Importance of Double Marker Test

In the previous blog, where I had mentioned missing the double marker test. I had let you all know briefly that it is important to get both the tests – double marker and the quadruple marker done. Since missing either of them would be a failure. I have been there and since missing one of these tests had not just led to listening to the scolding from my doctor but missing the result too. The quadruple marker test and the double marker test allows you to let you know whether the child is suffering from any genetic illness or not.

Well, this made me let to research more about the tests and why is it important? Therefore, I would like to share with you my experience of the same. Below are the basic questions that I had in my mind when I heard about these tests. So, here we go!

What is a Quadruple Marker Test?

This is a blood test that will provide you with information regarding the health of your child in a more in-depth result. This is a test that predicts any internal health issues or genetic disease occurring in the child growing within you. Now, to make it further clear, the quadruple test will let you know if there is a problem or not, it won’t diagnose the issue. For instance, when the cholesterol screening is done, it lets you know that you would be prone to a heart issue, however, it does not state that you have heart disease.

Therefore, the quadruple marker test helps in determining if a woman undergoing pregnancy is at a lower or higher risk of carrying the baby taking birth with a defect.

What is a Double Marker Test?

Moving on to the double marker test, it is mainly to ensure whether the fetus of the woman has any chromosomal malformation. This test will help the doctor to convey whether there are any neurological conditions pertaining to the fetus like the down’s syndrome or Edward’s Syndrome.

When I had got to know about the tests from the doctor, I treated them as just any other tests. It was later that I got to know that these tests are very important, and they have a specific time period if you surpass that you won’t be able to get the tests done. This was the case that happened to me. I was not able to get it done because of the closure of the pathology and thereafter missing my date.

The chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus can get worse by developing deformities and this could lead to various health issues. This will worsen the condition after the child has taken birth. However, these deformities are the rarest of rare conditions.

Who is recommended to undergo the double marker and quadruple marker test?

The doctors recommend every lady who is expecting a child however, there is an option for you to skip it. Having said that if you fall in any of the following factors you are strongly recommended to consider taking the test:

Your age is 35 years plus when the baby is due
Any member of your family, genetically attached, has a history of genetic or birth defects
Your previous child was born with a birth defect
You have type 1 diabetes prior to your pregnancy

Please make sure you consider your doctor if you have any of the above-mentioned issues. I recommend you take the test as a person who has experienced it first-hand.

When Should You Get a Quad Marker Test?

After knowing about who must get the quadruple marker test you need to know that when is the time period to get it done.

The doctors prescribe that you should get the test done between the 15th and the 22nd week of the pregnancy. The test can be performed in the time period. However, it is mostly said to be performed between the 16th and 18th weeks.

What happens in a quadruple?

Now, a lot of my readers would have this one question. Does it let you know completely and accurately about the issues or is it just a chance? Well, I have similar queries and therefore, would like to share with you my readings. The problems are developed in the fetus’s brain and the spinal cord. There are called open neural tube defects. Also, the quadruple marker test can just predict approximately 80% of the defects.

The genetic disorders like the down syndrome or a chromosomal abnormality are namely some which can be identified by the quadruple marker test by 75% in the cases of the women who are under the age of 35 years, while 80% to those who are above the age of 35 years.

How are the Quadruple and the Double Marker test importance?

One will always question the importance of a test before taking one. However, the following are some aspects which make the quadruple and double marker test essential:

It helps in the assessment of certainty and uncertainty of any mental disorder to the unborn baby.
The primary importance of the tests lies in detecting the down’s syndrome.
The double marker test helps in detecting the Trisomy 18, which might result in mental retardation and other severe birth defects.
It helps in the detection of Trisomy 21 T, as it is one of the caused fir mental disorders, heart disorders, and other critical health conditions which affects vital organs.

What do you need to prepare for the test?

There is no specific preparation for the blood test that you need to perform. But in case if you are on any specific medication during your pregnancy, you will need to inform your doctor and consult him about it. In rarest cases, you might be told by the doctor to stop the medication until the test has been taken.

How much does the test cost?

It isn’t one of those costly tests however, the nominal charges for this test range somewhere between 2500 to 3000 INR.

So, these were some of the major and essential information about the quadruple and double marker tests. Please make sure you consult your doctor and also follow the time to take the test.

Food to Eat During Pregnancy

People are always heard saying that pregnancy is an experience, which completes a woman. Entering motherhood is one of the most beautiful feelings. Then after a woman has conceived the child and it is growing in her womb the reality check happens. However, what is told latter is the most important part. Undoubtedly, becoming a mother is an emotion one cannot explain in mere words. Bringing a soul into life is nothing less than magic. I am expecting my second child and I am sharing my experiences of each month in my pregnancy diaries. I have been given a list of food to eat during pregnancy, especially the first and second trimester.

