Questions about prenatal tests

[faithhope]

Hi Everyone!!! It is me, jessika, sorry I have been such a bad friend. I really miss being a part of this group. I just seem to have no time these days. ;D Life is beautiful though, in fact Noah has been napping way too long and I have to wake him soon if he doesn't wake himself. So I can't catch up on all the posts, forgive me. I feel like a user. I just come to you for my issues .
Well here it goes, I have been thinking through this whole pregnancy. I am 18 weeks preggo now and this pregnancy I act like I have no worries, I know my husband doesn't but the truth is I think about it all the time.
Will this baby have Ds, or any other " issue"? Then I feel guilty for hoping that this baby will be "normal"? Then I think how wonderful Noah is and how Ds is nothing at all what I thought it would be and he is the best thing that ever happened to us, to me and it would be a blessing to have 10 more just like him.
My hubby is so wonderful, he loves Noah so unconditionally from day 1, he wants to adopt Ds kids one day! He is always soooo positive about Noah.
Well we found the most amazing place a Birth Center, with a midwife, to have our baby. They turned out to be Chrisitian, which we didn't know till we went for orientation. That tells us it is the right place, God directed us there. We just love it there and love the whole staff. It is also small, beautiful place. That is not the issue though.
They scheduled an ultrasound level 2 ( only because I said I might want one). Shawn does not want any of that.
Part of me wants to know what to expect, and the other part, doesn't want to, maybe cause I am scared to find out, I am not sure.
Please help, those who pray can you please pray that we make the right decision. They scheduled a level 2 ultrasound and genetic counseling.
Have you had gen. counseling? Do you know what that entails???
I am so nervous.
I have so many more things to talk about. I dont' want to lose you all ;D, so I will stop now.
OK I can't wait to hear from anyone!!!
Love,
Jessika
Hope I made some sense.

[damarasmom]

Hi Jessika,
Good to hear from you and it's nice to hear that Noah is doing well. I'm glad you found such a wonderful place to give birth to your next tiny miracle....As far as Genetic Counsiling, it's not that big of a deal, they go through both of your family history (health) so just make sure you know what all of your family members have for health issues.
As for the level 2 ultra sound...I think I would have one done. Not that I would "do" anything with the info, but I would like to be prepared and be able to study up on any issues so that we are just well informed. Just my opinion...But, I will surely pray that you both come to a joint decision...Best of luck to you all...Can't wait to hear how it all goes!

[Chris]

Jess,

Congrats on the pregnancy! ;D I believe there are two kinds of people, those who like surprises and those who need to be prepared. I am one who does not like surprises so I did opt for a level 2 ultrasound and amnio (after there were soft markers for Ds on the ultrasound). I also had genetic counseling due to my advanced maternal age. Basically, they go through your entire family history and then give you statistics on the odds that your baby may not be typical.

My husband did not want to have the amnio done, he did not want to know the sex of the baby either. I HAD to know. Honestly, I think the stress of not knowing was too much for me.

Have your DH read the replies from your post and then you can make your decision. The odds are overwhelming that this baby will not have an extra chromosome. If you do opt for prenatal testing it does not diminish your love for Noah.

Chris

[momofrussell]

Well, the Level 2 US is NOT invasive at all, it's an ultrasound that they look for more stuff then a regular US. But there isn't much more too it. So, just tell DH it's the same machine and it's just looking at the baby. They will just collect more data then a regular US, that is why it's called a Level 2.

I went on to have one more child after Russell. That was part of our initial plan before Russell, so we stuck with our plan I HAD the amnio with Russell but NOT with Reece. I am a planner and wanted to plan with Russell, but with Reece I was ok with JUST the Level 2 US.

You could leave it at that.... Level 2.

Genetic counseling? They take a family history and ask questions.... to me there isn't much to it. I didn't have it after Russell, but while pregnant. We went once and looked over all the info and that was that.

