Triple Marker Test Chaos

Ohhh now this was something unexpected and close to devastating ( though everything is fine now) which I feel only happened with me.... My last week since I got my Triple Marker Test done was so stressful that I dont know how to put it in words.

Lets start it from the beginning

On my last meet with my Doctor I was prescribed to do the tests I have mentioned in my last post. Out of them one was a Triple Marker Test. Now this is a screening test performed between 15th week to 18th week to check if the child you are bearing is suffering from Down Syndrome (Also called 21 Trisomy) or Edward Syndrome (Also called 18 Trisomy).

Down Syndrome or 21 Trisomy in child leads to Mental Retardation (Mild to Severe)

and Edward Syndrome or 18 Trisomy in child leads to Kidney malformations, Structural heart defects, developmental delays or malformed body parts.

Due to my doctors lack of knowledge or may be unalertness she asked to perform the test in my 13th week of pregnancy. But my dignostic center ( Path Lab) refused for a test at that stage as it was too early for me to go through that test and asked me to come a week later.

Now the test was performed on me when I completed 14 weeks and was running in 15th week ( Still not complete 15 weeks prego).

And the result that came was shocking..... the results showed a high risk of down syndrome as my UE3 an important part of triple marker test was low from the reference range.

I was shattered when I saw the reports... though I could understand very little from it but could make out that something is wrong.

Next day early morning I was at my gynecologist's clinic to know if everything is fine... and after looking at the reports with a sorry face she asked me to consult a Fetal Specialist to understand the report better and take her advice on if I should go from Amniocentesis. I left her cabin crying and asking God that why me that too with my first child.

Next day I was at the Fetal Specialist's clinic with my reports. After looking at my reports she said that I am not happy with the fact that you got your test done at such an early stage. as per her 14 weeks 3 days gestation date results are not accurate.... Well she gave us a ray of hope and asked me to repeat the test by the end of 15th week or beginning of 16th week. She also did an ultrasound to check the neck thickness and nasal bone size... which as per her were normal. (Children with down syndrome have a thick neck and smaller nasal bone.) I was relieved to some extent after meeting her and decided to think positive and happy till I get my repeat Triple Marker Test....

I got it done again when I was 16weeks 3 days pregnant and by GOD's GRACE It screened Negative. Today Morning I showed my results to the fetal specialist and she said the figures are now correct and no need to worry as everything is fine with your kid. :) Still she has prescribed me to get a Level 2 Scan at the 20th week. She reassured us that though everything is fine and the Scan 2 is not a necessity but there is no harm in being sure that everything is fine with your little one. :)

Now I have decided to quit consulting my previous gynecologist as when I informed her that the time she prescribed me was too early for a test she was not ready to accept it. Anyways I hope this will be useful for you readers...

In my 2nd Trimester

I have successfully completed 3 months of my pregnancy.... In this section of Blog I would like to mention about the tests I went through after second month and third month....

After Second Month I was asked to get

Urine Test - Rs. 90

Thyroid Test ( I was a thyroid patient since October 2008)

Blood Test

VDRL

HIV

BS

Rubella

and a regular Ultra Sound - Rs.550

After Third Month I was asked to get

Urine Test - Rs.90

Thyroid Test - Rs. 750

Thyroid Antibody Test - Rs. 1850

NT/NB UltraSound - Rs. 1100

and Triple Marker Test (This one happens after 16th week or when you are in your 15th Week) - Rs. 1620

Also a thing worth highlighting is that i lost 4 kgs by now instead of gaining.

Rest I am feeling perfectly alright.... I still sleep at least 2-3 hours during the day but I feel thats because i get up early in the morning around 5:30. :)

Mine Is an Easy One

Its really hard for me to digest that I am few of those lucky ones who are experience no symptoms at all. I am in 9th Week of my pregnancy and have already completed 2 Milestones (Months). I do experience little sorness in boobs and sleepy all the time... but apart from that NOTHING. No nausea, no constipation and NO DISCOMFORT of any sort.

