@navete I have never heard of Combs?? I did delayed clamping with both my children and I am A- (although at the moment I can't remember what my kids blood types are). I'll have to look into it.
@navete, I’ve never heard of that. Delayed cord clamping is actually the norm here in the Netherlands and is done as much as possible. Can’t imagine they’d do it if it caused this issue with such assurance. By any chance were you RH-?
@navete my little guy had bad jaundice and had to have phototherapy and lots of blood work done cause his blood glucose was also low - they never mentioned anything about a Combs positive diagnosis so assuming he didn't have that, but the jaundice was caused by the fact that we had an assisted delivery so he had lots of bruising/pooled blood (also of note, the cord was cut immediately because it was wrapped around his neck and shoulders and heart rate was dropping throughout labour/delivery) - so in our case high bilirubin had nothing to do with any sort of delayed cord clamping - delayed clamping is also the standard practice for our maternity group.
@AKuzReve I was not RH-, but I’m type O and my son is type A so I’m assuming the issue was ABO incompatibility.
I didn’t really think deeply about the details until now, but I’m thinking there were other factors at play. First, I’m not sure why a Coombs test was taken in the first place...I don’t think that’s standard. I did have to be induced because of low amniotic fluid and my OBGYN said that my placenta was already showing signs of deterioration around 38 weeks (he was born at 39 weeks 6 days). And the birth itself was complicated; his heartrate kept dropping with every contraction and his umbilical cord was very twisted and short when he was born. So maybe it was due to all of that rather than the delayed cord clamping (it’s pretty standard at the hospital where I gave birth).
ETA:
@canucklehead123 Your birth story is also making me think the issue was due to the particulars of the birth itself. Sounds like we had similarly stressful births (I didn’t think it was stressful then, but whenever I think back I realize how dicey it was at times...)
@navete yes, unsure if this is available to you where you are but it might be possible to request a birth debrief where your healthcare providers will go over the details of your birth with you - I've heard this has been helpful for some to process the events and might give you some answers about your little one's condition or quell some fears about the next birth.
On another note, anybody have any good recommendations on free prenatal yoga or pilates series, preferably on Youtube? There's so many to choose from so hoping some of you might know which are best!
My old hospital didn’t do cord blood donation, but we won’t bank it. My OB said we could if we wanted but it is pricey, and if one of our children had a problem, they would be eligible to get blood from donations
Anybody taking unisom at night for nausea? Had my 12 week appt on Friday and I lost quite a bit of weight my first trimester because I was getting sick so often. Doc recommended Unisom and so far it's been working but I'm not sure how long I should take it. Thoughts?
@hannahcampbell2017 I took it my entire pregnancies for my last two, and will do it again this time. I tried to wean off it but the nausea would come back. Plus I get better sleep with it.
@bntfroggie I have been taking the target brand prenatal gummies with dha and have done well with them despite my nausea because they aren’t super sweet in my opinion. I struggle more with nausea when trying to swallow large pills for some reason.
I think my doctor recommended vitamin b (or maybe it was d) and unisom. I didn’t take it but she recommended. I am kind of anti taking most drugs in general, so been trying to deal with it on my own and been miserable. I am not losing weight, I tend to eat more to try and combat the nausea and extra salvia which isn’t working so maybe I should take that to help.
I’m not sure if this is the best place for this question or not. Possible *TW* perhaps for some. I just received the NIPT results today. Bloodwork was negative for any of the chromosomal abnormalities but ultrasound showed nuchal translucency measurement was abnormal - only slightly larger than normal. They are referring me to MFM. They mentioned it could be normal for my baby or could be a sign of congenital heart defects or other issues. Has this ever happened to anyone else? If so, any complications with your baby? Thanks, I’m not sure what to expect and am waiting to hear from MFM to schedule an appt.
@kime783 - with our 1st DD in 2012 (this was before NIPT) testing was available, she had a high nuchal reading. I don’t remember exactly what the number was but it was pretty high and we were told that she likely had a chromosome issue, they thought it was severe enough that she might not even live thru the pregnancy or after the pregnancy. We didn’t have the results of the bloodwork at that time, which they use with the NT scan to give you a percentage, and so we opted to do a CVS. Found out she was perfectly fine and healthy. At the 20 week scan they found an EFI on the heart, which is common with Down syndrome, but because of the CVS they said she was fine. The NT scan and even the 20 week scan are great but they are not definitive tests for diagnosing, they just look at certain markers to recommend additional testing. See what MFM has to say. Praying for you!
