can't decide on NT scan and 1st tri screen

jen-dale

We decided against it the last two times. I'm 36 now so that is partial cause for reconsidering. Also with 2 babies at home already planning ahead for special needs would be really helpful. I'm terrified of needing an amnio so not sure testing is worth it if we couldn't confirm without that. I also keep going back to "this seems too easy" in my PAL mind. How did you decide?

martinimomma

I was 40 when I delivered DS, and was all for any testing that might help with planning that did not add risks to my already-AMA profile (i.e., did not want an amnio or CVS).  I was pleasantly surprised at my risk profile based on the testing -- I tested out with risks of a 25 year old -- and that gave me as much comfort as a test like that could, given that it is not as dispositive as an invasive test. Knowing that the physical features all looked good was comforting.  We'll be doing these tests again with this LO.

Our struggle this time around is with the newer maternal blood test that is available.  It tests maternal blood around 10 weeks gestataion for fetal cells and can identify Trisomies 13, 18 and 21.  Some also test for gender (the company my OBs practice uses, Harmony, does not, another, MaterniT21 apparently does).  It is not covered by insurance and runs about $800.  I am not sure that it is a test we need, given a number of factors about our beliefs and choices that would tend away from "doing anything about it" other than planning for it, but it is tempting to get it done to have that extra assurance. 

If we had results that indicated an issue with any test, I would try to work on additional advanced u/s testing to try and confirm before considering anything invasive -- but that is easy to say now when we are not in the situation.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Allycat11

I am only 25 with no risk factors but I did decide to have the NT scan done.  We agreed ahead of time that we did not know for sure what to do with the information but we would deal with it when we got there.  I like to be prepared as possible, so if I could know ahead of time that we may have a special needs child, it would make me more comfortable.  

Junebug060609

I did it with DS's pregnancy.  I was 34 at the time.  I was one of the 'false positives' you hear about.  He came back with an elevated T21 risk, 1:10.  I went into the NT thinking I'd never do an amnio...but I sang a different tune when actually faced with a potential issue.  We did the amnio and it turns out he doesn't have T21.  That pg was before Materniti21 was available, if faced with the same situation I'd go with the blood test if I was able to now. 

I'll be doing the NT with subsequent pregnancies...begrudgingly.  I'm not a fan of it, I'd rather do something definitive like the blood test (which I don't think is covered by my insurance yet), but in hindsight the blood work for the NT (the reason he tanked the test) gave us our first clue I'd develop pre-e.  I will say though that the u/s is nice though and it was comforting to leave knowing he seemed to have all his peices and parts how they should be. 

spincat9

I was 38 when I had DD, so we did the sequential screening figuring that more info would help us plan in the event there was something going on with baby but we did not want to risk any of the more "invasive" tests.  This was a happy medium for us.  We plan to do the same thing with our next pregnancy if we are so blessed.  Good luck with your decision making!

bluebonnetmeg

I did it with my first pregnancy more to get a sneak peek at our LO than anything. That was when we found out about the fatal birth defect that led to our decision to terminate. As horrible and awful and gut wrenching as it was to have to make that sort of choice (terminate or attempt to continue a doomed pregnancy), I am glad that we found out when we did. If not, our loss would have been much more public and complicated (emotionally and physically).

That said, you should still do what you think is best for your family. If skipping it gives you more peace of mind, then by all means do so. Good luck with your decision.

luvmyducks

Why not do it and instead of worrying about an amnio/CVS if something seems wrong, just do the MaterniT21/Harmony test.  Not invasive and great accuracy.

ETA:  Since the test isn't covered by insurance, the company covers all but $265 I believe.  If something looked off on the NT scan to us, we would for sure do that test. 

hopefulmom81

We decided that it was an extra peek at the baby and also would give us more information so we could set up resources after the birth if there was an issue. 

damabo80

theresat858:

I don't understand why more information isn't a good thing. I was only 30 but I had both... it's just an ultrasound...

Agreed. Nothing is a 100 percent accurate. Not even an amino.

If you're going to opt out of the nt and just hope for the best, why wouldn't you opt out of the anatomy scan as well? The anatomy scan can't tell you with 100 percent accuracy, either.

Personally, I like to know ahead of time if I should plan a nursery or a funeral. And with our first baby, we learned he had a fatal condition, it was really obvious during the ultrasound, so I didn't start planning a nursery.

butterflynola

I was 28 and still opted for the NT and will do it again in the future just for the peace of mind. Also it's only an u/ and a finger poke of blood so it's really nbd and a good excuse to see Lo again

Eris-Alexis

I was 29 with C and opted for the Quad Screen.  We will do it again for any future LOs as well.  I would rather have the information when making a decision about further testing than jump to the conclusion that further testing is going to be necessary.