NT scan- need reassurance

ali1031

so I had my nuchal transparency scan yesterday at 12 weeks and 1 day. I was so excited. I didn't get the scan because I had any concerns but because I just wanted another ultrasound. The baby looked great. So much bigger than my 6 week sonogram and I saw the baby move and flip over. It was such an amazing experience until... The doctor came in and said my fold measurement was just outside of the normal range. At 12 weeks he said I should have measured 2.4mm but I measured 2.6mm. He said that's slightly high and right above what's considered normal. He said they aren't super concerned until it's above 3 but that not I have to meet with a genetic counselor. They are going to get my blood results and give me an overall percentage risk of having chromosomal abnormalities. I will meet with the counselor on Wednesday and get the results. I'm not considering getting the harmony DNA test regardless of the results but I have to see if insurance will cover it. I'm trying to stay calm because the measurement was only a little bit high but honestly I've been an emotional wreck. I know it's early on but I am already so attached. This is my first pregnancy. I would keep the baby regardless but want to be prepared and know what's going on. Sorry this was a lot longer than I meant it to be but my question is...Has anyone had a NT scan that the measurement was too high and went on to have a healthy baby? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Paige6410

I haven't had an abnormal one personally, but I know that the NT testing has a high false positive rate. Good luck and fx for you.

ChrissyD1203

I haven't personally, but in all the other posts about NT scan, everyone said there are so so many false positives. Also the tech doing mine said anything under 3 was normal.

MrsTeacher25

I haven't personally but I have two close friends who were told they measured high, went in to get more testing and their babies are totally healthy. Try not stress too much, I would do the blood tests and go from there. Keep us updated!

danasphillips

Yeah, my dr said they hardly do the NT scan anymore because it's only 80% accurate, where the cell free DNA test is 99%. I wouldn't stress too much, especially since it was barely above normal. Do you have any other risk factors such as AMA or a family history of chromosomal abnormalities?

ali1031

Thank you all for your input. I have no other risk factors or family history and I just turned 30. I just hate the waiting game. And even on Wednesday when they give me the percentage chance of risks it's nothing definitive unless I go for the DNA testing. Being pregnant is so scary I just want to know everything is okay. I'm trying to be calm but I'm so nervous.

emzie54

A dear friend measured a tiny bit above normal, like you, and was sent for further testing (cell free DNA). After an agonizing wait she found out that there was nothing wrong with her baby. It makes me so mad that she endured so much worry for nothing. I think the NT scan is kind of BS. They are measuring a tiny space, the likelihood for error is huge! I decided to just start with the cell free DNA test. My insurance will not cover it, but my genetic counselor's office uses Progenity and they guarantee that they will never charge a patient more than $99 regardless of what they are able to collect from insurance. That test is 99% accurate.

I'm so sorry that you are in this position, and I hope that your story ends up like my friend's.

nanamp

Also, if it was really a positive, only 1 in 200 of the positives actually indicates a true problem. The odds look good.

mommiesandbabies

Did they give you actual odds of an issue?

ali1031

No they won't give me the odds until I get blood results for my levels hgc and pappa on Wednesday. They said the sonogram isn't enough to give odds it's called the combined screening that I got so I'll have the odd this week. I hate the waiting game.

AMAmom79

"Just wanting another ultrasound" is not a reason to get one. Ultrasounds are NOT just to look at the baby, they are used to screen for an identify abnormalities. Seeing the baby is merely a side effect. As I mentioned on one of the other multiple posts you made on this same topic, ultrasound is a medial imaging procedure and should be treated as such.

jencook25

AMAmom79 said:

"Just wanting another ultrasound" is not a reason to get one. Ultrasounds are NOT just to look at the baby, they are used to screen for an identify abnormalities. Seeing the baby is merely a side effect. As I mentioned on one of the other multiple posts you made on this same topic, ultrasound is a medial imaging procedure and should be treated as such.

Sorry, but not particularly helpful to a FTM in distress.

To the original poster, i havent had a positive NT scan personally, but my sister has. All three pregnancies she had complications. With the third she was given a very high chance for downs (from one of Australias leading specialists) and strongly reccomended an abortion. She kept the bub.. Who is now a beautiful healthy little 4yo girl. She also doesnt have downs!

myliitlefairygarden

jencook25 said:

AMAmom79 said:

"Just wanting another ultrasound" is not a reason to get one. Ultrasounds are NOT just to look at the baby, they are used to screen for an identify abnormalities. Seeing the baby is merely a side effect. As I mentioned on one of the other multiple posts you made on this same topic, ultrasound is a medial imaging procedure and should be treated as such.

Sorry, but not particularly helpful to a FTM in distress.
!

