35+ and Pregnant

[Bloomwood]

thanks for the congrats, moms!

I just don't feel any symptoms. NONE, hence my paranoia. Since I had a m/c before at 5w2d, I convinced my ob to see me at 5w (thursday). Now I am freaking out that it is too soon to be seen. :rolleyes: I can't win. It is a new ob b/c we moved since my munchkin was born.

Thanks for the feedback on the amnio. I am leaning more and more toward not doing it.

[pocahontas]

did anyone choose between the cvs and the amnio? A friend suggested the cvs over the amnio (she's had both) and I want to get other opinions. I like that the cvs can be done sooner. but, really I'm not convinced I'll do either.
My results didn't convince me enough to do either one but my friend (who just gave birth to a daughter last month) did do the CVS over the amnio because I think she actually preferred the way CVS was done as opposed to the amnio. She was 35 when she gave birth in September and just turned 36 last week.

[stars]

Hi Ladies,

I apologize I didn't realize that this thread still existed. Congrats on all the new Mommies and hi to everyone else.

Since having my little girl, life with two is pretty hectic. Would someone like to take over this thread and start a fresh one? I just don't have the time to get on the computer and since we are not having any more kids this thread doesn't pertain to me any more.

Thanks.

[ejs]

Hi ladies,
I am not ready to join b/c I am only 4w4d and won't have the pgcy confirmed by the doc for a couple of weeks. However, I am already stressing about being over 35 this time.

did anyone choose between the cvs and the amnio? A friend suggested the cvs over the amnio (she's had both) and I want to get other opinions. I like that the cvs can be done sooner. but, really I'm not convinced I'll do either.

Thank you.

Congratulations! Here's my opinion on the tests. First, decide what you would do with the results. I'm not asking you to share your answer here because it's none of our business, but do you want the results because you might terminate or because you'd want to be prepared to raise a child with a genetic issue?

I opted to have an amnio because it tests for neural tube defects and the CVS does not. Knowing myself, I wouldn't have been happy with getting perfect CVS results because I would have spent the rest of my pregnancy stressing about the possibility of neural tube defects. So DH and I decided to get the most information that we could.

The amnio procedure in itself was so much easier than I thought it would be. The waiting for the results was awful, though.

[wendalah]

I just saw this thread bumped up...I was a couple months shy of 36 when I got pregnant.

On the note of amnio/cvs. I was hesitant to do testing, myself, as I didn't think I'd be able to voluntarily terminate the pregnancy in case of a serious problem.

However, what swayed me was this: My doctor told me that if the fetus had any issues, and I decided to continue the pregnancy, he would be better informed on how to manage the baby's health while in utero if he knew what the issues were. That made total sense to me, so I went ahead and had the amnio.

BTW I agree with ejs--the procedure sounds dreadful but is not difficult at all. I found giving blood out of my arm or finger to be much more painful (seriously!). I felt completely fine after the amnio and went back to the office to finish my workday immediately after. Waiting for the results is indeed nerve-wracking but it's such a relief when you finally get them.

[pocahontas]

Hi Ladies,

I apologize I didn't realize that this thread still existed. Congrats on all the new Mommies and hi to everyone else.

Since having my little girl, life with two is pretty hectic. Would someone like to take over this thread and start a fresh one? I just don't have the time to get on the computer and since we are not having any more kids this thread doesn't pertain to me any more.

Thanks.
STARS...I can do it if you like. I actually was just thinking I needed to pass the batton to someone else in the 35+TTC thread since I post there less and less these days. So let me make sure I can get a volunteer for that then I'll gladly start a new thread over here for us (unless someone else has already PM'ed you to volunteer.)

[Bloomwood]

I opted to have an amnio because it tests for neural tube defects and the CVS does not.

I didn't realize that. Thanks.

[mobox]

Bloomwood,
My husband and I opted for the CVS instead of the amnio. We most lilkely would have terminated if there was a major genetic defect. But ITA that if you are most likely to keep the baby no matter what--go with the non-invasive tests.

Oh, and also, the doc who did my CVS is world renowned and has less than a 1% miscarry rate. That totally eased my mind.

[Bloomwood]

neural tube defects/cvs v. amnio - I asked today and the dr said that cvs and amnio are identical in what they screen and the risk rate. She said that the cvs previously was not as safe but because of technological advances, they are now just as safe (or risky, however you want to think of it) as the amnio. She also said that neither the cvs nor the amnio screen for neural tube defects unless a deeper level of analysis is requested but that neural tube defects are presented in the 18 week u/s. The cvs can be done at 12 weeks and the amnio at 16 weeks.

She also reiterated what I've read before (here, too) that these tests are now offered to every age and not just 35+ers.

