NT Scan

tinkerbell1658 · April 2014

Whos doing it? Not doing it? I wasnt going to but it is another excuse to take a peek in there....... my next appointment is at 14 weeks so ill have to call and book it before that. Im still undecided.

deevaswani · April 2014

I just had mine today

MindyAndRyan · April 2014

I was classified as high risk because of a few health conditions I have, and since my MFM doc is where I'd go for the NT scan, and my first appointment is next Wednesday and I'll be 13 weeks that day, I figured I would just get it done with everything else at that appointment. We're just doing it to know and be prepared.

MindyAndRyan · April 2014

Here is an argument for it, if your insurance covers it: if you are planning to find out the sex of the baby at your 20 week anatomy scan so that you can know and prepare, why wouldn't you want to find out if the baby may have Downs, so you can know and prepare? That is what made me decide to do it.

smboswell1 · April 2014

It is required to have at my doctors! I get it on may 5. I'll be 13+ weeks!

Jatpa003 · April 2014

I am because I am a numbers person and a need to know person. I like feeling in control and I know I will worry less when we find out more info. I also want to make sure our little one is developing and this is just another way for me to see and connect with it a little more. I also think because my DH is coming with me that this makes it more real for him and makes him feel a little more in the know. So ya... A ton of reasons made me say yes to the NT scan.

Maelara · April 2014

Where I live in Canada doesn't do them I think unless there is a high chance or the anatomy scan shows something. Then, as it's already past the 11-13 weeks we have to go another way.

MrsAdventure · April 2014

I did one last time, as my doctor offered it to us and it was covered. She said even though I am under the age that they highly recommend it being done, it can give you more time to prepare emotionally for a baby who may have special needs. DH and I agreed that this was a reasonable argument and decided to have it done. Unfortunately, my OBs reasons for suggesting we have it done were pretty spot on, and our LO was not well at all. In the end, she had an extremely sad prognosis. And though her chromosomal issues were not inherited, just something that crops up in what I like to call the genetic crapshoot, we will have an NT scan done on May first for this LO as well. Though the DNA blood work I recently had indicated she was healthy, we appreciate the opportunity to know as much as we can about our LOs health before she arrives.

lauren_m · April 2014

It's not optional at my doctor's practice. The hospital requires them.

Kristy774 · April 2014

Absolutely. I'm also high risk because of (5ths disease) but even if I wasn't I'd get it done.

abbyful · April 2014

We're doing it. I like having as much info as possible.

tinkerbell1658 · April 2014

The reason Im even questioning doing it is that with ds they found an echogenic focus (calcification in the heart) in a routine scan. Its a marker but hes totally fine. Also I have nothing to suggest a 'need'.

mander82 · April 2014

My insurance company said they won't cover it because it's not medically necessary. Basically we have no family history and I am under 35. That was our deciding factor.

AnnieRoo13 · April 2014

Where I live in Canada it's fairly routine (and free of course). My doctor didn't really give me an option but I know that it is optional. For me it's my first ultrasound so selfishly that's a big reason to do it, but the results would also change the way I prepare for baby.

A good friend is also pregnant and decided against doing it. She said that if her baby had Downs that it wouldn't change anything and she would just spend the next 6 months worrying. I can understand her point and I admire her for it, but personally I have a need for information and research and I would want to do as much as I could beforehand.

icaughtfire · April 2014

We're doing it (and I believe it's standard practice at my doctor's office.) Having a child with special needs would be life changing, so it's something I would want to be prepared for.

Megansb916 · April 2014

We decided not to do testing because I have a nephew with severe autism. My sister had a healthy pregnancy the entire way through, and he appeared to be developing typically until age 2, when he began regressing with language skills and behaviors. He is now 9 years old but cognitively 18 months and extremely violent. My point is, I don't want to have this false impression that my child is completely healthy just because fetal tests show that he is. Not to be a Debbie downer, and we will love our child regardless, but just explaining my reasons why we aren't getting fetal tests done.

carcrashheart · April 2014

I just scheduled mine with the mfm for 5/5. Insurance covers is as long as the bloodwork is also done (less deductible and coinsurance, but I've fulfilled my $2500 deductible already and am working on my 90/10 coinsurance). For us it's another way to see the baby and should there be anything to be prepared for we can do so.

mockingjay1 · April 2014

I am 28 and low risk, but we still opted to do it when I'm 12w. I believe knowledge is power, and if I'm going to have a baby with any kind of special needs I think I'm doing him/her (and myself) a favor by being prepared.