@rschenck14 thanks so much for your insight! That’s reassuring that someone else has gone through a similar experience! I’m so glad your story ended with a positive outcome! I am hoping that it’s nothing worrisome for us as well! I will always graciously accept prayers for my family!
@kime783 - I don't blame you for being worried. Its tough because you just want everything to be ok. I have to be honest, with this pregnancy I am extremely worried, mostly due to my age, turn 42 in 2 days. I didn't realize the odds of a chromosome issue for my age, 1 in 33 for down syndrome and 1 in 17 for another trisomy issue. I had my NIPT done on Monday and I go in for an ultrasound tomorrow and am really stressed about all of this. I guess I just did not factor in my age as much into a healthy pregnancy and baby, but been reading all the things online and my mind has gone to dark places. I see all these other woman in their 40's post happy things, but did not think about the other side as much.
I was talking to the genetic counselor today and they said NIPT tests are pretty accurate, I think like 99%, so I would hold out that the NIPT test is good. Hang in there momma!
@rschenck14 keep me posted on your results too! I’m AMA as well - was 35 when I had my first and will be a week shy of 38 on this babe’s due date - so yay for “wiser, more mature” mamas! 😉😆
This may be a stupid question but is it safe to drink herbal non caffeinated tea? Like the Celestial Seasonings brand you can get at any grocery store?
@hannahcampbell2017 it depends. Some herbal teas are safe and some are not reccomended during pregnancy. Some are okay in the second trimester and on that might not be as safe in the first trimester. Based on my reading and the info I got from my midwife, I currently drink red raspberry leaf tea (good for toning the uterus), chamomile (only avoid if you have an allergy-like response to it), rooibos, nettle leaf tea, and dandelion.
@hannahcampbell2017 I just started talking unisom this week because I couldn’t handle the night nausea anymore. I took it a lot when I was pregnant with my second. And agree that the tea depends on the herb. I do drink cinnamon apple tea pretty often
@kime783 Was reading back on the thread and realized we have the same exact pregnancy time-line. I was 35 when I had my first and will be 2ish weeks shy of 38 with this baby lol.
@navete that’s so funny! What month was your oldest born? When exactly is your current due date? July is shaping up to be a busy month for our family - wedding anniversary, my birthday, 2 dog birthdays and now a little one too!
@kime783 July is quite a busy month for your family indeed, good thing the days are long in the summer . My son was born in March 2019, and this current baby is due July 8th. How about you?
Chronic Hypertension: So I have a bit of white coat syndrome and my blood pressure tends to be higher at doctors' offices. I was told by my OB that about three years ago they lowered the threshold for CH and I'm now considered at risk (just barely apparently). Not that I can ever freaken remember the new magic numbers. But I track it at home and I'm fine here (avg 109/69). So for now I'm on low dose aspirin. Fun thing, because of this I get one ultrasound a month and they're likely to induce two-three weeks early depending on baby size etc. I'm not too stressed out about it. Has anyone else been given this diagnosis or does anyone actually know the "new" magic numbers? I'm going to try to ask for them again next time and this time write them down!
@juniperlace I have had gestational hypertension with all of my pregnancies. I generally have pretty low BP 105/65. During pregnancy my OB says 140/80 and below is good. I usually end up around 185/90 before I hit 30 weeks. Baby is monitored but even with bp being high I have big babies (9, 8, 8 pounds). I have been induced early, but it was a week and a half early but I was showing all the signs of pre eclampsia so we called it a day. How high is your bp measuring?
@juniperlace the new numbers for diagnosis are systolic above 130 and diastolic above 80 so the goal is 130/80 or below. Some special populations have a goal of 140/80 or 90
@juniperlace it’s perfect that you are monitoring your bp at home. If you can, record it and bring it in to your OB. Plus that will give you some reassurance if you have white coat syndrome too! Yay for extra baby sneak peeks though!
@navete my son was born in December 2018 and I’m due July 13. I love the summer so bring on more reasons to celebrate in the sunny warm weather 😄
@tiggywiggles To be honest, they told me but I forgot to log it in my phone. I think 130/70 but I have a beautiful chart from home tracking which averages much much lower. Unfortunately, the health portal is having problems and my vitals haven't uploaded from the past two appointments.
