Pregnant after 35
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What would you do if you were me?
I was pregnant this past year and my NT scan came back off the charts high. We did an amnio and, sadly, the baby had Downs and other medical issues. We decided to terminate the prgnancy at 17 weeks.
Now I'm pregnant again and I'm faced with options. What would you do if you were me:
1.) Because of my history and age, do the CVS testing which is done between 10-12 weeks. (before the NT scan and bloodwork)
2.) Do the NT scan and bloodwork at 12 weeks and if the results are abnormal, get the amnio around 16 weeks. Actually, I'd probably get an amnio regardless of what the results are.
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Re: What would you do if you were me?
I'm so sorry for you for what happened before
. I had a scare with Down, but fortunately it was just a scare, but I've had to work through the feelings of what would I do, definitely, and that's a really hard place to go.
I'm scared of CVS testing because of snwfield's experience. I'd probably be inclined to do the amnio as soon as they'd allow it because I'd just have to *know* and as pp said, it's the only thing that's conclusive. Not sure if my answer helps.
You can't do an amnio earlier than 16 weeks, so you might as well have the NT scan at 12 weeks. The sucky part is the waiting. You know, if you get abnormal results back from the NT scan, it's too late for the CVS testing. So you have to wait an agonizing 3-4 weeks for the amnio.
You can do the CVS testing a lot earlier though. For some reason, I'm just wary of the CVS testing.
Eh, I'm a tester. I need to know ahead of time to brace myself for the worst.
That is what I was thinking. If you're going to get the amnio anyway, then the results of the bloodwork would be at best mildly reassuring and at worst several weeks of torture. I'd skip the torture and go for the certainty.
I'm sure everything's going to be ok! GL!
i have no idea what i'd do... I suppose it would only truly matter if you think you would terminate again - and for DH and I we (for now) believe we wouldn't do that.... but I do not fault anyone who does.
It's a hard decision- I wish you the best in your decision- and the results!! Prayers!!
DD -- 5YO
DS -- 3YO
I was adamant during the NT testing that I would not terminate. Absolutely 100% totally and completely convinced that the NT testing was a waste of time. But when the results came back and it's real, it changes everything. Especially when you have another child to consider. Saying things like "I wouldn't do that" is naive and condescending.
I am in the same boat as Goldie...I have no idea what we would do if we found out something was wrong. I have decided (DH left it up to me) to do the bloodwork and scan first and go from there. Thanks for posting the question. It is a difficult topic to talk about but something I have been thinking about.
I would do the CVS test (if you have a place that specializes in the procedure and can give you that center's rates for m/c after the procedure.) I did mine at exactly 13 weeks and got the results back 3 days later and conclusive results 7 days later.
If you don't feel good about the CVS I would do the NT scan.
Sending good luck your way.
I don't think she was saying she wouldn't -- she just said for now she and her husband don't think they would. Like you said circumstances change everything, including a friend who swore she wouldn't and like you, discovered that her baby had DS, 1/2 her brain and a host of other issues. She also terminated at 17wks. Needless to say, from that point on, I have to admit I don't know what I would do if faced with a similar situation and like you, another child to consider.
DD -- 5YO
DS -- 3YO
Ditto this. The NT scan will not tell your anything at all. It won't give any definitive results, so why bother? If I were you, I'd have the amnio.
Bluesmoothie,
I just had some genetic counseling with my nt, still waiting on full results...
But at the perinatologist they are able to do a new "early" amnio at 13 weeks. ?I think the mc rate is slightly higher, but you may want to think about that. ?They offered it to me, in the case that my nuchal comes back high.
?Good luck.?