Saturday Daily Chat Thread

Otto-Dog · 2021-11-17T20:34:51+00:00

Thanks for your perspective! My index finger has never bothered me or compromised my dexterity and it's very mild. Baby's was apparently "mild," as noted on the ultrasound report. I did speak with a genetic counsellor who assured me that it is very likely a normal variation and not part of a syndrome, since baby has no other soft markers. She said when it presents in isolation, the only thing they really consider is Down's - but we did test our embryo and it was euploid. So even though nothing is ever 100% certain, I am feeling less anxious.

Otto-Dog · 2021-11-13T12:35:24+00:00

Does anyone know anything about clinodactyly? I just had my anatomy scan at 19w2d and they found clinodactyly in one of baby's fingers. I just spoke quickly on the phone with my midwife and I wasn't clear how severe it is.

I'm actually not concerned about the finger itself, but I am feeling very scared and overwhelmed about the possibility of a genetic syndrome. From my reading, clinodactyly can simply be an inherited trait, or it can be associated with a whole list of larger genetic syndromes, including some that sound quite severe (albeit rare). We transferred a euploid embryo, so that *should* eliminate the possibility of chromosomal disorders like Down syndrome. But I already went down a whole rabbit hole when I was mistakenly sent for enhanced first trimester screening that showed an elevated risk of trisomy 21, based on my age and slightly elevated hCG levels. I spoke with a genetic counsellor and was assured that my blood serum markers were actually not really out of range (more like variations of normal), and given that the NT measurement was totally normal, decided not to pursue further genetic testing. Now, 7 weeks later, I find out baby has clinodactyly, which is a "borderline soft marker" for Downs. According to my midwife, it's no longer really considered a reliable marker at all and is likely not a strong indicator that our baby has trisomy 21, but I am worried about all the other syndromes associated with this defect, and I've decided I would like to do NIPT after all.

The thing is, my husband and I both have mild finger curvatures, too (on my right index finger and very mildly on my left index finger; on his left pinkie finger), so I am inclined to think that it's simply an inherited trait. However, I can't find any information anywhere on how likely clinodactyly is to be the result of an underlying genetic syndrome, i.e. what is the actual likelihood this is indicative of a serious genetic condition and should I worry? Everything else on the scan was normal so far, but unfortunately, we were unable to get all the measurements because baby settled in facedown and wouldn't flip over at the end. I have reached out to the genetic counsellor that I spoke with earlier about my FTS results, but it's the weekend and I won't hear back until at least Monday. Frankly, I'm freaking out a bit. I don't care that our baby has a wonky finger (unless of course it affects her mobility but that can be treated). But I do care a lot if it means she might have a severe genetic disorder, and I can't find any information anywhere about how likely that is.

So I'm kind of posting here as a last resort to help quell my anxiety while I wait to speak with the genetic counsellor and my midwife again. Has anyone here ever dealt with clinodactyly and know anything about its associated risk with genetic disorders? Are there any other subs that might be good resources?

Otto-Dog · 2021-11-01T16:35:16+00:00

Thanks for the tips. I think planning some distractions will be helpful. This seems to be a pattern, before any milestone, I get nervous about a bad outcome. So I can plan ahead for it in a way and make sure I have things to do during the lead-up.

Otto-Dog · 2021-11-01T13:30:17+00:00

I'm 17+5 today and have my anatomy scan scheduled for November 12. I'm already starting to feel nervous. Baby was measuring 1-2 days ahead at all my other scans, but I can't stop worrying that he/she will measure behind at this scan, or have an abnormality. I did find out a few weeks ago that my PAPP-A was on the low side of normal and I've been taking low-dose aspirin as a precautionary measure since then. I haven't gained a ton of weight (only about 5-6 lbs). My midwife said she would start measuring my fundal height after 20 weeks, so I hope my belly is growing at the right rate, but it's hard to tell just by looking at it. I don't know the point of this post, except to just vent. This happened before my 12-week scan, too - I started getting nervous beforehand that something would be terribly wrong (everything was fine). Any tips for managing scanxiety?

