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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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I was referred because of abnormal proteins at my 12 week test. I was 38.
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Thanks everyone!
@shinymama: Do you remember what the additional tests were?
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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.
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@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.
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@shinymama: @MsLipGloss: Good info! Thanks, ladies!
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@MsLipGloss: Yes, that's correct, the amnio was also offered to us {and covered}, but I declined.
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@MsLipGloss: we did cvs because we could look for chromosomal abnormalities earlier.
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@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!
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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.
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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.
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@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).
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.
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@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.
I felt it was worth the minimal risk.
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I had no testing done, even though I have a brother with special needs and I would be 35 when I delivered.
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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.
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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.
@ShootingStar: Was the MaterniT21 test covered at all by insurance? I will ask my OB about it at my first visit!
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Congrats on your pregnancy!
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.
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.
It is fun to always get reminded of your age when you see your chart-- AMA. Awesome! -
@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.
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@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 :).
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@RLCeigh: In my head I always translated *AMA* as *Awesome Mama Alert!*
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@Dandelion: Mine covers it across the board for everyone, regardless of age.
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@RLCeigh: Thank you! Yay for extra ultrasounds!
@Dandelion: That's good to know about the possible insurance coverage.
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!
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@mslipgloss- I love that!
Sometimes I just wish it said 'OLD'. That would make me laugh
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'. -
@MsLipGloss: I love Awesome Mama Alert!
@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!
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@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.
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@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.
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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.
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