There are a lot of things that revolve around pregnancy. One of the major advises given by doctors, relatives, and everyone around you is that you must take care of yourself and eat healthily. As said my diet in the first month was very abrupt and inaccurate, if you may call so. I did not feel like eating anything. There were fewer cravings to eat food than to not eat. In addition to it, there are a lot of changes my body and routine is going through. One of them being the diet. My diet has taken a toll on me already. From the first month until now.

Nevertheless, I knew I have to take care of the child growing in me more than anything else. A woman needs to maintain a healthy diet, especially during the first and second trimester. The body goes through so many, it needs extra calories of around 350 to 500, minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients.hormonal changes.

Below are some of the important tips and tricks I would like to share with you, which I have learned throughout my journey until now.

Increase the intake of the following eateries during pregnancy

Dairy Products: These are the best products to consume in your pregnancy. To fill your calcium and protein needs, dairy products are a must-have during pregnancy. Especially yoghurt – which is the best option if you do not like consuming milk. Lactose intolerant people can also tolerate yoghurt.
Legumes: Legumes consists of peas, beans, chickpeas, lentils, soybeans, and peanuts. They have a huge amount of iron, fibre, folate, protein and provides you with all that you need to eat during pregnancy. It would come to you as a shocker, but there are a lot of pregnant women who are unable to consume the nominal amount of folate in their diet.
Fresh fruits: My doctor always says Eat fruit as much as you can and if you can take fruit as it is, it’s much better as juicing it sometimes changes its natural fibres. The juice is good only in case you are not able to eat. Fruits directly eaten fills your tummy and your digestion system starts working in proper mode creating more enzymes to digest your food. Coconut water is a must in case of dehydration and mineral deficiency. Everyone says you should not eat papaya or pineapple. But eating two to three pieces sometimes won’t harm you. Do not eat in first trimester these two fruits, later you can ea if you wish in small quantities. I do eat papayas n pineapple as mix fruit salad. I get muscle sprain attack in the night, that’s due to less calcium, so I make sure that I take my daily calcium tablets daily. Try to eat more pomegranate as much as you can as healthy munching. Healthy breakfast and hot breakfast is always good. In case you feel your fetus is moving less and you are missing it. Give a sugar boost to urself and see your baby kicking faster.

How to manage your food habits during pregnancy

There is no rocket science to understand that you need to eat healthy and clean when you are expecting a baby. Especially during the first trimester, you need to eat fibrous food. Food that is rich in calcium, iron, and protein. It will be nice if you eat home-cooked food and ensure that you maintain a balanced diet.

If it seems to be time-consuming for you, you can always freeze large portions of dishes during the weekend. Having said that fresh food is always preferred, but to save time or your energy there are various healthy diet options available. If I buy freshly frozen eatables, I make sure to check the ingredients and thereafter make my purchase.

Additionally, you can always freeze vegetables. You can chop the vegetables and freeze them over the weekend. This can then be used now and then in your routine diet.

Drink lots of Water apart from the fluids during pregnancy:
This is one such thing, which either you are pregnant or not being told about it. However, undoubtedly, water is one thing that needs to go in you in a huge amount. Water must be drunk until you quench your thirst.

Foods that you need to avoid during pregnancy

Keeping it simple and raw, since a lot of times a lot has been said that you need to avoid and so and so dish. However, we tend to make mistake their and eat them. Therefore, the following are the food items which must be avoided:

Raw Meat
Raw Eggs
Fish – swordfish, shark, tilefish
Unpasteurized dairy products
Soft cheese
Ready to eat food items
Alcohol

Being vegetarian, we lack in protein content in food hence I majorly rely on sprouts. But people who eat Non-vegetarian food, must take a protein-rich diet.

Myths that go around about the eating habits in pregnancy

There are certain myths that I have come across during my pregnancy:

Food Craving: About food cravings, initially people used to say that it is such that a woman has a sudden craving or eating ice cream. It must not always be the case, sometimes the body lets you know that it needs such an item because it requires the nutrients available in it. Not the particular food item. I don’t have any craving, I only crave for food be it Normal meal like Dal chawal or Roti sabzi. I just want to eat something, so I keep many healthy munchin with me. Though sometimes I like to eat pickles or odewa but that’s only when my taste buds are dead.

Morning Sickness: A lot of times it happens that when I woke up, I felt morning sickness and thought if I would not eat anything it will be alright. However, I was wrong. Our body needs food to gain energy and so does the baby that is growing in you.

You are eating for two: A very cliché saying that goes around are “you have to eat for two lives”. This certainly does not mean that you need to eat twice as you were initially consuming. You need to increase your calorie intake of around 200 calories or above. And especially in your first trimester, you are not eating for two people.

Key Takeaway of what to eat during pregnancy

You must work with your doctor, to know and list down an eating plan for yourself during pregnancy. Each trimester might come up as a different one, you must be craving for something in one and not feel like eating in another. You need to gain weight, but how much is what your doctor will be able to decide and let you know better.

Most of the time our baby’s organ development will occur during the first and second trimester. Therefore, it is important that you are as healthy and kept as much you can be during any crucial time of this stage.

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