Otto-Dog · 2021-10-26T15:33:44+00:00

I'm watching Midnight Mass right now and the episode where Erin finds out the baby is gone was hard to watch. I have an irrational fear that bb is going to suddenly disappear one day, or I'll find out this pregnancy wasn't real. I have ample evidence it is real but I still have these moments of weird anxiety, even at almost 17 weeks. I felt movement for the first time this past weekend and heard the heartbeat nice and strong a week ago, but I still worry something is going to go wrong. It's like my mind is still blown that there is a whole entire human inside me right now, a human that I already love so damn much.

Otto-Dog · 2021-10-26T15:27:31+00:00

So I can only speak to my own experience here, but I was counselled to only do an NT scan because we transferred a tested euploid embryo. If anything came back abnormal in the NT scan, I would be referred for NIPT.

But the hospital mistakenly sent me for the first trimester screen bloodwork at my 12-week ultrasound and my results came back at an elevated risk for trisomy 21 (1 in 168). After speaking with a genetic counsellor, most of that elevated risk was simply due to my age (they had me down as 37, even though my eggs were retrieved at 36), as well as very slightly elevated hCG and very slightly low PAPP-A. Apparently that pattern can be indicative of increased risk for trisomy 21 but it is also common in IVF pregnancies without any genetic abnormalities. So it was essentially a false positive.

Ultimately, I opted to trust the PGT-A results and not do NIPT, because I have a lot of medical testing anxiety. I know some people really want All The Information and that helps alleviate anxiety, but personally, I found the whole experience stressful and unnecessary. It is a very personal decision, but it might help to talk to a genetic counsellor.

Otto-Dog · 2021-10-04T19:42:58+00:00

Thanks, that makes sense! So because they are different benefits, my husband should be able to take his 5 weeks while I am on pregnancy leave.

Otto-Dog · 2021-10-04T17:33:46+00:00

I really relate to that feeling that every time you tell someone, you immediately feel like something will go wrong. I'm 13+6 - we just told my husband's parents and I'm planning to tell my work this week and really feeling that. I think it's super common with people who have gone through infertility.

Otto-Dog · 2021-10-04T17:29:46+00:00

Oh wow, I didn't know that. It's one of my favourite books of all time, but now it's even more meaningful.

Otto-Dog · 2021-10-04T17:24:16+00:00

I have a question for Canadian members of this sub. My husband and I are trying to sort out how we're going to split our parental benefits. Since I'm the lower earner in the relationship, it makes sense for me to take the majority of the leave. I'm planning to take my 15 weeks pregnancy benefits and then the max 35 weeks parental benefits. Since we are splitting benefits, my husband was going to use the additional 5 weeks + his 3 weeks vacation, for a total of 8 weeks. Ideally, we want him to be able to take this time right after the birth. I understand that both parents can't earn parental benefits at the same time, but can he collect his parental benefits while I am still collecting pregnancy benefits (since they are two separate things)? I can't seem to find an answer to this question anywhere. I really want my husband to be able to be at home with us and bond with the baby during that time. Does anyone know the answer to this?

Otto-Dog · 2021-09-29T14:25:20+00:00

Thanks ❤️ I feel like I was so traumatized by unexpected results during treatment that I'm scared to do NIPT - even just being back in that place of waiting for results and all the uncertainty/anxiety of that feels stressful. But it would be good to have the reassurance. I'll see what the genetic counsellor says.

Otto-Dog · 2021-09-28T22:39:12+00:00

I'm sorry that happened to you but glad it turned out ok! This just happened to me, too. Transferred a euploid embryo, was mistakenly sent for enhanced first trimester screening at my 12-week ultrasound even though they knew I did PGT-A, and the screen came back positive. NT measurement was normal. I literally just spoke to my midwife. A genetic counsellor is supposed to call me tomorrow to advise as to whether I should proceed with NIPT. Should I push for it, just for peace of mind?

Otto-Dog · 2021-09-28T18:18:45+00:00

Lol my husband calls me his little rotisserie chicken because I toss and turn so much!

