NT Scan - thoughts?

stampygarrett

I am scheduled for my NT scan in two weeks.  A woman in my neighborhood told me that with her son they said he would have downs from the NT scan results but he did not - and I have read the results are not too accurate.  And either way, it won't change anything for me.  There is no need for me to get one, it is just routine - so my family is asking me why I am even bothering getting one - but I just feel like I can't pass up the chance to see the LO!  But I also don't want to find out something might be wrong and then worry needlessly. 

What are you thoughts on the NT scan?

JavaVino910

We decided not to do it. I would have loved to have seen our LO again, but since I haven't yet met my deductible for the year, it would have cost us $500 or $600. Since my H and I agreed that the test results wouldn't really change anything for us, we decided not to have it done.

gymnst1013

The NT scan is not a diagnositic tool.  It only gives you a risk factor.  ie: 1/200 chance of downs, 1/50 chance of a trisomy, etc.  So it sounds like your neighbor was misinformed about what the test does.  Only CVS and amnio are diagnostic meaning they give you a definite answer.  You can come back with high odds with the NT scan (say 1/4 chance of downs) and still have a perfectly normal child.  1/4 chance means there is a 75% chance the baby is normal.

Many people may not think they would change anything with NT scan results, but I feel that you can't say that without being in the position.  Not trying to scare you, just giving an example, but you could find out that your child has an abnormality that is not compatible with life and is suffering/will suffer.  I feel like that might change the way you see things.

Also, personally, I would like to be prepared if a child might have special needs.  Find a hospital with an excellent NICU that can take care of it after birth, research to see what is involved in raising a child with special needs, etc.

 

hurricane1212

It's not covered by my insurance for younger mothers who have no history of down's syndrome or birth defects in their family. It's also not routine at my doctor's office. We are not doing it because we really have no reason to and it wouldnt make a difference anyway. I have also read that it is still considered experimental and the results are not reliable.

stampygarrett

That is true - if we hadn't met the deductible yet we would pass too.  I wish it wasn't an option, then I wouldn't be tempted!  Goodness!

seattlestef

We did it with my last pregnancy and will be doing it this time for several reasons.

#1 - Another u/s!

#2 - It provided a ton of peace of mind to us last time. Our risk of downs and other trisomy disorders came back at 1/33,000.

#3 - If it did show we had a higher risk at issues, we could then make a decision if we wanted to do further testing. We decided that if our babies had something wrong, we wanted to be as prepared as possible by talking with specialists, delivering at the appropriate hospital, preparing ourselves mentally etc.

Just because you have an NT Scan doesn't mean you don't want to keep a non-perfect baby. 

MrsEmilyS

We are getting it so that if there is a higher risk we can prepare ourselves.  While I highly doubt the results will change anything for us (it would only come down to the baby suffering) I am a planner and will need time to prepare myself in case something is wrong.  

Birdies08

gymnst1013:

The NT scan is not a diagnositic tool.  It only gives you a risk factor.  ie: 1/200 chance of downs, 1/50 chance of a trisomy, etc.  So it sounds like your neighbor was misinformed about what the test does.  Only CVS and amnio are diagnostic meaning they give you a definite answer.  You can come back with high odds with the NT scan (say 1/4 chance of downs) and still have a perfectly normal child.  1/4 chance means there is a 75% chance the baby is normal.

Many people may not think they would change anything with NT scan results, but I feel that you can't say that without being in the position.  Not trying to scare you, just giving an example, but you could find out that your child has an abnormality that is not compatible with life and is suffering/will suffer.  I feel like that might change the way you see things.

Also, personally, I would like to be prepared if a child might have special needs.  Find a hospital with an excellent NICU that can take care of it after birth, research to see what is involved in raising a child with special needs, etc.

 

Perfectly said.

amanda1680

I'm torn about the NT too.  The only reason I am even considering it is just to see the LO because otherwise, I don't get an u/s until 20 weeks.  I found out today that it's covered by our insurance, but we aren't even close to meeting our deductible for the year so we would basically be paying for it anyway.  Also, I don't think we are high risk, and I am a worrier, so the thought of false positives and odds will probably just make me worry even more.  As of now, we're leaning toward not having it, but ask me again tomorrow after my first appt is over and I've talked to the doc about it! 

stampygarrett

Thank you so much everyone, that really helps me a lot!  I'm a planner too... or at least I thought I was, but I didn't even think that if we found out our child might have special needs we could prepare for the birth, decide about hospitals, seek specialists!  Good call.  I am definitely going to get it.  Well... I'm going to confirm my insurance covers it, and if so I'll get it!

Seriously, I do not know what I would do without TheBump and all of you ladies!

MoMandA

I am going to do it because:

1. My insurance totally covers it.

2. I am 36

3. If we had a baby with Downs I would stay pregnant but it would be a huge lifestyle change for us that I would want to prepare for.

4. If we had another one of the problems that the test checks for I would want to be prepared for having a not viable pregnancy.

5. The false positives, which do happen, are scary but to not know is just as bad for me.

6. Unlike a CVS, which I refused, or an amnio there is no risk at all.

7. Doing it last time was awesome. At 12/13 weeks the babies looked like babies and not blobs. They were very active and we had a great time watching them. I was sad when it was over because I wouldn't get to visit them again for over a month. And it really helped DH bond and attach to the pregnancy to see his children, who finally looked human.

kattyleigh

Here is my response that I just copy and paste to this question as it is asked. 

