NT Scans????

Ruger04 · January 2013

Okay ladies looking for opinions how do you feel about NT scans? are you getting one? if this is baby 2 or 3 did you with your others?

I don't think we are going to 1. I would not terminate no matter what 2. I would not do farther testing do to the chance of miss carriage with CVS and Amnio 3. even if the test is negative there is still a small chance that the baby can be born with one of the disorders.

So what are your thoughts? Am I missing information that would change my mind?

tokenhoser · January 2013

Yes, we did it this time and last time. No, it wasn't about getting or not getting an abortion. I wanted to know if there was a risk of things being wrong, and if that risk was greater than the risk of further testing, I probably would have done it. I also wanted an u/s to confirm I've got a baby in there, and where I am they only offer the NT and the anatomy, that's it.

Personally, it offers great peace of mind and it works for us.

kah01009 · January 2013

I like to be fully informed. I got it w DD and just Tuesday for this lil munchkin. My insurance covers it, my doc makes it seem like a required given though I know I could still technically request not to do it, and I take every opportunity to see the baby! It's such a fun sono too bc the baby really looks like a baby, you can see their whole bodies moving and wiggling around, etc. I always fall in love even more at the NT scan sonos, lol!

jessie1516 · January 2013

I chose not to get one, then at 22 weeks when we went for the anatomy scan I found out that the baby had trisomy 18. I think it's better to know ahead of time what to expect instead of being super excited and then finding out that your baby is incompatible with life. I'm not trying to scare you, but it's very heartbreaking to be that far and find out something like that. I wouldn't want anyone else to go through that, so I recommend everyone to get it. It's not invasive, it wont hurt your baby or you, and if anything it will give you peace of mind.

kahlan82 · January 2013

I got one. Even if you wouldn't abort, it would give you time to adjust to having a baby with a disability. And like the other posts, I loved seeing my baby and was glad I didn't have to wait until 20 weeks but you gotta do what feels right to you.

kateisgreat · January 2013

Yes, we will, and I had one with DD as well. It's not about whether or not I would terminate a pregnancy, which I don't think I could, but I don't judge women who have made that difficult decision when they have found an issue that is not compatible with life.

For me it's about being informed. If there is something wrong, my doctor and I need to be prepared. If anything shows up on the NT scan that would suggest additional testing should be done- I will cross that bridge when I come to it, I don't know what I would do.

Ruger04 · January 2013

jessie1516:
I chose not to get one, then at 22 weeks when we went for the anatomy scan I found out that the baby had trisomy 18. I think it's better to know ahead of time what to expect instead of being super excited and then finding out that your baby is incompatible with life. I'm not trying to scare you, but it's very heartbreaking to be that far and find out something like that. I wouldn't want anyone else to go through that, so I recommend everyone to get it. It's not invasive, it wont hurt your baby or you, and if anything it will give you peace of mind.

I'm so sorry!

Soleil3 · January 2013

I will absolutely get one and use the information accordingly.

baker916 · January 2013

We've got ours scheduled for a few weeks from now. I am the type that wants information as early as possible. And given a prior loss, I will feel better to know this baby is doing well. Plus, if you did get a bad result, there are several companies now that offer maternal blood tests (MaternaT21, Harmony, etc.) to give you (I think) at least 99% accuracy on trisomy 13, 18 and 21. No risk to baby. And, if you read the literature, the risk of miscarriage from CVS or amnio is actually really small, I believe less than 1% for either. If you even needed that after the NT scan and additional MaternaT21 blood test.

Finally, you get an extra u/s! And a long one too! I'll probably use one of those pictures for our announcement the week or so after.

Cristine · January 2013

I just had mine on Wednesday. This is my 3rd child but it wasn't available with my first child and still fairly new with my 2nd. We opted not to get it with our 2nd child because we would have had to gone several hours away to do it.

We did this time and I'm really glad we did. Because I'm older, I worried a lot more about chromosomal abnormalities. We wouldn't have aborted if the baby had downs but If that happened I needed time to prepare. I would hate to be sad on the day the baby was born.

