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Hi Girls~ question..do any of you live in Canada? If not have any of you opted for the IPS..(Integrated Prenatal Screening which has a part 1:11-13w6d and part 2 between 15 w and 10w6d? Most of you have had your nt and a blood test (FTS)..but are any of you have the second round of blood tests between 16-18 weeks? I have mine next week..These tests are suppose to give you..a more accurate indication of DS and T18 and screen for open neural tube defects..I read it has the highest detection rate of all tests and the lowest false positive. In Canada, we can have these tests for free..whereas, other places they have to pay extra for these tests...Anyway, I was just wondering...if and when anyone else was doing these dtests and how their results were..and if not what other tests do you have planned if any? I also have another ultrasound around June 24th I think that is my 19-20 week ultrasound. Hope everyone is doing well...update ;).

Hi Kristin. I don't live in Canada. The 2nd round of blood tests was never mentioned to me as an option. : ( Dr. recommended expanded AFP as next step to test for open neural tube defects(NTDs)/spina bifida as well as abdominal wall defects and some other rare defects. AFP has more false positives but my FTS did not test NTDs or abdominal wall defects. It's just a simple blood test and covered by insurance so I'm doing it tomorrow. My level 2 ultrasound will be on July 6th (at my 20 weeks). ***I had a wardrobe dilemma on Sunday that made me so grouchy and annoyed at how uncomfortable my clothes, underwear/bras felt so I finally went to the maternity store. Annishel, my stomach hardened up kind of suddenly last night, it was uncomfortable for me and feels better now-- I'm wondering if it was a stronger than usual contracting of my uterus or just gas, I don't know but it felt different than gas. *** AALEX: we haven't heard from you in a while---is everything alright?

Kristin: My due date is November 25, but my doc wants me to have C-section at 37 weeks, so not sure when I'll be scheduled. I too LOVE my doppler, I don't think I could live w/o it....after having two chemical pregnacies and a bunch of immunological issues, plus my "advanced maternal age' ...I need all the rea__surance I can get (including support from these boards). Glad you're feeling good..you sound upbeat. annishel: I'm showing early, too. Everyone thinks I"m farther along than I am. I'm trying to get used it, it's difficult in a professional capacity because I"m not used to the attention and prefer just to blend in at work. I'm having some trouble juggling my doctors right now and I'm frustrated because my RE wants me to have another IVIg treatment for my elevated NK cells, but my OB doesn't really believe in it and my RE is not an "OB" so can't really call it in because he's not supposed ot be working with women over 12 weeks...URGH. Not that many docs beleive in IVIg treatments, but I believe it's what has carried this pregnacy so far, so I'm really trying to find a way to continue the treatment. It might mean searching for another OB, which is not a fun idea at this stage. I have my 16 week anatomy scan next week, July 14th...and am holding my breath that everything turns out because the thought of amnio is not appealing. Hope everyone else is okay. I too have been thinking about Daffy.....it's very sad.

Hi Ladies, Hope all is well with you guys. I usually go online at work and i've been very busy these last couple of weeks, but i have been chcking in reading you guys post. Daffy i'm lost of work as to what to say to you, my heart goes out to you. All i can say is pray pray and pray. But that really has sadden me. Perl all is well with me i'm 18 wks today and i go back to the DR on the 21st to get an ultrasound so that we can maybe detect the gender. Other then that all is well and glad to know you guys are doing well. I'm headed to lunch so i'll check back in later. Have a Blessed Day!!!!!!!