I am THRILLED you found a great place and even a midwife. I had a midwife with my first two (yes a midwife was with us when I had Russell) and the only reason I couldn't with my 3rd is that I was at a different place with her that didn't offer them. But I am very much a big fan of midwifes.... they make the experience so much better in my opinion

Oh and on that wish to have a "typical" child... you are HUMAN so cut yourself some slack. I'll be honest, even with 1 typical and then 1 with DS, I STILL longed for another typical child. I felt I needed that and although others might think I was trying to get something I didn't get with Russell, they were my feelings. Maybe I WAS replacing a bit of what I lost with Russell because he wasn't typical... but who cares! Those were my feelings and I don't think we are wrong in wanting typical children! We still love our kids w/DS the same but there is NOTHING wrong with wishing for a healthy, typical child...... at least that's my opinion.

So take it easy on yourself and your feelings...it's OK to have them!!! Don't feel guilty!!!!

Sending many hugs and good pregnancy vibes....... ENJOY!

A.

[char]

Jess, Congratulations! My son and daughter-in-law had the level two ultrasound just to be prepared.

I will keep you in my prayers.

Char

[jessjetland]

I also opted for additional testing but I had a level 3 ultrasound done and it was amazing!!!! Because there was soft markers for Down syndrome we had an amnio done and when everything came back fine I was disappointed. Seriously cried about it for two days, I guess subconsciously I wanted another baby with Down syndrome. And now we are talking number 3 which honestly scares the crap out of me more then baby number two having Ds, the idea of kids outnumbering us freaks me out.

Congrats on the baby, just do what you feel is right for you and enjoy being pregnant
Jess

[Googsmom aka Jennifer]

Hey Jess I had MANY level 2 Ultra sounds, every stinkin' Wednesday for 2 months , and regular USounds on Monday and Friday's. Long story and i don't wanna bore ya There ok. You get to see all kinds of cool stuff almost in 3-D I thought it was very interesting.

Genetic counsling is also no big deal. They ask ALOT of questions. They actually sent me a bunches of paperwork for me, hubby, his mom, and my mom to fill out. There are no dad's in the picture so we tossed those papers. Hubby's mom is adopted so her paperwork was cut in 1/2 They just ask medical questions and who has had what. It's ok

I'm glad your doing good. Kisses for Noah Kisses from Brook

[Chris too]

Oooooh! Look at that lovely mouth-rounding on Brooker!! Nice kisses, Sweetie!

Hey Jessica! I'm praying for you to have peace. If that takes a level 2 ultrasound, then fine. You might want to give up beating up on yourself since li'l tiny one inside will be taking over the job in earnest quite soon

Hope to hear good news soon!

[dannysmom]

Congrats, glad to hear things are going so well. It's such a personal choice. In my personal experience.....I had the level 2...but Daniel just didn't have any markers. Even if they found markers for Ds, I wouldn't have gone ahead with the amnio. I had a miscarriage my first pregancy...so I would have most definitly feared that and not gone ahead with it. Gods plan for us was to find out at Daniel's birth. You have to do what you feel right with. Good luck with your decision!!

And please don't feel guilty about wanting a healthy baby with no Ds. Every woman that gets pregnant prays for a healthy baby. Wanting a baby without Ds doesn't mean you are rejecting your Noah...or wanting him to be any different. But let's face it, Ds comes with a ton of 'potential' health concerns. It's only natural for you to want your pregancy to be 'normal' and healthy!! That doesn't mean we would change our angels or want them any other way. Your feelings are totally natural.....please enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!!! Lots of love and prayers!!

[faithhope]

Thank you all so so so much. You have me in tears and some laughs. You all make excellent points. I am leaning more right now towards just knowing that Gods plan will be and this baby will be great of course no matter what.
My husband is insisting no ultrasound. He feels that the womb is a sacred place and we shouldn't be peeking in there. He is just so a confident strong man in his convictions. I am happy he is like that, it takes alot of worry off of me. I just know that no matter what he will be the most loving daddy who will do everything for our kids. Anyways enough about that.
Thank you all so much, I am off to bed. I will get back on this site and catch up on the latest tomorrow.
Love,
Jess and Noah.

[sandi]

WOW.. Jess,,,, I haven been on here for such a long time, and wow, you are pregnant! Holy cow... Congrats! You sound so positive thats for sure. I am glad you are doing so well with Noah. You sound just like me. I could have 10 more Cassie's. Its so nice to read your messages. I am so proud of all your accomplishments. I cant wait to hear how everything is going with your pregnancy. Little Noah is so precious. I am glad you found a christian place to have your next child too. I really believe in the christian faith. Take care, hugs to you and all your family.