- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Pregnant after 35
Really scared of my NT scan & think I have risk factors. How to relax?
I'm 39.5 and will be 2 months shy of 40 on my due date. This is my first pregnancy. I have MTHFR (the hetero form) and this an IUI pregnancy, so I needed help to conceive. I also had two early miscarriages, so I suspect my eggs aren't the greatest quality.
I have my NT scan next week and I'm so, so scared. I've been reading studies describing the link between MTHFR, advanced maternal age and Down Syndrome (and other defects). I've been taking prescription strength folic acid supplements, as well as prenatals, but I'm still so nervous.
I know that plenty of women older than me have healthy pregnancies, but with the MTHFR and previous miscarriages, I feel I already have risk factors.
If there is something wrong with the baby, I don't know if my husband and I would continue the pregnancy. I feel horrible even considering that because of what we went through to become pregnant. And it's not like we can just get pregnant again easily, whenever we want.
How can I relax about this scan? I know the odds are probably in my favor, but I can't stop worrying and feeling so, so anxious.
EDD = Nov 22, 2012....Thanksgiving Day!!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Really scared of my NT scan & think I have risk factors. How to relax?
First of all breathe. I know it's scarey. I had my first child at 38 and while I had an easy time conceiving and didn't have the other issues you have, the risk based on my age alone was 1:175. I had the Integrated Prenatal Screening (NTscan + 1st and 2nd tri blood test) and my results came back screen negative. My doctor never told me the actual number, just screen negative. DS was born completely healthy.
I am pg again at 40, due after age 41. I suffered a missed m/c late last year at 11w. I am again having the IPS. My risk based on age this time around are 1:82, which is scarey as heck. I am scheduled for my NT scan and first blood draw on May 23. If the results come back bad, we will be doing an amnio.
There are two new diagnostic blood test availabe in the US. They aren't available everywhere and may or may not be covered by insurance. If you need to know for sure, then I would recommend one of these blood tests or an amnio/cvs instead of or in addition to the NT scan. NT scan is not a diagnosis, it is a probability.
edit: wording. spelling.
I'm a worrier too, so I really do understand where you're coming from, but I think you know that worrying at this point is premature. You will have the scan shortly, and then you will have a much clearer idea of what your risk factor is for this baby. It sounds like you've done everything you can to create a healthy environment, and I know from other friends who have had IUI and/or IVF that they went on to have no genetic problems at all in most cases.
I completely understand being anxious. I didn't have any risk factors other than AMA and I was anxious as well. So much so that I had the NT Scan, and even though I got good numbers I also had amnio so that I could know for sure. Getting the test results helped me a lot, and I'm hoping it will for you too. Meanwhile, know that there are a lot of us who have walked in similar shoes and are here for comfort and support when you need it. I am hoping that everything will be just fine, and that in the end you'll kick yourself for worrying over nothing.
I am sorry that you are so worried - don't let the AMA 'status' overwhelm you!
And don't do any interet searches - they will scare you to death.
Remember that the NT scan isn't a diagnostic test so if you get some numbers that you feel are too low don't automatically think that everything is bad. And remember that some OB's tend to act like being AMA is the worst thing ever and will have you nervous the entire time and some OB's don't let the AMA tag bother them at all.
I know it is easier said that done - but try not to worry yet. I have been there and at one time during this pregnancy was under the care of three different doctors who had us all upset and worried about what turned out to really be nothing in the end. The ladies here at all wonderful and very good at offering support - take advantage of them!
I second what everyone else has said. I'll add that Alien had a spot on his heart that took my odds to 1:64. I was 34 at the time. I didn't do the NT scan. I went straight for the amnio, and it was a huge relief to know for sure.
I think the NT scan could add to your stress. "False positives" can be common in NT scans, and then you've increased your anxiety. Look into the Harmony or materniT21 tests. They're non-invasive blood tests. If you're comfortable with the idea of an invasive test, especially since you said you'd continue the pregnancy, I'd get an amnio. During the amnio, there's a full level 2 ultrasound that is really fun to watch.
GL, and keep us posted!
It is scary! I don't think it helps once you hit 40 your risk factor goes up soley based on age. I had an amnio based off my blood work. The NT scan was normal. My odds were 1:74. I was flipping and it was a hard few weeks but everything came back ok.
The NT is not a diagnosis and I was pissed that I had a false positive. You go through so much for nothing. I am glad I had the amnio and would do it again. I know the blood test is also a less invasive option. Just try to stay positive. Just because you are 39 doesn't mean you will be at risk. I would just wait and see and take it from there. Good luck!
Hi there.
I don't remember what MTHFR stands for, but I know others that have had is and have had perfectly healthy babies. The miscarriages themselves don't mean there is an issue either. Any perfectly healthy woman can have 2-3 miscarriages in her life. I've had two, and I had no issues at my NT scan.
I went into the NT scan thinking of it as an extra u/s and I was so excited to see the baby. Right off the bat, I saw one of the things I knew they would look for... the nasal bone. It was there, and very visible to my untrained eye, the rest of the baby looked like any other ultrasound of a baby. It was amazing how much my babe had changed from the tadpole it was at 8week to the little person it was in just three weeks!
::lurker here::
THIS! I also agree it's easier said than done. I honestly did not know how I survived it, but I did, and so will you. I just kept telling myself to think positive. I guess I'm sort of "Hope for the best, prepared for the worst."