And, she gave me this perspective:

Risk of m/c simply b/c you're pregnant: 1:5
Risk of down syndrome: 1:250
Risk of m/c due to complication with amnio or cvs: 1:1200

I'm thinking she's pretty pro-testing ;)

[ejs]

neural tube defects/cvs v. amnio - I asked today and the dr said that cvs and amnio are identical in what they screen and the risk rate. She said that the cvs previously was not as safe but because of technological advances, they are now just as safe (or risky, however you want to think of it) as the amnio. She also said that neither the cvs nor the amnio screen for neural tube defects unless a deeper level of analysis is requested but that neural tube defects are presented in the 18 week u/s. The cvs can be done at 12 weeks and the amnio at 16 weeks.

She also reiterated what I've read before (here, too) that these tests are now offered to every age and not just 35+ers.

And, she gave me this perspective:

Risk of m/c simply b/c you're pregnant: 1:5
Risk of down syndrome: 1:250
Risk of m/c due to complication with amnio or cvs: 1:1200

I'm thinking she's pretty pro-testing ;)

I'm really surprised your dr said this. Here are some links from Stanford about amnio and CVS. It says that the amnio does check for neural tube defects. I also checked the paperwork I got with my amnio and it also says that.
http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/hrpregnant/amnio.html
http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/hrpregnant/cvs.html

The m/c rates she gave you are also very different than what I was told.

[Bloomwood]

okay, now I am totally bewildered. I'm calling my old ob, whom I love, and ask her opinion. I so wish we lived in a place where she could deliver this baby. Thanks for the links!

[ejs]

okay, now I am totally bewildered. I'm calling my old ob, whom I love, and ask her opinion. I so wish we lived in a place where she could deliver this baby. Thanks for the links!

Sorry! I'm really not trying to confuse you. It's just that DH and I did a lot of research and soul-searching before we decided on the amnio. The numbers your OB gave you sounded different than what I had heard, so I did some quick looking. As I said, I'm not trying to confuse you. I know it's a tough decision and I think people should be as well-informed as possible before making it.

[mcgwigan]

About the rate of miscarriage with amnio - I think that you also have to take into consideration the Dr doing the amnio. My OB told me that at the hospital he did his residency in, I think in Maine, had a pretty high rate of miscarriage due to amnio, yet the local hospital he would have sent me to for one if I had chosen to have one, had a very, very low rate of miscarriage.
I would want to ask the specific office what their own rate of miscarriage was.

[pocahontas]

Bloomwood,
But ITA that if you are most likely to keep the baby no matter what--go with the non-invasive tests.

Ditto...and I think someone also said it earlier. If you would keep the baby regardless of the outcome of the tests, go non-invasive and save yourself the stress. That's why I didn't bother with either since DH and I said we could never terminate.

[djoyus1]

Just saying hi to all the 35+ moms-to-be out there! I'm due in April (first child). When I first found I was preggo, all the stats thrown at me for being 35 had me anxious. But the BUN study performed last month indicated my chances were as good as a 24-year old, which eased my mind a bit. :D So no amnio for us.

[mcgwigan]

djoyus1 Congrats on the good news....what's a BUN study?

[djoyus1]

mcgwigan ~ The BUN study is the 1st trimester sonographic screening for down syndrome.

[pocahontas]

Wonder if that's another name for a nuchal translucency? :confused:

[djoyus1]

pocahontas ~ Yes it is. I guess everyone where I live calls it the BUN study.

[ducgal]

Okay, I JUST got the results from my CVS, so I'm going to join. We really wanted to have as much definite info as possible as soon as possible and we decided to do the CVS as soon as we could. I had the procedure done at 10 weeks, 4 days, and just got the results now at 12 weeks, 3 days. I'm really shocked, I was just preparing myself for a bad result, but EVERYTHING'S GOOD! And even more surprising - it's a boy - I really wasn't expecting that.

Bloomwood I've also seen very different numbers than the ones you posted.

Here is a link to a chart of risk of Down's Syndrome for different maternal ages http://www.wolfson.qmul.ac.uk/epm/screening/calcrisk.shtml

The doctor that that did my procedure at Cedars has done more than 10,000 procedures, and the rate of miscarriage due to CVS they quoted me is 1:200, and in doing some research, I haven't seen any number as low as the one you posted.

I was also told that amnio can detect neural tube defects.

Here's my info.

Username: ducgal
Me: Victoria, 38 (39 at end of Nov)
DH: Kevin, 39
Married: 7/4/03
TTC: Nope, oops
BFP: 9/7
EDD: 5/16/08
Gender Prediction: I was positive it would be a girl
Actual Gender: It's a boy
Any other children: nope
Misc. info:

[mcgwigan]

Welcome ducgal! Thats great that your CVS results came back with no problems!! AND you already know it's a boy....I'm jealous. We weren't able to find out the gender at my 20 wk ultrasound and I didn't do CVS or amnio either.

[pocahontas]

With so much new blood in here (and Stars looking for a replacement TM) I am going to start up a new thread within the next 24-48 hours if no one is opposed?? :)

[Bloomwood]

yeah, I am in the process of finding a new new ob!

[mcgwigan]

Poca A new thread sound great! Thanks!

[Bloomwood]

Pocohantas - thanks for starting a new thread.

