Anyone NOT doing the NT scan + bloodwork?

Clerk9

As much as I want to see LO again (& I really, really do!), I haven't scheduled a NT scan.  I'm pretty prone to stressing & overanalyzing, & I'm worried that if they found "soft signs" of issues, it'd just give me more to stress about & that wouldn't be good for the baby.  Unless this LO has a lethal problem we wouldn't consider termination, so I don't know if it'd be worth it to pursue this testing.  (Actually, at this point, it may even be too late to schedule an appointment.)  

FWIW, my next regular appointment is on 1/10.  My OB offered the NT scan + bloodwork as an optional screen, as is the 16 week genetic screen (bloodwork only).

Just curious if anyone else decided to forgo the tests or had any other insights.  Thank you, & I hope you're all doing well!     

Hunter22

I don't think we are going to. We didn't with my son and I don't think we will now either. I wouldn't terminate the pregnancy so I guess I don't really see the point. My sister in law's sister got a result that said there was a good chance of downs and he is perfectly fine. Not saying it is always the case but she was a wreck her entire pregnancy for no reason and her decision was to keep the baby anyway. I also have another ultrasound with my OB the week after so I will get to see LO then

rock-elle

I really wanted to do it but most of the cost would be out of pocket since our yearly deductible will be reset after the new year, DH said if they could find anything treatable than he'd be more on board with it, but if not then we could spend the money elsewhere.

jeannaqueena

We didn't have it done.  I have to pay everything out of pocket and we couldn't justify the extra expense or the.  I stress A LOT before every u/s.  If it is covered by your insurance it might give you some peace of mind. 

You should be careful saying "Unless this LO has a lethal problem we wouldn't consider termination"  you don't know what you would do and there are woman on this board that have had to make this VERY difficult decision and that can come across the wrong way.  I know the last thing any of us would want to do is hurt another woman who has suffered a loss with our words.  

GL with your decision and I hope your LO is healthy and you have an uneventful 9 months.

AppleRidge

There are several lethal problems that could be found in an NT scan, so if you would consider terminating in that case, then that's all the more reason to get the scan. As for stressing about "soft markers," there are no "soft markers" in an NT scan. You would simply get a probability as to the likelihood of neural tube defects and Down Syndrome.  That would enable you to get a more definitive test like an amnio or CVS earlier.  Basically, you'll end up the same place you'll end up after the anatomy scan, but with more information and at an earlier point in the pregnancy, so that you have more options available to you.

I think you should at least call to see whether there's still time to schedule it, then make the decision from there. 

kathymarie

Even if I "wouldn't" terminate, I would want to know what I'm dealing with.

I don't want to be blindsided in the delivery room. If my baby has any issues, I'd like as much time as possible to wrap my head around it, do some research, and be ready to welcome that child into my life. I want his/her birth to be joyous and welcoming, not sad because I didn't know s/he had downs or something else. 

caitlin*marie

kathymarie:

Even if I "wouldn't" terminate, I would want to know what I'm dealing with.

I don't want to be blindsided in the delivery room. If my baby has any issues, I'd like as much time as possible to wrap my head around it, do some research, and be ready to welcome that child into my life. I want his/her birth to be joyous and welcoming, not sad because I didn't know s/he had downs or something else. 

This.

Clerk9

jeannaqueena:

You should be careful saying "Unless this LO has a lethal problem we wouldn't consider termination"  you don't know what you would do and there are woman on this board that have had to make this VERY difficult decision and that can come across the wrong way.  I know the last thing any of us would want to do is hurt another woman who has suffered a loss with our words.  

You're absolutely right, & I'm sorry if I offended anyone.  I was trying to sum up our (current) feelings in a short statement which, of course, is impossible.  I suppose it would've been better to say that we want to do what is most compassionate for our baby.  As a vet, I have had to deal with these sorts of decisions quite a bit (especially this past year when we had to decide it was time to say goodbye to one of our own furbabies--one of the hardest things I've ever had to do).  And it's ALWAYS difficult.  I know it's not exactly the same thing, but my philosophy is try to be as unselfish as possible & do what is most compassionate.  Which is different for every individual faced with a difficult choice.  (I would never judge someone else for the decisions they had to make under such heartbreaking conditions.)

Having said that, I'm still waiting to get my insurance information (my new coverage starts tomorrow), so I don't know if we're going to have to pay OOP, which would also factor into the decision.  (I've tried requesting information from them numerous times...I can try again!)  

Thank you for all of your input.  I was hoping to get lots of different perspectives/experiences & I have.    Looks like I'm going to have to do some more research...

Thank you again for your input!   

bbhalphen

I would love to have the NT scan and bloodwork, but I'm not sure if they offer it around here!  When I was talking about it to the RE, they acted like they had never heard of it and they were like, "No, no, you are talking about a scan around 20 weeks. That's later on."  I need to call my OB's office and make sure they can do it, but what makes me think they don't is that last year my last scan was at 11 weeks.  Would they have scheduled a scan at 11 weeks and then had me come back one week later for the NT scan?  I need to find that out.  I do want this scan.

ashleyrsotomayor

We opted out. I just didn't want the added stress if something "might" be wrong. I am just taking this pregnancy one day at a time. I will deal with a problem IF it arises. Ignorance is bliss. I am a very anxious person as it is, and I don't need to add to the anxiety.

kbel424

I had the scan but not the bloodwork, mostly because of my dr's office being incompetent. But the scan was fine, and I didn't go out of my way to go back for the bloodwork.

kaw2723

I didn't have it because I wouldn't terminate no matter the results. Plus my doctor said that it can give false information that maybe would have made me worry more than I already was.

Clerk9

bbhalphen:

I would love to have the NT scan and bloodwork, but I'm not sure if they offer it around here!  

It's possible that they may not do it.  I know my new OB said that they bring in a specialist to do the scans.  I don't know if that's a typical protocol or not, but it might explain why they don't do them routinely at your practice?  If you know you want it, I'd definitely ask if they can refer you someplace to get it done.  GL!    

magdalina.h

We didn't with either pregnancies

Clerk9

kaw2723:

Plus my doctor said that it can give false information that maybe would have made me worry more than I already was.

This plus what ashleyrsotomayor said are why I've been reluctant to do the scan.  

Part of me still blames my stress level for what happened with our previous pregnancy & with our IF issues in between that one & our current LO.  Whether this has real scientific grounding or not, I don't know.  But I've been trying to stay as chill as possible this time around (at least as much as being PgAL will allow!).

I really appreciate everyone's opinions & suggestions.  You ladies are the best!  And thank you again.    

bbhalphen

Clerk9:

bbhalphen:

I would love to have the NT scan and bloodwork, but I'm not sure if they offer it around here!  

It's possible that they may not do it.  I know my new OB said that they bring in a specialist to do the scans.  I don't know if that's a typical protocol or not, but it might explain why they don't do them routinely at your practice?  If you know you want it, I'd definitely ask if they can refer you someplace to get it done.  GL!    

Thanks, that's a good idea.  I'll have to call on Mon.