amniocentesis and Downs
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Category: Pregnant
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Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13284
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Topic: amniocentesis and Downs
Posted By: adele21
Subject: amniocentesis and Downs
Date Posted: 30 December 2007 at 2:17pm
hi everyone. I'm looking for your support and experiences about amnio. Our NT scan showed a high risk They like to say increased of 1 in 115 as Im 34. My background risk is 1 in 293, its just my age that makes it quite high. Anyway, the report reccommed an amnio which we have decided to do after some deliberation. I was 11 wks on the dot when i had the scan and baby was about 45mm long crown to rump dunno if this is within normal range. The thickness was 2.1 mm whci MW said was a bit above average but still within normal range. The point is I'm absolutely gutted, fine one minute then in follod of tears the next. I feel like an idiot for being such a drama queen about it but I can't help worrying. Husband is great. I'd like to hear your experiences please not what you personally feel about it as we have made our decision. Also I'm guessing its not free, does anyone know how much the cost? Thanks
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Replies:
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 30 December 2007 at 2:34pm
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firstly 2.2 is perfectly normal..i had that and my mw said im actually low-risk.. and anything under 3 or is it 4 is normal? I'm not sure why that makes your risk so high...I'm 30 and mine is 1:1276 with 2.2mm.. did they see something else as well? some people on here have had amnios I can't personally comment on that but I know for our CVS it was going to be a few hundred...so i imagine amnio about the same? ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: CuriousG
Date Posted: 30 December 2007 at 8:41pm
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Hiya
I was just gone 26 when I had the fateful NT scan and Chars neck result was 3.5! Because of this, I had a risk of 1:55 which I was shocked about. I was booked in for amnio but it ended up being a CVS instead because my membranes had not fused. It wasn't pleasant (I ain't going to fib about that) and the wait for the results was just awful too. We only had to wait 2 days tho, they rushed it through cause I actually had a specialist rather than a midwife so I guess he threw his weight around. However, we found out that she was fine and we also found out she was a she which was awesome for us because we wanted a girl. It cost nothing for us, I am surprised that there is a charge especially when you get referred. Perhaps check with your hospital and or midwife? Big hugs. I think your result is well within normal range but with the amnio, you will be 100% sure either way whats going on and can decide what you want to do from there. Good luck and let us know how you get on.  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: kezplanet
Date Posted: 30 December 2007 at 11:12pm
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Hi, sorry to hear that you are going thru this turmoil. I can't offer you any information on amnio's as havn't had one (had 1st baby at 34, 2nd at 36) the only experience that I have had is with being a support person for a girlfriend in Aussie who had one with her 2nd preg, & she said the worst part was waiting to see that she didn't m/carry and waiting for the results Hope it all goes well for you and your husband and you get a positive result ------------- Kerryn, Mum to Ashlyn(29/3/04), Anastasia(1/11/05) & Abigail (24/02/09) |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 04 January 2008 at 9:48pm
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Bump for Rashika! -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: Rashika
Date Posted: 05 January 2008 at 8:03am
Ta Maya! 
Adele21: I can understand totally how you are feeling, ditto for me, tho my risk is prob way higher as I'm 40 in 5 weeks. Cant remember if they gave me a number, but having the tech bring in the doc to talk to us scares the hell out of ya. It just throws you at a time when we should be starting to relax a little now we have to stress all over again. Even my partner had a wee moment later on, and he isn't easily thrown. Have you done any reading about NT or amnio yet? And as far as I know there is no cost but I guess I will find out on Tues as I have an appt with the specialists then. There are actually quite a lot of people who get the high risk results, you are far from being alone believe me! Another thing to consider is that you simply have a higher risk only, and the NT test is *at best* just an indication of the possibility, it is simply based on worldwide stats about your age and the measurement. Most people have perfectly normal babies, and I have everything crossed that you and will be the same.
keep posting on here and I will too ok? chin up 
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Posted By: AnnC
Date Posted: 05 January 2008 at 9:01am
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I have thought about having an amnio with next one as I a will be around 36yrs. Although never had NT scan with others. I can imagine what you will be thinking and its easy to say 'don't stress' as you will - combinations of 'waht if's' and pregnancy hormones.
