Are you getting the NT scan done?

ejlynch

For a lot of us, now is the time we might be getting the NT scan done. I'm just curious:

Are you getting the NT scan?

Why or why not?

If you did get the scan and the results are not great ( which hopefully will not be the case for all of us) what would you do? 

ejlynch

DH and I decided not to go ahead with the NT scan.

Why: if there was a problem we would not terminate the pregnancy. Also, if the results came back not do great I wouldn't want to stress about it for the remainder of the pregnancy. If our baby is born with down syndrome we decided to deal with it and educate ourselves at the point in time.

sosara

I am having the scan done this Thursday. For me, it's peace of mind. I want to make sure everything is ok before we start announcing to our other children and family. I would also want to know if everything is not ok. As far as what we would do if something abnormal were found, it just depends on what and how severe it is. I would want to have time to prepare for any possible special needs we would be dealing with well before baby arrives- research, lining up specialty doctors, etc, and on the other hand I would want to be prepared if something fatal were happening. Here we have the materniti21 test available so I wouldn't have to go through a more risky procedure like CVS or Amnio based on abnormal results.

littlebird09

I'm having the scan done in two weeks.  I would not terminate the pregnancy at all (not an option), but if our child does have an abnormality, I want to be fully prepared.  I would want to read every book I can get my hands on and do my research.  We plan on using daycare in the future and there are issues with that as well.  Not all daycare centers are equipped to accommodate a child with special needs.  Bottom line is, I want to be prepared and have all my ducks in a row.

 I would rather get the "worrying" done during my pregnancy then have a surprise on the day I deliver.

Bingo1116

H and I opted not to do it because we aren't really in the "risk" group for anything. Plus, we've already had 3 ultrasounds and will likely have another one in about 3 weeks because of my fibroids so the urge to see the baby isn't going nuts for me.  We talked to the dr about it and she didn't think it was a necessary thing for us so we feel pretty good about the decision. 

As far as what we would do IF we got it and it was bad, it is hard to say.  I say now that I wouldn't terminate but honestly I think that would depend on the severity of the issue and if we felt it was in everyone's best interest. 

Jaqalini

I had the test done last Thursday...so far so good.  I have to go back 2 more times for u/s and blood work (apparently they keep checking throughout your pregnancy).  God forbid something was wrong, this is my baby and God meant for me to be its mother and that is exactly what I would do.

FYI-this test can produce a lot of false positives (2 of my friends had false positives and their babies were completely healthy) so I went into this test with the mindset that I'm not here for the results, I'm here for the 15 minute ultrasounds they give and to spend that time with my baby.

StaceySMC13

I'll be having the NT scan done but I haven't scheduled it yet.  My first ob/gyn appt is this thursday morning.  I'm doing the test to see if I am high risk for delivering a baby with downs syndrome since I am 38.  It's only so I can decide whether I should do the CVS or Amnio test because I don't want the doctor pushing me to do either of them if there is not a higher risk of downs.  I'd rather skip those since they have a chance or miscarriage.  

I wouldn't terminate the pregnancy unless the results are that the baby would not make it through the rest of the term and even then I would have a hard time making the decision to terminate.  I would just want to be prepared and do the appropriate research.   

Malka7997

I had the scan done yesterday. My 2 previous pregnancies I opted out but then I mc in Dec. I was hoping to just get peace of mind and be able to enjoy the rest of the pregnancy. Unfortunately, it isn't turning out that way. Now I'm having to get my blood drawn. If it shows high risk I will probably do an amnio.

My thought used to be it wouldn't change a thing so why bother. However, after my last pregnancy I learned I could have carried it full term only to lose it after birth. I couldn't imagine that. I want to be prepared ahead of time mentally.

