I knew when I had learned that bub had died that I wanted more answers. I wanted genetic testing to rule out any chromosomal defects and also to know bubs gender. Well after I gave birth we discovered bub was a boy and I would be totally shocked if the genetics told me any different.
Knowing that bub is a boy is very stressful! When I learned that bub had died I hope he was a girl... not because I would miss him less or love him less, but because I have this underlying fear that I just can't carry boys. Now this fear is a huge paranoia and I can't shake it
My brother (I have 3 older sisters and a younger brother) was born with a very mild case of spina bifida (a neural tube defect). When I had my first u/s at the hospital the ob pointed out that the bones in Banjo's skull had not joined properly at the back. She noted that it could be due to baby collapsing also. She noted "??encephalacele??" on the u/s request form (for if I didn't m/c)... this also is a neural tube defect. I was taking folate to help prevent any thing like this.
The Ob told me that the results for the testing (if they get the cells to grow) would take about 6 weeks... I hope I can wait that long.
Has anyone else opt for genetic testing after m/c? How long did the results take to come back?
Oh sweetie... I am so sorry you're going through this.
Unfortunately for me they couldn't get any cells to grow for genetic testing and the autopsy results only showed what we already knew about Noah.
We did opt for genetic counselling and got a referral for it, but ended up falling pregnant with Harrison before we could make the appointment.
I will keep my fingers crossed that you will get the answers you need, and that what happened with Banjo was unfortunate, but a one off thing, like I was told was what happened to Noah.
Huge, squishy hugs sweetie
Oh hun the waiting is the hardest part. We already knew from our amnio that Emmanuel had Trisomy 13 so didn't need genetic testing but we saw a genetic counsellor who reassured us that it was highly unlikely we would have another baby with Trisomy 13 and we went on to have a healthy girl. I really feel for you the unknown is just awful. I hope you receive your answers soon and can be reassured. All the best.
Tanya... Wish I could hug you and hold you in person. I understand very well how you feel - it sucks and it's bloody hard...
Firstly it takes 4-6 weeks to grow these results - nothing can accelerate this - it is all done in a petrie dish and it takes time. Unfortunately if nothing grows then it will be inconclusive.
I need to say that it is highly highly unlikely that this has happened becuase you can't carry boys. There is a very very rare condition that can cause this - so rare that even me with my photographic memory can't remember the name of it! It's rare. I know that colloquially we hear of Great Aunt Edna not being able to have boys etc etc. But medically I know this not to be the case usually. It's not that simple.
I know that Banjo's pregnancy was a surprise. Were you on folate prior to conception? If so what doseage? You have had multiple pregnancies which utilise a significant amount of your folate stores. Folate is required prior to conception to be most effective - this is why all women of reproductive age are advised to take it all the time. So it's possible that you did not have that cover. Neural Tube Defects are preventable around 92% of the time with folate consumption prior to conception. Sometimes there is an interruption to the development very early on and this can cause a NTD.
I know this is going to sound empty and not helpful - but sometimes there is just no reason. Without knowing the whole story - it sounds like Banjo may have had ancephaly which is incompatable with life. This happens and it would not matter if he was a little boy or a little girl. It just tragically happens.
I recommend that you begin on megafol wich is 5mgs of folate - this needs to be taken with b12. Spirulina and some floradix would also be highly recommended. Your body has been through a lot and needs to be nurtured inside and out.
I was unable to have genetic testing on my little boy - he too was clearly a little boy but they couldn't grow any cells. We did know that both my daughters were genetically fine.
Neural Tube Defects will not show up on the chromosomal analysis. So this is something that you may never know...
Just know you are constantly in my thoughts and prayers...
Deb, I think at the moment you are my guardian angel!
I was taking fotate... it was included in an iron sup I was taking... it possibly wasn't enough though... not sure what the dosage was. As soon as it sunk in that I was going to have another baby I went and got a real folate sup, which like you say may have been too late.
I have a Dr appointment tomorrow, I will discuss all of this then...
Begining to stress about the results
Reply With Quote
Wish I could hug you and hold you in person. I understand very well how you feel - it sucks and it's bloody hard... 
It's rare. I know that colloquially we hear of Great Aunt Edna not being able to have boys etc etc. But medically I know this not to be the case usually. It's not that simple.
Bookmarks