Is this your first? i had Rhyley at 34 and apart from him being breeched and getting GD (Gestational Diabetes - which I never had with the other 2) All was fine
Good luck and hope all comes back good - if not we are all here for support. ------------- Ann 
Also Mum to Josh (15) and Brooke (10) |
Posted By: Rashika
Date Posted: 05 January 2008 at 9:15am
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yep, my first... I'm a late bloomer
But the positives are, no other chromasonal probs in either families... the only nervy bit was twins in my partners family, but def only one in there! My coping mechanism is to do my best to put it from my mind and stay busy... tho that has been hard when I've done everything I can think of and end up staring into space... damn even TV has been sh*t over the hols, can't even just blob out to that! The computer has been great and I have been able to find a whole lot of help thru here, so I'm greatful for that! Ta guys
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Posted By: AnnC
Date Posted: 05 January 2008 at 9:24am
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oh defin here for you ------------- Ann
Also Mum to Josh (15) and Brooke (10) |
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 06 January 2008 at 5:36pm
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hmm i wonder why amnio free but CVS wasnt.. :(? georgia did you have to pay for yours?I'm sure i saw on the wall at the mw's it was over 200.. but then we didnt have to get it so it was ok in the end.. ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: CuriousG
Date Posted: 06 January 2008 at 7:31pm
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No, we didn't have to pay a cent. We went through a specialist rather than having a MW but we had the proceedure done at Wellington Hospital. I wonder if its free if you are referred for one but not free if you request it? Or if it was because I had a specialist?? I would ask your MW if she knows? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 06 January 2008 at 7:38pm
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yeah maybe she would have referred me to the specialist..we only got as far as the geneticist at the hospital who deemed me low risk.. (its complicated) so in the end didnt have it.. ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: pikelets
Date Posted: 06 January 2008 at 8:34pm
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Hi Adele21,
You are not being a drama queen - its natural to be upset as everyone wants there baby to be as good as can be. Im 33 and have 1:185 chance and 3mm nt. You still have 114 chances of having a "normal" baby so that is good odds. I was very disappointed and gutted as well when we got our results as we had been trying for 2 yrs and all I wanted at the first scan was a heartbeat and know everything was alright. We decided not to have the amnio as the risk of having a miscarriage and actually having a downs baby was about the same - still quite slim and I didnt want to jeopardise losing the baby. And now Im 34 weeks and everynow and again its in the back of my mind, but Im so glad that I didnt have it and risk losing it altogether. In saying that I know some couples who have had the amnio, had a good result and are so happy they chose to find out. Sorry - I cant remember what the cost was because we had already decided that we wouldnt have one - I think about $300 if you go private. Good luck Adele21 - whatever decision you have made, it will be the right one for you ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
3 Angels - Dec10 / Mar11 / Dec11
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 07 January 2008 at 8:12pm
Yep, there are other "soft signs" for downs which can be visible on the anatomy scan and/or later scans. I *think* left palate might be one, and some are to do with the heart but not too sure about the others. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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BellaBabysMum wrote:Posted By: adele21
Date Posted: 08 January 2008 at 11:01am
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Hi everyone, thank you SO much for your support and advice and kind thoughts. Going to see Dr Reid at CHCH womens on thursday for a chat about things. still not feeling completely relaxed but yesterday was the first day since Dec 27th that i didn't cry - call me irrational but thats how it is.
Rashika, how did you get on with your appointment? |
Posted By: Rashika
Date Posted: 08 January 2008 at 5:58pm
blimmy now THATS a bit of a coincidence. I rang yesterday as I hadn't received the appt card yet in the mail (still haven't) but my appt is now on thursday arvo as well, with... yes you guessed it Dr R Reid
So I guess we'll both be having a chat. They told me over the phone they will be able to do testing... dunno if that means we will do it or not but wait and see I guess. Possibly rescan anyway for me as we did have issues getting a decent image. And no you're not irrational, it is hard to try to look at the positives, but I guess only having a ONE chance out of 134 is not terrible odds, there is 133 possibilities of all being well. I dont actually know what mine is but I suspect probably even higher risk. But I'm trying to look at it this way: If I dont stress about what I cannot change, then neither me nor the cherub will stress. And now being back at work is good cos it distracts me. I could of course feel absolutely TOTALLY different after thursdays appt. 
