Did anyone NOT get an NT scan?

EveM83

We talked it through with our OB and decided against it. Wouldn't have changed anything and I would be worried for the rest of the pregnancy if we got a poor result.

Babybeachbum

I'm going Thursday for a Harmony Pertinatal blood test which tests the baby's DNA. I was to be as prepared as I can. I'm a worrier and a FTM in my early 30's, I asked my dr about a CVS test and she wrote me a RX to go to the hospital for genetic counseling and a Harmony screening. I don't know what to expect but I'm hoping for good news.

jbelle

BrideNamedMeg said:

Eilis123 said:

jenniemac2000 said:

It's totally fine for women to choose against it, but the excuse "no genetic history" is annoying me because these chromosomal defects are flukes, genetic history or not. There's no such thing as being a carrier for downs.

I was curious about this. My doctor said its more age of egg and that there are very few types that are linked to genetic history so I shouldn't factor that in.

Not only is family history not a factor at all, age of egg only raises your chances - but not all Downs babies are born to women over 35.  The vast majority of Down's Syndrome babies are born to mothers under 35.  

You have to do what is right for you, but do so with all of the information.  

I'd hazard a guess that the vast majority of women having babies are under 35, so percentages would be more useful here.  

You don't have to guess, that is indeed the case! I thought I read somewhere the age was actually 30... who knows.

Additionally, FWIW, there is a predisposition in a small number of cases:

Since the late 1950s, scientists have also determined that a smaller number of DS cases (roughly 5%) are caused by 

chromosomal translocations. (Because the translocations responsible for DS can be inherited, this form of the disease is sometimes referred to as familial DS.) In these cases, a segment of chromosome 21 is transferred to a second chromosome, usually chromosome 14 or 15. When the translocation chromosome with the extra piece of chromosome 21 is inherited together with two normal copies of chromosome 21, DS results. It is possible, however, for individuals to inherit a translocation of chromosome 21 without acquiring DS. These individuals, known as translocation carriers, have inherited both products of the original translocation event. Hence, translocation carriers have two chromosomal abnormalities, but the abnormalities balance each other. 

[Source]

We did a NIPT (blood test) and because we did that, we did not opt for the NT scan. Otherwise, we definitely would have done it. I'm all about max information.

Eilis123

85% of babies in the US are born to women under 35.

80% of babies with Down's Syndrome are born to women under 35.  

So there is a difference, but it is not huge.  Saying "I'm young" and "I have no family history" is not a reason to not get testing.  The only reason to not get testing is if the results truly do not matter to you, whether your are 25 or 40.

matthew24

melissaraemurphy said:

We chose not to get one, because regardless of if our baby has issues or not, it's our baby. Not an option. We will love that little bean regardless of its chromosomes.

Umm..ok. I actually cannot roll my eyes hard enough because those who chose to have the NT scan will not love their babies with their 'chromosomes.' There is always one in the bunch.

liamandlettie

Eilis123 said:

85% of babies in the US are born to women under 35.

80% of babies with Down's Syndrome are born to women under 35.  

So there is a difference, but it is not huge.  Saying "I'm young" and "I have no family history" is not a reason to not get testing.  The only reason to not get testing is if the results truly do not matter to you, whether your are 25 or 40.

Well I think being young can be a reason...age of egg...blah blah. There are lots of reasons not to do the test just as "my insurance covered it" or "I wanted another ultrasound" are other reasons to go through with testing for some. If you're happy with your decision its all that matters in the end.

ziggy903

Okay y'all- I spend more time on feb because I started there, but I lurk over here too.

A girl on the feb board found out through the NT that her son had triploidy, a condition where he has three of all chromosomes instead of two. He was not compatible with life. This happens in 1% of pregnancies.
She also at that same scan found out that there was a placenta issue with that same pregnancy. Another 1% chance, but it happens. This issue was literally killing her- she would have died before the anatomy scan.

