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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!

Hi Perl, fundal height is checked by measuring your belly with a tape; that usually tells them how your growing and if you're measuring on time with however many weeks you should be. Have they measured yours yet? I am having my Level 2 done on June 29th, but I will only be 17w/4d. Is this kind of early? I can't wait to find out what we are having!! I'm so excited! Annishel, I don't feel movement either, so don't worry and I'm 15w/1d today. I felt it once a little while back, but have not felt it again. But I know we should be feeling movement in the next week or so anyway. Any of you other girls that are further along feeling any? XO

Just came back from the second part of my prenatal screening which involved another urine test..plus several viles of blood taken. Not sure when the results will be in for these tests. My next ultrasound is for around June 24th..I have not called to book a definite date yet. Have to go to my girlfriend's father's funeral today..hope everyone is doing well..Ttyl Kristin

Kristin: good luck on part 2 of your screening. I hope it all goes well for you and I am curious to learn more about the process too. Are they checking for the same genetic disorders as before and then giving you a different set of odds or adding 2nd set of odds with your previous ones to give you an average? Sorry about your friend's father. I have no doubt you will be a big comfort to your friend. While you are there for her don't forget to take care of yourself too--rest and eat when you need to. Mel: my fundal height has not been measured. I've measured my waist size (because my pregnancy journal has a space for it). But, no my doctor has not measured fundal height which I think I've seen is done from top to bottom of the belly. I'll ask Dr. why next time I see her. About Level 2 . . . my Dr. prefers to do them at 16-20 weeks so it looks like you'll be within that timeframe when you get yours at 17 weeks. I'm really looking forward to mine too--I just can't wait to see my little one again.

Hi Perl, The two tests are combined together..I never got a percentage or ratio the first time..just the NT meaurement, the heartbeat, and CRL. After the results of my bloodwork are in these tests apparently give the highest accuracy for results for DS, Trisomy, Edwards Syndrome, and open neural tube defects...a second test is needed in order to find out these results. I guess it is the combo of these tests at the two different times that help on the accuracies...rather than just the 11-13w6d scan. The detection rate for DS is 88% T18 is 90% and ONTD is 85%. The one ultrasound and blood test gives DS 83% and T18 91%. So really the biggest difference is that the IPS test tested for Open Neural tube defects at 11-13w and has a slightly higher detection rate as well as false positive rate..but the differences are only a few percentages. I kindof wish I had the results many of the rest of you had right away..but I have to wait for mine...However, the NT was an indicator of these problems as well. with my last pregnancy they had a good idea there were problems from my high NT alone..and i was given the option for CVS...quite soon after. I am feeling pretty good things will be good this time..but I guess you never know to you get the results. Perl, thanks again for your well wishes on my tests..Can't wait to hear your upcoming results too! Hope everyone is great. How are you doing happpygal? Do you have anymore tests coming up? When is your next ultrasound? Alexand~ did you get the doppler yet? Do you like it? Annishel~ wish I could send you my doppler..any luck locating one? Mel glad to hear your tests went well..good luck with your level2 on the 29th. Christa~update us girl!! Where have you been? Talk to you gals later!!! Xo Kristin

KRISTIN-Best of luck on your second part of your testing. I'm sure everything is going to turn out great for you!! I'm glad to hear your tests are almost done. It must be nervewracking. Good luck on June 24th with your ultrasound. Are you going to find out the gender? I definately am!!! PERL~I'm glad to hear that you are doing well. Make sure to ask your doctor about the measuring, as he/she should be starting to do that soon. ANNISHEL~I haven't felt movement again since the last time, so don't worry about it. We should be feeling it very soon though!! Did you get a doppler yet? I thought about it, but since I go every two weeks, that is satisfying enough for me; otherwise, I would have probably rented one too! AALEX~Good luck on your ultrasound on the 21st and I hope you get to see the gender too!! How exciting!! Did you get a doppler yet? CHRISTA ~How are you doing? I haven't heard from you in a while? I hope you are well. HAPPYGAL~I am also having a scheduled section around 37/38 weeks. The way my uterus was cut, I cannot have a VBAC, and besides that, my doctor does not do them anyway because of risk of uterine rupture. I'm a bit nervous, but I've had one before, so I think I will be o.k. with it. DAFFY~thinking of you and hope you are finding peace in your healing process. VENUS~How are you doing? I have been having round ligament pain too. Usually the way I move in bed or cough. I think alot of it has to do with your position. Other than that, I don't have much pain. This is about the same time last pregnancy that my sciatica starting hurting really bad. I'm hoping that since exercise is important in my life now, but wasn't back then, that maybe I won't have it, but we'll see. I also had carpal tunnel before, which I'm praying I don't get again either!! The most important thing is tomorrow my glucose screening. I am really praying that is normal. I'm a bit nervous, because with all the dieting and weight loss I've done in the last two years, I will be so upset if it didn't even affect my chances of not getting g.d. again, but some woman and the way their body produces insulin will get it anyway, so who the hell knows. I just hope tomorrow goes well and I don't have it. I WOULD BE SOOO HAPPY!!!! Well off to eat breakfast in a bit. TTYL..xo

