Sept/Oct 2014

Hi Gain-a-Baby,
my gynae explained that you dont necessarily need to go the invasive route. You can first start with the scan and blood test.

Here's more on that from Babycentre: "The ultrasound scan is called the nuchal translucency (NT) scan. You can have this scan when you're between 11 weeks and 13 weeks plus six days pregnant. The NT scan measures the fluid under the skin at the back of your baby's neck. It can be used to determine your chances of having a baby with Down's syndrome.

Your midwife or GP can carry out the blood test when you're between 10 weeks and 13 weeks plus six days pregnant. The blood test measures two substances passed from your baby to you:
human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) pregnancy-associated plasma protein (PAPP-A) If you're carrying a baby with Down's syndrome you will have abnormal levels of these substances in your blood.

The combined test has a good detection rate of about 87 per cent. This means that the screening test correctly identifies about 87 per cent of babies with Down’s syndrome. The detection rate of an NT scan alone is about 77 per cent.

www.babycentre.co.uk/a1487/screening-for...ndrome#ixzz2xWk0qqbl"

Only after that if the risk is high enough and you want to know then you can go the invasive route. We had a scare with D/S testing when the first GP I went to accidentally ordered these tests- the pathologists were greedy enough to run the tests knowing we were only about 6 weeks. I tell you it was a scary time because obviously the blood work detected there was a problem so I sat sobbing for a day before my doctor got to the root of the problem. Anyway, I've had the bloods taken and this is the scan we're doing next week at 12 weeks. We dont have it in our family but after the initial scare we'd just like to get it over with. Cross your fingers.

Good luck Giggles! Tell us all about it!

Yay giggles It will all go well I'm sure!

Mum2Be I'm with Dr Dalla at Cape Gate MC. My detailed scan in June is with Dr Linnie Muller at Panorama and I received a little slip with the details and the cash price on it. the front desk lady mentioned a few times that they are a cash only clinic. For the past 4/5 days I've also been having headaches, I took a panado on Saturday and I felt so guilty

I'm confused ladies about the down syndrome test, I have to give my gynae the word as to whether or not we want this test done. DH wants the test done and I'm not sure about it. I'm not sure if it's the thought of having the needle going into my uterus or the outcome of the test that scares me more. In saying that, do I have that correct? Is this the test where they would need to extract amnio fluid? Does this test only check for down syndrome or other conditions or deforms as well? I think maybe I was so excited about seeing my baby that when the Dr explained all this to me I just sat there and nodded. Appreciate your feedback on this. I will google some info but prefer advice from here.

Morning Ladies

Start to another week. YAY

My appointment is at 10h30 today, I am nervous but at the same time anxious and excited.
Gain - a - baby - great pics.
Cornitalia - thanks for the tip, I am taking that vitamin. the last time I bought it, it went through my savings at Discovery.
Jinxedsa - thank GOD you and baby are fine.

Hubby and I have chosen not to do the DS scan.

Keep you ladies updated later.

Congrats Gain-a-Baby! I am longing for my next appointment! Did you go to Christene this morning? I was also there for my blood pressure! My DS scan is first week in april at Panorama and they seem to be charging by the baby, my email said it would be R1850 Its weird though, I'm also 10 weeks you'd think that our appointments would synchronise. Anyway, congrats on seeing your little one- now for the long wait till May- I wish I could by a doppler to hear my babies every day. The hardest part of pregnancy is going on the unknown and trusting your body inbetween scans. But you are right, God is great!!!
We went for a tour of the oncology unit this morning at Milnerton Mediclinic, I have to say I'm so impressed with the staff and the ward. Its put my mind at ease a bit about the hospital stay. I think I went a bit prematurely though as all the other mommies had massive bellies! I guess I'm just an eager beaver!
Thanks for the advise cornitalia. I think I'll try and stock up.
I'm glad you're okay jinxedsa, I hope you're insurance company wont give you grief. I suffer from chronic sinusitis and although my doctor said I could keep taking my nasal pump and antihistamine I don't want to keep popping pills so I see how long I can go without them. I had a massive headache yesterday and a colleague of mine told me to try Vicks Vaporub, I applied it to my temples and around my nostrils. It really helped. I applied it again around lunch time and then before I left the office and I have been headache free since. I'm carrying my Vicks around with me, hopefully it will be a long term solution until I deliver.

To everyone in the group have an awesome, awesome weekend! Be blessed and take it easy.

Me again

Here's my little "kumquat" as Babycenter calls it or "prune" as The Bump calls it at 10 weeks.

Hello Everyone

Finally had my first scan this morning and WOW how great is our God! From start to finish I felt like I was having an outer body experience and it's actually only hitting me now that it was actually me laying there on that bed! Me with a growing baby DH was called out this morning and could not be with me but my Mom could and I'm grateful to have shared this experience with her. Kept DH informed all the way though and he kept asking "How many babies do you see" Dr and I can safely say there is only 1 fetus swimming and kicking and waving it's busy little arms and legs around as if it's saying "Here I am Mom" My EDD has changed to 24th October and according to the size of baby at 33.2mm it's 10wks0d today

My next appointment is on 6th May - Another 6 weeks wait! By that time we'll see more of baby and maybe even the gender. My scan has been booked for June at Panorama Medi Clinic and will cost R1300 The 13wk scan for DS has not been booked yet - will chat to DH about this about our decision.

Will send my scan soon

Good Morning Ladies

Hope you all are doing well. I don't have any news at this stage. Next scan is 25 April. Maybe then I will have some news on the gender.

Have an awesome weekend