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Post by Deborah on Mar 11, 2005 20:58:08 GMT -5
Laura, Kim, and Annie
Congratulations to you all!!!
Deborah
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Post by alisonzmom on Mar 12, 2005 14:00:08 GMT -5
Congratulations Laura, Kim, & Annie!!!
Praying that all will go well for you and your babies!!!
Barb
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Post by Emilysmom on Mar 13, 2005 21:37:18 GMT -5
KIM and ANNIE C~ I just re-read this thread and saw your great news!! CONGRATULATIONS to you both!!!
Susan
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Post by rickismom on Mar 14, 2005 18:15:16 GMT -5
I just want to add- I live in a community that beleives neither in birth control (unless really needed for moms well being) nor in abortion. We have in our (rather large) group of mother with children with DS, SEVERAL women who AFTER having a child in their late 30's with DS, went on to have aperfectly normal baby in their early 40's. Just because the lottery caught you once, doesn't mean that it will catch you again.
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Post by laurasnowbird on Mar 17, 2005 11:42:55 GMT -5
Kim and Annie
Congratulations to you as well! Nice to know I'm going to have company in this little adventure, LOL!
Many, many thanks to everyone who responded. You gals (and guy, LOL!) really made my day. I really appreciated everyone's stories about what testing did (or didn't do) for them. I'm calming down about this a little now, but still really wanting to know. It's funny though, when I thought about it, I can find out if the baby has DS, but really there are so many worse things out there! There are no sure things in life, right? We just need to place our trust in God, and enjoy the pregnancy.
My daughter (six) asked me at the dinner table yesterday if we could have another baby with DS, and I told her that it was quite possible. I told her that there are tests that you can have done to find out, but that we are nervous about possibly harming the baby, so we are undecided about testing for now. She wanted to know what kind of harm the tests could do to the baby, so I told her in very general terms. She was quite adamant that we should just wait, and we would know when the baby was born, LOL! She goes to a Catholic school, and has heard about abortion, and asked me if people abort babies with DS. I told her that some people choose to do that, and she was looking at her little brother with this completely horrified look on her face, and said "I'm going to start a club of school of my friends who would NEVER do something like that when we are mommies!" I thought my heart would melt into a puddle right then and there.
I tried to explain to her that it is God's place to judge that, not ours, and that people sometimes choose that option out of fear. She wasn't buying it. It was very clear-cut to her. Of course, she's sitting at the dinner table with the little brother she adores, so I can't really blame her for her feelings!
Cbean, I read the information you posted with great interest, so I looked up the PAPP-A test, and it did appear that the two things (nuchal fold and PAPP-A) come close to giving a good answer. My first appointment with my doctor is March 30th, so I will be certain to ask about it then. The hospital we use is the one with the neo-natal ICU, and babies come here from all over the state, so I'd be surprised if they are unfamiliar with the test. Thanks so much.
I'm so glad that I have you guys. I don't think there is really anyone else who would understand that my desire not to repeat the DS experience doesn't in any way diminish what we feel for Ethan. Speaking of my little fellow, he is really sick today, and hasn't left my lap all morning. Some sort of upper respiratory thing has a grip on him, so we had to cancel his surgery for his tubes today. He spent all day yesterday in my lap as well, and won't sleep anywhere but on ME! LOL. Glad the baby-to-be is still so small......my lap will be disappearing soon. We've been talking about the baby, and now he points to my stomach and says "baby". I don't think he really gets it yet, but it's cute!
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Post by steffipoo on Mar 17, 2005 12:53:37 GMT -5
yay congratulations!!!!!!! hOW COOL... a freshie!!Thats what we call newborns in my house. Enjoy. can't they measure the femur and check the nuchal folds? thru ultrasound? Olivias head was really tiny compared to my sons so maybe they can check the head size thru ultrasound.(((HUGS))) Congrats Steff
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Post by Alice on Mar 17, 2005 13:04:33 GMT -5
I totally agree with RickiesMom that having a child with DS is just a lottery.
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Post by Jackie on Mar 17, 2005 15:14:06 GMT -5
Laura....first of all Congrats!...second of all....glad its you not me...LOL...my grandkids from Austin just left and I am a basket case...much too old to be a mom again...LOL.
I noticed you mentioned my neice...and yes...that was a mess, wasnt it? But I think that is the exception rather than the rule.
I think if I were in your shoes (notice...this is just what I would do)....I think I might still opt for all the tests except the invasive ones like amnio....and see what shows up.....
While of course you want to have a baby that has no problems at all....at least this way you would have an idea if you might expect something...AND...since you are are already a........"been there done that DS parent"....it will probably be no big thing...certainly not a shock when the time comes...and you can prepare better this time. For me ...just sitting on the edge and wondering would drive ME nuts.........then if something weird like Laineys experience happens and you prepare....and the baby turns out fine.........you can just be happy about that.
I think ultimately you and your husband have to make these decisions together.
Jackie
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Post by updowns on Mar 17, 2005 17:29:15 GMT -5
Boy I really have to hang out here more often - I missed this one! CONGRATULATIONS to Laura, Kim and Annie Hugs and all the luck of the Irish to you, Stella
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Post by matthew'smom on Mar 17, 2005 20:59:12 GMT -5
Congrats to you! ;D I have recently gone through the same experience... I am pregnant and decided to forego an amnio. However, I did have the nuchal translucency combined with the "integrated screen" blood work. I have also had two level 2 ultrasounds done. I liked this option because it was non-invasive and there was no risk of miscarriage. Ultimately you have to decide what you and your husband are most comfortable with. Best of luck to you!
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Post by MB on Mar 17, 2005 23:09:02 GMT -5
Just caught up on this post.
Triplets for Uno Mas. Oh happy, happy, happy day!
Congratulations Annie!
MB
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