B.T.W. 15w/2d today!!

Thanks Kristin for explaining how your 2 phase testing is done. I can imagine it is difficult to wait but your IPS sounds very detailed and includes more than my NT scan and blood test (only tested for down syndrome and trisomies.) I'm sure my AFP is less accurate but I'll take what I can get. Your results on the other hand have high level of accuracy and reliability. It seems that the NT measurement accounts for a lot in the process and so far so good for you--things are looking very good. Still wishing you all the best! ***Good luck to you also, Mel on your glucose test! It sounds like you've put a lot of consistent effort into your diet and weight loss. I know that even skinny people can have GD but if your diet is well-balanced, you should be fine. It's the people who eat all the bad carbs and processed sugars that throw sugar levels off balance who are at greater risk. I was given the glucose testing earlier on because my sister and parents are diabetics. Being at risk for gd is an unsettling thought, we already have enough to worry about without it. Good luck! ****Annishel: I have felt no more twitches or flutters. I still get that cramp with a slight hardening feeling. I'm sure it will be just a matter of weeks when we'll all be feeling some movements. Annishel, I'm curious, if Sunday is a regular workday does that mean everything shuts down on Friday evening and Saturday because of sabbath? *****How is everybody else progressing with their pregnancies?

im here, im here! I lurk everyday but dont seem to want to post much. I have a bad attutude and don't care to poison the waters. I'll post when I am feeling a bit more upbeat.

PERL~You have already had the glucose screening? I am figuring you pa__sed it and if so, good for you!!! I am hoping to pa__s it too!! CHRISTA~I understand how you are probably feeling and post when you are feeling better. We miss you and care about you. I hope you are doing well besides the att_tude problem. lol. XO

hi. Sorry for my few day absence..... I went to the doctor on Sunday and got very nervous when he couldnt find the hb, as that was my primary reason for going. Thank G-d he used his little backup u/s machine and we saw the little heart beating. Here they just feel the stomach and say - yeh seems like a good size :), and I havent had them tell me the speed of the hb either, but I do remember going to a private doc and him telling me. We dont do the level 2 until at least the 20th week - my doc said up until 22nd week. Next is the AFP (did i get that right - the protein test) between the 17 - 20 week. I have very low iron, so I ASKED for another blood count - pretty laid back here:) We dont do glucose until 24th week. Glad to hear you are all having good test results (hoping to hear more good news from Kristen) and enjoying your dopplers. I too am probably going to forget about getting it. I may be paranoid, but what if I wasnt able to hear the hb for some reason like my doc just couldnt?? I would go out of my mind with worry.. **Perl - yes - most places of business, certainly all offices, shut down for the Sabbath , and very often early on Friday, so Sunday is a regular day. Naturally, depending on your level of observance, there are ample places of entertainment/ restaurants open, but no malls, and certainly no Kosher restaurants. We stay home for 25 hours with no computer, TV, radio, and sleep, eat, and get to know our kids. Otherwise I am something of a workaholic, so it is a welcome sanctuary. **** in case you guys are feeling uncomfortable, and down - my friend, in her 24th week told me she has v____al varicous veins. Frankly, I dont want to know what it is, but it doesnt sound fun. Here's to good health!

Hello Ladies hope all is well with you all. Kristin72 i ordered the doppler on Thursday night so i hope i get it by tomorrow it said 2-5 days. I had an ultrasound done on yesterday and found out i'm having a girl. So i'm so excited and ready to shop. They did the measurements and everything is well with the baby. Well i'll check in later hope all goes well with you guys appointments in the next week.

