NT Scan

staccydev · August 2011

For the ladies who already have kids, did you get a NT scan done? For the first time moms to be, will you be getting a NT scan?

I had my early pregnancy class at Kaiser yesterday and they went over all of the genetic and diagnostic testing options. I learned that Kaiser doesn?t even do NT scans locally (I live in a city of about 200K people) and that I will have to travel to a facility an hour away and outside of the Kaiser system to get the test done. I was informed by the leader of the class that not many people opt to have these tests done.

staccydev · August 2011

teenagefbi:
I didn't with my son, but I probably will this time. One word of advice? Don't hesitate to skip out on the early 2nd tri bloodwork that tests for NTDs, Downs, Tri 18, etc. I cannot for the life of me remember the name...the quad screen? That's it! Anyway, my OB said it wasn't necessary at all but I did it anyway, only to come back super "positive" for a NTD. We spent the few weeks until my Level 2 ultrasound thinking the baby was in severe trouble. I remember not even talking about the baby during that time we were so scared. Come to find out, that test is giving you your odds, not a yes or no answer. There are other factors that play into the results, such as pre-existing medical conditions and age, so you may test "positive" for no reason other than you're a diabetic, older or whatever. I was in tears by the time I got to the u/s and he was fine. Just fine.

So, to not answer your question but maybe answer another, don't feel like you need to get every test offered. The only reason I'm getting the NT scan is because I've already hit my out of pocket max for the year with my insurance, so why not?

Thank you for all of that! I am so confused by all of this.

ECUGirl2004 · August 2011

I did have one with my son and I will have one again with this pregnancy. I like getting another ultrasound and seeing that the baby is okay. Also, since I plan to deliver at a birth center with midwives, I do as much of the diagnostic testing I can to be sure I have a healthy baby. If there was something wrong, I'd probably move to a hospital birth.

ashleym373 · August 2011

I probably will, but have a phone appointment with my midwife this Friday to go over medical history and everything so I am sure it will be brought up then. This is my first pregnancy so everything is brand new to me so I am doing lots of research to see what I should/shouldn't do in terms of testing, etc.

californiafrog7905 · August 2011

We did with our daughter, mainly because both DH and I have one relative apiece who has Down Syndrome and we wanted to be as fully prepared as we could be in that event. PP mentioned that the bloodwork can freak you out with the ratios and numbers; I do agree that they're only "odds" and you really can't be sure what's going on until that follow-up appt, but I knew I wanted to know as much as I could, and thankfully everything was fine.

We'll do it again for this baby for the same reasons, especially because I have a gut feeling we're having a boy this time and they're more prone to birth defects/chromosomal abnormalities/etc. HTH

easjer05 · August 2011

I did, and will certainly do it again. It's important to us to know if we are facing a problem before we stitch my cervix shut, which (fingers crossed all goes well until then) is going to be ~ 13 weeks. I'd consider CVS as well, because an amnio will be too late. So an early NT scan so we've got time to do CVS if necessary, then cerclage, if things are good.

easjer05 · August 2011

As others have noted, the NT scan only gives you odds on a problem. They look for soft markers on u/s, presence of a nasal bone, nuchal fold and combine those findings with the bloodwork, plus age, number of pregnancies, etc and tell you what the odds of certain abnormalities are in your case.

Based on that, you and your doc decide whether or not further monitoring or testing is appropriate and of what type. The NT scan (or the AFP or quad screen) are not, in themselves, conclusive tests. CVS and amnio are genetic tests, level II u/s can also be revealing.

Pdxmom73 · August 2011

I did not with my 2 previous but just got my BFP this week after a m/c in April and because I am 37(will be 38 when baby is born) I am going to. I want to be prepared.

I work for Kaiser Permanente but in a bigger city and Kaiser does do it themselves in my area. And since I work for them my benefits call for no cost. If I had to pay alot of money I might have a different outlook on it.

staccydev · August 2011

Pdxmom73:

I work for Kaiser Permanente but in a bigger city and Kaiser does do it themselves in my area. And since I work for them my benefits call for no cost. If I had to pay alot of money I might have a different outlook on it.

I called member services today and learned that even though the scan would be done outside of Kaiser (at a UC campus), all I will be responsible for is a $10 co-pay. I think the scan is well worth the hour long trip.

CeeJay0529 · August 2011

I am from Canada and we don't do NTs routinely here! We only do the 20 week u/s. Though I have friends who work in radiology and I have access to an U/s machine at work so I will try not to ultrasound myself all the time....

NT Scan

Re: NT Scan

Choose Another Board

Search Boards