https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:55:51 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1158680 Fri, 18 Oct 2013 11:38:54 +0000 JoJoGirl 1158680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wasn't referred to a specialist, but also had the M21 test (yes it was covered by my insurance), so had a few appointments and ultrasounds at MFM for testing. After that was done (I think the NT scan was the last), I just continued on with my midwife practice as normal. I was 34 when we conceived, 35 when I delivered. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1158587 Fri, 18 Oct 2013 11:11:46 +0000 ShootingStar 1158587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kentuckygirl: We just really wanted to find out the gender ASAP, but I not at all thrilled with someone telling me I couldn't do it just because they said so. I think they like to insist on 12 weeks because if your due date is off and you're earlier than 10 weeks, the results aren't valid. So the extra 2 weeks gives them some buffer. And it probably won't be an issue for you with borderline results, but I was really happy we did it that way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1158561 Fri, 18 Oct 2013 11:03:44 +0000 kentuckygirl 1158561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@RLCeigh: Hopeful for you as you try for #2. I'll be in the same boat, hoping for #2 and, if blessed, probably delivering at 40. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1158557 Fri, 18 Oct 2013 11:01:57 +0000 kentuckygirl 1158557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: I love Awesome Mama Alert! :heart: </p> <p>@ShootingStar: That is great advice to get it done early. I do think I will request the test be done prior to the NT scan! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1158556 Fri, 18 Oct 2013 11:01:56 +0000 RLCeigh 1158556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mslipgloss- I love that!<br /> Sometimes I just wish it said 'OLD'. That would make me laugh :)<br /> We are trying for number 2 (its not going so well) but if we are blessed with a second pregancy, I'll be 40 (eeeekkk!) when I deliver so I imagine I may be 'Really AMA'. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1158549 Fri, 18 Oct 2013 10:58:23 +0000 kentuckygirl 1158549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@RLCeigh: Thank you! Yay for extra ultrasounds!</p> <p>@Dandelion: That's good to know about the possible insurance coverage. </p> <p>I have been doing Internet searches about the tests and what they each evaluate. Please feel free to share any books, websites, etc. that you found helpful on this issue! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1158547 Fri, 18 Oct 2013 10:58:05 +0000 ShootingStar 1158547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dandelion: Mine covers it across the board for everyone, regardless of age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1158545 Fri, 18 Oct 2013 10:57:13 +0000 MsLipGloss 1158545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@RLCeigh: In my head I always translated *AMA* as *Awesome Mama Alert!* :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1158542 Fri, 18 Oct 2013 10:56:38 +0000 ShootingStar 1158542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kentuckygirl: Yes it was :). And FYI, I was really happy that I pushed for it early, which they kind of gave me an attitude about. You can have it done any time after 10 weeks, but my hospital does it at 12. I argued to have it done earlier, and they begrudgingly let me (but they weren't happy about it and if I wasn't sure of my O date they might not have let me). The results came back fine at 11 weeks and we found out the gender :D). And when I went for my NT scan at 12 weeks the MFM specialist actually told me that they were having trouble getting a measurement on the back of his neck, and the measurement was borderline (which can indicate Down's). If I hadn't already had my MT21 results, they would've been concerned. I would've been freaking out for days, waiting for the results. But since we already had them, there was no need to worry :). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1158537 Fri, 18 Oct 2013 10:54:25 +0000 Dandelion 1158537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kentuckygirl: I'm not over 35, but my OB offers the maternity21 test to all patients, but insurance only covers it if you're over 35. You can call your insurance and ask, but I think that's across the board. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1158536 Fri, 18 Oct 2013 10:54:14 +0000 RLCeigh 1158536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats on your pregnancy!<br /> I have a 26 month old and I'm 39 now--- so I was coded as Advanced Maternal Age. I did get extra ultrasounds (every 6 weeks) but at the end of my pregnancy my mid-wife said I could have opted out?? But I enjoyed seeing the little guy and the peace of mind.<br /> I also had the genetic testing and met with a counselor but I don't think I had other special tests due to my age.<br /> It is fun to always get reminded of your age when you see your chart-- AMA. Awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1158521 Fri, 18 Oct 2013 10:47:45 +0000 kentuckygirl 1158521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all so much for sharing your expereinces!!! I fully support each of your decisions and it will certainly help us weigh our options.</p> <p>@ShootingStar: Was the MaterniT21 test covered at all by insurance? I will ask my OB about it at my first visit! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1158499 Fri, 18 Oct 2013 10:39:47 +0000 ShootingStar 1158499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got pregnant a few days before turning 35. I did not automatically have to see a MFM specialist, but I did choose to have a MaterniT21 test and NT scan. I would do the MT21 test first, and then see if there's a cause for concern that would lead to a CVS or amnio. I am considered "Advanced Maternal Age" and that (together with having GD) plays into the decision to not let the baby go more than a few days past my due date. