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#2
05-25-2007, 09:28 AM
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Re: There is going to be a Baby Tall!! (Future and current Dad\'s thre
[ QUOTE ]
On a serious note, does anyone have any thoughts on testing the baby for Genetic/Birth Defects and the whatnot. I have heard it was possible, but I don't really have any more info that that. Can anyone shed some light on that sort of thing? Never thought I would be posting in a thread like this. This board is now like the 8th person to know. LOL, I need more friends... C-Dog [/ QUOTE ] I am not a doctor, but went through a [censored] of testing when my wife was pregnant. If your wife is over 35, they've probably recommend she have an amnio, which involves actually drawing some amniotic fluid out of her and testing it. The results from amnios are pretty definitive, but there is SOME risk involved with the procedure. I think over the age of 35 the risk of birth defects, etc, exceeds the risk from the amnio so they go ahead with it. My wife and I both have lots of funky health issues so we met with a geneticist and were tested for a bunch of stuff. If you and your wife are from the same ethnic background/area of the world originally, especially Jews from Eastern Europe, I think there's some higher risk. Talk to her OB. If she's under 35 and you both have no history of genetic disorders I think there are some simple blood tests they can do that will reduce the likelihood of birth defects to a really small number. And congratulations! 
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#3
05-25-2007, 09:58 AM
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Re: There is going to be a Baby Tall!! (Future and current Dad\'s thre
A great gift to get is a baby wipe warmer too. It makes it more comfortable for baby.
We bought a Baby Einstein playmat and now that Sofi is 6 weeks old she'll lay under the lights and music for an hour or more without fussing. At about 6 weeks old, even an hour for yourself to do dishes or catch up on some laundry is invaluable.
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#4
05-25-2007, 07:51 PM
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Re: There is going to be a Baby Tall!! (Future and current Dad\'s thre
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ] On a serious note, does anyone have any thoughts on testing the baby for Genetic/Birth Defects and the whatnot. I have heard it was possible, but I don't really have any more info that that. Can anyone shed some light on that sort of thing? Never thought I would be posting in a thread like this. This board is now like the 8th person to know. LOL, I need more friends... C-Dog [/ QUOTE ] I am not a doctor, but went through a [censored] of testing when my wife was pregnant. If your wife is over 35, they've probably recommend she have an amnio, which involves actually drawing some amniotic fluid out of her and testing it. The results from amnios are pretty definitive, but there is SOME risk involved with the procedure. I think over the age of 35 the risk of birth defects, etc, exceeds the risk from the amnio so they go ahead with it. My wife and I both have lots of funky health issues so we met with a geneticist and were tested for a bunch of stuff. If you and your wife are from the same ethnic background/area of the world originally, especially Jews from Eastern Europe, I think there's some higher risk. Talk to her OB. If she's under 35 and you both have no history of genetic disorders I think there are some simple blood tests they can do that will reduce the likelihood of birth defects to a really small number. And congratulations! [/ QUOTE ] They have some blood tests for Down's syndrome, and can pick up stuff on the ultra-sound (especially the second one). If they need to be sure of something they do an Amnio or a fetal biopsy, but there is always a small chance (about .5%) of these procedures triggering a miscarriage, so usually only done if there are some other strong indicators that something may be wrong.
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#5
05-26-2007, 10:54 AM
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Re: There is going to be a Baby Tall!! (Future and current Dad\'s thre
Regarding tests such as the triple screen, I rejected them all the first time and again this second time around. (BTW, just 3 weeks to go.) I should note however that I have none of the risk factors that would increase the probability of a positive result on the triple screen and young enough where amnio is not an issue.
Have a conversation with Michelle about this. The bloodtests aren't instrusive like an amnio, BUT they are notorious for false positives. I have many friends who had multiple positive tests only to birth children completely free of genetic abnormalities. The stress of fearing the worst was hard for them. My husband and I decided in advance that we weren't going to abort regardless of the outcome of the testing, and we would have plenty of time after birth to educate ourselves should our child be born with abnormalities. In addition, when we refused the triple screen our doctor ordered a level 2 ultrasound. This more detailed ultrashound will detect many abnormalities that are treatable as well as gross malformations, etc. The triple screen test, etc. is considered completely routine, but there are reasons for avoiding it. I just wanted to mention there are some who decline it.
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#6
05-30-2007, 03:47 PM
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Re: There is going to be a Baby Tall!! (Future and current Dad\'s thre
[ QUOTE ]
On a serious note, does anyone have any thoughts on testing the baby for Genetic/Birth Defects and the whatnot. I have heard it was possible, but I don't really have any more info that that. Can anyone shed some light on that sort of thing? [/ QUOTE ] Those tests are (IMHO) a joke. The non-amnio tests basically give you odds that your baby has a disorder. But these aren't odds you're going to hit your flush draw. They're 80-1, or 150-1, or 300-1, or 500-1. What kind of decision am I supposed to make with that information? The amnio is only good for detecting Downs. Sure, it can detect other deformities, but those deformities are either unsurvivable or relatively benign. Do you even want to know if your baby will be sterile or short? What decision will you make? So my point is that you shouldn't stress about having these tests. Your baby is almost assuredly fine. But a little prayer never hurts.
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#8
05-25-2007, 09:19 AM
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Re: There is going to be a Baby Tall!! (Future and current Dad\'s thre
Congratulations, Joe. It really is all that people make it out to be.
My advice is a little more utilitarian. If your baby has reflux, which is VERY likely these days, don't let your doctor talk you into any boutique or high-priced formula before you try this:  This stuff has been on the market for years and years, and it was the only thing my kid could take that didn't have him spitting up and choking 24/7. Same goes for 3 friends of mine that decided to heed my advice. It's (comparatively) inexpensive, and it works. Hope everything goes well for you.
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#9
05-25-2007, 03:58 AM
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Re: There is going to be a Baby Tall!! (Future and current Dad\'s thread)
Hey Joe - congrats!
Isn't it neat how human beings can just adapt? If I have any regrets it was spending time wondering if I was "ready" - we are all born ready. The best advice we got was that if people want to come over in the first two weeks, they are coming to wash dishes or do laundry, not play with the baby or talk to Mom. She'll need you to protect her.
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#10
05-25-2007, 10:18 AM
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Re: There is going to be a Baby Tall!! (Future and current Dad\'s thread)
Joe,
congrats! i am nowhere near being a father, but i do have two points of advice from being a son and friends of parents: 1) start a savings account for your kid now if you have the recourse. it can be for college or hopefully by the time he/she is ready, a whole lot more in addition. 2) baby einstein. a lot of those CDs i think have a ton of mozart and beethoven. in addition though, i've heard that rhythm and counterpoint are good so if there isn't any bach on there, get his inventions. if you do the above, you should have a smart, rich child [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]. now all you need is CD that builds character lol Barron
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