Scary NT Scan today.

LWilson82

My actual scan was perfect. Fold measured wonderfully at 1.6 and there was a clear nasal bone which the US tech said is a marker that the baby doesn't have Downs. Baby was all cute and squirmy, waving his or her hand a lot. HB was on target at 167 and the baby measured 12w1day perfectly.

And then...they brought in the blood work results along with the genetic counselor to deliver the news that my odds of having a child with Downs are 1 in 47 which is a 2% chance. Luckily, I was able to hold myself together and not burst into tears immediately. I was really confused at first because the lady doing the US had so clearly stated that everything was fine on the scan, especially citing the nasal bone as being indictative that the baby didn't have Downs.

They explained that because my beta HCG was extremely high (95th percentile) and my PAPP-A was extremely low that put me at that much of an increased risk despite the normal actual scan.

The Genetic counselor tried to get me to schedule an Amnio or a CVS ASAP. Thankfully, I had an appt with my OB following the scan so I opted to wait until after I talked to her to decide what I wanted to do.

And as usual my OB was wonderful and very calming. She explained everything and really got me to focus on that 2% as well as that fact that the baby's fold was perfect and the nasal bone was prominent. She said that while it's still possible for babies to be born despite having a prominent nasal bone and a normal fold, she personally had never seen a baby born who had those normal markers and still be born with Downs. So that combined with the fact that it's only a 2% chance made me feel a heck of a lot better.

Instead of recommending a CVS, she recommended a Level II Ultrasound that will measure all the babies limbs, ect and give us a clear picture of our risk for Downs. If that is alarming then we can talk about an Amnio (which I so hope to avoid.) The miscarriage risk to me is scary and it's hard to take that type of chance after already going through a miscarriage.

So anyway, that was my Scan. LOL, they did have to make me stick around the office because my blood pressue was through the roof! (gee wonder why.)

Hope everyone that has opted for the scan gets great results, if not - keep your chin up:)

AprilAngie

thanks for sharing!  glad things are well!

090106

Glad that everything turned out to be alright in the end for you. Thoughts and prayers coming your way!

 My doctors office does offer the NT scan but with my twin pregnancy and this pregnancy, I opted out. Just a personal decision.

Not sure about how anybody else feels but in my mind, if something is going to happen, knowing about it sooner will only stress you out the rest of your pregnancy and you can't change it anyways. So to me, there's no point in going through with it.

rainyday31

I am sorry you recieved scary news today. I don't blame you for not wanting the amnio, especially if you have already had one loss. I hope the next u/s can put your mind at ease. Good luck!

LWilson82

090106:

My doctors office does offer the NT scan but with my twin pregnancy and this pregnancy, I opted out. Just a personal decision.

Not sure about how anybody else feels but in my mind, if something is going to happen, knowing about it sooner will only stress you out the rest of your pregnancy and you can't change it anyways. So to me, there's no point in going through with it.

I can definitely understand opting out. In a way I wish I had because I think it just adds a ton of stress that is 98% likely to be unwarranted :-/ But ah well.

090106

LWilson82:

090106:

My doctors office does offer the NT scan but with my twin pregnancy and this pregnancy, I opted out. Just a personal decision.

Not sure about how anybody else feels but in my mind, if something is going to happen, knowing about it sooner will only stress you out the rest of your pregnancy and you can't change it anyways. So to me, there's no point in going through with it.

I can definitely understand opting out. In a way I wish I had because I think it just adds a ton of stress that is 98% likely to be unwarranted :-/ But ah well.

I would have done it just to have an extra ultrasound but with my twins, I had one like every month or twice a month and so far this pregnancy, I've had 3.

 

*city bride*

I'm sorry you got such conflicting news today. If it makes you feel at all better, I have an uncle with Downs. He's the most amazingly sweet and loving human being I've ever known. He just turned 52 this past July, and functions pretty well considering. Not all are sickly, or pass young.. although I'm sure it's been difficult for my grandmother at times.

If you found out you had a child with Downs, would you end up terminating the pregnancy? No judgements whatsoever from me.. and you don't even have to answer that to anyone (least of all me) but will knowing effect your decision to bring the child to term? If not, then why stress over it now, and make yourself ill.

MWoodside

Just remember that's still a 98% chance of a non-DS baby.  And the bloodwork is notorious for providing alarming info when many people go on to have perfectly healthy babies.

VanessaB24

what is NT? I know its a type of scan...hence the title but does it do any harm to the baby?

bwe1100

I'm glad your ob made you feel better. Big hugs to you and best wishes for the next few months!

