Prenatal Checkups

  • Excluded by the O.B.

    I'm really excited about my wife's pregnancy and started to go to the doctor's appointments with her. But the doctor basically ignores me or gives me a silly looking smile. I want to stay involved but I'm getting really angry. Is there anything else I can do?

  • Calcification in a Fetal Heart?

    QUESTION

    Dear Ms Ultrasound,
    In your twenty years experience have you ever seen a calcium deposit in the baby's heart? I am so worried and have no answers from my doctor yet. I had an amnio and the baby looked fine the doctor said but he did tell me about the calcium deposit like it was no big deal. Now I have to wait two weeks for the test results from the amnio to come back from the lab. Please let me know if you have ever seen one of these before?

    Thank you.
    Renee

  • What is a "Wet Reading?"

    QUESTION

    Dear Ms Ultrasound,
    I was just wondering what a "wet read" is during a prenatal ultrasound? I am going to be having another ultrasound in 2 weeks to check size and date, as my son is measuring almost 4 weeks large and no possible miscalculation of dates, but they have also requested a wet read and I can find no information on it. Any help would be appreciated.

    Jennifer

  • Do I Need to See a Doctor the First Trimester?

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    I am pregnant with my fourth child. My friends and I had a bit of an argument the other day because I had decided not to go and visit my doctor until I'm 3-4 months along. My reasons are that I have not had any complications before and it is such a hassle. They told me that I needed to think about the health of my baby. The doctor had told me before with other pregnancies that in the first trimester there wasn't much they could do to save the baby. Am I jeopardizing my baby's health by waiting for my first visit?

  • Tuberculosis Testing During Pregnancy

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    I am about 3 months pregnant and have not yet been in to see a doctor because I have no insurance. I have just accepted a position as a preschool teacher and they asked that I have a TB test done. I have tried to contact Ob/Gyn offices for an answer but no one will give me info because I'm not their patient. I was wondering if I can get a TB test done while I am pregnant. Thank you for your help.

  • Can We Know the Sex Before Deployment?

    QUESTION

    Dear Ms Ultrasound,
    I am an expecting mother. I am about 5 weeks along and my husband is getting deployed in January between the 12th and the 15th. I would really like to find out what we are going to be having but I'm not sure how far along I have to be for it and if I will be that far along at the right time. My first day of my last menstrual cycle was September 15th. Can you possibly give me an idea of if I will be able to do this with my husband still here. My estimated due date is June 21st- 24th.

    Thank you,
    mikki_blue

  • Prenatal Diagnostic Testing Anxiety

    QUESTION

    Dear Experts,
    My wife and I just got our triple blood screen back and we were told the test for Downs came back positive. The doctor set up an appointment for tomorrow for an ultrasound and possible amniocentesis. My wife and I have had two, very early miscarriages (fist month or so) and are scared to have the amnio. If it is healthy or not, we will go forward.

  • Doctor Visits

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    I found out that I was pregnant just before Halloween, and I have an Ob/Gyn but she told me to call her if I felt something was wrong. Am I supposed to go in for doctor visits on a regular basis? I haven't even seen a doctor yet. Is it ok to have a sonogram if I'm at eleven weeks?

  • When to do Amniocentesis?

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    When is the right time to do the amniocentesis test?

  • First Prenatal Appointment

    QUESTION
    Dear Midwife,
    I am 4.5 weeks pregnant and just called to schedule my first prenatal appointment. They have scheduled the appointment between my 11th and 12th week of pregnancy. My pregnancy books say the first appointment falls earlier than that (approx. 6-9 weeks). Is it normal to schedule a first prenatal appointment so late?

  • Excluded by the O.B.

    I'm really excited about my wife's pregnancy and started to go to the doctor's appointments with her. But the doctor basically ignores me or gives me a silly looking smile. I want to stay involved but I'm getting really angry. Is there anything else I can do?

  • Quad Screen Test Results Reliable?

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    My name is Sandi and I am 19 weeks pregnant. I had a quad screen test last week and my doctor informed us today that I have an increased risk of having a baby with Down Syndrome. He went on to say that about 1 in 385 are born with DS. Then he said that my screening was 1 in 15. I am devastated. He might as well have told me that our baby has DS. We scheduled an amniocentesis for this Friday. My husband insists that whatever the outcome, we will continue this pregnancy. I on the other hand, have a very different perspective.

  • Why Should I Have a Level II Ultrasound?

    QUESTION

    Dear Ms Ultrasound,
    I am 37 years old and 17-weeks pregnant. My doctor has asked me if I want to schedule a level II ultrasound instead of a regular ultrasound at 20 weeks. He says it is usually recommended for expectant mothers my age.

    I have indicated to him that aborting the pregnancy if something is abnormal is not an option for me. I also indicated that I do not wish to have any tests for which there is no other action/advantage that can result from the information. Based on my information can you outline any advantages for me taking the Level II Ultrasound?

  • Too Heavy For an Ultrasound?

    QUESTION

    Dear Ms Ultrasound,
    I was scheduled for a first trimester screening in my 11th week due to my advanced age; unfortunately, the perinatologist was of very little help because he basically lectured me on how difficult it is to do ultrasound in obese patients!

    I learned very little about the status of my baby. He was unable to do the screening because the baby was measuring slightly too small. He then went on to discuss amniocentesis, but why would I allow him to put a needle in my uterus guided by an ultrasound that he already told me would not be accurate?

  • Calcification in a Fetal Heart?

    QUESTION

    Dear Ms Ultrasound,
    In your twenty years experience have you ever seen a calcium deposit in the baby's heart? I am so worried and have no answers from my doctor yet. I had an amnio and the baby looked fine the doctor said but he did tell me about the calcium deposit like it was no big deal. Now I have to wait two weeks for the test results from the amnio to come back from the lab. Please let me know if you have ever seen one of these before?

    Thank you.
    Renee

  • Eating for Two: Weight Influences on Pregnancy

    The extra weight you gain during pregnancy provides nourishment to your developing baby and is also stored for breastfeeding your baby after delivery.

  • The First Trimester

    The first trimester, the first 12 weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period, is one of amazing development in the baby.

  • Why Would I Be Measuring Big?

    Dear Midwife,
    I am at eight weeks according to my u/s. Dating by my LMP put me at seven weeks. I had my first ultrasound six weeks past LMP and measured 6w6d.

  • Altered Taste During Pregnancy

    Sometimes a pregnant women may sense a funny taste in their mouth even when not eating. The medical term: "dysguesia" meaning an altered sense of taste, accounts for this difference in perception.

  • What Causes Fluid In The Fetus's Kidneys?

    QUESTION

    Dear Ms Ultrasound,
    Our doctor requested that we get a 33-week ultrasound because our 24-week ultrasound showed abnormal amounts of fluid in the babies kidneys. What is this, what causes it, and how is it treated?

    Thank you for your time.

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