Friday, December 19, 2008

Too much snow, too much information

Over the ground lies a mantle of white...

You're not kidding. In addition to the foot of snow we got 10 days ago (which mostly didn't melt), we're now in the midst of a fluffy downpour of flakes today, with more predicted for Sunday/Monday. White Christmas: check.

It's not, however, a snow day. Still had to take Jo to school this morning. She gave it her best shot by putting an ice cube in the toilet and sleeping with a spoon under her pillow, but no luck. I have never heard of those two superstitions--is it a Midwest thing? We never did it growing up in Pennsylvania.

I have to brave the highways later on for an OB appointment. My practice now has a new procedure for urine tests: BYOU. They give you a little cup at your appointment and tell you to bring it back at the next one--full. Isn't that delightful?

I had an sonogram yesterday, the nuchal translucency screening. Baby spent the whole time sucking his/her thumb and trying to shove away the ultrasound wand pressing down on its turf. Not to sound like a pro-life activist but it really is amazing to see that at 13 weeks gestation. When I got home, like an idiot I googled what a normal NT measurement is. It's almost 4 times less than the number I thought I saw on the screen. Thanks a lot, Dr. Google.

16 comments:

Leighann of Multi-Minding Mom said...

Ours is BYOU, but I hate when they don't give you a paper bag for the sample. Who wants to carry a urine specimen out in the open?

Summer said...

BYO? That just makes no sense to me, because when does a pregnant woman NOT have to pee after traveling somewhere? Back in the day when I was dealing with such things, I never had a problem producing a sample on demand.

Heather said...

Never heard of those superstitions either, but we did have a snow day today! First one of the year!

In all 3 of my pregnancies, they never tested my urine. Ever.

Lady M said...

Thinking about little, teeny, tiny cute thumbs!

MamaMaven said...

We never did that either, in MD the kids wear their PJs inside out to bring on a snow day.

Patois42 said...

Drive carefully carting that full cup o' pee.

nonlineargirl said...

The doc or tech didn't tell you the "normal" score for someone your age? It seems like part of the point of this test (which really only measures statistical likelihood, not whether or not your baby has a genetic defect) is to give you a sense of your likelihood of having a baby with downs/trisomy. Without knowing the risk for your age group, it is harder to assess your risk.

I did the test too - one baby was cooperative, the other not so much. We'll see if this pattern holds true!

Kirsetin Morello said...

BYOU? In a snow storm? On slippery roads? That is just wrong. And disgusting! Seriously, the thousands of dollars we pay to have a baby and they can't wait until we get there?!

Just a bit indignant, can you tell? And don't you know preganant women should stay away from Google - dangerous stuff out there! :)

Vodka Mom said...

wait, i have to go put an ice cube in my toilet. I'll be right back!

Binkytowne said...

Oh no. I don't remember what I had for lunch much less what I think I heard at the Drs office. They would have told you if something wasn't registering correctly right? No worries.

PS Holy shit it's cold.

Julie Marsh said...

BYOU? Ice cube in the potty? Spoon under the pillow?

Going to spend the rest of the mystified. And giggling at the thought of another thumbsucker. (Sorry, can't help it!)

Christina said...

BYO is very strange! What if someone tried to switch it for some reason? (Not that I can think of a reason to use someone else's pee for a prenatal appt.)

As for the screening, are you sure the number you saw on the screen wasn't the measurement of the area visible on the screen? I freaked out once, and the tech explained the number I saw was the measurement of the entire view on the screen at the moment.

Alex Elliot said...

Alright I know I haven't been doing much blogging lately, but I didn't realize you were pregnant. Congratulations!!!

Magpie said...

Bring your own!?! Yikes.

Kate said...

Hmmm, I have one bit of advice: make sure your lid is on tight!!

I hear there is foot upon foot of snow in your parts as my mom is visiting my brother in your part of the country.

Tree said...

I am with Alex - I had no idea!! Congratulations!!!!