The NT scan was really cool. It was like a mini anatomy scan. She showed us the baby's hands and feet, the brain, the flow of blood through the umbilical cord etc. It was very reassuring.

kajordan09 · January 2013

Like PPs said, it was about being prepared for us too. With DS we got one. This time around I didn't really care if I got one, but DH really wanted me to get one. We have ours next week.

katharine25 · January 2013

jessie1516:
I chose not to get one, then at 22 weeks when we went for the anatomy scan I found out that the baby had trisomy 18. I think it's better to know ahead of time what to expect instead of being super excited and then finding out that your baby is incompatible with life. I'm not trying to scare you, but it's very heartbreaking to be that far and find out something like that. I wouldn't want anyone else to go through that, so I recommend everyone to get it. It's not invasive, it wont hurt your baby or you, and if anything it will give you peace of mind.

This is a great reminder.

It's also not always about "we won't terminate" or not... and FWIW, I think most. Women who terminate don't make that choice with a light heart, and I think it's blind-sided to say things like "we would never"... you don't know what decisions you might be faced with. Fortunately, the majority of women will never have to even face this option.

We're doing the NT Scan , but unless the odds are really low won't be pursuing an amnio - It really depends on the results. Either way, whether it will either prepare us, or make us rest easy. I would rather know than not.

anvloveskme · January 2013

Yes I am getting mine on Monday - I will be 12 w 1 d. This is baby # 2 for me and I didn't get one with DD. I was 30 with DD, but I am 33 now and will be 2 months shy of 34 on my due date, so my Dr said it was my call, but she was happy to make the referral so it would be covered, since I am not technically considered to be of "advanced maternal age" until age 35.

For myself and DH personally, we both decided that knowing something sooner, rather than later would help us to make decisions and prepare.

Mr&MrsMTA · January 2013

I am having my NT scan next week, I did not have it with my first 2 (previous marriage) and neither of us had any history of syndromes in the family and we were very young. But this time my DH has a neice with downs and we are both 33 going to be 34 when LO will be born so to be honest I would like to know not for the termination but sometimes with these syndroms comes heart defect if I know before I can make sure the right teams are in the delivery room to take care of LO right away.

So I dont know why people would pass on the chance to help their LO esp if your insurance covers the test which most do. Its not just about people terminating its also about maybe saving your LO life.

Ruger04 · January 2013

katharine25:
jessie1516:
I chose not to get one, then at 22 weeks when we went for the anatomy scan I found out that the baby had trisomy 18. I think it's better to know ahead of time what to expect instead of being super excited and then finding out that your baby is incompatible with life. I'm not trying to scare you, but it's very heartbreaking to be that far and find out something like that. I wouldn't want anyone else to go through that, so I recommend everyone to get it. It's not invasive, it wont hurt your baby or you, and if anything it will give you peace of mind.

This is a great reminder.
It's also not always about "we won't terminate" or not... and FWIW, I think most. Women who terminate don't make that choice with a light heart, and I think it's blind-sided to say things like "we would never"... you don't know what decisions you might be faced with. Fortunately, the majority of women will never have to even face this option.
We're doing the NT Scan , but unless the odds are really low won't be pursuing an amnio - It really depends on the results. Either way, whether it will either prepare us, or make us rest easy. I would rather know than not.

I can say I would never I'm catholic and wouldn't! I don't think that I was being rude or judgmental about other women and the decisions that they make!

rzepka525 · January 2013

I understand that you can be a little more prepared if a test shows that something may be wrong, but we've decided not to get the scans for pretty much the same reasons that you listed.

kateisgreat · January 2013

Ruger04:

I can say I would never I'm catholic and wouldn't! I don't think that I was being rude or judgmental about other women and the decisions that they make!

Who said you were being rude or judgmental? You are entitled to your beliefs as much as anyone.

I think I'm the only person who had said anything about judging anyone, and my point was only that the decision to terminate due to a trisomy not compatible with life is not something anyone takes lightly. I don't think I would have the strength to terminate a pregnancy, but if it's the right choice for someone else's family, then I see nothing wrong with that. It was not a reflection in anyone else's option on not terminating.