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1158496 Fri, 18 Oct 2013 10:37:47 +0000 looch 1158496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had no testing done, even though I have a brother with special needs and I would be 35 when I delivered. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1158488 Fri, 18 Oct 2013 10:34:39 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1158488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kentuckygirl: you can read the published risks, but if you go to a provider who does tons of them and is an expert the risks will be much lower than published.</p> <p>I felt it was worth the minimal risk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1158486 Fri, 18 Oct 2013 10:34:21 +0000 MsLipGloss 1158486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kentuckygirl: I think I was told the risk was right around 1-2% (the risk for the amnio was slightly less than for the cvs, although I think that is determined by the skill of the practitioner performing the procedure, and amnios have been around a lot longer (so docs have performed more of them)). But you can do a cvs several weeks before an amnio (I think) . . . if I had had the choice, I would have opted for the cvs (just so the testing could have been performed earlier). </p> <p>In any other situation, those numbers wouldn't be any reason for me to hold off on something, but with a baby, it's totally different. For me, the risk was minimal enough that the benefits outweighed the risks. It alleviated a lot of anxiety for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1158476 Fri, 18 Oct 2013 10:29:51 +0000 littlek 1158476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a CVS test, I was under 35 during my pregnancy. It was pretty much painless. I had one day of bed rest. If I have test results that come back with high chances of chromosomal abnormalities, I will definitely get a CVS test again. The doctor who did mine is a specialist and was very highly recomended. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1158470 Fri, 18 Oct 2013 10:26:58 +0000 kentuckygirl 1158470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have read that both CVS and amnio create a slight risk for MC. Do any of you know much about that likelihood? After all we have been through to get PG, I am very cautious about MC risks. I really want to weigh having either of those tests vs. the MC risk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1157582 Thu, 17 Oct 2013 21:22:49 +0000 MsLipGloss 1157582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: I would have preferred a cvs, but I would have had to be referred out for it. If we try for a second, it's definitely the route I would like to go! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1157578 Thu, 17 Oct 2013 21:20:42 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1157578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: we did cvs because we could look for chromosomal abnormalities earlier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1157573 Thu, 17 Oct 2013 21:17:42 +0000 shinymama 1157573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: Yes, that's correct, the amnio was also offered to us {and covered}, but I declined. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1157571 Thu, 17 Oct 2013 21:16:36 +0000 kentuckygirl 1157571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shinymama: @MsLipGloss: Good info! Thanks, ladies! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1157568 Thu, 17 Oct 2013 21:15:03 +0000 MsLipGloss 1157568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kentuckygirl: @shinymama: we did those tests too (series (panel) of blood tests and an NT scan (u/s at 14 weeks), and I did an amnio as well (at 16 weeks). The amnio was my choice, but because I was over 35, it was a covered procedure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1157561 Thu, 17 Oct 2013 21:13:04 +0000 shinymama 1157561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think they were tests to determine any genetic disorders that I might be predisposed to or that could be present. I also remember a series that involved meeting with a counselor, an ultrasound, and blood work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1157541 Thu, 17 Oct 2013 21:08:08 +0000 kentuckygirl 1157541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! </p> <p>@shinymama: Do you remember what the additional tests were? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1157486 Thu, 17 Oct 2013 20:57:50 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1157486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was referred because of abnormal proteins at my 12 week test. I was 38. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1157484 Thu, 17 Oct 2013 20:57:28 +0000 MamaBehr 1157484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a friend who turned 40 right at the beginning of her current pregnancy, and she is seeing the same OB/GYN as I am. She had to do some more tests, but that's about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1157482 Thu, 17 Oct 2013 20:56:47 +0000 MsLipGloss 1157482@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope - I was not automatically referred (got the BFP at 36 and delivered at 37). I even had a few complications and did not have a MFM specialist. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1157475 Thu, 17 Oct 2013 20:55:19 +0000 shinymama 1157475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I turned 35 midway through, and was seen by my original OB throughout, but was considered "Advanced Maternal Age" and had to have extra tests. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-35-mean-automatic-referral-to-specialist#post-1157457 Thu, 17 Oct 2013 20:51:08 +0000 kentuckygirl 1157457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will be 38 next week and am pregnant with my first child, via IVF. Do you think I will automatically be referred to a MFM specialist? If you were over 35, were you referred? What were those visits like? How often did you go? Did you have more ultrasounds? Thanks! </p>