NT Scan Tomorrow - Having a Freak-Out!

[daisyfairside2012]

I do this to myself every pregnancy. It's so hard not to. I have a history of gestational diabetes (and IGT when non-pregnant), usually begin pregnancy with one illness or another (this time around it was just a respiratory bug, thank goodness), am dependent on Zofran from week 4 onward, my diet sucks thanks to HG, and, as my OB likes to continually point out this pregnancy, I'm now an "older mom" (*shudders*... I'm 33, who knew that qualified me as "older" already?!).

So tomorrow is the NT scan. My sugars have been good, blood pressure's good, I've not had a single trip for hydration this preg (and that has taken WORK - I'm not fluffy, just really, really, really stubborn because the hospital is 45 minutes away and I have no childcare for my two girls). I'm still getting sick 3-4 times a day, haven't gotten entirely back to pre-pregnancy weight yet (but I'm close! Only 1-2 pounds away that I keep yo-yo-ing back and forth with). But I'm still absolutely convinced I "screwed up" somewhere along the way and that the baby will have one issue or another. I'm already freaked out and feeling guilty for a problem that (hopefully) likely doesn't exist.

Plus it's sooo difficult to believe there's a 13 week pregnancy in there when we're at that odd inbetween stage where no movement is felt, I'm not really showing, and it still seems like more of a sickness than a baby.

Ugh, sorry, this was ranty. I just needed to get it all out there, lol. Prayers/positve thoughts realllllllly appreciated tomorrow! I have the scan in the afternoon (meaning I have all morning to really work myself into a tizzy, lol).

[Carriebeary77]

Hey lady. Big hugs!!! I can't believe you're already 13 weeks! And you're almost ready to move to 2nd tri. *sad* I just got here. :p

I hope the scan goes well.

Oh, and if 33 is considered "advanced" what are they going to consider me?! ELDERLY?! (I'll be 35 at birth.)

[AnneCan]

If you don't have any/many worries in terms of familial genetic problems, I wouldn't worry about the test or your age.

I was extremely sick until just a few weeks ago, with lots of weight loss, lots of meds, and little hydration, and baby looked great!. HG babies are tough! I had my NT scan at 12.4 weeks, and actually, our results came out better than the average, with numbers like 1:58,000 chance of trisomy 1X. The doctor came in right away to tell us that everything looked normal and healthy. Now I know that doesn't always happen, and some people get numbers like 1:65, which are scary, but even so...they are only guestimates based on the combined factors that they see. Our tech was great, and we got a long ultrasound. She explained a lot more than our tech's do at the 18 weeks anatomy scan. We also got nice pictures to take home, which was good because DH forgot to come to the 18 weeks scan (grumble).

I was SUPER worried about the trip too, because we had to go to the next biggest city, which was 2.5 hours away. DH drove and I just put a dark blanket over my head during the drive, and made sure to pack the food/liquid I could needed for the entire day. Just make sure you have extra meds/food with you in case something happens on the road and it takes longer than expected (like a flat tire or something).

Good luck!

[teddi]

Hugs to you.

I honestly understand, this last pg I was continually ridden with so much anxiety. It sucks. I know it's totally normal for PG women to worry about everything possible, but I think HG turns that into a steroid-version of anxiety. No fair!

Just remember 13 weeks is an amazing achievement to reach and means the odds are long in your favor.

[sweetpea]

I know how you feel. I'm just convinced that there's not really a baby inside, no matter what the lab work says!

Praying that your ultrasound goes well!

[Fern]

Megan, I'm sending you really good thoughts for tomorrow. I know it's scary and there are so many crazy things to worry about. But your doc needs a reality check. Since when is 33 "older"????? If it helps, I'm well past 40 and I don't give a flipping rip what anyone else thinks about that being older or not!! (One of the perks of being over 40 is you stop giving a damn about other people's opinions!) Anyway, I think it will be really awesome to see the baby moving around and get to see the fingers and toes, the face a little bit.... I'm excited for you!
Got to get off NOW but sending good vibes and will look for your update tomorrow.