As a pediatric RN on a floor with cardiology and congenital defect patients, I absolutely WILL be getting the NT scan, as I did with DD.  The NT scan is NOT about "terminating" should something be found.  It is totally non-invasive, and is about being proactive in case a defect is indeed detected.  If a problem was to be found, I want to have time to plan on delivering my child at a hospital with a Level III NICU and the best surgeons around to correct problems that could arise at birth.  I want to be prepared. 

Of course, the NT scan is totally an independent choice.  I just plan on giving my LO the BEST chance at life as possible.

cvl105

We are having it done on Friday.  MH has a family history that makes us concerned.  We're doing it find out if there are any problems.  Many people say that it wouldn't change the course of pregnancy for them, but it probably would for us if we were to find out for sure there was a problem. I don't think you truly know what course of action you would take until you're in that situation.  I hope I don't get flamed for saying that, as I think it's a very personal choice and no one should be attacked for their decision. 

I only am saying this on here because I know sometimes I feel alone in that decision and want others who may feel the same way not to feel alone.

ETA: I will delete this if this thread gets nasty/mean in any way.

jerriesgirl

I won't be getting one because neither DH nor I have family history of genetic abnormalities or birth defects.  I didn't get one with my last pregnancy either and I don't regret it becuase it wouldn't have changed the outcome (a loss at 18w). 

I don't knock anyone who wants to get one.  It is a personal decision for you and your significant other. 

ashleah83

@ cvl105, I think your honesty is great and this forum is for women to discuss their thoughts and concerns, etc. I appreciate your sharing yours with us.

As to the original post, regarding the NT scan, we decided not to do it.  We are low-risk and while I am generally open to all options, DH would have felt uncomfortable with any decision other than to bring the baby to term. We both agree that there is no way to be prepared for any baby - healthy or otherwise, so we saw no reason to have the scan.

That being said, we did discuss it with our providers. If you have abnormal results, you don't just have to worry your whole pregnancy. At that point, you have the option of CVS or amniocentisis.  So if the only thing holding you back from doing the NT Scan is that you are afraid you will be left worrying over possibly nothing, I would go back and talk to your healthcare provider about how they will address it if your NT Scan results are positive for a possible abnormality.

Good luck with your decision.

MoMandA

cvl105:

 I don't think you truly know what course of action you would take until you're in that situation. 

You are absolutely right. My OB said that 60% of the elective pregnancy terminations that are done at the hospital where she practices are because of a D/S diagnosis. People just don't talk about it.

gymnst1013

cvl105:

We are having it done on Friday.  MH has a family history that makes us concerned.  We're doing it find out if there are any problems.  Many people say that it wouldn't change the course of pregnancy for them, but it probably would for us if we were to find out for sure there was a problem. I don't think you truly know what course of action you would take until you're in that situation.  I hope I don't get flamed for saying that, as I think it's a very personal choice and no one should be attacked for their decision. 

I only am saying this on here because I know sometimes I feel alone in that decision and want others who may feel the same way not to feel alone.

ETA: I will delete this if this thread gets nasty/mean in any way.

I absolutely, 100% agree with the bold and I think there are plenty of others who would back you up.  So no flames from me.

kattyleigh

cvl105:

We are having it done on Friday.  MH has a family history that makes us concerned.  We're doing it find out if there are any problems.  Many people say that it wouldn't change the course of pregnancy for them, but it probably would for us if we were to find out for sure there was a problem. I don't think you truly know what course of action you would take until you're in that situation.  I hope I don't get flamed for saying that, as I think it's a very personal choice and no one should be attacked for their decision. 

I only am saying this on here because I know sometimes I feel alone in that decision and want others who may feel the same way not to feel alone.

ETA: I will delete this if this thread gets nasty/mean in any way.

No flames here mama!

dandi799

gymnst1013:

The NT scan is not a diagnositic tool.  It only gives you a risk factor.  ie: 1/200 chance of downs, 1/50 chance of a trisomy, etc.  So it sounds like your neighbor was misinformed about what the test does.  Only CVS and amnio are diagnostic meaning they give you a definite answer.  You can come back with high odds with the NT scan (say 1/4 chance of downs) and still have a perfectly normal child.  1/4 chance means there is a 75% chance the baby is normal.

Many people may not think they would change anything with NT scan results, but I feel that you can't say that without being in the position.  Not trying to scare you, just giving an example, but you could find out that your child has an abnormality that is not compatible with life and is suffering/will suffer.  I feel like that might change the way you see things.

Also, personally, I would like to be prepared if a child might have special needs.  Find a hospital with an excellent NICU that can take care of it after birth, research to see what is involved in raising a child with special needs, etc.

All of this.

susieandmarty

I am very much with CVL on this - I think DH and I would consider every option and I just hope we dont have to make that decision

mskolman

I personally did not with my last pregnancy and will not with this one. We did find out at my 20 week ultrasound for my first pregnancy that my son had a heart defect, which led to an amnio which did reveal a syndrome that caused the heart defect. I am very glad we knew in advance, but I am more than positive that the NT scan early on would not have shown anything. The 20 week ultrasound is very in depth and will usually red flag any abnormalities at that time.  I have heard more people that have had false positives or high odds and then worried the whole pregnancy and turned out to have healthy babies. Most of my girlfriends that have had the NT scan done do it just to get an ultrasound to see the babe.