Last week when I was in my 8th week I went to see a doctor (She asked me to see her after 2 months completion) I went through an ultrasound also in which I first time saw my baby... It more of looked like a Kidney Bean ;-) It was indeed a different feeling to see a live embryo inside you. I saw it in the print form where as my Husband saw it moving on the ultrasound screen. It was indeed a cherishing moment for him.

I relayed my concern of not feeling pregnant as I don't have any symptoms to my doctor and she found my concern amusing.

As per her its not at all necessary that every women will feel the same pregnancy symptoms in fact she made me believe that I am lucky one to feel so great when I am pregnant.

Now my next appointment with her is in the month of December, when I will complete my First Trimester.... I am thrilled and excited and would admit that I often pull out my first ULTRASOUND and see my baby again and again his first photo and his first look... the bonding has begun :D

First Signs Of Pregnancy

While writing this blog I must mention I am in the 7th Week of my pregnancy... next week I will be two months pregnant... And till now I have experienced No Symptoms at all.

Anticipation of pregnancy got me all the early pregnancy symptoms but at the time am really pregnant nothing is there.

In the beginning of October around 2nd or 3rd I remember experiencing a blackout when I suddenly got out of the bed... then on 7th of October (It was a Karvachauth Day - When Indian Women Fast for their Husbands) I experienced a severe lower abdominal pain and cramps which I felt where due to approaching menstrual cycle. But when I was past 3 days of my expected period and last months period date, I went in for a Pregnancy Test which was POSITIVE. And then I went in for my first prenatal appointment.

I waited for two weeks to write this part of my blog so that I could update things about my early pregnancy symptoms. But to my surprise I have none till now......

Its just that I experience sore breasts every morning when I get up and I have started sleeping a lot almost 16 hours in a day. Now thats due to fatigue I really can't say but I have definitely become a sleep lover.

I admit that this symptom-less-pregnancy do put me in worry sometimes and make me think if there is really something. But I keep my cool by reading about people sailing with me in the same boat. Also "Every Pregnancy Is Different" you must have read it several times till now but you really need to experience it to believe it.

Trying To Conceive Days

By the time we decided to get the third person in our life we were two years married. Excitement and desire to be a mom and dad was at peak. We started TTC from December which is also our anniversary month . But I would do mention we started officially in December (Without Any Protection) and practically from May (We started following Ovulation charts and all). Every time since then a regular menstrual cycle was a big heart breaker. :(

But I personally feel that was also important.... as it made me more strong and willing during the trying months and really happy and at top of the world when I finally conceived. :)

If we count it from December till October its almost 10 or 11 long months time.... Its just patience and try till you die attitude that keeps you going in this situation.

I remember going to a gynecologist in mid of these 11 months to inquire if there is a way to expedite the things with the help of medical advances... She smiled at my stupid question and told me that I just need to follow the Fertile Period Charts strictly and sooner or later it will happen... "GOD's Timing - Is the key to success and remain strong during your TTC period "

Though I had a fix 27 days menstrual cycle but it started fluctuating a lot and two months before I conceived it became 30 days.

During those TTC days several months I felt pregnant before I missed my period as I had all the pregnancy symptoms nausea, dizziness, back ache, breast soreness etc . But every time periods came sooner or later. So don't put high hopes until you miss your periods for at least 3 days...

One more thing that I would like to stress on from my personal experience is... Do follow ovulation calenders available on several sites but don't restrict your love making to those 4 or 5 days .... instead make love every two days as the ovulation may or may not occur as per shown in the calender.

So that was my Story of TTC........... more to come so hang on....

First Note from a To-Be-MOM

My present state of mind is very hard to explain - fear/stress/tension/anticipation I guess are enough to say it all.

I always promised myself that I am gonna start blogging the day I will be declared 'PREGNANT' so that I can Tell my story to all those contemplating, trying and dying to conceive mothers....

And here I go :D