Does everyone get an NT scan?

akshowers · May 2014

FTM here, I am 12+2 weeks today, I have an appointment next Monday. I'm seeing a lot of people getting their NT scans lately, but I'm pretty sure I'm not scheduled for one. Am I supposed to get one or only during certain circumstances do you get one? So confused. Thanks!!

Sarahbeth612 · May 2014

I'm fairly certain it's elective, unless your OB suggests it for risk factors

jf198400 · May 2014

We opted not to do it. We don't have any risk factors so I don't see the need.

akshowers · May 2014

Ah, good point. My doctor never mentioned it during my first prenatal appointment so I was getting so confused as to why so many moms were getting one. Thanks for the reply!

momtojad · May 2014

We opt out of it, they should give you an option through and present what it is for.

TC0514 · May 2014

It's optional. I had no risk factors but my insurance covers it so I took advantage of it just to see my baby again! My OB doesn't do many sonos so I was mainly doing it to see the baby haha!

ZAFrisbie · May 2014

The only reason I had it done, was a way to date my pregnancy, as my cycle has been off. Otherwise, I would have waited for my first ultrasound at 20 weeks for anatomy.

akshowers · May 2014

I think it was my jealousy factor that those who got the NT scan got to see their little ones. I want to see my baby again so bad!! But also make sure everything was okay. But if my doctor didn't give me the option, then I'm assuming he thinks everything is fine. Thanks guys! Been a lurker mostly, but everyone on this board is amazing and supportive! Love it!

MollMoll4 · May 2014

It's optional most places! My OB's office does them for everyone.

ProcessofBecoming · May 2014

For me, both the NT and the MaterniT21 were recommended (and I had both), but I am 42. I think that if you are under the age of 35, it's an elective thing perhaps?

runningmama14 · May 2014

Mine is elective, but chose to do it because of my age.

ccam · May 2014

My office mentions it to everyone but its optional.

TC0514 · May 2014

I'm 28 so it was elective.

Miss Holiday · May 2014

Mine was Elective. But DH & I agreed that it was something we wanted to check up on. So we choose to have it.

xiaopeapod · May 2014

Same here, I'm 28 and we chose to do it since it's covered and we would like to be as informed as possible. Your OB should offer you the option ahead of time since NT is done between 12-13 wks.

SweetMelissa5 · May 2014

With both OB offices I've been with, it's been optional but offered to everyone. My insurance has always covered it, so I've gotten it each time.

carcrashheart · May 2014

It is elective and has to be done before a certain time.

As this board is finding out-nt scans can uncover existing problems with parents that had no risk factors in the first place. The nt scan is pretty important and goes far beyond the "oh I wouldn't terminate because baby has xyz" belief. It can uncover problems that simply aren't compatible with life and that wouldn't then be found until the anatomy scan. It's a shame that people opt out of the scan for those reasons.

Ineedmorecoffee · May 2014

I am not getting one

alysonmh · May 2014

My doctor gave me the option even though she pointed out that we don't have any risk factors. Down syndrome is not something I want to be surprised by and plenty of people without risk factors have children with down syndrome so we opted for the test. It's also nice to get to see our little one an extra time.

tinkerbell1658 · May 2014

Its optional here. Pgal brain kicked in and I needed to see the baby again. Its weird, this still hasnt sunk in yet but Im nervous

KitKat099 · May 2014

We didn't do it.

mockingjay1 · May 2014

I'm only 28 and my OB said I didn't need to do it, but I could if I wanted to. I believe the more information you have the better. If my baby does have Tri21 or any other issue, I would want to be as prepared as possible for my benefit and for baby's.

Kristil2014 · May 2014

It was offered but we decided not to. I wish now that we would of now, so we could see baby again.

Nfranco973 · May 2014

carcrashheart said:
It is elective and has to be done before a certain time.

As this board is finding out-nt scans can uncover existing problems with parents that had no risk factors in the first place. The nt scan is pretty important and goes far beyond the "oh I wouldn't terminate because baby has xyz" belief. It can uncover problems that simply aren't compatible with life and that wouldn't then be found until the anatomy scan. It's a shame that people opt out of the scan for those reasons.

I totally agree.. Well said

soccer4us2013 · May 2014

It was totally optional, but my OB suggested it because of my age {(32). So far, everything has been normal, but I'll get my blood work back from today's NT scan / blood draw, in 7-10 days & we'll go from there, IF there's anything to worry about.

ssstephanie214 · May 2014

my NP said that it's elective and 80% of people who come in to the practice do it. i'm 25. i didn't want to at first, because we don't have risk factors and i didn't think it would change how i treated the pregnancy, but my mom and boyfriend convinced me. i still have mixed feelings about it, it mostly makes me nervous. BUT i understand that i get to see the baby and i'll take any opportunity for that.

lizgrace03 · May 2014

My OB does them for everyone unless you specifically opt out.

