Thread: Question about appointments...

I just had a check up today, which went GREAT, i am even feeling better now than i was earlier in the day! (especially after actually EATING what i cooked, i really enjoyed!!!)

ok, well she said my weight gain, blood pressure, and baby's heart beat were all perfect! his heart is consistant (although when i referred to baby as 'him' she laughed and said 'mother's intuition?' - she said the heart beat sounded like a girl! who knows! i'll find out next month)

ok, so what has me confused is --when you go for the 12 week sonogram & they take blood, isn't that to test for down syndrome? that's what I thought, and she said that all of that came back 'great and negative', but then i had to give blood (standard) today to check for down syndrome? so what exactly are they checking for at 12 weeks, i should have asked while i was there, --i mean, i did i asked what they were taking blood for and they told me 'down syndrome', and then i guess i just didn't open my mouth to ask 'then what was the 12 week blood work and sonogram for'?

so if anyone can shed some light, thanks! if not, it's no biggie just curiuos

thanks

Where I am they do the NT and blood work for neural defects and Downs, then more blood is taken between 16-18 weeks... I Was too late for my testing *grumbles* but they should be taking blood every trimester, regardless...

The sonogram is to measure the skin folds at the back of the neck. This can indicate any # of genetic conditions. The blood test looks for markers in the blood that show whether you are at risk for your baby having downs or not. Neither of these tests are definitive, but if something comes back showing a risk they are more likely to do extra ultrasounds, possibly an amnio, and generally watch the baby closer.

I've never had a 12 wk sonogram so I'm not sure what they're looking for there but I know the blood tests are for downs syndrome and spinal bifida. When I was pregnant with DS they only did they in the 2nd trimester but I was told that now they do them twice, once in the first trimester and again in the second trimester then they compare the results to get a more accurate answer. I elected to skip the 1st trimester testing since for some reason my insurance doesn't cover it (or at least it didn't with DS).

ahh, ok, i understand now - that's probably what it was then. thanks girls!!!!

My doctors didn't take any blood at that appointment. They did the sonogram, let me listen to the heartbeat, asked me a whole lot of questions, and sent me on my way... But they did have genetics call me to make an appointment (which is now next week... ACK) to have the amniocentisis since I'm over age 35. So maybe they're not testing me since I'm having the big work up done anyways....

Did you chose to have the amnio done?

no, im not going to do the amnio.