@juniperlace I was put on BP meds after my last appt so I'm already out of the normal BP game. Basically she said she was more concerned about the bottom number than the top if the bottom was above 90 I needed to call. I was doing it at home and while I was fine at the office at home it was a hot mess. ANYWAY I was diagnosed with chronic hypertension about 3-4 years before my first, with my first I was medicated the whole time then after I had her it spiked and they had a hell of a time getting it back down apparently it's called post eclampsia, but then after to was under control I was actually able to come off of meds completely and have been off until now so I made it through the second pregnancy without anything. They will induce me between 37-39 weeks and honestly I'm not going to fight it
BFP 2/11/15 (EDD 10/13/15). MMC 3/30/15 D&C 4/3/15 "We will always love you"
DD1 - BFP 7/23/15 (EDD 3/31/16). "We believe in you rainbow" DOB 4/2/16
DD2 - BFP 2/9/18 (EDD 10/19/18). "Grow baby grow!" DOB 10/24/18
BFP 11/16/20 (EDD 7/31/21). "Round 3 FIGHT!"
@becks_726 I haven’t but I have friends who have. They said it really helped just be in a different mindset. I got all the stuff for free secondhand so I’m going to give it a shot even though I’m 90% sure I’m having another csection. I was told it even helps for those 🤷♀️
I figure this might be a long shot but thought I would ask anyways. Is anyone from or currently living in the Philadelphia area? We will likely be relocating either this fall while I’m on maternity leave or the early part of 2022. I am looking for full time daycare/childcare for an almost 3 year old at that point and infant. We absolutely love my sons school and would love to find somewhere equally as wonderful. The one place we are touring and I’m excited about, however would be almost $4000/month! This just feels like a lot (maybe I’m crazy) and is more than 3X what we currently pay (granted for only one child). Since we will be paying more for buy a house there compared to our current I don’t think we can afford that drastic of a daycare increase too. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?
When do braxton hicks contractions start? I am having some random cramping ( honestly could be constipation cramps) but was curious if they start in the second tri?
@hannahcampbell2017 I've had them as early as 15/16wks. Nothing crazy but just here and there and mostly after sex, if I'm crazy busy, or semi dehydrated.
Wife. Boy mom x6. Expecting #7. Wannabe homesteader. , 💙💙💙💙💙💙
@kime783 at first I was going to comment on how outrageously expensive that seems... then I tallied what I’m currently paying for my 2 year old plus an additional infant fee and it’s almost $4000 omg! The money we have to pay for childcare is just so unfair!
@hannahcampbell2017 i think I’ve been having them and I’m almost 18 weeks, they haven’t been crampy but I just get a weird tightening sensation and the bump goes hard.
Re: The Great Big Questions Thread
*Live, Love, Laugh, Learn*
ETA:
@canucklehead123 Your birth story is also making me think the issue was due to the particulars of the birth itself. Sounds like we had similarly stressful births (I didn’t think it was stressful then, but whenever I think back I realize how dicey it was at times...)
On another note, anybody have any good recommendations on free prenatal yoga or pilates series, preferably on Youtube? There's so many to choose from so hoping some of you might know which are best!
I just received the NIPT results today. Bloodwork was negative for any of the chromosomal abnormalities but ultrasound showed nuchal translucency measurement was abnormal - only
slightly larger than normal. They are referring me to MFM. They mentioned it could be normal for my baby or could be a sign of congenital heart defects or other issues. Has this ever happened to anyone else? If so, any complications with your baby? Thanks, I’m not sure what to expect and am waiting to hear from MFM to schedule an appt.
I was talking to the genetic counselor today and they said NIPT tests are pretty accurate, I think like 99%, so I would hold out that the NIPT test is good. Hang in there momma!
@navete that’s so funny! What month was your oldest born? When exactly is your current due date? July is shaping up to be a busy month for our family - wedding anniversary, my birthday, 2 dog birthdays and now a little one too!
@navete my son was born in December 2018 and I’m due July 13. I love the summer so bring on more reasons to celebrate in the sunny warm
weather 😄
DD1 - BFP 7/23/15 (EDD 3/31/16). "We believe in you rainbow" DOB 4/2/16
DD2 - BFP 2/9/18 (EDD 10/19/18). "Grow baby grow!" DOB 10/24/18
BFP 11/16/20 (EDD 7/31/21). "Round 3 FIGHT!"
, 💙💙💙💙💙💙
@hannahcampbell2017 i think I’ve been having them and I’m almost 18 weeks, they haven’t been crampy but I just get a weird tightening sensation and the bump goes hard.
@becks_726 I also notice them if I’m dehydrated like others have said!