LuckyMissus

I'm getting mine next week.  I really went back and forth, I weighed the expense, my low-risk status, etc.  In the end, I decided to do it because I realized that whether the results were good or bad, I would be glad I did the test.  If everything's good then I will be relieved.  And if there is a problem, then I would absolutely want to have that information.  What I would do with it, I can't say beyond getting the Maternit21 or a CVS/Amnio. 

weebos8

We are getting it.  This OB says everyone has to have it.  I did not get one with DS.

If we got bad results nothing would change; we would continue the pregnancy as normal and become prepared for how to help a child with special needs.

angielayne926

We are doing the NT scan on May 11th. 

We are doing it because of family history.  We want to be prepared if we need to be for a child with special needs.  We also feel that if the baby is not going to make it to term, we would terminate because it's not fair to the baby to put him/her through unnecessary pain or trauma.

To the ladies that say they would never terminate, honestly, you do not know what you would do in the situation until you are presented with it.  I've seen two family members have to make that awful choice as well as some of the strongest ladies on this board.  Just know they are not doing that because they do not want a child with special needs, they are looking out for the best interest of their child. 

I'm not saying this to start board drama or a debate, I just don't want you to look down on someone else's choice that they made for their child. 

LucyVanPelt

angielayne926:

We are doing the NT scan on May 11th. 

We are doing it because of family history.  We want to be prepared if we need to be for a child with special needs.  We also feel that if the baby is not going to make it to term, we would terminate because it's not fair to the baby to put him/her through unnecessary pain or trauma.

To the ladies that say they would never terminate, honestly, you do not know what you would do in the situation until you are presented with it.  I've seen two family members have to make that awful choice as well as some of the strongest ladies on this board.  Just know they are not doing that because they do not want a child with special needs, they are looking out for the best interest of their child. 

I'm not saying this to start board drama or a debate, I just don't want you to look down on someone else's choice that they made for their child. 

This, exactly.  Well, except that I had my NT scan yesterday.  Our results were good (1:1,000 for downs and 1:38,000 for trisomy 18) so I don't think we'll do any further testing unless the results are bad at the second trimester screen in three weeks.   For DS, we were borderline positive for either downs or trisomy 18, can't remember, and we went ahead with the amnio.   Everything turned out fine.

karencz

I had it done yesterday.  My  MW recommends it for everyone and my insurance pays 100% (that's why I did it).

Luckily we had great results, but if we didn't we would most likely proceed with the pregnancy and just be cautious and prepared for the worst but hoping for the best.

keiral

I had it done about a week ago.  It went great!  We decided to do it so that we could know as much as possible about LO and prepare for any potential problems.  My OB office really recommends having it done.

AnnieH32

I have not fully made up my mind yet. I am not in any risk categories, so I am inclined not to do it. Also, my doc said I would probably have to drive to another city an hour away to get it done or any follow up testing done. I have about a week to change my mind, I guess.

groundedwife

Not getting it.

Let's say I get a positive result, I am definitely going to stress more and that is not healthy for anyone.  My doctor said there are a lot of false positives so I couldn't imagine putting myself through that for nothing.

Now without getting it done, I am just enjoying this pregnancy and if the baby comes out with health issues, we will deal with it then.  Nobody is ever warned or prepared to find out they have cancer or will be in a terrible car accident that will leave them brain damaged or paralyzed... yet they find the strength to figure it all out right then and there.  Personally for me, I'd rather skip the step where we feel sad and just jump into the fight.

nmeandwjh

I'm 39yo and had my NT scan today. They told me the measurement was 2.4mm which my doctor said was "borderline" so I did the MaterniT21Plus blood test today.  Now I have to wait 10days for the result.

Sunglow28

Yes, we are scheduling our tomorrow. If something is wrong with either of the babies, I anticipate that we wouldn't go any further with the pregnancy. I have worked as a special needs teacher and although I loved my job and advocated for the rights of those children, I also came to the conclusion that I am not willing or able to care for a disabled child. I am not suggesting this would be an easy decision (or that it would be the right one for every family) but we feel calm about this choice.