Nuchal is a collection of fluid under the skin ot that back of a unborn babies neck which can be measured between 11 weeks - 13 weeks and 6 days of gestation via ultrasound. All babies have some of this fluid, but most Down Syndrome babies have higher amounts of this fluid.
The Nuchal Translucency (NT) test is done in conjuntion with a blood test usually done in the first trimester at about 10 weeks gestation. This test does not give a definate diagnosis, but will estimate the risk of your baby having Down Syndrome which will help you decide if you would like to have further testing done such as an amniocentesis.
The sonographer will take information about things that can influence the results such as age, weight, and your history of chromosomal abnormality. These will give you a "background risk", but combined with your blood test results and NT scan results it will adjust your risk which may be higher or lower than your background risk.
Results are 90% accurate when combined with a blood test.
Results are calculated within half an hour if you had your blood test before the NT scan, if not then the results will be ready in the next 48 hours.
Results are given in a probability form, so if your results were, for example, 1:100 your risk of having a baby with chromosomal abnormalities is one in one hundred. If your chances are below 1:100 (1:1-1:100) then a doctor or obstetrician will discuss your options in the way of diagnostic tests.
Thursday, 14 October 2010
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis is a specialised diagnostic test done between 15 and 18 weeks gestation that involves a small amount of amniotic fluid from your womb. This test will tell you if your unborn baby has any chromosomal abnormalities, if its lungs are mature and what sex your baby is. The results of a amniocentesis is a definate result.
Not every one needs a amniocentesis, mainly women who would like to do further testing for chromosomal abnormalities will have a amniocentesis. The option is there for all women to make if they wish. A amniocentesis can be performed after 18 weeks to check the maturity of a babies lungs.
A amniocentesis is performed by a doctor using a ultrasound to identify a safe pocket of amniotic fluid away from your baby and placenta. The doctor will then instert a thin, long and hollow needle into your abdomen into the pocket of amniotic fluid. The doctor will then collect about 20mls of amntiotic fluid. The test takes about 30 minutes to conduct.
The risks of miscarriage from a amniocentesis is around 1 in 200. About 1 in 200 women will develop a infection or some other complication that can then lead to miscarriage. Some women will leak amniotic fluid or lose a small amount of blood from their vagina. If you expereince any of these symptoms, or other symptoms that could indicate a infection, call your doctor immediately.
Results from a amniocentesis will be available to you after 14 days, but at a extra cost it is possible to get the results within 36 hours.
Not every one needs a amniocentesis, mainly women who would like to do further testing for chromosomal abnormalities will have a amniocentesis. The option is there for all women to make if they wish. A amniocentesis can be performed after 18 weeks to check the maturity of a babies lungs.
A amniocentesis is performed by a doctor using a ultrasound to identify a safe pocket of amniotic fluid away from your baby and placenta. The doctor will then instert a thin, long and hollow needle into your abdomen into the pocket of amniotic fluid. The doctor will then collect about 20mls of amntiotic fluid. The test takes about 30 minutes to conduct.
The risks of miscarriage from a amniocentesis is around 1 in 200. About 1 in 200 women will develop a infection or some other complication that can then lead to miscarriage. Some women will leak amniotic fluid or lose a small amount of blood from their vagina. If you expereince any of these symptoms, or other symptoms that could indicate a infection, call your doctor immediately.
Results from a amniocentesis will be available to you after 14 days, but at a extra cost it is possible to get the results within 36 hours.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Caring for Baby Teeth
Some people would have you believe that caring for your toddlers teeth is not important, that it’s the adult teeth that are the most important. This is not entirely true.
Baby teeth are important to help your child’s face and jaw develop properly, and hold the proper space for adult teeth to grow.
They need healthy teeth to bite and chew food, and painful and decaying teeth can limit food intake and can slow their body from growing.
Severe infections can cause dental abscesses and general health problems, and can cause older children to become self conscious as a result of black or broken teeth and smelly breath.
There are a number of rumours that breastfeeding causes tooth decay; this is not true. Breasktmilk actually protects against tooth decay. Bottle fed babies and toddlers are found to have a higher risk of having tooth decay, even higher if they are bottle fed over night.
It is best to start brushing your child’s teeth when they first start to cut through. Starting with once a day and gradually moving up to twice a day as they get more teeth is ideal.
Use a small, soft bristled toothbrush without toothpaste until at least two years old. You can then introduce a low fluoride toothpaste until around the age of 8 when your child can then use a normal adult toothpaste.
