Due December 2017

wow okay ! i actually now don't know if i did do it... it was all a whirlwind so i may have, i may not. purely because of history i think i went through extensive tests.

i know a lot of people don't like doing these tests and checks etc but i personally am for them.

so for me my checks aside from all the bloods and the usual checks etc are:

12 weeks i see the fetal specialist - check for the heart condition and anything else
20 weeks i see him again - heart is fully grown at this stage - so its a double check
20 weeks - pediatric cardiologist - same story as above ( he is in JHB )

as you can imagine, each time is completely nerve wrecking for us!!

TCS
It is a very comprehensive bloodtest that can to about 99% accuracy detect most chromosomal abnormalities. It is obviously safer than an amnio and keeping my age into consideration I would probably be advised to do an amnio after my history of miscarraiges lately. However, with the Harmony (or the Panorama) all of the major concerns can be ruled out before the 12 week nuchal fold scan.

So, our plan is to do the bloodtest at the earliest we can (I think it is from 9 weeks) and it takes 2 - 3 weeks for the results to be available. The only hickup is the cost. I think it is something between R6000 - R10000. (and medical aids do not cover the cost as far as I know)

Thank You Joo-ste

I was just going to ask what the Harmony test is but i googled it. I had them done for mine as well. I actually didn't know i did them but i recall the fetal specialist saying something about the test results.

Thank You Joo-ste

may i ask what the Harmony test is?

TCS:
I've seen your signature and did not want to pry. Sorry about the losses you have experienced. It is so devastating.

Chanti:
That is the spirit. Stay positive!!

AFM
I am the ever optimistic, but I must admit that I will be on the edge of my seat until we have also reached the 14 week mark and have completed all the necessary tests. I am going to do the Harmony test (Panorama if it is available by then) around 9 weeks as well. I do not want to think too much about it all - I will just stay on my knees throughout this pregnancy.

Thank you Chanti! everything will go well. I think you have the right attitude about not stressing and enjoying the moment for what it is...

I had my first scan last week. we saw the yolk sac and the placement of it was fine, ie in the uterus. i go again next week and i will be about 8 weeks. hopefully see a heartbeat!!!

@TCS - I'm sorry to hear about your previous losses - It must have been so heart breaking. I have decided that I am not going to fear every test we have to do and I am going to embrace each moment of being pregnant. We have never been this far and it is such an incredible blessing to experience this. I'm praying that this pregnancy will be a smooth one for you and that it can also be stress free!!

I spoke to my clinic this morning and they have ordered for the labs to give a quantative result on yesterday's bloods and also try get a progesterone test out of it to see if I need any extra support. Praying all is fine and we will have our 7 week scan with them next week and then go back to a normal gynae, I think it is just because of my history with infertility.