Right! Harsh much.. I happen to agree that people bed to see ultrasounds for what they are however why would you be so heartless to a scared ftm? I mean just because seeing the baby is a side effect doesn't t mean moms can't be excited about it. That comment was way rough.

To op.... I'll just say what the rest did this year is noturisoly innacurate and if you look up the odds of these new blood tests they also are not 100 like a lot of Dr's seem to be saying. I wish you the best.

Sovvy

I'm sorry you're stressed. I wouldn't make any kind of decision until you speak with a genetic counselor. I lost my first pregnancy due to a chromosomal defect and it was discovered at the NT exam. Please remember there are no positives or negatives with this ultrasound, just odds.

ChrissyD1203

@ali1031 just wanted to say I support your getting the scan to see the baby again. I assume like most of us who were fortunate enough to go into the scan without any particular cause for concern (ie were weren't at risk due to age or loss history), it still feels good to get the scan and see baby is doing okay. I am so sorry for your scare and know how much the waiting game sucks, keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Was sorry to see the negative comment. I go for annual physicals although I'm fortunate not to have any particular cause for concern. There is something to be said for peace of mind.

lwebley

I'm not sure I understand the reasoning for not getting the Harmony test done? It's a much more accurate test and is not invasive at all, just a simple blood test. You may want to look into it further if your insurance covers it. Insurance will usually cover it if the measurement was outside the normal range. I'm sure everything will be fine. Rememember it is just a percentage change and nothing is definite

jencook25

ChrissyD1203 said:

@ali1031 just wanted to say I support your getting the scan to see the baby again. I assume like most of us who were fortunate enough to go into the scan without any particular cause for concern (ie were weren't at risk due to age or loss history), it still feels good to get the scan and see baby is doing okay. I am so sorry for your scare and know how much the waiting game sucks, keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Was sorry to see the negative comment. I go for annual physicals although I'm fortunate not to have any particular cause for concern. There is something to be said for peace of mind.

Totally agree with this-and for those who have struggled with past pregnancies and losses like myself, many of us spend a lot of our time thinking about when we will next be reassured by that beautiful little heartbeat!

ashhsa

AMAmom79 said:

"Just wanting another ultrasound" is not a reason to get one. Ultrasounds are NOT just to look at the baby, they are used to screen for an identify abnormalities. Seeing the baby is merely a side effect. As I mentioned on one of the other multiple posts you made on this same topic, ultrasound is a medial imaging procedure and should be treated as such.

Wow... I'm not sure what you have achieved with your lecture, we don't have to be all sparkles and butterflies in here, but being at least a little bit kinder, would mean people might actually pay attention to what you say instead of writing you off as nasty. If the op has posted multiple times it obviously because she is concerned, as anyone would be!!!

agarza21

@ali1031 i was also told this at my screening yesterday. I'm super nervous and hope everything is ok. Did you get any answers yet?

ali1031

Well for anyone that was interested and especially those of you that were being compassionate...I got the results back and I am low risk. 1-10,000 chance for a chromosomal problem so I don't have to go through any further testing at the moment.  Thank you so much those of you that had kind, encouraging, reassuring words.  This should be a positive place and when a FM needs extra support they should get that instead of judgment.  As pregnant women and moms we should be sticking together and supporting each other not tearing each other down. 

herdofcows

You can have a perfect NT scan and still have a child with something wrong like me. I would not worry about being over a tiny bit. Also remember this is a person using an ultrasound wand to choose two points. They could be off on their clicking and pointing.

fricktion21

I'm sorry but if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. We are supposed to be here to support each other and if you can't do that, then don't comment! Who doesn't want to see their baby? It's an amazing experience! And she mentioned that a positive test of any form would not change her mind but that she would want to be informed and know what to expect. We all have that right and how dare you judge someone for having this test done!

bananers

Sorry, but I'm with @AMAmom79 and the ambiguity and worry is the precise reason I opted out of the NT scan. It's optional for a reason.

Sure, it's tempting to jump at the chance to see the baby an extra time - believe me, I get that part. But at the end of the day these are diagnostic tests and women should think long and hard about what they would do with the results.

OP, I am so thankful your combined screen came back low risk. SO thankful. But what if it had come back high? I have a friend whose NT scan came back 1 in 40. She went on to have a healthy baby girl, but she spent the majority of her pregnancy preparing for the worst.

It's a very personal choice whether to get the NT scan and I would never fault anyone for whichever choice they make - but I will defend to the day I die that no one should take it lightly, no matter how exciting it is to see the baby.

And on a related note, same goes with the anatomy scan. I want to mentally stab anyone who refers to it as a gender scan. It's another diagnostic screen and some of us may receive devastating news. That doesn't mean you can't get excited to see your baby or find out the sex. Be excited. Just treat the procedure with the respect it deserves.