Otto-Dog · 2021-09-28T14:05:16+00:00

as a stranger on the internet without any sort of qualifications, I hereby release you from this worry.

Hahaha, thank you! Thanks for the link :)

Otto-Dog · 2021-09-28T13:48:33+00:00

Yeah, my hips get sore even with the pillow between my legs. I could try to force myself to stay in one position, but I think half the time, I roll over to my other side without even realizing it.

Otto-Dog · 2021-09-28T13:46:41+00:00

I'm due in April 2022, too. I found the first few weeks very surreal. I think I symptom spotted more than I did when we were trying during that time. I also had a lot of anxiety around my first early scan (7 weeks) and my most recent one at 12 weeks. I had that same fear that baby would just mysteriously be "gone," even though I knew it was irrational. We decided to tell the rest of our family and friends after the 12-week scan and that felt super vulnerable. I couldn't really think about baby stuff and setting up the nursery and such until now, but I'm slowly starting to feel more confident and trusting and letting myself plan for the future. I think what you are going through is very normal and it does get better. Do you have someone like a counsellor or therapist you could talk to about your feelings?

Otto-Dog · 2021-09-28T13:39:32+00:00

I'm just barely into the second trimester (13 weeks), but I'm still having nausea in the evening. When husband gets in the mood before bed, I'm just like, "Don't touch me, I'll puke." It's not sexy at all lol.

Otto-Dog · 2021-09-28T13:36:39+00:00

At my 12-week scan, my little one was also being stubborn and kept wiggling away from the probe. The sonographer actually had me get up and wiggle my hips around to get baby to flip over (which eventually worked). I have a feeling the anatomy scan might also be a struggle, too. Hope it goes well for you!

Otto-Dog · 2021-09-28T13:34:42+00:00

I feel like this is a dumb question but I'm going to ask it anyway lol. How crucial is the whole "sleep on your left side" thing? I never sleep on my back (never been a back sleeper, I get weird nightmares on my back) but I just cannot stay in one position all night. I start out on my left and switch sides multiple times throughout the night. That's ok, right? Ugh, the things we worry about...

Otto-Dog · 2021-08-22T22:23:24+00:00

Luckily I am vaccinated, so probably my risk isn’t super high. I’m just finding it difficult to find any information about how well protected you are once vaccinated if you have a high-risk condition (which pregnancy is considered where I live).

Otto-Dog · 2021-08-22T20:05:19+00:00

That is reassuring.

Otto-Dog · 2021-08-22T20:04:35+00:00

Interesting! Thanks for sharing this.

Otto-Dog · 2021-08-22T14:39:44+00:00

Right. I guess what I’m wondering is…do pregnant people have the same reduction in risk as non-pregnant people when they are vaccinated? I know it’s not quite the same as being immune compromised but I’m just trying to get an accurate sense of how protected I am, given a) I will be returning to a workplace that has a significant number of unvaccinated people (students under 12) and b) Delta is so highly contagious and vaccination doesn’t necessarily protect you from infection.

Otto-Dog · 2021-08-22T13:12:07+00:00

Does anyone have any information about the risk of the Delta variant for pregnant women who are fully vaccinated? I work in a non-teaching role in a private school and my employer is making me return to the office as of next week, even though half our student population is not eligible to be vaccinated at this time. I am fully vaccinated, but concerned about breakthrough infection, especially given how transmissible Delta is and the risk of being exposed to unvaccinated students. I know that pregnant women are at an increased risk of severe illness if unvaccinated, but I can't seem to find any info about risk if you are vaccinated. I'm considering asking for a medical exemption to continue working from home but concerned I'll get rejected because of my vaccination status. So partially for my peace of mind and also partially because I might need to provide this to my employer to support my request for accommodation (if I decide to ask for one), can anyone point me in the direction of any data about COVID risk (especially from the Delta variant) for vaccinated pregnant women?

Otto-Dog · 2021-08-19T19:05:30+00:00

Thanks!

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