[kittygirl1979]

Hey all! Back from camping.

Just a quick comment on Autism... I agree with several of the comments posted. The class I teach can have a max of 6 students. I would say 3 are higher functioning and 3 are lower. The 3 higher functioning would have been just sort of the "different" kids you would have gone to school with. They are pretty academically able, but socially awkward. So in their cases, I think they would have just gone undiagnosed in the past. I think the identification of these kids now definitely contributes to the large number of autism we see now. I have been working with this population for 6 years, and every year at least 40-50% of my class is higher functioning.

As for the reason it occurs- there isn't really a solid one at this point. It seems like the reason changes every time I read, hear, or see new info on Autism. I have heard everything from vaccinations, the age of the father, fillings in the mother's teeth while pregnant, genetics, and even absurd things like watching too much tv while pregnant!

I have noticed genetics. That is, more than a few of my students have parents who display characteristics of high functioning autism. And in the Silicon Valley they have higher rates of autism (parents are in computer programming- a job that attracts lots of high functioning people with autism). And there are more people with autism who become college professors as well (they can perseverate on their particular field without it being too odd), accountants, and as I mentioned, computer programmers.

So since they don't have it nailed down as to what is causing it- I want to tell you not to worry too much about trying to prevent it. Just know that this is an area where there is tons of clinical researching going on right now, as well as some really good programming going on in public schools specifically for autism (in Ohio anyway). Also that it does occur on a spectrum- that is there can be very very high functioning levels with the disorder as well as a low end. Hope some of this helps?

[koffeewitch]

So I took a breastfeeding class last night at the hospital where I'm going to deliver and am so glad I did. My BFF made fun of me saying you can't really take a class for it, but why not get all the info I can?

Good for you, Zelda, breastfeeding is much more difficult to get the hang of than people realize. I was determined to breastfeed and read every book I could find on the subject... then I still ended up bawling with frustration when I had my first baby. If I hadn't prepared myself I never would've made it through those first difficult weeks. You might want to keep a list of your instructor's contact info and local Le Leche League so you have support when your baby arrives.

On the subject of immunizations: I'm glad we live in a world where they are available, but I wish we were a little more conservative with our use of them. I don't feel like the jury is in concerning the relationship between immunizations and autoimmune diseases, like lymphoma. I sort of take the apologist route and follow an alternative vaccination schedule similar to the one that Dr. Sears recommends. I also wait until my children are a bit older to start the vaccines that I do use (like Hep). This would not be an ideal solution for young children in daycare or who are regularly exposed to large crowds, but my kids are alone with me at home.

[coffeebean]

Hi ladies, congrats to all of those who are expecting! I'm writing not because I am expecting or even trying but because I work in psychology and actually have a hand in diagnosing children with autism/aspergers/children on the spectrum. I agree that rates have 'skyrocketed' in recent years and believe that this is likely because we are 1. learning more about autism from research and 2. getting better at identifying it with the development and use of new assessment measures.

Zelda, you are right that with very mild cases, most people would not even notice the particular difficulty. Even twenty years ago, children with mild cases would have been more likely to be called 'quirky' 'a little socially awkward' 'eccentric' etc. Could these children probably go without the diagnosis? - probably yes. IMO, part of diagnosis is political because access to resources and treatment depends on having a 'label'.

Personally, I am not afraid to immunize my children or use cell phones because I too am a huge believer in research and do not think that there is good/well designed research evidence to support some of these claims. From what I have read, autism has quite a high genetic loading and the disorder is most likely to run in families.

I don't know if this info has been helpful but if you want access to more resources - beyond the internet - feel free to PM me and I will try to help.

All the best to those expecting and those trying to conceive.

[nickclick]

zelda, sounds like a good class. i agree, i want all the information that i can handle before delivery. of course much is different in practice, but i like feeling prepared. do you have a pump yet? my friend cheaped out and got the manual one, but suggested i splurge for the electric, mostly because she spent too much time at work bored and alone in a room pumping.

mr.nick is a music teacher at a middle school and sees students at varying levels of autism, and works with 2 severe students once a week (both girls, actually). i'll ask him next week to see what the special ed teacher may have learned about causes, treatments, mainstreaming, etc. something else to read up on! right now i'm ready to get thru the nuchal fold in a couple of weeks. then i can worry about other things.....

i had a crying jag yesterday because i feel so bloated and fat, and then i felt stupid about it. maybe it's because it's so warm here in NJ this week and i'm not hiding under sweaters. i just wish i could poo regularly. it takes some high fiber granola, fruit, a small cup of caffeinated tea, stool softener in my prenatal, and a walk in the morning to move things along even slightly. i go for a checkup on tuesday so i'll see what else she suggests then. sorry for TMI.

i went to the dentist yesterday for checkup and had to tell them i couldn't do the x-ray. one of the assistants was like - i thought you looked preg but i didn't wanna say anything! i'm like - you ass, i'm just fat, and i'm only 10 weeks. what do you know, you see me every 6 months! of course i didn't say that though..... i guess that helped the cry fest yesterday too.