Just to close the loop: I talked to my old ob. She whole heartedly recommended the amnio over the cvs. She confirmed the cvs doesn't do neural tube defects. She phrased it as the amnio is like the buick, it's been around for years and it's reliabe. (I love her) Caveat though she said for me she recommended the amnio because I'm pretty low risk.

And, I found a new ob. I just spoke with the front office woman to make my appt and she is sending me for hcgs to confirm the pgcy before I go in. I love the proactivity.

AND, I didn't mention this but the other ob's office had sent me to the lab after my appt with a request to do the 1 hour glucose...at 5 WEEKS!!! I obviously didn't stay.

[ejs]

Pocohantas - thanks for starting a new thread.

Just to close the loop: I talked to my old ob. She whole heartedly recommended the amnio over the cvs. She confirmed the cvs doesn't do neural tube defects. She phrased it as the amnio is like the buick, it's been around for years and it's reliabe. (I love her) Caveat though she said for me she recommended the amnio because I'm pretty low risk.

And, I found a new ob. I just spoke with the front office woman to make my appt and she is sending me for hcgs to confirm the pgcy before I go in. I love the proactivity.

AND, I didn't mention this but the other ob's office had sent me to the lab after my appt with a request to do the 1 hour glucose...at 5 WEEKS!!! I obviously didn't stay.

I'm so glad you found a new dr! The other one doesn't sound like he/she's kpt up with current medicine.

[mobox]

Ducgal ~~ You must have had Dr. Williams...he is amazing.

You really have to take into consideration where you are getting any of these tests done and find out the miscarry rates at that particular facility. At a place like Cedars, the rate is so low (less than 1%)...my doctor would ONLY send me there and not even to her attending hospital. Here is some info recently quoted from whattoexpect.com:

CVS vs. Amnio: Different Tests — Same Risk
A new 20-year study proves that the miscarriage rate for CVS is lower than previously believed.
September 29, 2006 — It’s been common practice for years: Moms-to-be who want to be able to check for certain birth defects during their pregnancy have always had to choose between two diagnostic tests: chorionic villus sampling (CVS), which takes a small sample of cells from the developing placenta, and amniocentesis, which draws a small sample of amniotic fluid from the uterus. CVS, which is done in the first trimester, can provide parents with an earlier diagnosis than amniocentesis, a second-trimester test. But CVS has always been associated with a slightly higher rate of miscarriage — until now. A comprehensive, long-term study recently published in Obstetrics & Gynecology has found that the miscarriage rate is actually the same for both CVS and amnio.

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, studied 20 years of data on close to 10,000 CVS tests and almost 31,000 amniocentesis tests done at a single center. The researchers compared the miscarriage rates for both procedures as well as whether the difference in the miscarriage rate had changed during that time. The study’s findings concluded that the miscarriage rate for either test averages less than 2 percent. It also found that the rate of miscarriage from CVS had dropped significantly during the study’s first 15-year period, suggesting that physicians who perform CVS have gotten much more proficient at the procedure.

[pocahontas]

Sorry guys...you never know what a new day can bring. And as a result, I will not be able to be TM and start a new thread. I wish you the best with your pregnancies.

[ejs]

Pocahontas, I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I had words to help you. Please know my thoughts are with you and your husband.

[Bloomwood]

pocahontas - I am so very sorry. My thoughts are with you. Please take care of yourself.

[mobox]

I don't know what to say.....my heart is so heavy and you are in my prayers.

[jesseybell]

Looks like I won't be sticking around the 35+ and pregnant thread either.

In my case being over 35 looks to be a blessing as I probably wouldn't have had a nuchal test and wouldn't have found out about the condition until later.

The results of the nuchal u/s were not favorable. The fetus has a condition called cystic hygroma. We are scheduled for a CVS tomorrow and should have the preliminary results on Wednesday and then make a decision of how to progress. 50% of fetus have a chromosomal abnormality, 25% have a major organ defect. The rate of fetus morbidity is quite high.

We are hanging in there and our DD is keeping our spirits higher than expected. We will try again but not as quickly as we could.

[mcgwigan]

jesseybell Sorry to hear your news. I'm glad that you are managing to keep your spirits high!

[pocahontas]

DAMN JESSEY! I hoped and prayed the bad luck would stop at me and no one else would have to deal with terrible news. :( I am so sorry.

[jesseybell]

The gods were watching us and spared us having to deal with tough decisions. We went for the CVS today and there was no heart beat. I have a D&E scheduled for Saturday.

pocahontas - Thank you. I hope you are being gentle to yourself....and hopefully the Patriots will keep kicking butt to give us something to smile about.

[ejs]

Jessey, I'm so sorry.

I am so in awe of the strength and courage that you and pocahontas have.

[Bloomwood]

Oh, Jessey, I'm so sorry. I hope your little girl is bringing you some amount of peace. Please take care.

[mobox]

Jessey, so sorry to hear about your loss. Keeping you in my thoughts.