Wishing you all the best Adele21, got you in my thoughts 
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Posted By: Rashika
Date Posted: 10 January 2008 at 6:34pm
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ok, well back from the testing ... and I mean testing, the works. At least it was another Ultrasound to check on things, funnily enough the nuchal bit didn't look anything like previously but there ya have it. I found out my risk factor was 1:3
Yup so it was high and I guess I am VERY glad I didn't get told cos I would probably have stressed BIG time. So we talked and decided to go ahead with the CVS testing, what a blast that was... errr NOT. I was trying my best not to faint (damn hate that!) on the bed, keep my tummy very still and small breaths so as not to disturb my tummy, while they were doing there best to complete the test. (I think my bellydance training came in handy about then... another story!) They did well I reckon. Partner was fascinated and watching the screen the whole time. They are going to do the FSH testing as well (at no cost... I was surprised) so will know about at least the downs part by early next week. Probably jepardising my chances by posting but I guess the good with the bad eh? So everything crossed for next week... 
I really hope well well with you adele, and email me if you want gwendawilliams@paradise.net.nz cheers guys
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Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 10 January 2008 at 7:44pm
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why Cvs and not amnio? is it because it shows a range of gene problems? hope all is well for you! ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: Rashika
Date Posted: 10 January 2008 at 8:49pm
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Amnios they dont do till 15 weeks, CVS they can do from a lot earlier, tho i was surprised they could still do them at 13 weeks, but glad that at least I have had the test and that part... for better or worse... is over with. Just the result to worry about now, tho I will try my best to not think about it too much.
Amnios actually show wider results than CVS Was planning a trip away on the motorbikes on saturday, but methinks I wont be doing that right now
Funny part: mentioned the ride to the midwife at the hosital and she said ...wow, she has been thinking of buying a bike laterly as her and hubby do stuff on his and she's decided after about 20 years break that its time to get back on her own. So we had a good relaxing chat about that... nice tension reliever 
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 10 January 2008 at 9:22pm
Glad to hear your appointment and the CVS went well Rashika, but sorry to hear the numbers weren't so good  I was thinking of you earlier on and wondering how your appt was going.
Are you going to find out the sex of baby from the CVS? ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: Rashika
Date Posted: 11 January 2008 at 7:13am
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Depends on the test results... if it is positive, I dont think I will just yet in case we have to do the worse, somehow knowing the sex makes cherub even more real... if it is negative for downs I definately will!
Not feeling greatly positive at the moment, dont know of any others with those high results, but I guess there is still a reasonable chance...and knowing the results of NT can be so wrong, gives me hope as well. |
Posted By: CuriousG
Date Posted: 11 January 2008 at 7:22am
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I feel for you Rashika, the CVS are the weirdest most horrifying things I have come across. My result was 1:55 so not quite as high as you but still pretty devastating.
I hope all is well and big hugs - will be thinking of you over the weekend. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 11 January 2008 at 7:45am
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yeah they wanted me to do the CVS at 10 weeks:( !!! will be thinking of you! ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 11 January 2008 at 2:09pm
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I have my fingers crossed for you Rashika! ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 11 January 2008 at 5:41pm
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I dont know much about this whole CVS and numbers etc , but just wanted you to know im also thinking of you and i hope despite your fears you have a better result than what your expecting
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Posted By: adele21
Date Posted: 12 January 2008 at 11:05am
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hi everyone, i have a few developments. Husband and I went to Fetal Maternal Medicine unit at CHCH womens on Thursday to see Dr Reid - this woman is fabulous, please God none of you need to see her but if you do she is fantastic. Anyway, we had a bit of a chat about things and she said that my risk was very small (1 in 115) and that if I was 30 with all the measurements etc I would have been considered low risk. I really needed to hear this and it made me feel a lot better. Anyway we thought we were there to make an appointment for amnio etc but she did a scan -very cool and did the CVS then and there on the spot!!!!! we were not expectecting this at all but we decided we'd do it. She said that MC rate was about 1% and her personal rate was lower than this -BONUS!!! Anyway the needle was ENORMOUS about 15-20 cm i reckon. CVS was ok, alittle uncomfortable but over in about 10-15 mins. I asked her if their was a nasla bone and she said she thought so.I am taking this as very good news and surley if their wasn't one she would have said it was unclear or wasn't sure. Anyway, took it easy for the rest of the day and yeasterday and don't have any pain or anything else dodgy down there. will get results in about 2 weeks, shes not doing FISH (prob because she says its not a huge risk???). Thanks for all your support ladies.