Somewhat related to other PPs replies - I am in the middle of my Intergrated Prenatal Screen. I already had my NT and my 1st tri b/w, but my 2nd tri b/w isn't due for another week. I won't get the final results of the IPS until I'm around 16w. I did end up going in for the MaterniT21 test today. The results will be available also around the same time as my IPS. My only risk factor is AMA (I'll be 39 when I deliver) but I'd like to avoid an amnio if possible.
My ins doesn't cover the MaterniT21 - I will be charged $475. I think if you have PPO, it's around $235.
Failed multiple cycles of Clomid+TI and Clomid+IUI
3/2011 inj+IUI #1 BFP. 4/2011 missed m/c.
Fall 2011 inj+IUI #2&3 BFN
Jan/Feb 2012 IVF#1 BFP 2/23 EDD 10/31/2012 ~~~ Halloween ~~~
Our IVF miracle, Baby Boy M, arrived on 11/8/2012!
My Blog
I sympathize with you. I too am heterozygous for MTHFR and have had three losses. Two of the babies were not tested so I don't know why they were lost (the second baby was tested and was normal). I was very apprehensive about the NT scan even though the likelihood was that the results would be good.
If you have been taking extra folic acid, that's great. That helps with DNA replication and makes your eggs healthier thereby making your chances of Down Syndrome less.
I know there is no way to really not worry except to have the scan and see that all is well. I had my scan last Thursday and everything looks great. I was relaxed for about a day until I let my mind wander into what else could go wrong with the pregnancy. For me, pregnancy is not a very fun time. After losses, it is hard to be totally positive. I do try to focus on the fact that I am pregnant and that the odds are in my favor to have a healthy baby. That gets me through some worrying moments.
I hope your scan is great and will look for your update.
I couldn't get my risk factor because I was pregnant with twins but one twin stopped growning at 7wks. The other one looked healthy and the NT Scan looked good but they couldn't run it with my blood because my body hasn't absorbed the other twin yet so I could get faulse positive and/or faulse negative. I opted for the CVS because I was 40 (41 now as of Friday). I went to a DR. that has done over 28,000 in his career (this is all he does, CVS and Amnio's) so the risk was the same or less than an amnio (per my OBGYN). It was still really scary and waiting for the results almost pushed me over the edge but everything is fine and I am having a little Boy!! For me, I needed to know for sure. All of the options are a very personal decision. I also had two previous losses and this is an IVF baby but I needed to know that this little guy is healthy!
Oh, and what is MTHFR?? I guess I am not up on all my abbrev. lol
Best of luck to you!!
PP....MTHFR is a genetic blood disorder possibly responible for clotting blood during life/pg. Also prohibits the absorption of folic acid.
OP....I have all of your risks factors as well and my babies (knock on wood) are healthy! My daughter is almost 20 months and I'm 22 weeks pg w/ #2 and all of the testing has come back normal. I will be 38 in September.
Stop googling!!! It will drive you nuts!
I've had 2 losses. First, we don't know what happened b/c we didn't do any testing. Our late loss was unrelated to the MTHFR and we believe my placenta stopped working.
I worry every day. That will never stop but do realize your odds are in your favor! Good luck for an uneventful NT scan!
BFP #2 10/29/08 ...stillborn via c/s @41w 7/20/09
missing my baby everyday
BFP #3 1/20/10 My angel's little sister Grace Madison was born September 8th 2010 @37w. We're so blessed! Thank you angel for getting her here safely.
BFP #4 12/30/11. Jackson Christopher 8/22/2012 via repeat c/s @ 37w 3d
Oh, I'm just seeing this. We are in similar situations! I'm 36 (37 next week) and 18+ weeks pregnant. I was pretty terrified about my NT scan, too. I'm also heterozygous for one of the MTHFR mutations and have had a previous loss.
I've been on baby aspirin and Folgard 2.2 (basically prescription-strength, high-dose folic acid) along with my prenatals.
My risk due to age alone was something around 1:180, I believe, but after the scan and bloodwork, my risk for Down's went to 1:3400 and my risk for both Trisomy 13 and 18 was 1:53,000! I was just hoping for something better than 1:200. So, we were very relieved.
Remember, the NT scan only gives you ballpark odds... not a diagnosis. If your results aren't good, you move on to further screening. You're still early enough that you should be able to get CVS if you want it, based on your results.
You might find it helpful to speak with a genetic counselor so that you can find out more details about your options and likely outcomes. Your OB should be able to refer you to one.
I know just how you feel! My NT scan is tomorrow morning. I am 41 and took one brief look at my risks early in my PG and never again. I'm taking a head in the sand approach for now. We have not told anyone about this PG because we didn't want to worry our families. At this point, I just want to know one way or the other so we can share this big secret.
I wish you all the best in waiting. I know how tough it is.
Hi everyone -
I wanted to give an update on my NT scan & bloodwork results. The scan was great - at 11w5d, we saw a clear nasal bone, nuchal fold measurement was 1.2mm (MFM said at 11w, <1.9 is good) and CRL was 54.6mm, putting baby's growth about 3 days ahead of schedule. All other physical markers were perfect.
Best of all, my combined scan & bloodwork put my risk for Downs Syndrome at 1/2,300, Trisomy 18 at 1/10,000 and Trisomy 13 at 1/13,000. The MFM said my age related risk for Downs (39 yrs) is 1/73, so I'm very, very relieved & grateful. And it doesn't look like an amnio is needed.
Thank you to everyone for the advice. I re-read this thread many times while waiting for the final results, and your comments really helped with my anxiety.
Now I feel I can really relax about this pregnancy!
Thank again