*update* A little advice needed(thickened nuchal fold)

NClady89

*Update*
My quad screen came back today and I am at extremely low risk for downs (they didn't give me the exact odds). My ob is now even less concerned with the Nuchal fold and suggested I also not worry about it. I feel much better and am so glad I did the screen. Thanks again ladies for the advice, thoughts,and prayers.


I had my a/s yesterday and they send the results to be read by specialists who are extremely picky. Anyway my ob called today to tell me the results and mentioned that everything was perfect except a slight thickening of the Nuchal fold.

I know this is a marker for Down syndrome but it's the only thing he had, his heart looked perfect, no clubbing of the feet, definite nasal bone,etc. The ob is not worried and said he felt comfortable saying that everything was fine but he offered me the quad screen and level two ultrasound if it would make me feel better.

The thing is I want to say I think if my ob isn't worried I shouldn't be either, I opted at this moment to not have the tests. If you ladies were in the same position would you have further testing or assume everything is fine and not worry about it?

I do trust my OB my anxiety is just kicking my butt today.

ashaw512

I'm with ginger on this. But if your Dr isn't worried then I don't think you should be either. Hope everything is OK

brittneyandadam

Personally, I would weigh all the info I had. Am I at a higher risk? How does all my other testing look? Are there any other markers? If your doc isn't concerned, then that's a pretty good indicator...but ultimately, the decision is yours. GL..I hope everything turns out great

[Deleted User]

I would move forward with testing to put my mind at ease, but only if it was non-invasive.

GL OP, I hope that your LO is okay!

anewadventure

i know it's easier said than done to just believe your doctor. if it were me, i'd probably go ahead and have the tests for my own piece of mind, given that the quad screen is just a blood draw and a level 2 ultrasound is also another chance to see the baby and be reassured that everything looks great.

do you have to pair the tests? what about just the quad screen? i ask because i know that for my insurance, the quad screen is not expensive, but extra and fancy ultrasounds are expensive. so that would affect my decision too. good luck!

kayemgi

I went through something similar, only our doctor treated it as something much worse than yours is. I'll start by saying I prefer your doctor's reaction! Here's what happened with us:

We went for our NT scan at 12 weeks. I didn't even know I was having the scan (was only scheduled for a genetic counseling appointment because my 8w blood work showed I am a carrier for cystic fibrosis), and had done no research about it and had no idea what to expect. The tech measured the nuchal fold thickness at 3.17 mm. We later found out that a measurement of 3 mm would have resulted in a "pass" -- no further testing. The doctor came in to discuss options for further testing with us, and really scared me and DH. She told us that we had a 50% chance of having some kind of chromosomal abnormality based on the measurement alone -- no blood work, no second scan later on, just the 3.17 measurement. She told us that because we were "so high risk" that we were good candidates to do the cell-free dna testing, so that's what we did (MaterniT21 is what we did but it also goes by other names).

Our dna test came back fine, but now we are still being treated as "high risk". At 16 weeks I had already had five ultrasounds and a fetal echocardiogram. Every test has come back fine so far. I have to have another fetal echo at 22 weeks. I know I should be grateful for all the extra peeks at the baby, but I'm mostly just exasperated.

Having been able to do some research after the fact and knowing what we've gone through already, I think in a future pregnancyI would like to opt-out of the NT scan. DH is not so sure, so who knows what we might actually do in the future. But the stress and worry has not been worth the extra peace of mind so far.

Sorry this was so long, and of course this is a personal decision you have to make, but I thought hearing what someone else went through might help. And it sounds like your doctor is not worried, which means you're probably unlikely to have a similar experience to me. The quad screen and level two ultrasound is what we should have had before the doctor scared the bejeezus out of us with a 50% number, so it sounds like your doc is on the right track. Good luck and I hope everything is ok with whatever you decide to do!

emmylu30

I would do the Quad Screen and Level II to ease your mind if you're going to worry about it over the next few months.  I had the Quad Screen done and it is just a couple tubes of blood and you should find out the results in less than 2 weeks.  Keep in mind that the Quad Screen is effective in detecting 75-80% of Down Syndrome cases and only gives you ratios for likelihood of your risk so it wouldn't tell you anything definite..  