10xEmpire · April 2014

We are opting not to do the NT scan. The results are not guaranteed. I am already PGAL and really can't handle worrying about another thing. We will love our baby healthy or not just the same. God only gives you what you can handle. ( FWIW - I'm not crazy religious but I do believe that. It gets me through the tough times in life)

DVGirl · April 2014

We did it on Thursday. As the ladies stated I also wanted to be aware as early as possible of any potential issues. Since it's a relatively simple and non-invasive procedure that is covered by my insurance, we decided we'd rather know. I am also low risk with no family history.
Good luck to you ladies.

shan24 · April 2014

I'm getting it done in a week and a half. They offered it to me because I'm over 35.

Lilwatz · April 2014

I'm high risk and so was not given an option (I suppose I could have tried to say no, but didn't). Having said that, it was the best ultrasound! We saw our baby moving all around and saw it for the longest amount of time compared to our other ultrasounds (due to my risk level it was our 4th actually). We saw all the limb and fingers and toes. We saw it moving its cute little arms around. The doctor was able to confirm kidney function and evidence of a functioning esophagus. It was really great to see it and to hear it was developing on track.

I will say that I might be feeling differently if a warning sign popped up, but in my case I am sooooo glad we did it. It makes the whole thing feel real for me finally.

xiaopeapod · April 2014

I'm having mine done this Monday when I'll be 13wks. DH and I like to be in the know and be as prepared as possible so this is a no-brainer decision for us. I don't want to have any surprises on the day of delivery. It'll be emotional and stressful as it is. And sometimes there are cases where the problems will be fatal or harmful to the mother as well, like someone mentioned, so why risk you life by choosing not to know?

mynameisjen · April 2014

We are doing it. It's covered by insurance, and it's another chance to see the baby. Also, our doctor told us that we can only do the DNA blood testing (well, without paying $2k out of pocket) if there is any abnormality on the NT scan. So if there is anything weird, we'll go to that next step and see if there is anything we really should be concerned about.

crizz13 · April 2014

I'm going in on Friday and will be exactly 12 weeks. My first reason is I just want to see the baby and my husband does too! Secondly, in the year 2014, my feeling is, why not use all the medical technology available if you can? If something is found, it won't change how we feel about the baby, he/she is still our child, but it will help us be prepared if there's something wrong.

CountryMama1114 · April 2014

My doctors office calls it the first trimester screening, so I said yes to having it before I actually knew what it was. I would have said yes either way, though. I honestly didn't even have a second thought about it.... I'm glad I said yes. My scan was great and my blood work looked good, as well.

mussalynn · April 2014

Interesting @Maelara - do you mind me asking where in Canada you are? I'm in Calgary and our midwives present it to us as an option - they don't tell us it's necessary or unnecessary, just that it's an option available to us. It's interesting that your docs won't do testing until after the a/s, which is well past the window to accurately measure the nuchal fold.

I have my NT scan on May 9, I'm doing it because we would rather be prepared, like most of you have said. Also it is our first ultrasound, so mostly it's because I want to see my baby!

caligirldar · April 2014

I have mine scheduled 05/06. I will be 13 weeks. It's routine at my dr.s office and I just want to see baby on a good ultrasound machine. The one my Doctor has is super old and so hard to see anything.

brooklyngirl18 · April 2014

my dr didn't really give me an option she just told me to schedule it, i guess it's typical for her practice?

eta- mine is scheduled for wednesday. 12 weeks 5 days

shan24 · April 2014

@mussalynn I'm in Nova Scotia and the NT scan was definitely presented to me in a way that makes me think it's not a regular thing. In fact, the nurse's exact words were "And, because you're over 35, we can offer you..."

I asked my sister and my bf, who both had their kids in their 20s about it and my sister had no idea what I was talking about and my bf said she declined it, but I'm not 100% convinced we were talking about the same thing. They're in New Brunswick, though.

KMBNeff · April 2014

We are doing it. Have the appointment on Tuesday at 12w 6d. I didn't want to because it wouldn't change my mind either way. And I'm nervous, but the husband wants to know so he can plan. I'm trying to be positive and think about seeing the baby again.

sunflwra · April 2014

We will be doing the Panorama blood test so no need to do a separate NT scan but I did it with my first and would do it this time if we weren't doing the blood test.

I do have to say that the people who respond to this with the "we'll love our baby either way" when deciding to not do it just piss me off. To me, that implies that those who decide to do the test are using it as some decision making tool about the pregnancy and may not love their baby either way, instead of just a way to be more informed.

mussalynn · April 2014

shan24 said:

@mussalynn I'm in Nova Scotia and the NT scan was definitely presented to me in a way that makes me think it's not a regular thing. In fact, the nurse's exact words were "And, because you're over 35, we can offer you..."

