Did your doctor recommend/discuss the NT Scan with you?

SKLH

I had my first OB appt this week and he never even ONCE brought up the NT Scan. I had a u/s in the office while I was there and when I asked him about future scans he basically said we'd have a anatomy scan at 20 weeks. I am 10 weeks and 2 days now. I'm just confused as to why we didn't even bring it up. At one point in our meeting he casually mentioned that there are several tests (no mention of ANY specific test) that I can consider if I'm interested in or not? If I didn't do research I'd have honest to God NO CLUE what he was talking about! I didn't even receive paper work about said test "options". It's just strange. Is it b/c we did CGH testing so he doesn't think we would need/want them??

Did anyone else have this happen? My best friend is pregnant and they called her last week and said "We're calling to schedule you're upcoming NT scan" and she's a week behind me. Do not all Drs do this or recommend it?

SKLH

@calindi I should have mentioned, I don't feel the need for the testing. It's just for the reason to have a u/s! lol Apparently my OB use to have a "social u/s machine" but it recently went down and they haven't been able to get it back up and runinng so they are having to use the big momma machine (which is REALLY nice) and that one is run thorugh the insurance. I honestly am considering finding a RE with a machine that is easily accessible but at the same time EVERYONE recommended this OB to me! Argh

Aurora1181

My doc didn't mention the "NT Scan" either - at our first appointment with the MFM the ultrasound tech did the scan and just casually mentioned that everything looked fine, no further discussion with doctor or anything. After reading about others' scans on here, I thought it was a much bigger deal, but apparently it wasn't for them. The standard protocol at my obgyn is initial appt at 10 weeks, anatomy scan at 20 weeks, nothing in between! We only had the scan (not bloodwork) at the MFM because we were having twins and their office is very thorough.

ttuprincess

My RE referred me for the NT scan. He said they like to refer their IF patients because they have been through so much to get pregnant he has found it helps their peace of mind to have such a in depth ultrasound so early. 

At my first OB apt, I told my OB my RE referred me for one and he seemed shocked.  I do not think he would have given it to me as an option had my RE not referred me for one.  I really liked it and am glad we did it.  We declined all of the blood work regarding chromosomal problems but we got to check on our LO and see things like that the heart chambers were all there and that the other organs were developing like they were supposed to. 

ccam

My OB mentions it to every patient, gives us brochures on the testing and tells us that we need to schedule it within such and such a time period.    If you're interested in doing it, I would call and schedule it. 

dp21

My OB nurse gave us information packet at first appointment, said it is up to us if we want it done/our responsibility to check if insurance covers it, and gave us all the stuff we needed to know to set up our own appointment.  I got a US at 10 weeks with OB, had 11 week NT scan, and have another US at 12 weeks with OB.  My OB said we can do US every 2 weeks starting out since we are IVF patients, said she finds IVF pts struggle with waiting 4 weeks in between appointments.  She is totally understanding.  The NT scan was very cool.  We got the best US pictures from it, got to see baby move around a ton, blood flow through the umbilicus, kicking, and waving on a huge flat screen tv.  My hubby had his jaw dropped the whole time. 

DoublePortion

My OB mentioned it at my first appt and suggested I have it done. I'm not sure if he suggests it for all his patients, but I wouldn't be surprised if he does as he is very cautious/thorough.

xtina78

My OB had it scheduled and acted like it was a matter of course but I am 35 years old and did no CGH testing. 

ekc0630

I honestly wish I never had the NT scan.  They are using a ultrasound to measure the thickness of the neck and ours was 2 mm over their recommended.  They had us do more testing and everything thing was one of your babies might have downs.  EVERYTHING IS MIGHT!  It is not worth the stress.  I had another ultrasound at week 16 and the thickness cleared itself us so all that worrying was for no reason.  If you want to see them you can schedule one at a 4d place and do a 60 min with gender reveal.  That might be an option.

BabyKsMommy

I live in CA and it's actually covered by the state so everyone I know gets it done because it's free. You technically don't have to but all my friends, even those in their 20s don't miss the chance for an extra ultrasound.

I just had a FB friend get some not so great results so at the time our insurance provider offered her the maternit21 test. They don't offer it unless you have need for it.

It's really up to you rather you want it done or not but I'd check with your insurance first about whether or not they cover it.

indianaalum

NT Scan is usually recommended for women over 35. I had a pretty bad experience from it as my age jacked up the "risk factor" and scared the living daylights out of me for weeks, so I personally would recommend doing a NIPT test (Matern21, Panorama, Verifiy, Harmony) over this one because they are more accurate and test for more things. The problem is that I guess alot of insurance companies don't always pay for those esp for younger women. 

NT Scan basically gives you a "risk factor" for Down Syndrome and Edwards Syndrome, whereas those other tests, test for many more "syndromes". The later will also tell you gender, if you like to know. (on the downside, you don't SEE the baby on an ultrasound with these)

IF you do the NT scan, here is some words of advice:

1) Directly ASK if they see a nasal bone. It is an important soft marker for Down Syndrome. I had a ton of confusion on whether my baby had one or not. I spend 3 weeks thinking my baby did NOT have one (which is a marker) only to find out they never measured it.

2) Know the numbers they give (ESP if you are older) are still just "risk factors". It does not mean the baby has it at all.

3) When they give the PAPP-A results (bloodwork) ask for your number.

indianaalum

calindi said:

My first ob/gyn practice told me I would not be getting another ultrasound until the 20 week anatomy scan, that they don't recommend NT scan for anyone under 35 years old.

For several reasons, I left that ob/gyn and found another practice.  This one will break out the ultrasound machine for fun during visits (love that) but also says they won't do the NT scan.  My CNM actually said she thought it was an outdated test - that the NIMTs like Panorama and Maternit21 are much more accurate and offer fewer false positives to worry people.

If it were the only way I'd get another look at my baby, I'd be bummed, but since they're willing to give me an ultrasound during my visits just to take a peek at my dancing bean, I don't mind at all.  I'm not really nervous about those things, and don't feel the need to rule them out for peace of mind.  However, if I was, I'd probably push for Panorama or Maternit21.

I second that notion.........I actually predict that these tests will be the "standard" over that test within the next 5 years.

Find my old post to hear my experience

babydreams13

I'm 32 and when I first went into the office and sat down with my new OB we went over my history. He asked if I wanted the NT scan. I said YES. I asked about the other tests like mat21 and he said those are recommended for women over 35. My insurance will only cover the NT scan not the other tests like mat21 bc I'm not 35 so I figured why not. I had the NT scan at 12 weeks and I now feel better bc everything came back in normal range.  If your insurance covers it, I would go for it.  

Momarazzi007

We did w dd and through our RE; they were the ones who told is and recommended that and another one as just u/s so least invasive tests. Anyway, was great for peace of mind (I was 29, now 33) and will do again, but it is weird it is no one ever suggested it, I felt like it was badgered into my brain lol, I was like, I'm not even 30? Now I get it more, but it does seem weird.