Do not scrub your child’s teeth, brush them gently in a circular motion on top, behind and in front of each of your child’s teeth.
If your child loses a tooth prematurely due to a accident, do not try to put the tooth back as this can cause more trauma to the gum and growing adult teeth. Seek dental help as soon as possible to manage possible trauma to the lip, gums, tongue or cheeks. Failure to do so can cause damage to the developing adult teeth and gums.
Majority of babies and young children will resist having their teeth brushed, do not give in.
Baby teeth are important to help your child’s face and jaw develop properly, and hold the proper space for adult teeth to grow.
They need healthy teeth to bite and chew food, and painful and decaying teeth can limit food intake and can slow their body from growing.
Severe infections can cause dental abscesses and general health problems, and can cause older children to become self conscious as a result of black or broken teeth and smelly breath.
There are a number of rumours that breastfeeding causes tooth decay; this is not true. Breasktmilk actually protects against tooth decay. Bottle fed babies and toddlers are found to have a higher risk of having tooth decay, even higher if they are bottle fed over night.
It is best to start brushing your child’s teeth when they first start to cut through. Starting with once a day and gradually moving up to twice a day as they get more teeth is ideal.
Use a small, soft bristled toothbrush without toothpaste until at least two years old. You can then introduce a low fluoride toothpaste until around the age of 8 when your child can then use a normal adult toothpaste.
Do not scrub your child’s teeth, brush them gently in a circular motion on top, behind and in front of each of your child’s teeth.
If your child loses a tooth prematurely due to a accident, do not try to put the tooth back as this can cause more trauma to the gum and growing adult teeth. Seek dental help as soon as possible to manage possible trauma to the lip, gums, tongue or cheeks. Failure to do so can cause damage to the developing adult teeth and gums.
Majority of babies and young children will resist having their teeth brushed, do not give in.
Monday, 4 October 2010
IntelliGender Home Gender Test
What is it?
IntelliGender is a simple at home urine test that parents can take to determine the sex of their unborn baby. The test can be taken from 10 weeks gestation and is over 90% accurate.
How you perform the test?
The IntelliGender test is simple to use. Simply collect your first morning urine and insert the indicated amount of urine to the test. Swirl for 10 seconds then wait 10 minutes before reading your result. If yor urine has turned green its safe to say you are having a boy, if it turns yellow/orange, its safe to say your having a girl.
How do twins or multiples affect the results?
If you are having identical twins, the test will work as normal. If you are having fraternal twins or multiples you can assume that all babies are female if you get a girl result. A boy result will mean that at least one of the babies is a male.
How does it work?
The IntelliGender test measures a difference in hormones including the hCG hormone found in pregnant women’s urine and react with a chemical to change colour accordingly.
What can affect the result?
Women who use Progesterone will not get a accurate result, if you do or did use Prgesterone, it is best to wait 10 days before taking the IntelliGender test. Women who have PCOS are not recommended to take the test as it is likely the test result will be a Boy.
Some tests indicate that there may be a link between false boy results and recent sexual intimacy. It is best to wait at least 48 hours after sexual intimacy before taking the test.
For more information you can visit their website www.boyorgirl.com.au for Australian residents or www.IntelliGender.com for American residents.
IntelliGender is a simple at home urine test that parents can take to determine the sex of their unborn baby. The test can be taken from 10 weeks gestation and is over 90% accurate.
How you perform the test?
The IntelliGender test is simple to use. Simply collect your first morning urine and insert the indicated amount of urine to the test. Swirl for 10 seconds then wait 10 minutes before reading your result. If yor urine has turned green its safe to say you are having a boy, if it turns yellow/orange, its safe to say your having a girl.
How do twins or multiples affect the results?
If you are having identical twins, the test will work as normal. If you are having fraternal twins or multiples you can assume that all babies are female if you get a girl result. A boy result will mean that at least one of the babies is a male.
How does it work?
The IntelliGender test measures a difference in hormones including the hCG hormone found in pregnant women’s urine and react with a chemical to change colour accordingly.
What can affect the result?
Women who use Progesterone will not get a accurate result, if you do or did use Prgesterone, it is best to wait 10 days before taking the IntelliGender test. Women who have PCOS are not recommended to take the test as it is likely the test result will be a Boy.
Some tests indicate that there may be a link between false boy results and recent sexual intimacy. It is best to wait at least 48 hours after sexual intimacy before taking the test.
For more information you can visit their website www.boyorgirl.com.au for Australian residents or www.IntelliGender.com for American residents.
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