[Hinano]

As far as risks go these days in Australia at least the guidelines don't consider you at slightly higher risk for Preg or birth complications until 40 or 45.

hope all goes well. Mine came back high 1/200 risk last time which freaked me out but all was actually fine and normal but it requires further testing or waiting until birth to know and feel reassured.

[daisyfairside2012]

Thank you, everyone, for the reassurance and kind words. I will post an update following my afternoon appointment. I was up throwing up ALL night, and this morning, as well. My HG has flared and it's one of the few times I'll admit it's probably being further aggravated by stress. Hoping my morning Zofran kicks in soon. The kids start back to school today following their spring break (btw, my preschooler is only half day, but I had to pull my first grader to take her with me because the appointment was scheduled RIGHT at her school pick-up time - I feel awful, not sure if it's a valid absence excuse, but had no child care - eek!!!). My house looks like a two week frat party took place here. And my list of to-do's is ever-growing. The long-term effects of HG on the household are definitely here.

Anyway, will update later, and thank you again.

[MichellevsHG]

What is your Ob talking about? 35 is widely considered "advanced maternal age" aka "older". Ugh. Sorry they said that to you. I wouldn't worry too much about the NT scan at 33 yrs old. You're young!!

[Fern]

Yes, agreed, and as I hinted above, I'd be more than happy to slap him for you the next time I'm in your town, if you'd like. Just let me know.

[daisyfairside2012]

Well, not a TON of news. I won't get any information for 7-10 days, being techs can't discuss results (*rolls eyes*).

What I DO know is they officially changed my due date, by a week. She showed me where the measurement would end if it were a 13 week-er and it was laughable how much longer baby actually was. She said, "No way." So, my due date was moved by a full week (woohoo!). I'm skeptical, as it would mean I was knocked up just a few day after my period (my due date has already been moved up once as it is). But, I'll take what I can get, I suppose. Baby will be delivered sometime between 37-39 weeks, via scheduled c-section, so anytime between September 1st and September 15th (pending lung maturity amnio).

She also kept referring to the baby as "he/his". She had already spent some time looking, so hard to say if she was just using this generically, or if she knew something I didn't.

So, got some photos, baby was wiggling around, measured ahead... pending the NT results, I'd say all seems well.

Aaaaand, with this, I make my move on over to second tri. Best of luck to those of you in first tri, and see you in a matter of weeks. If I can survive it, you can, too. I'm exhausted, but I survived.

[Fern]

MEGAN!! THat's great news! And of course I'm jealous as hell you got a WEEK knocked off your sentence and a "go directly to second trimester" pass. Yay!! All told it sounds like very good news. And FWIW, I had a gut feeling this baby's a boy. I'm sure your girls would be thrilled to have a baby brother!

[daisyfairside2012]

Thanks. I do have to say, I was thrilled to have another week knocked off. It defies logic, but I'll take it, lol.

The only thing that has me hesitant in accepting the baby is a boy, is the placenta location - it's left. Have y'all seen this study before?

http://hcp.obgyn.net/content/article/1760982/1878451

A friend recently passed it along to me. Not sure what to make of it.

Bleh, well, relieved it's over with, but super pukey now. It's nice to have seen the little person who's causing all this yuk, though. It's always reassuring to see there's a reason, a good reason, for the sickness.

[DivineLotus]

Boys are cool. I wanted a boy but I got a girl, she's a little tomboy so I'm happy.

As for the study: I had placenta pervia so it was located right smack in the middle bottom opening of my uterus. Its a load of crock.

[augustmomma]

Yay for getting a week knocked off! At my NT scan for my DS, he was measuring 14w 1d and I was only 12w3d pregnant(I was sure of my dates within a day or two). I ended up getting induced at 38 weeks due to his size (he was 9lbs 2 oz at birth)...He would have easily been over 10lbs on his actual due date.

[saskHG#2]

So happy for you ladies with your BFP's... but not happy to see you in the throves of HG... good luck to your beans and I hope all is well!