LJR 84 · January 2013

I won't be getting the NT scan, and I didn't with my previous two pregnancies either. I did get the alpha-fetoprotein test with DS around 16 weeks and I will probably do the same this time around. I'm pretty sure that like the NT scan it doesn't necessarily give you a clear yes/no answer, but if I had a high score we would definitely do additional tests. I want to be as informed as possible!

It's odd, I've been to two different practices, this is my 3rd pregnancy, and I have never even been offered the NT scan. I meant to ask my doctor about it at my last appointment but between two toddlers running around the room and then not being able to find the heartbeat with the doppler I got distracted.

Bakes4u · January 2013

We did not do it for my first two but we will be doing it for this one.

abatkins · January 2013

Yes, we did it last time and will again. I am over 35 and I want to know.

I am a planner, and if something is wrong I want to plan accordingly. We would still keep the baby, of course.

Soleil3 · January 2013

As for what you are missing OP, the possibility to inform yourself as much as possible beforehand, find support groups or a support person, get doctors and possible procedures lined up, possibly get medical help before the baby is born, etc. I have a girlfriend who found out her babe to be may have some form of dwarfism, and her being able to get support now and prepare herself mentally, as well as make sure the hospital she delivers in can handle whatever other issues come along with it, well, its a huge benefit to both her and her babe.

ChicStylishMom2be · January 2013

Im 12 wks pregnant with baby #2 and we just did our NT scan. We also did it with our DS whos now 15 mnths. Because there is no risk involved with the test I personally wouldnt refuse it. The more info i know the better it is to plan if indeed the baby has any disorder.

EJPint · January 2013

I am - mine is in a week. It wasn't about whether I'd end the pregnancy or not, but I want to know if there's a chance of anything going wrong - whether that means more testing, etc. Like token, it's also a chance to see that things are progressing between my first u/s and the a/s in a couple of months.

shelbell1028 · January 2013

I did it with DD and just had my NT scan today for this baby. I like to be as prepared as possible so doing it both times was a no brainier for us.

Ruger04 · January 2013

Soleil3:
As for what you are missing OP, the possibility to inform yourself as much as possible beforehand, find support groups or a support person, get doctors and possible procedures lined up, possibly get medical help before the baby is born, etc. I have a girlfriend who found out her babe to be may have some form of dwarfism, and her being able to get support now and prepare herself mentally, as well as make sure the hospital she delivers in can handle whatever other issues come along with it, well, its a huge benefit to both her and her babe.

I don't know how I didn't think of that..... I guess it never crossed my mind about delivering a baby with special needs. Thank you for this advice it was very helpful! I hope all works out for your friend!

MrsSteSte · January 2013

We had ours last week. It was a no brained for us, as I work around carcinogens and low level radiation, and also see d and c's for various fetal anomalies, mmc and IUFD every day at work. I know the test isn't perfect, but it offers a lot of peace of mind. We're doing the sequential screen, so we won't know our results for a few more weeks. But the scan itself looked positive.

I'm a big believer in knowledge is power.

Ruger04 · January 2013

MrsSteSte:
We had ours last week. It was a no brained for us, as I work around carcinogens and low level radiation, and also see d and c's for various fetal anomalies, mmc and IUFD every day at work. I know the test isn't perfect, but it offers a lot of peace of mind. We're doing the sequential screen, so we won't know our results for a few more weeks. But the scan itself looked positive. I'm a big believer in knowledge is power.

So they tell you that day if your scan looks okay???

LnR70707 · January 2013

Yes I got one with DS and I will get one this time. Primarily because I'm in the knowledge is power camp, but also because it would be horrible for me to find out that my baby was suffering from some painful degenerative incompatible with life condition for 6 extra weeks because I waited until the a/s scan. If my child was suffering in utero and had no chance at life, DH and I agree that we would terminate.

*edited for spelling

lisamoe · January 2013

No, we did not with DS and aren't this time, either.

JET29 · January 2013

I didn't get one last time, but I am leaning towards getting one this time. Especially after reading some of these responses.

Ruger04 · January 2013

JET29:
I didn't get one last time, but I am leaning towards getting one this time. Especially after reading some of these responses.

I know right... my mind is spinning!