Rashika, I'm glad that you have had your test done too and have fingers crossed that you will be smiling broadly shortly. email me if u like piccadilly21@yahoo.co.nz. |
Posted By: Rashika
Date Posted: 12 January 2008 at 3:42pm
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Glad to hear you had the same as me Adele...guess at least we have done what we can, the rest is up to bubs.
And I really liked the Doc, she was straightup and optimistic... better than the doc I had at Cashmere, he put me on quite a downer. Unintentionally I know, but his bedside manner just grated with me I think, a bit condescending... I'm almost 40 not 20, I know there are risks!
Felt a little sore & tired yesterday but no worse than period pains, and no sign of any further developments, so thats all good. Think anything else would have happened by now. I read today that CVS thru the tummy was actually better than the other way, more reliable for getting a good sample and less likelihood of bleeding. Today feeling fine, so spent most of it shopping cos the aircon is much better than the close to 35degrees outside at present. Trying to stay positive, so to that end bought some knee high preggy jeans and a top for work from Kmart... surprising amount of fairly nice preggy stuff there and some of it was CHEAP! ($50 for the 2) |
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 12 January 2008 at 5:15pm
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i think she is the best lady in chch....i'm pretty sure she is the one i heard of that has hardly any rate of m/c ..so that's awesome..glad it's all over and hopefully the results will be great !:) 2 weeks a long time though isn't it.. ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: Rashika
Date Posted: 16 January 2008 at 6:30pm
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soooo its been a long few days, and yesterday my partner had a call from the midwife at chch to say things weren't good, so we were in to visit there this morning.
Final result is a positive test for Trisomy 18 or Edwards syndrome. Which is bad of course but it has made the decision easier as babies with Edwards often dont even make it full term, let alone live long outside the womb. If it had been Downs the decision would have been a lot harder as they often have good quality of life (and I dont know what I would have decided), but it isn't... I will be going for the op on friday, luckily with Rosemary as the Doc... she really is the best, along with the Fetal midwife, they have both been really good, caring people and I appreciate all they have done. They have managed to answer all our questions well and offered us both choices without prejudice. I had already read up on all the trisomys so was prepared for 13 and 18. Hate to be such a downer but if you look at it this way Adele... you have a really good chance of being negative I reckon
I would much rather be looking forward to baby than the other, but I know we will have a good chance to start over again in the near future. Having one baby with this condition only puts the risk up 1% overall, so we will begin the process again. Cherub will soon have a place on our bodies as well as in our hearts cos we will be getting tattoos to commemorate the short time the 3 of us did have together... All the best to you all
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Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 16 January 2008 at 6:43pm
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 16 January 2008 at 7:51pm
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Big hugs Rashika, I'm so sorry to hear the way things have worked out We will be thinking of you and your wee babe on Friday.
Best of luck for your results Adele. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: katie1
Date Posted: 16 January 2008 at 8:07pm
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I am really sorry Rashika. Thinking of you and your partner. Take care.
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Posted By: pikelets
Date Posted: 16 January 2008 at 8:13pm
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Oh Rashika - so sorry to hear that hun
Bug hugs to you both ------------- http://lilypie.com">
3 Angels - Dec10 / Mar11 / Dec11
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Posted By: tropics
Date Posted: 16 January 2008 at 8:30pm
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sorry to here that Rashika all the best will be thinking of you ------------- http://lilypie.com">    [/url]
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Posted By: Rashika
Date Posted: 16 January 2008 at 8:33pm
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Thanks guys... your thoughts are very much appreciated...