I got the NT because knowledge is power. I want to know if I have a high needs child ASAP, so I can prepare. There is a lot of reading and preparation I can do, finding a special pediatrician, etc.
I'm a healthy 23 year old with no family history of chromosomal issues, and my NT came back as an elevated risk (1/37) for downs. We are currently pursuing further testing. Chromosomal issues do not discriminate, they just happen.
If its covered or you can afford, I beg of you- get the scan. Learn as much about your child as possible. Don't go into the birth blind.

ziggy903

melissaraemurphy said:

We chose not to get one, because regardless of if our baby has issues or not, it's our baby. Not an option. We will love that little bean regardless of its chromosomes.

Because apparently me getting the testing means I don't love my child? Are you freaking serious?

I love my child enough to go through hell for them, as I am right now. I love my child enough that if there's an issue, I need to be prepared to be the best parent I can be.

The test isn't about whether or not to terminate the pregnancy- it's about knowledge and knowing about issues your child may have from birth.

liamandlettie

ziggy903 said:

We chose not to get one, because regardless of if our baby has issues or not, it's our baby. Not an option. We will love that little bean regardless of its chromosomes.

Because apparently me getting the testing means I don't love my child? Are you freaking serious?

I love my child enough to go through hell for them, as I am right now. I love my child enough that if there's an issue, I need to be prepared to be the best parent I can be.

The test isn't about whether or not to terminate the pregnancy- it's about knowledge and knowing about issues your child may have from birth.

I think that's a stretch. Thats her decision and I don't think it implies anything about your choices. In fact, you could flip it and say "so she's not willing to go through hell?". I don't think so. You sound very confident in your decision and that great! As I feel with mine.

ziggy903

jenniemac2000 said:

ziggy903 said:

We chose not to get one, because regardless of if our baby has issues or not, it's our baby. Not an option. We will love that little bean regardless of its chromosomes.

Because apparently me getting the testing means I don't love my child? Are you freaking serious?

I love my child enough to go through hell for them, as I am right now. I love my child enough that if there's an issue, I need to be prepared to be the best parent I can be.

The test isn't about whether or not to terminate the pregnancy- it's about knowledge and knowing about issues your child may have from birth.

I think that's a stretch. Thats her decision and I don't think it implies anything about your choices. In fact, you could flip it and say "so she's not willing to go through hell?". I don't think so. You sound very confident in your decision and that great! As I feel with mine.

It's not a stretch. It's exactly why she said. "We will love that little bean regardless of its chromosomes" as if my love for my child is dependent on its chromosomes because I got testing?
And the "not an option" line- that's saying that my testing is just to see if I want to terminate or not. BTW- termination isn't an option for me. Knowledge is, and its one I will take.

liamandlettie

ziggy903 said:

ziggy903 said:

We chose not to get one, because regardless of if our baby has issues or not, it's our baby. Not an option. We will love that little bean regardless of its chromosomes.

Because apparently me getting the testing means I don't love my child? Are you freaking serious?

I love my child enough to go through hell for them, as I am right now. I love my child enough that if there's an issue, I need to be prepared to be the best parent I can be.

The test isn't about whether or not to terminate the pregnancy- it's about knowledge and knowing about issues your child may have from birth.

I think that's a stretch. Thats her decision and I don't think it implies anything about your choices. In fact, you could flip it and say "so she's not willing to go through hell?". I don't think so. You sound very confident in your decision and that great! As I feel with mine.

It's not a stretch. It's exactly why she said. "We will love that little bean regardless of its chromosomes" as if my love for my child is dependent on its chromosomes because I got testing?
And the "not an option" line- that's saying that my testing is just to see if I want to terminate or not. BTW- termination isn't an option for me. Knowledge is, and its one I will take.

Ya ok.

talitha712

We did not with DD and won't with this LO. Insurance doesn't cover it and if there are any glaring issues they'll find them at the 20 week ultrasound like they did with DD.

farmrose

We didn't-we haven't met our deductible yet so it'd be out of pocket. We opted to just do the A/S. I'm 25 and don't have any family history, so I don't think it's worth the expense in our case.