LWilson82

*city bride*:

If you found out you had a child with Downs, would you end up terminating the pregnancy? No judgements whatsoever from me.. and you don't even have to answer that to anyone (least of all me) but will knowing effect your decision to bring the child to term? If not, then why stress over it now, and make yourself ill.

Yes, I would still have the child which is why I immediately ruled out a CVS. I could never abort the baby. I think every mother deals with some kind of anxiety and stress in addition to being over the moon happy to be having a child. Having a child with special needs just increases some of that already present anxiety. Especially from a care and financial perspective.

I think its completely normal to feel concerned. You worry for their health, for their quality of life, how you are going to fund their special care, ect ect ect. I'm not going to make myself ill worrying but there's no way possible not to feel some sort of stress and anxiety. I think I'd be hard pressed to find many mothers who wouldn't feel some sort of panic over an increased risk. I am going to focus on the positive though. I have a gut feeling that everything is fine.

I'm just thrilled the baby is measuring wonderfully and has a strong heartbeat.

LWilson82

VanessaB24:

what is NT? I know its a type of scan...hence the title but does it do any harm to the baby?

NT is a Nuchal Translucency Screening. Here's a link that really explains it: https://www.babycenter.com/0_nuchal-translucency-screening_118.bc

There is zero risk to the baby to have the test. It's a non invasive test that combines a blood test with a special ultrasound that will assess your risk factors for having a baby with genetic abnormalities such as Downs, Trisomy 18/13, as well as major heart problems. You have to have it done around 11-14 weeks. If your risks are elevated such as mine are, then your doctor can go over your options for invasive testing that will give you a clear answer.

Not everyone chooses to have it, but I did because I like to be prepared and because I really didn't want anything invasive done. It was also something my OB really encouraged for everyone because it is non invasive. I just wish I had a little more understanding of exactly how the test worked before I did it.

Just remember that's still a 98% chance of a non-DS baby.  And the bloodwork is notorious for providing alarming info when many people go on to have perfectly healthy babies. Just remember that's still a 98% chance of a non-DS baby.  And the bloodwork is notorious for providing alarming info when many people go on to have perfectly healthy babies. Just remember that's still a 98% chance of a non-DS baby.  And the bloodwork is notorious for providing alarming info when many people go on to have perfectly healthy babies.

Thanks, I'm definitely focusing on that 98% Plus I feel more reassured in the actual scan findings. Thanks to much to everyone for their responses. I'll keep you updated. The Level II scan will be at 18 weeks.

*city bride*

LWilson82:

*city bride*:

If you found out you had a child with Downs, would you end up terminating the pregnancy? No judgements whatsoever from me.. and you don't even have to answer that to anyone (least of all me) but will knowing effect your decision to bring the child to term? If not, then why stress over it now, and make yourself ill.

Yes, I would still have the child which is why I immediately ruled out a CVS. I could never abort the baby. I think every mother deals with some kind of anxiety and stress in addition to being over the moon happy to be having a child. Having a child with special needs just increases some of that already present anxiety. Especially from a care and financial perspective.

I think its completely normal to feel concerned. You worry for their health, for their quality of life, how you are going to fund their special care, ect ect ect. I'm not going to make myself ill worrying but there's no way possible not to feel some sort of stress and anxiety. I think I'd be hard pressed to find many mothers who wouldn't feel some sort of panic over an increased risk. I am going to focus on the positive though. I have a gut feeling that everything is fine.

I'm just thrilled the baby is measuring wonderfully and has a strong heartbeat.

That's a beautiful attitude to have And I'm glad you'll love the child no matter what. Best wishes that your baby is happy, healthy and strong.

libra31

I didn't have the NT scan my last pregnancy but I did do the penta screen (previously quad screen which is a blood test around 15 weeks).  My results came back 1:18 for Trisomy 18.  All of the 5 things they screen for were low for me.  It scared me to death and despite a completely normal level 2 u/s I still worried the remainder of my pregnancy.  My baby boy is perfectly healthy.  I believe the NT scan and penta screen both share the same 5% false positive rate.  I would focus on the positive scan and try not to worry until you are able to have your level 2.  

Even after my level 2 they would only give me a 98% ( I think) chance that the baby was healthy.  The only absolute was an amnio.  I'm a L&D RN and unfortunately I've seen people rupture post amnio, there was no way I could live with myself if I lost a healthy baby due to an amnio so that was always out for me.