Hi Girls~ Perl, I'm like you my next ultrasound is suppose to be around the 24th but that is a Saturday so I will probably schedule it for the following week. I am 16 weeks today..and I could go in for my blood work but have decided to wait till early next week. How did your bloodwork go Perl..I know you wouldn't have results, but did they tell you how long it would take? Mel~I too was dated 4 days earlier at my 12 week scan..but my doc said not to worry and that he did not change my due date..so I am still suppose to be due around Nov 21st :). Annishel~ glad to hear things seem to be going well for you..and you may be showing early but that's ok we'll all soon catch up and we'll all be rollie pollies together:). Happpygal~ our due dates are quite close as well... but you say they want to give y oua c-section earlier..I wonder what the advantage of that is..and how they can determine that when you are approaching 16 weeks? I'm glad you too are enjoying your doppler..i can't tell you how happy it makes me..as I too have had my problems in the past with a non-viable pregnancies. The fact that many of us have made it thus far is great news for the ones that have..I think alot of us are now in the second trimester or fast approaching..and this is so encouraging for us all to have continued healthy pregnancies. Also, good luck at your 16 week anatomy scan..I wish you great results!!!! Aalexand~so nice to hear from you too..Happy 18 weeks!! Can't wait to hear the results of your ultrasound on the 21st. Please tell us the gender!!! Who else here is going to find out the gender?? I am still ambivalent about finding out the s_x..but I know when it comes down to it..if I can find out I will ;) Christa~how are you? Haven't heard from you in a while..Hope all is well!!! On my way to go to the grocery stores..stocking up on more yogurt and cottage cheese..have been eating alot of this lately especially in the morning. P.S. Daffy ~~if you are out there and are feeling up to it..let us know how you are doing after your induction..we are all thinking of you...and miss you.. XOXOKristin

Hi. Glad to see more activity here. Sometimes I come back to see my post still the last post! I live in Jerusalem, Israel - we have socialized medicine here - we pay according to our paycheck and everyone receives the same benefits, but you can pay extra for 'more benefits'. My middle of the road package doesnt cover much of the extras. Not only is having a baby here totally FREE, but they pay you money when you have one! I had to pay for my NT here + blood work - about $80. I would also have to pay to have the thorough u/s at 15 weeks, as opposed to the 'free' one I get at 20 weeks. Since my NT results came back good (thank G-d), I will not be doing the 15 week one for a cost. There is another blood test - something to do with protein and d/s - that is done between the 17th - 20th week. After that is the drinking sugar and waiting an hour test. Dont think there are any other tests in the meantime. I think I will try to schedule a doc appt for tomorrow, since the last time I was there was May 11th - too long to go without hearing my babes hb :(. I would totally rent a doppler, but I am overseas - been trying to win one on Ebay (the Ebay in the UK is closest), but the prices always go higher than I am willing to spend (when you include shipping). My stomach is still tight, but not the same as before, and I could sware that sometimes I feel parts of a body on the sides - is that possible?? Happygal - I dont know what Ivig and NK cells are, but I hope you work it all out. Also, I usually work on the computer at home, but today I had a work meeting and was not prepared to share the pregnancy yet. I have ONE shirt that remains where I can try to get away with it (who really knows what they were saying behind my back). Anyways, I held in my gut and sat as upright as I could. I will be wearing the EXACT same clothes to another meeting next week. I dont know why, but I am just not ready to spill yet, since 6 months is really so far away. Girls - at wihich point (if you werent showing), would you feel obligated to tell them? Write again soon. Thanks

Hi Everyone! Went for my AFP blood draw yesterday. It was painless especially considering that the lab tech told me my veins are "invisible", (they are just small and hard to find). Kristin: Our due dates are very close (you're ahead of my by a day) so I'm not surprised that our appointments have been same day about a day or so apart. I won't get any results on AFP for another 2-3 weeks. If there's a problem they will call me otherwise I'll just find out from my OB on my next prenatal appointment at end of the month. Still looking forward to 20 week u/s. Of course, I don't care whether it's a boy or girl but if I'm given a choice I'd rather know than be surprised---like I said before, I prefer not to be surprised. Annishel: it's interesting to hear the differences in our health care systems. I like the getting paid to have a baby part of the benefit! : ) Good that you were given the option to do the NT even if you have to pay a bit for it. Also, congratulations on the good NT results. The blood test that you mentioned which tests protein sounds similar to the one I had yesterday--the Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test. To answer your question, family and close friends already know that I'm pregnant. But for those I have not told yet I'm telling them now (I'm in my 17th week as of today) because I have a little belly that's starting to poke out and I just know people who know me are wondering if I might be pregnant or just getting chubby (but they are too polite to ask) so I'm sharing the news with anyone I know if I happen to see them.

Kristin: I'm having a C-section because I've had some v____al surgery in the past and the risk of hemorrhage due to tearing is high. About gender, although I really want to know, my husband doesn't and I have come to realize that It really doesn't matter, I'm falling in love with this little being and the gender makes not a bit of difference and I don't want to be biased about how I love....I think we're all a bit influenced by gender steriotypes, no matter how hard we may try not to. I also think the element of suprise will be just wonderful. I heard that sonographers get really excited when parents "don't" want to know these days, since most opt to find out.