[zelda]

So I took a breastfeeding class last night at the hospital where I'm going to deliver and am so glad I did. My BFF made fun of me saying you can't really take a class for it, but why not get all the info I can?

The instructor was so nice and funny....we watched several DVDs, practiced the different holds with dolls, and there was a whole segment on pumping and going back to work which I found helpful. The woman next to me was expecting twins, bless her, but fortunately she will be staying at home which will help.

I am actually a big believer in vaccines and scientific research, and in my opinion, the overwhelming amounts of research show that immunizations have nothing to do with autism. I've read tons on the topic, and I'm not afraid to immunize.

My sister is a teacher with a special ed background, and she is convinced the skyrocketing rates have to do with overdiagnosis. She has two kids mainstreamed into her regular classroom who are labeled autistic and she says you could practically not even tell they have it for as mild as it is...yet they "count" in the stats...who knows. Would love to hear what Kitty says on that.

I wonder if it's something about the hormones in the foods we eat. I've been trying to eat organic through much of this pregnancy (figure if I can afford it for once it should be now), but who knows...

[Laurenzorro]

From what I've read, autism rates in the US have a LOT to do with the amount of mandatory immunisations newborn babies receive. Not wanting to fuel paranoia but maybe something to look into?

[luleey]

Hi all!

Kitty, glad you're feeling better...Apelendra too! Enjoy vacaysh!!

Zelda, autism is something I worry about too...the stats are high. And articles on it abound. I wonder if it has anything to odo with increased cell phone use, or maybe that's my paranoia talking.

Nickclick, thanks for the response...and Michelina, take care of yourself and your husband and remember all the love and prayers in your life!

Eyelet, tell us about your bebeh!!!! I keep trying to picture mine, which is totally dumb. But fun.

[zelda]

Kitty, so happy all is well! That is great news. I had a feeling, but it is good to have that reassurance.

Elliott was being SO quiet this morning and it was really troubling me, but now he's up and about. I don't like it when he's so quiet for so long!

Kitty, funny you should mention autism. With this being autism awareness month, I admit I've been worrying about it. We're having a boy. I had no idea 1 in 70 boys are affected with this! That seems so high to me! What's worse is there doesn't seem to be much you can do in terms of prevention. I really commend you for the work you do. As a soon-to-be-mom, I have to remember that so much of what our children are like is just outside of our control, and we just have to roll with it, you know?

[koffeewitch]

I always wanted one of those little sets that let you listen to your baby's heartbeat at home. Have you all seen them; they're usually in the "baby" section of Target/Malwart stores...they're really not all that expensive, maybe $20-30. If you're the type who really worries (and what pregnant woman doesn't) it might set your mind at ease to hear your baby's heart. And the Daddy/ Grandparents would get to hear the baby, too.

[kittygirl1979]

Just a quick note- Dr. called and everything looks good. HcG at 2500, progesterone at 8, RH pos. YEAH!! Spotting seems to have stopped too. Dr. said we could even skip my apt. next week because levels looked so good, but I said, no- I want to see baby kitty's heart beat!!

Zelda- I teach grades 1-3, kids with autism.

Thanks everyone for your support- you made me feel so much better!

[zelda]

Kitty, I am a teacher, too...7th grade. What grade do you teach?

I echo everything koffeewitch just said. I know that each time I've called my doc for reassurance, they have always said, "Well, call us back if..." Like the other week when I was having that weird right side pain, I thought they would just tell me it was growing pains, and they told me to sit, drink water, do an extra kick count, etc. Not exactly reassuring, but they are doing their job. And koffee is right in that a lot of OBs get sued, so they want to be extra careful. Even though Mr. Z and I were very low risk in terms of birth defects, etc., I had to sign like 50 waivers stating that we refused genetic testing.

Same with the gestational diabetes screening...even in the mid 80s they never did that! Now not only do they do that, if you are even borderline like I was, you have to go in for that three hour test (which sucks). They're just being careful.

I am willing to bet all is totally fine, and you will feel 100% better after tomorrow!! Let us know if you can.

Went for my 32 week check up today. All was well. Weight gain on track, baby's heartbeat a steady 139, I'm measuring right, etc. Hopefully by next visit she can feel where he is in there (she tried today but he was still too tiny!).

[koffeewitch]

Two things to put your mind more at ease, then: If this pink twinge (and I would not even call it "spotting" if it is just a little hint of blood that you can only see on white TP) seems to be more noticeable after sex, that is even more a good sign that it is related to your mucous membranes reacting to your hormones (you may start to get bloody noses and swollen gums, too).

