby wearing options. Thanks,STMs!

My question is- has anyone used the Dock-a-Tot? I have seen rave reviews but it kind of looks like an expensive baby raft to me... thoughts?

zigzag8412 · April 2017

Late to the party, @DuchessOfCambridge, I've used a Moby for my godbaby multiple times. It was initially intimidating, but after about four wraps, I was comfortable with it. My BFF is 5'2" and preferred the K'tan. I plan on using Moby when baby is little and Ergo when I want to move up. BFF preferred the Tula over Ergo for a structured carrier. TBH tho, at this point, my Ergo preference is primarily cosmetic...

ArtificialRed · April 2017

I have two ergos. I'm 5'1 and DH is 6' and we can both wear both of them, which is nice. They're different styles and one does fit me better (the second one I picked up for a ridiculously good price at a consignment store, so it was worth not having two of my preferred style.) I never bothered trying other brands because I've been so happy with what we have, but I've heard so many good things about the Tulas, and lillebaby seems to be popular now too.

Oh and I liked the infant insert. It was super cozy, although sometimes DS did get sweaty (it can still get hot in September when he was born).

slaven · April 2017

@DuchessOfCambridge and everyone else: If it helps I'm registering for the Lillebaby because I like that the straps can cross my back. I'm tall but I have a 30" ribcage (now) and narrow back and even with backpacks or my dog's backpack/chest carrier (don't judge), I find the straps are set too wide and can hurt.

baby3forme · April 2017

If this makes any difference to anyone, I've been trying to sell my Moby wrap for uber cheap and no one will buy it... lol no one likes it apparently

emucoleman · April 2017

All this baby wearing information is great. I only wish I would be able to have it later in pregnancy when I will actually buy a wrap, because I know for a fact I will never find it again in 5 months. Lol. If someone else has a great memory they should bump it when we get closer...

lancomechica2 · April 2017

Re: baby wearing. We loved the Ergo and didn't love the moby. I saw a "scootababy" today at a conference and I loved it!

c+mpeachey · April 2017

I've used a few baby wearing devices. Maya Wrap ring sling all the way. The fabric is thick enough to feel firm yet breathes so it's not too sweaty. And i used them from newborn to 3 year old.

c+mpeachey · April 2017

Anyone else who has a large gap in between babies feeling weird.... like its your first time?

My first baby and this one are over 10 years apart. My last baby and this one are almost 5 years apart. So i am finding none of this familiar.... different hospital, different procedures, different tests, all the baby gear is different (mostly) and so are peoples expectations.

I'm feeling a bit lost and out of my depth.

Like swaddling...i always swaddled my bubs...And is not done so much now. People use those stretchy bag things. And baby monitors were a rarity.... they're everywhere. And breastfeeding..... there was breastfed and there was formula. Expressing milk and bottle feeding wasnt heard of unless your baby was poorly or special circumstances. But i got asked if i know what pump i want and i kinda just looked down at my ample chest and wondered if they weren't good enough.

And baby gear.... all the baby gear.

It feels like first time around sometimes.

MississippiCatfish · April 2017

c+mpeachey said:

I've used a few baby wearing devices. Maya Wrap ring sling all the way. The fabric is thick enough to feel firm yet breathes so it's not too sweaty. And i used them from newborn to 3 year old.

I'm really excited to try my ring sling with a newborn! I got mine when DS3 was 6 months, so it's my first time!

c+mpeachey · April 2017

@MississippiCatfish i hope you enjoy it as much as i did mine.

zigzag8412 · April 2017

This is for a little farther down the road, but STMs, when did y'all take your prenatal classes? Which classes did you take? Did you take any other classes outside of what the hospital offered? What class did you feel like helped you the most?

DuchessOfCambridge · April 2017

Not a STM, but @zigzag8412 just wanted to add that my hospital lists out all the classes they offer and when in your pregnancy you should take them! But piggybacking off your question, I'm curious to know which were the most helpful too though I'm crazy and will probably take them all.

zigzag8412 · April 2017

@DuchessOfCambridge, mine has a list online, (and may give me a hard copy closer to time) but online, it doesn't recommend a specific time to take them except "after preregistration" which I imagine is end of 2nd, beginning of 3rd tri. When did your hospital recommend you take the classes?

DuchessOfCambridge · April 2017

@zigzag8412 ugh, my hospital just switched the education center they are working with so it's not spelled out as well as last time I checked, but what it does say is the infant CPR and childbirth classes are recommended month 7 or 8, it doesn't have a recommendation for breastfeeding or new baby care classes.

kissthesky32 · April 2017

@zigzag8412 I took a few of them before my first - CPR, breastfeeding, and birthing (because that was the only way to tour L&D). The CPR class is a must for me. I actually retook it when I was pregnant with my second because I wanted to feel confident in handling an emergency. I think the choking part of it is most important.

The other classes really depend on the instructor. Our birthing class was good. It mostly showed us what the hospital had to offer and made me feel comfortable knowing where I would be going and what would be available to me there. My BFing class was worthless. I learned way more from KellyMom.com and from experienced moms on my first BMB. The instructor was just not helpful and, actually, completely idiotic in some ways. DH (who is a doctor) actually laughed under his breath a number of times when she answered questions because she was just so, so wrong, medically speaking.

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