I asked my sister and my bf, who both had their kids in their 20s about it and my sister had no idea what I was talking about and my bf said she declined it, but I'm not 100% convinced we were talking about the same thing. They're in New Brunswick, though.

Interesting to see how different it is presented so differently. I'm also "over 35" (well, I'm 35 but will be 36 when baby is born), but that was never even mentioned.

mussalynn · April 2014

sunflwra said:

We will be doing the Panorama blood test so no need to do a separate NT scan but I did it with my first and would do it this time if we weren't doing the blood test.
I do have to say that the people who respond to this with the "we'll love our baby either way" when deciding to not do it just piss me off. To me, that implies that those who decide to do the test are using it as some decision making tool about the pregnancy and may not love their baby either way, instead of just a way to be more informed.

This. If there is some sort of complication or anything with my baby, I will love it just as much as if there isn't. I am a very information-based person and I spend hours researching even the littlest things like what kind of shoes are best for my 14 month old, so if there is something wrong and I didn't have 6 months to research and arm myself with knowledge I would be an absolute wreck.

Maelara · April 2014

mussalynn said:

Interesting @Maelara - do you mind me asking where in Canada you are? I'm in Calgary and our midwives present it to us as an option - they don't tell us it's necessary or unnecessary, just that it's an option available to us. It's interesting that your docs won't do testing until after the a/s, which is well past the window to accurately measure the nuchal fold.

I have my NT scan on May 9, I'm doing it because we would rather be prepared, like most of you have said. Also it is our first ultrasound, so mostly it's because I want to see my baby!

Ha! You live so close to me, wow! I'm in southern Alberta. Two hours south of you in the Windy City

I'm 27 so maybe that's why they never even offered it or mentioned it? I only know about sending someone to have things checked after the anatomy scan because I know someone that had to get it done last year.

lisaren · April 2014

I'll be getting this done on May 6th. We have a medically fragile daughter so it's a no brainier.

We did every testing available when I was pregnant with my above daughter, and at 4 months old she developed her "brain disease" and nothing and I mean nothing prepares you for this. If they would have told me at 13 weeks pregnant it would have not prepared me in the slightest.

Knowledge is power but sometimes ignorance is bliss.

lisaren · April 2014

And also, the NT scan is a very generic form of testing to determine anything "wrong"

I think people feel that it would give them peace knowing, but really... I don't think so. I'm so glad with my lovebug I got to be ignorantly blissful in my pregnancy, plan her nursery, have a wonderful birth, and love on this sweet child for 4 months anxiety free. That prepared me MORE for her now. Getting to know her, loving her and learning her all over again.

lisaren · April 2014

Of course it's individualized and I was not suggesting otherwise, but for people to assume it means that everything will be A-ok once test comes back ok seems nonproductive.

And rational or not it's my own personal experience, not what I've read or heard

Eta: I'm not simplifying anyone's experiences. I just have a very skewed view on medical testing in relation to the whole "knowledge is power" testament that gets tossed around.
Of course everyone does what they feel is best, for them, the child and the situation.

lisaren · April 2014

kegcrc said:
I never implied everything would be ok just because of a test.

And I did not say you implied as such.
If I wanted to specifically speak to just you I would have quoted, or name tagged you.

"People" is in general term.

2ndGeneration · April 2014

My genetic counselor presented the NT to me as a screening. I did have it done on Wednesday. I had blood drawn for Mat121 also. I'm 42, but my last full-term pregnancy was 11 years ago (I had 2 mc last year) so neither of these were invented and I wasn;t AMA anyways then.

Honestly, if I was younger, I probably would not have done these. I always refused the quad (then triple) screen with my other kids. I did it wanting knowledge-it doesn't change anything for us as far as the pregnancy. The NT was totally normal which was very reassuring. Should get the mat121 next week.

Kristy774 · April 2014

Amen @sunflwra‌ !!!! This is touchy for me because I have to get special testing done due to catching 5ths disease when I was 5 weeks pregnant. My NT scan is Tuesday- it will be an hour long and preformed by a high risk doctor. I didn't even get a choice to have this done or not have this done. That being said, they will be looking at everything, this does not mean I love or will love my baby any less and if there is something fatally wrong with my baby we will most likely choose to terminate. And that doesn't mean I'd love my baby any less.

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