One of the best things about being pregnant at this time and history is the wealth of facts and information our there. Some would say there is too much information out there online and too much to scare yourself with as uninformed sources post opinions as facts. So my actual doctors appointments have been especially helpful as they were entertaining and informative giving answers to all questions, with the exception of today’s visit which instead leaves more questions.
A few good things did happen at the appointment including a fun set of new ultrasound pics. Baby Perri stood on his or her head at the beginning and the tfirst ch had to wiggle my stomach to get the baby to wake up. The pics in part made up for how uncomfortable the test was, which despite having a more full bladder than normal still get like little deep punches.
Our baby’s ultrasound was pronounced normal which helped for the rest of the news today. The baby’s transnucal fold was 2.3. The tech had told me that anything under 3 was normal, so not knowing my blood test results I was shocked to be told my new combined risk, made up of my formula that combined fold and blood test results produced a positive test, meaning I had a higher risk of having a baby with Down’s Syndrome. However my results did Edwards Syndrome is 1/680 which is negligible and good news.
My pretest result was 1/28 and now it’s 1/18. Still, this test is known to have 5% false positives and even if it’s a true positive the 1/18 gives me about a 94% chance of not having a baby with this particular chromosomal abnormality.
With the increased risk I was able to get in for genetic counseling today. As a California resident the initial screwing results entitled me to a Non Invasive Pregnancy Test (NIPT) that the state pays for. I took that this afternoon. If I wait for those results and they are positive then the state pays for a Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS), if negative or a get it done sooner it’s our insurance or out of pocket. I’m waiting for my CVS scheduling.
All I can do now is wait and hope and pray, all of which I’m doing and try to stay unstressed perhaps in part via humor. Looking through the images I was given on CD, I fondly remembered telling the tech this one made the baby’s face look like s/he was wearing a Lucha Mask and without me telling her what I mean she did agree it looked a bit like the Mexican masks below the photo.
~ Danielle
Over 40 First Time Mom 