|
Post by matthew'smom on Jun 1, 2004 21:56:56 GMT -5
We found out that Matthew had DS and a heart condition on the day he was born. My husband noticed it immediately when he went over to Matthew while he was being cleaned off. He asked the nurse if it was possible that he had DS. The nurse, my doctor, and I were all stunned that he would ask that, but as soon as I held him and looked at his beautiful little face, I knew it myself. This was my first pregnancy and I was only 29 at the time of his birth-we were totally unprepared to hear such devastating news. My blood test came back fine and I was not a candidate for any further testing, so I was not at all concerned during my pregnancy. I think we probably went through every emotion that is possible, but we now know that Matthew was meant for us. Although I felt differently at the time of Matt's birth, I am grateful that I did not know about the DS. My first pregnancy was a time of happiness and I feel that if we knew beforehand it would have been a sad time.
|
|
|
Post by ashliesmomheidi on Jun 2, 2004 9:18:22 GMT -5
I didnt know until after Ashlie was born that she had DS, But I did know something was not right ( was not thinking she had DS) Because I gained only 12 pounds during pregnancy was sick all 9 months morning, noon and night and never once felt Ashlie move ( even though I went in for numerous stress tests)
I dont know if its better to know before or after really, As if I would have known before and read all the outdated literature out there I would have been a nervous wreck throughout my whole pregnancy but I would have been able to be prepared a lil more medically like at the right hospital ( ashlie was airlifted to the next town to the NICU)
|
|
|
Post by YoshsMom on Jun 2, 2004 11:13:07 GMT -5
We found out about half way through. First the AFP came back with a high probability, then we decided to have the amnio because we needed to know. I was sick for my entire pregnancy and I broke my ankle in the 5th month on top of that, so I was pretty much stuck in bed for the last half. One week after the cast came off and I could walk and drive again, I had a c-section.
We're very glad we knew ahead of time. We were able to prepare ouselves and our family and choose a hospital with the best perinatal team. Yosh was in NICU for 10 weeks after he was born and that was hard enough. We were able to just concentrate on getting our baby home because we had already grieved for the child we imagined and were ready to love the child G-d gave us.
|
|
|
Post by momofrussell on Jun 2, 2004 16:40:56 GMT -5
We found out in utero. We did NOT sign for the AFP nor did we with our oldest Regan. BUT... the lab did it anyway!!! IT was very wierd how God was watching over us. Our midwife called to tell me it came back positive for DS and she was convinced it was wrong! She told me to have the Level II US and enjoy it! Well, they saw "markers" and were pretty sure the baby had DS. So we decided to do an amnio which comfirmed it. I read all I could about DS and was very happy to know we could handle what was given us, health probs and all. I had a very supportive, loving husband and very supportive family and friends so that helped LOTS! I found I was doing some of the consoling instead of the grieving LOL...
A.
|
|
|
Post by adisonsmom on Jun 2, 2004 21:56:11 GMT -5
First off thanks for all of the stories. I love to hear about all of your amazing little angels!!! Adison was our second and I was 25 at the time, so we thought not much risk here. I was in the Navy at the time of pregnancy and our midwife offered three different times to do the AFP, we declined each time saying it wouldn't make a difference and we were open to God's plans. Of course we didn't know how right we were. We delivered Addy at home (not planned by the way) and when we got to the hospital we were stuck with the on call pediatrician ours was on vacation, just figured this one would do so as not to wake up one of the on call docs from our practice) BIGGGG mistake there. He took one look at her and then my husband and said well your face (Chris') looks a little fat too but I am going to run her DNA anyway.(JERK!) We were in the hospital for two days and feared the worst, not about her having DS but all of the misconceptions we had about what this meant for her future,not ours but hers. The nurses ran in and then right back out, I guess it didn't help much that I cried for two days straight. But there was a huge pink elephant in the room no body wanted to come within a mile of us. So looking back, I wouldn't have changed a thing. Strange you might say but I have found my true calling in life!!! I have been in nursing school for a while now and always wanted to work labor and delivery. I still do but now my dream is to not be the nurse that runs from the room, but the one that takes the pictures of my little angel in there and sits for as long as the parents need, let them know that everything will be fine, or just to tell them it is okay to cry and they can call me anytime. Because the worst part was the unknown. So yes I believe it is all ion God's plan. So as to whether or not I would have an ultrasound the next time around, I can't say, but thanks for starting this so we could all share our stories. Prayers to you and yours, Lori
|
|