and I'll be back (said in deep manly austrian voice)
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Posted By: yummymummy
Date Posted: 16 January 2008 at 9:27pm
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Big hugs to you Rashika ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 16 January 2008 at 9:32pm
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Really sorry to hear that Rashika Will be thinking of you. Take care. ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: caraMel
Date Posted: 16 January 2008 at 9:56pm
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Thinking of you and your hubby Rashika xx ------------- Mel, Mummy to E: 6, B: 4 and: 
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Posted By: CuriousG
Date Posted: 17 January 2008 at 7:35am
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I am so sorry to hear that the result was not a positive outcome. Big hugs to you and all your family. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 17 January 2008 at 8:52am
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sorry to hear your news:( thinking of you on Friday.. ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: blondy
Date Posted: 17 January 2008 at 9:12am
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I'm so sorry to hear your news -------------  
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Posted By: EmDee
Date Posted: 17 January 2008 at 9:21am
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I'm so sorry to hear your news Rashika Lots of to you and your DH. I think thats a lovely idea to commemorate your wee one. ------------- DS 8 DD 6 DS 4 DD 2 |
Posted By: adele21
Date Posted: 17 January 2008 at 10:23am
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Hi Rashika, I'm really really sorry to hear that you have not had good news about your baby, I was thinking of you all week. I'm glad that CHCH womens were so supportive, this must be an awful time for you. I think its a lovely idea about the tattoos and am pleased that you are in a positive frame of mind about your next baby. Anyway, peace love and all the rest, will be thinking of you on Friday
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Posted By: Kels
Date Posted: 17 January 2008 at 7:06pm
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Really sorry to hear that Rashika, Will be thinking of you. Take care ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Busy mum to Miss 15yrs, Miss 10yrs and Master 4yrs |
Posted By: Rashika
Date Posted: 17 January 2008 at 7:09pm
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you lot are just too kind, ya will all have me in tears again
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Posted By: spicey
Date Posted: 17 January 2008 at 7:27pm
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So sorry to hear about your news. I just read it. My thoughts are with you and your hubby. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: kiwikid
Date Posted: 17 January 2008 at 11:29pm
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Big Hugs for both you and your partner Rashika, a very sad situation and I think the tattoo's will be a lovely way to commemorate your much cherished wee bubba xxx ------------- 
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Posted By: Rashika
Date Posted: 20 January 2008 at 5:21pm
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Hi all, just thought I would let you know that the op went fine, and I feel physically ok after it all. Emotionally there will be a time when I don't feel so sad, getting there but still not quite there yet.
The doc and nurses, and staff were all really good, I couldn't have asked for better really. The op took about 20mins I think, and i was fully alert about 5mins later. No real pain, just a feeling of a period really. Bit of bleeding initially, but really only very lite now. I must heal up quickly as I feel pretty ok and will prob return to work on my normal Tuesday (dont work mondays anyway). 6 weeks and we can start thinking about trying again, and we will be because I am determined that we will have a healthy baby someday.
Got my fingers crossed that all will be well for you adele, i know it will be! |
Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 20 January 2008 at 6:38pm
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------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: adele21
Date Posted: 25 January 2008 at 10:42am
| Hi everyone, as the person who started this topic I want to let you know that the midwife from CHCH Womens called yesterday and our baby is fine - no chromosomal abnormalities present. Yay! Thank you for your support. Out of respect for Rashika I'm not going to go on about it. Cheers. |
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 25 January 2008 at 12:50pm
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that's awesome news though adele..congrats. ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: meow
Date Posted: 25 January 2008 at 6:17pm
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Rashika, you sound like a very strong person, you will make a brilliant mother one day - hopefully you will get pregnant straight away when you try again.
Congrats Adele, great news for you. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: EmDee
Date Posted: 25 January 2008 at 7:27pm
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Congrats Adele, I'm glad things turned out well for you ------------- DS 8 DD 6 DS 4 DD 2 |
Posted By: Rashika
Date Posted: 25 January 2008 at 9:26pm
nah Adele... If I were you I'd be shouting from the rooftops!!
Honestly I'm pleased & relieved for you... its good to know the odds do work, and am very glad your bubs is healthy. I'll be back there again soon... maybe just enough time apart so I can borrow all the stuff yours has grown out of  Good luck!
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Posted By: shelleybean
Date Posted: 25 January 2008 at 11:07pm
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Oh my Rashika, you are a brave women, its a credit to you. Hope to see you real soon, and all the very best. Take Care....
Thats great news Adele, all the very best.... ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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