NClady89

Here's the thing and I didn't mention it before because it sounds confusing. The OB said the specialists report stated that while his Nuchal fold appeared thicker than average at this time there are also no set parameters for Nuchal fold thickness at 20weeks. I felt like she contradicted herself in her notes to my OB.
I think I am going to call my insurance company and see if they cover the quad screen, either way the quad may be cheaper than another untrasound, I may just do that to make myself feel better.
All other measurements looked perfect and on track that was the only thing flagged on the report.

JackieB15

Try not to worry (I know that's easier said than done) and remember that the odds are still in your favor. Do a Quad Screen if it will help alleviate some of the worry. Super easy to do with results usually within 2-3 days. If you then see an increased risk you can go further in your testing (one of the DNA screens, Level II u/s, possible CVS or amnio).  The Quad Screen was covered by my insurance last pregnancy when I was 34, so it may be covered for you as well.

biokitty42

I'm the type who would have to find out as much as possible in advance, so I would probably do the testing, especially since the tests you mentioned are non-invasive and low-risk.  I hope everything is okay!

MrsLaLaBug

I absolutely trust my OB, but we have history together so that's obviously a personal thing... I second the quad screen if you are still super worried, if it's an option for you, if insurance covers it, etc.  Wishing you the best! 

mrsH1112

I would really want to trust my OB on this one...however I think Id want to know more if I could. As others suggested see what additional testing your OB might suggest.  If its non invasive such as Maternit21, and your insurance will cover it, then I would consider it, just for the piece of mind.

Good luck!

NClady89

Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement you really are the best! I called my insurance company and they will cover the quad screen since they consider it a diagnostic test during pregnancy. So I'm waiting to hear back on a time to go do that. I feel in my heart of hearts everything is fine or my ob would have told me different but I need to do this for myself and my anxiety level. It's one of those days where I really miss my anxiety meds

kirstynikole

If you and your SO/DH feel confident in your decision, then I would stand by it. Would knowing if your child has downs syndrome change your preparation for your baby in any way?

I've heard of multiple scans showing a larger than average thickening of the nuchal fold but they're perfectly fine.. I think actually a fellow S14 mom mentioned all of her babies have had thicker nuchal folds and been fine- she just bakes them that way.

I probably wouldn't do any further testing, but make sure you feel confident in your own decision. Best of luck!

aliciak316

I went through the exact same thing with my DD. I got the quad screening and got great results and had a perfectly healthly little girl. Even though for me it didn't matter if there was something wrong it was just nice having the piece of mind for the rest of my pregnancy.
I definitely would try not to worry your ob seems right on track it's usually nothing especially at this point in the pregnancy. But it's your personal decision to do more testing if you trust your ob and think everything is fine (I believe in mothers intuition) then don't do the testing.

anewadventure

off hand, i wouldn't think the maternity21 would be covered if she isn't AMA (aka over 35). but she might have really nice insurance, who knows

anewadventure

Grace0609 said:

off hand, i wouldn't think the maternity21 would be covered if she isn't AMA (aka over 35). but she might have really nice insurance, who knows

Mine wasn't covered even though I AM AMA. I only had to pay $200 after just a simple phone call to the company.

that stinks! i am glad you were able to comfortably pay for that out of pocket.

ChesTal

I too would opt into the quad screen as you said above that it is covered by your insurance. Sending t&p your way for good results.

mrsdanielleM2010

Since the quad screen is covered I say go for it - more information can only help you make decisions more clearly. Good luck, and keep us updated.

NClady89

They cover the quad and that was amazing to me, I work for a hospital but honestly our insurance kind of sucks. If the quad comes back fine I will not do anything else.

As a few of you have mentioned it wouldn't change anything but my mental preparation to find out something was wrong with this baby. I will go Friday to have the blood drawn because that's the soonest I can possibly go. Just continue the T&P they are very appreciated!