Aalex: Congratulations on a great appointment and on finding out you're having a girl! I'll probably hold off on buying baby clothes and decorating the nursery until my 20 week u/s where I hope to find out gender but there's no guarantee that I will find out which is fine too (I'd just prefer to know sooner rather than later). Mel: yes, I did glucose test at 8 weeks along with testing for everything else they normally test in the blood. It was the 1 hour glucose where I drank the super sweet drink and had to wait an hour. They told me I'd have to do the 3 hour one later on too. Everything was fine--thank you. Hope yours is fine too! : ) Christa: I'm glad you're still around and hope you'll feel better soon. The good thing is that you're fully aware that you have a bad att_tude. Sometimes people go through their whole lives with a bad att_tude and don't even realize it-yikes! You're much better off than that though. : ) Annishel: I'm glad you were able to get an u/s on Sunday and see your little one's heart beat. Now you can feel a little less nervous knowing he/she is alright. Thanks for the explanation on Sabbath observances. My brother recently converted to Judaism and even though I'm a firmly rooted Christian it interests me to hear of the differences (and similarities too) in our observances. Anyway, good thing for you things are open on Sunday so you were able to see your Dr-that's great! Vaginal varicose veins?? Ouch! Your poor friend, that must be painful for her. Good point Annishel. Have a great day everybody!!

AALEX~Congrats on finding out you're having a girl!! How lovely! PERL~Congrats on pa__sing the one hour, but yes, usually if they do that one early on, you still have to go back later and get the 3-hour testing done. I just had it today. I was there at 9:00 and didn't get out until 12:30 and I was STARVING!!! I stopped at Friendly's and got myself a grilled chicken sandwich and fries. I swear I inhaled the whole lunch!! LOL. Anyway, I hope not to hear from them because I know that means good news. I have my next appt. next Thursday anyway and will find out then, but usually if you fail they will call you. Here's hoping that I don't hear from them anytime soon!!!!!! XO

Hi all: Back from anatomy scan yesterday. All looked okay, and baby is gaining, I'm a week ahead, now...I'm 18 weeks 1 day! Freaky......even though I didn't want to know the gender, we caught the sight of a p___s.......it was very obvious :), and sonographer confirmed it. I'm okay with it, even if I had the secret desire for a girl, I'm just thrilled with a boy, and you REALLY never do know until the baby is born, could just have been a very odd shawow or somthing!!! Still, just feels like an early "suprise" and I'm thrilled. I see ob today for "offical" results of the scan, but sonographer said all the skull and bone measurments looked "normal" and we saw both hands "open" which is a very good indicator that there's no downs or Tri-18. My heartburn is KILLING Me, anyone else? Also, I think I've felt 'flutters'.....hard to knwo the difference between that and gas. On ultrasound, my son was moving around like no tomorrow and we coudln't even get a scan pictures. It was so cool to actually see him kicking....I wish I could feel it more, can't wait until I do. I was told I have an anterior placenta, which might make it more difficult to feel kicks, anyone hear that? Have a nice weekend.

happpygal~Congrats on the anatomy scan..sounds like things are progressing very nicely. Also Congratulations on hearing the news of a baby boy..I too secretly have longed for a baby girl..but I will be happy with healthy of course. This week~Doctors office called me 3 times yesterday(i wasn't home)..the messaged left indicated that it seems my RH status came up as positive for antibodies. I was already aware that this would come up because I am Rh negative and had a rhogam shot at 6 weeks due to spotting. Once I have the shot I am covered agains RH disease incase my blood mixes with that of the fetus..The fetus is so small at that point it was done more as a precautionaray measure. I have had the rhogam before and I recently found out it stays in your system for about 120 days. But my OB probably forgot I had had the shot which was done in emerg. During my last pregnancy I found out I had I tested positive for the antibodies but did not know the length of time it stays in your system..I became freaked out because if I had developed the antibodies in all likelihood I would never be able to have a child because my body would always view the fetus as foreign and therefore would try to fight of the cells of the fetus. I will always need rhogam anytime they believe my blood could mix with that of the baby...so I will have another rhogam before I deliver my baby. Thank God I have educated myself enough to know the anibodies are not detrimental this time or else I would have been very upset by the calls from the doctors office...Anyway I have my OB followup next week which is my monthly visit and hopefully all the results will be in from my bloodwork and urine tests from my integrated prenatal screning tests...the following week I will have my ultrasound..can't wait. Have a great weekend ladies! Kristin