If Rh- blood runs in your family, you would probably have heard about this from your relatives all ready (at least from the women who would have had to go through special treatments during their pregnancies. Your mom, your grandma, SOMEBODY would've warned you about it (and believe me, any woman who was Rh negative and pregnant would know about it). So I would be very, very surprised if you are Rh-. Even if you are, it is not the end of the world, it just requires special shots. Granted, shots are no fun, but at least there is a good treatment for an Rh- mother carrying an Rh+ baby. Something like 86% of OB doctors end up getting sued...this is why I think they act so panicked about everything. It's too bad they have to put you in a panicked frame of mind, too.

[kittygirl1979]

Koffeewitch, thank you - that makes me feel so much better. I called my Dr. today to tell them about the light spotting (which seems to get a little worse after sex) and they did not make me feel better AT ALL! I had to rush in today with no notice to get blood work done. The nurse seemed to think the spotting could be due to me being blood type RH neg and the baby being RH pos. I have no idea what blood type I am. So I rushed in to have blood drawn, almost passed out (I hate needles) and have to wait until tomorrow around 3 to find out if all is ok. And to make thing worse, we are going camping tomorrow til Thursday. If I have RH neg blood, we will have to rush back early Thursday morning so I can go to the Dr. and get some type of shot. From what I read, 85% of the population is RH pos. This was not listed as any of the causes of spotting either. My Dr.'s nurse suggested I may miscarry if this is what is going on. I expected my Dr. to say "No worries unless you are cramping badly or bleeding bright red." Boy- was that off the mark! So much for a relaxing Spring break away from teaching!!

Alephandra- hope you have a great trip!

Michelina- thinking of you.

Zelda and Funny- hope you are doing well.

Nicklick- No more cramps really, just little twinges here and there. Still light pink spotting tho.

[koffeewitch]

Hey all, quick question-

TMI, I know BUT...

Today I had extremely light pinkish discharge. In fact, I only noticed it was light pink after I had wiped with white toilet paper. And I mean EXTREMELY light pink. On my underwear it just looked white. Is this OK? I keep reading everywhere that it should just be white. I'm going into my 7th week and totally paranoid. I have no unusual cramping and still have my other symptoms. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

kitty, I think the same hormones that cause your mucus membranes in your nasal passages, gums, etc. to swell during pregnancy cause the vagina to relax and become more flexible. That tiny twinge of pink you see is likely just from these hormones and a sign that your body is doing exactly the things it's supposed to be doing.
Just a head's up for your last month (I know it seems like a LONG ways away, but the time will seem to have flown by)...you will probably get your cervix checked once a week and you might really find quite a bit of blood/mucus in your undies after the exam or even the next day after the exam. Then you start wondering if this is the "bloody show" that accompanies early labor or if it's just from the exam. I had one male doctor who always made me bleed so much after the exam that I needed to wear a pad (somehow the lady docs and midwives were able to check me without causing the bleeding).

[aphelendra]

Decided to leave for vacation yesterday, and have now arrived (with some swelling along the way). Probably won't be posting too often but, wanted to pop in briefly.

Zelda - glad to know about the 32 week mark - something to look forward to.

Michelina - good luck and best wishes for the upcoming IUI!

[Michelina]

Eyelet, great hearing from you!

Just popping in to let you all know how much your words of support are appreciated. All of the support here has given me strength. We are looking towards another IUI in a few days, and will be getting our consult booked in Vancouver early this week.

Thinking of all of you!

[zelda]

So you are about 7 or 8 weeks behind me. I know...can't wait to meet this guy either! You start to get very impatient toward the end.

I will be 32 weeks this Thursday. And I'll take a big breath of relief as that is the fetal age where almost every book/website/etc. says a baby can be born and the odds are he or she will live an entirely normal life.

I started feeling more relaxed around 25/26 weeks because I knew then that viability was very likely...of course I want him to cook fully, but...it is reassuring to know worst case scenario he comes early we will still be okay!

[aphelendra]

24 weeks. . . . .

and sooooooo tired . . . . .

and sooooooo jealous of all the ladies further along. I wanna meet this little girl already (when she's done cookin', of course)

[zelda]

Aphelendra, I forgot...how far along are you now?

Wondering if yumyum will be posting soon...she should be delivering any day now, I think!

[zelda]

Aphelendra, I'm so glad you don't have a UTI but I'm sorry about the swelling. :-(

Keep on drinking that water! I am forcing myself to drink a ton even though it means running to the bathroom every ten seconds it seems!

Kitty, I would avoid any douching of any kind (I've done the yogurt thing, too). Try taking a bath in lukewarm water and plain vinegar. I doubt that would hurt and it may help ease the symptoms till Monday. The good news is there are meds you can use when preg with a yeast infection BUT I would check with your doc first.

Mr. Z and I just watched my belly roll and shimmy for a while. I just love it when Elliott is on the move! He feels like he's getting so big in there!