need help for pregnant teen (Evanston, Downs: storage, food, cars)

[Calidreemer]

Does she get to talk to other pregnant women? I don't have children so I can't say I know what she is going through, but I have heard lots of women complain of congestion and other discomfort as they get further along in their pregnancy. I like the idea of soothing scents - you can buy linen water and wash her sheets in it to give her a subtle soothing scent like lavender. I don't know how sensitive she is to smell, but that could be nice. Is she getting any exersize? I know the girls I worked with used to be encouraged to walk and stay active (within reason of course and with input from their docs). I do think a Duola would be a huge help to her and speaking with other pregnant moms to help validate how she's feeling and give her some tips.

I have to say I have been so struck by your loving and thoughtful words and actions. You are such a great example for your daughter. Keep up the good work Refrade!

[refade]

You know Calidreemer, I look forward to your replies because you're always so encouraging to me. There is a Pregnant and Parenting group that she meets with twice a month at her school, so she gets to talk with girls who own age who are going through it or already have a child. I'm gonna try soothing scents, a warm bath - kinda pamper her a bit tonight, and see if I can just get her to feel comfortable again. I tried encouraging her to get dressed up and we'll go out somewhere, but she hates the idea of getting all dressed up for anything. Homecoming is this weekend and she doesn't want to go. She thinks she just has to suffer through it, and I know it's tough (I've been there three times) but there should be some joy in it. I hope she can feel that too. Thanks

[Calidreemer]

Hi Refrade - I am glad to hear she has some peers to talk with. That helps a lot. Please let us know how she liked the pampering.

Hang in there and thanks for the kind words!

[refade]

The warm bath in pumpkin spice bubble bath helped her sleep, finally. She also decided to go to the homecoming game, so she got out a bit too. Yesterday we went to visit my mom, and then to register at Baby Depot. She seems to be feeling much better. I bought her a big fluffy bath robe but decided to give it to her as part of her baby shower gift. It's something strickly for her and not the baby or the baby's room. I remember at my shower, getting a new outfit for after the baby was born was one of my favorite gifts.

[Jcc03]

Bless you and all in your family. I have a 16 yo and am holding my breath for the next several years that this won't happen with us. It makes it hard on her for her future as continuing on through school isn't easy, but not impossible. A good friend of my daughter's has a 2 yo and she has managed to stay in school so far. One more year to go and, hopefully, she will continue on. Anyway, GOOD LUCK, you are right, this baby is a blessing and there will be plenty of love to go around for this child. (Just have her hold a quarter in between her knees after the baby is born until she's got her education finished and is financially stable!) I wish your family and your daughter the best.

[refade]

Thanks Jcc03! I'll remember the quarter trick - however, you don't realize it can happen to you until it does. I did talk to my girls about sex, but unfortunantely not enough when my youngest turned 14. Don't discount that your daughter might be having sex, but also don't insinuate that she is. If I had it to do over again, I would have took all of them to get birth control at 14. Crazy as it sounds, I really did think any of them would have sex until much later, I was naive. But, it is what it is, and this baby is a blessing and going to be so loved.

[refade]

I dont know why it took the doctor so long to get in touch with Courtney, ( she has three different contact numbers) but apparently, the ultrasound showed a small spot on the baby's heart. Since the doctor didn't talk to me - or wouldn't talk to me until Courtney signs a consent form for her to talk to me about the baby, I don't know much more than what Courtney has told me and what I've read on the internet. If I'm right the spot is what's called an echogenic foci and is one of the markers for Down Syndrome. Since Courtney is 15, she opted out of the AFP test that could have been done between 16 and 20 weeks. In things I'm reading, echogenic foci are found more and more often due to the higher technology of ultrasounds. I know the doctor had to tell Courtney of this finding, strictly because she knows about the possibility of Downs Syndrome, but I think it's unwarranted. There is nothing that can or will be done at this point in time to change the outcome if the baby has Downs Syndrome, it's still going to be loved and cherished anyway, and since there are no other outward indicators or markers I'm going to keep my hopes and spirits up and believe that this baby is just fine, happy and healthy. However if anyone has had this same indicator when they were pregnant, I welcome your stories or advice. And I ask for your thoughts and prayers that all is well with Courtney's baby boy.

[Anthera]

If they do a Level II ultrasound they will be able to tell if the baby has other indicators of DS: neckfolds, gi issues, etc. The AFP is a terrible test. Its false positive rate is something like 95%. Its most likely that the ultrasound just picked up a little anomoly rather than indicating down's syndrome.

[refade]

They did a level two ultrasound and the only marker they found was this calcium deposit, which doesn't necessarily mean Downs Syndrome, just the chances are higher. She'll have another level two in 2 or 3 weeks. I agree with the AFP test not being very accurate, just in the short time I've been researching this, I've found many who had positive AFP test but everything was fine with the baby.

[Anthera]

If all they found with a level 2 ultrasound was the calcium deposit you shouldn't worry too much. At her age its pretty unlikely to be DS. Although, its a lot easier to say "dont worry" than it is to actually stop worrying.