LnR70707 · January 2013

Ruger04:

MrsSteSte:
We had ours last week. It was a no brained for us, as I work around carcinogens and low level radiation, and also see d and c's for various fetal anomalies, mmc and IUFD every day at work. I know the test isn't perfect, but it offers a lot of peace of mind. We're doing the sequential screen, so we won't know our results for a few more weeks. But the scan itself looked positive. I'm a big believer in knowledge is power.

So they tell you that day if your scan looks okay???

I had all my results that day because my MFM has patients do the bloodwork part ahead of time, so they can plug in all data and hand them the final results after the scan. With both my NT and a/s scan (and fetal echo) the techs told me that everything was fine, but that may depend on the practice.

MrsSteSte · January 2013

Ruger04:
MrsSteSte:
We had ours last week. It was a no brained for us, as I work around carcinogens and low level radiation, and also see d and c's for various fetal anomalies, mmc and IUFD every day at work. I know the test isn't perfect, but it offers a lot of peace of mind. We're doing the sequential screen, so we won't know our results for a few more weeks. But the scan itself looked positive.

I'm a big believer in knowledge is power.
 
 
So they tell you that day if your scan looks okay??? 

No, but I know enough about what they're looking at to have a basic understanding. Technically I don't think they should be telling you anything, though.

Ruger04 · January 2013

MrsSteSte:
Ruger04:
MrsSteSte:
We had ours last week. It was a no brained for us, as I work around carcinogens and low level radiation, and also see d and c's for various fetal anomalies, mmc and IUFD every day at work. I know the test isn't perfect, but it offers a lot of peace of mind. We're doing the sequential screen, so we won't know our results for a few more weeks. But the scan itself looked positive. I'm a big believer in knowledge is power.

So they tell you that day if your scan looks okay???
No, but I know enough about what they're looking at to have a basic understanding. Technically I don't think they should be telling you anything, though.

My RE does all of my U/S not a tech so maybe he will tell me something that day!

wifeyvana · January 2013

I didn't with my first and I won't with #2. An NT Scan wouldn't change the outcome and we wouldn't proceed with an amnio, so it's pointless for us.

JilllyBean · January 2013

L&R70707:
Ruger04:

MrsSteSte:
We had ours last week. It was a no brained for us, as I work around carcinogens and low level radiation, and also see d and c's for various fetal anomalies, mmc and IUFD every day at work. I know the test isn't perfect, but it offers a lot of peace of mind. We're doing the sequential screen, so we won't know our results for a few more weeks. But the scan itself looked positive. I'm a big believer in knowledge is power.

So they tell you that day if your scan looks okay???

I had all my results that day because my MFM has patients do the bloodwork part ahead of time, so they can plug in all data and hand them the final results after the scan. With both my NT and a/s scan (and fetal echo) the techs told me that everything was fine, but that may depend on the practice.

This is what mine does well. I already did the bloodwork, u/s is next week, he will tell us the results while we are there.

MrsSteSte · January 2013

Ruger04:
My RE does all of my U/S not a tech so maybe he will tell me something that day!

In that case they might give you basic info, but if you haven't had the bloodwork yet the results aren't really valid.

amandarins · January 2013

I'm getting it so that I have another chance to see baby on an ultrasound. It's also considered routine and is fully covered by my insurance, otherwise I may pass.

kahlan82 · January 2013

Ruger04:
MrsSteSte:
Ruger04:
MrsSteSte:
We had ours last week. It was a no brained for us, as I work around carcinogens and low level radiation, and also see d and c's for various fetal anomalies, mmc and IUFD every day at work. I know the test isn't perfect, but it offers a lot of peace of mind. We're doing the sequential screen, so we won't know our results for a few more weeks. But the scan itself looked positive. I'm a big believer in knowledge is power.
So they tell you that day if your scan looks okay???
No, but I know enough about what they're looking at to have a basic understanding. Technically I don't think they should be telling you anything, though.
My RE does all of my U/S not a tech so maybe he will tell me something that day!

Every office is different. They did my blood work a week prior to my scan. So immediately after my u/s, I met with my doctor who used my blood work and u/s to give me my results right then. If you decide to do it, just ask there policy.