Hey Ladies, i was wondering where do you rent the dopplers? I have a Bebe Monitor but i can't her the heartbeat so i may need to rent a doppler.

Just got back from the doctor's office. Baby heartbeat great at 158 and urine, blood pressure, weight, fundal height all great. Because I had g.d. with my first pregnancy, they are sending me for the glucose test next week in my 15th week verses the usual 24-26 week mark. They are also scheduling my Level 2 for my 19th week and will call me back to give me the day and time. I see her again in 2 weeks. It was a fantastic day!! Hope you are all doing well. I have to read and catch up on all these posts now. xo

Hi Girls! aalexand~ go to babybeats.com..they can send it to you within 24hours..I ordered mine in the morning and received it the following morning...just love it. Happpygal, now I understand why you were scheduled to have your c-section. You also have alot of restraint not finding out the s_x. In the beginning I thought no, I wouldn't but I am getting more curious as time goes by..this way I can think of names...because I am not sure if any of you are aware but..my partner wanted me to name the baby if it is a boy after his father (who does not like me)..but just today he said if it's a girl I hope you name it a Greek name..for me that is a milestone becasue he was so adament on the George thing before. Mel~glad to hear you so upbeat from your tests..sounds like things are on track. Annishel~ I'm with you on the posts here..it seems there are only a few updates per day..I hope that changes...I often have questions but lately I may go to other boards as they respond much quicker ;) Good Luck to you on your next tests..also you said you would rent a doppler if you could..do you have any contacts in the U.S. or Canada..because they could possibly do the ordering for you and then ship it to you..or you could keep trying on the ebay thing :)Perl~ you are so right we have been scheduled for many of our tests on the same days.. I decided to get my bloodwork done on Monday eventhough I could have had it yesterday. When I called they said you must be atleast 16 weeks so I thought I go in at 16 weeks plus :) Keep it up girls updates are great!!! XO Kristin

Thanks Kristin72 i ordered it yesterday evening so i can't wait to get it, it said 2-5 days UPS. You must have did express delivery?

Hi alexand..actually I just did regular delivery not express..but it came very quickly. Just remember to listen to the cd and read the instructions. I usually find my little one above the pubic bone below the belly b___ton. You have to move the device very very slowly until you find the rapid heart beat..just a small movement and you can lose the beat and or think that you can't find it. There are other noises as well..the amniotic fluid..movements of the fetus, blood flow as well as your own heart beat. All the best!

Kristin72 hopefully i will get mine today or tomorrow but thanks for the advice because usually i wouldn't watch a CD or read the instructions until after i can't figure it out, but i will watch the CD 1st. I can't wait!!!!!!!!

Hey... anyone having ANY movement??? I am officially 15 w 2d and nothing, nada, zippo. No flutterings, no gas. no happy mamma :( . Wish I had one of those dopplers!! Going to try to get a doc appt tomorrow - Sunday is a regular workday here - kids even go to school.Forgot to make an appt on Thursday.

Hey Mel, congrats on a great prenatal checkup! I have yet to see how fundal height is checked, I guess I haven't reached the right point for my OB to start checking it yet. Kristin: it's great to hear that your partner is being less insistent about the whole George/Georgina thing. There are a lot of great Greek names, so hopefully you can find one that you're happy with that way you'll both be happy and maybe even make his father happy too in the process, but that's less important as long as YOU and your partner are BOTH happy. Enjoy your dopplers ladies, I almost bought one at the maternity store (there were 2 brands to choose from) but the clerk told me those particular ones work best in 3rd trimester so I didn't buy either one of them. I guess I'd have to go on-line to find a good one but I'll just hold off. ***Still getting an occasional bad cramp and hardening feeling about once or twice a day. Now that my energy is finally back (except for an occasional day of tiredness) I have gotten back up to speed on my old workout routine at the gym. But I stopped the stomach crunches and a couple of the weight machines. Also I figured out I can't do the elliptical machine (the one with the arm movements) anymore. I tried it 3 times and it hurt every time so I gave up and have switched to a treadmill for my cardio workouts. I also seem to feel weaker so that I have to lift less weight than before, is anyone else working out and experiencing this same feeling of not being as strong as before? Have a great weekend everyone!