A Conversation
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
DH: "________'s wife had a level II ultrasound to make sure the baby doesn't have Down's. How do we know our baby doesn't have Down's?"
Me: "I guess we don't."
DH: "Oh."
Me: "How old is she?"
DH: "Who?"
Me: "________'s wife."
DH: "I dunno."
Me: "I'm not sure, but I thought that a level II ultrasound is usually only ordered when the woman is old....."old" being in her 30's. 'Cause when you're older, there's a higher chance of baby having Down's Syndrome or Trisomy something-er-other."
DH: "She's over 30"
This little conversation made me thankful for the way our pregnancy is going. It made me thankful that I haven't worried myself over stuff like this. I just KNOW like I know that water is wet that this little baby, who is all curled up inside me poking me in the ribs as I type this, is perfectly healthy. That may seem naively confident to some, but I think it's smart. It's smart because fear, worry, and mulling over what-if's never helped anyone's health.
If I would've been thinking, I would've also shared with DH the fact that I have read a little about level II ultrasounds and nuchal translucency tests and found that they are notorious for producing "false positive" results, which just propel the parents-to-be into a state of worry and uncertainty for the rest of the pregnancy. Yeah, that's really good for momma and baby's health.
Don't get me wrong, I know that there are instances when these tests can be helpful. But like I said, I am very pleased that things like that have not been a part of this pregnancy. This blessed pregnancy.
Oh and just for the record, I don't think 30-something is old :)....I was just thinking it might throw one into a different "risk" bracket in the world of obstetrics.
Me: "I guess we don't."
DH: "Oh."
Me: "How old is she?"
DH: "Who?"
Me: "________'s wife."
DH: "I dunno."
Me: "I'm not sure, but I thought that a level II ultrasound is usually only ordered when the woman is old....."old" being in her 30's. 'Cause when you're older, there's a higher chance of baby having Down's Syndrome or Trisomy something-er-other."
DH: "She's over 30"
This little conversation made me thankful for the way our pregnancy is going. It made me thankful that I haven't worried myself over stuff like this. I just KNOW like I know that water is wet that this little baby, who is all curled up inside me poking me in the ribs as I type this, is perfectly healthy. That may seem naively confident to some, but I think it's smart. It's smart because fear, worry, and mulling over what-if's never helped anyone's health.
If I would've been thinking, I would've also shared with DH the fact that I have read a little about level II ultrasounds and nuchal translucency tests and found that they are notorious for producing "false positive" results, which just propel the parents-to-be into a state of worry and uncertainty for the rest of the pregnancy. Yeah, that's really good for momma and baby's health.
Don't get me wrong, I know that there are instances when these tests can be helpful. But like I said, I am very pleased that things like that have not been a part of this pregnancy. This blessed pregnancy.
Oh and just for the record, I don't think 30-something is old :)....I was just thinking it might throw one into a different "risk" bracket in the world of obstetrics.
Labels: health
posted by Unkempt Mommy at 10:36 PM
5 Comments:
Hi there!
I go to church with "Well Mannered Frivolity" and "ShooFlyPie and Grits". I came to your blog from them because I thought the name was precious! I have been stalking - er, reading for a while and wanted to thank you for sharing your journey with us. I admire the approach you are taking.
I am an "OLD" mom.... ;) I gave birth to my first and only child at 41 years old. I did not get any of the tests reccomended. No amnio no nothin! I did have one ultrasound after giving in to peer and Grandma pressure but did not find out the sex of the baby.
My reasoning for no tests... God gave us this child and God will guide us no matter what. I too "knew" that our baby was healthy and had such a peace about it all. I agree with you. Why go though all those wonderful months with this little one growning inside, all the while worrying.....what a waste of precious time!
Sorry I got long winded. Just wanted to share a little of my story.
By the way, our little guy is happy, healthy and just turned 4 yrs old. What a hoot!!!
Thanks, Robin, for sharing about your pregnancy. It is a blessing and an encouragement to know that your sweet kiddo is happy and healthy.....truly a testament to God's goodness! Thanks for being a reader of my silly ramblings, too :)
When my mother-in-law was questioning why we didn't want to get an ultrasound, she said "What if the cord is wrapped around the baby's neck or something??" (she's a glass-is-half-empty kind of person)
I just replied with, "Well, I guess there could be a million things wrong. But I know in my heart that there's not."
I wish I would've thought to share with her about my friend who had a baby about a month ago. She had multiple ultrasounds (I know that it was way more than 4 or 5) and her baby was born with a "true knot" in his cord. The doc said it was so tight, it was a miracle that the baby was able to get a sufficient amount of blood and nutrients. The baby is perfectly healthy and I KNOW it's because of God's divine protection. His parents prayed the Word of God over him and spoke blessings over him throughout the pregnancy. They had faith that "God is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." They had faith that Jesus was telling the truth when He said, "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." (for some reason, it seems a lot of people have trouble taking Christ at His word on that)
So, the billions of ultrasounds didn't show the knot in the cord...and well, if it would have, all it would've had the potential to do is shake this couple's firm faith in the supernatural health of their baby. Nothing could've been done in-utero to remedy the problem and I don't doubt that it would've made labor and delivery much more stressfull to know there could be a potential problem.
Down with worry! :)
Yeah, we said no to all those tests (they were offered but I'm 26 and have no reasons to be high risk). I'd rather not worry myself. They wanted us to get a fetal echocardiogram because I had heart surgery as a baby- but what I had isn't hereditary anyway, so I thought it was just unneeded stress and we opted against that, too. Plus, I knew we would have the baby no matter what and love her anyway, so why worry.
Hello, my name is miranda. I have been reading your blog for a long time now, and I guess I will come out and make a comment now. :)
(I found it by reading sorlil's blog.)
Anyways, I am happy for ya, and love the baby clothes in the post. The clothes make me wonder if you are thinking its going to be a boy. lol ya never know I guess. :)
Robin's parents live across the street from me, and I always see her little boy pushing his own stroller as he walks up and down the street with his grandfather. Plus, he's been in my Sunday school class--so I can attest to his healthiness and happiness!
My twins were considered high risk just by the virtue of being multiples. The gazillion ultrasounds just added to my worry. And I'm sure Robin and Shawna "ShooFlyPie" Lee will agree with me that my boys are big, strapping, healthy little men, even though they were technically preemies at 35 weeks.
I so happy for you that you have such a peace from God. What a wonderful gift He has given you!
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