Jenpuckett1 · May 2014

I was never even offered. My 12 wk appt. is next Tuesday so I guess I'll ask about it then.

shan24 · May 2014

Here it's only offered to women who are over 35 or who have other risk factors.

I had mine done at a larger center earlier this week. The nurse mentioned twice (once to confirm with me and the other to tell the doctor when she came in), that I was "only" there due to my age (I'm 35).

lizzielu82 · May 2014

Our OB recommended it. I did all the Counsyl testing and did not test positive as a carrier for any genetic abnormalities. Regardless, I wanted to make sure the LO was developing correctly.

At 31, my doctor said that I have a 1 in 500 chance of Down Syndrome. This isn't incredibly high, but I wouldn't want something like that to be a surprise down the line. Better to know that things are ok now, IMO.

KMW08 · May 2014

I'm choosing not to do it. I thought about doing it just to see LO one more time, but realized that just seemed ridiculous to me at this point (also note that I've had 3 awesome scans with my RE). If I hadn't had prior scans I probably would have chose to do it.

My ob discussed it with me & said it was about a 50/50 split of those who choose to or skip it. He thought it was fine not to do it since I have no known risk factors.

ColtiersMom · May 2014

Thanks for writing this post, I was starting to feel like I was the only now who hasn't got one. My dr hasn't said anything about it and we didn't get offered with DS either so I highly doubt we will get one. Guess I will have to wait until 17-20 weeks before I get to see our sweet babe again.

erinwithtwins · May 2014

I'm older and was basically told to do it. Wasn't presented like it was optional. Happy we did it though. It made me feel so much better to see such a high resolution scan. If your insurance covers it I'm not sure why you wouldn't do it? It's not invasive. They gave us photos and a DVD of the whole thing.

I did opt out of the first trimester blood test (they also called it the "state test"). With my age and having twins I was warned it would be completely inaccurate and come back with bad numbers no matter what as it's so age oriented. Whatever you chose to do hope you have a great pregnancy.

hdall0807 · May 2014

I was never told about it specifically last time and never had it (they may have just called it additional screenings or something though).

This time I am doing just because my daughter was likely IUGR. My DD pediatrician actually told me last week that I better be getting it lol. So I am

NunyaBennis · May 2014

My MFM left it up to me & OB, who never mentioned it (and I'm 35! lol). We opted for the Harmony test though.

bigmamaT26 · May 2014

My doctor's office never mentioned it to me, but my Dr. asked if I would like to do the blood test. I'm scheduled for the blood test at my 16 week visit.

cindyNmark2010 · May 2014

Had ours done yesterday, I'm 33 with family history of Downs so my OB strongly recommended it even though I am not high risk. Everything went well...but sometimes it isn't just a scan, it can be a scan and bloodwork between 11 and 14 weeks, then follow up blood work at 16 weeks.

The actual scan is more of a detector to help you decide if you want further testing in the case that the scan comes back with too much fluid at the base of the neck. Check the below websites. I found them helpful.

https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/prenatal-testing/nuchal-translucency.aspx

https://www.babycenter.com/0_nuchal-translucency-screening_118.bc?page=1

Totally agree with @carcrashheart ...the more you know!!

Autumnsnow · May 2014

MollMoll4 said:

It's optional most places! My OB's office does them for everyone.

Same here...Plus my OB never made it seem like it was optional she just scheduled me for it. That could be due to my age though. Besides I don't really see why you would opt out if it was covered. You would think you would want to know earlier if something (god forbid) was wrong.

I just wish mine was at 12 weeks and not 13...kinda freakin' out with everything that has been happening on the board.

beatrixkiddo19 · May 2014

We're doing the Panorama bloodwork and are waiting for our results. My ultrasound tech asked if we were doing the bloodwork and then said that the NT scan wasn't necessary since the Panorama test would give more information than the ultrasound portion of the NT testing anyway.

That said, when I mentioned I knew some women did both, she went ahead and measured the fluid at the back of the neck (which was normal) and found a nasal bone. I know it wasn't a full scan, but it gave me a little piece of mind.

JPerona0205 · May 2014

My insurance doesn't cover it (I asked specifically), so I'm not doing it. My OB said they can check for most of the markers of problems at the mid-pregnancy screening.

mamaluzi · May 2014

We opted out, but my doctor was like "well I'll just write down 'yes - ultrasound only' so you get a bonus picture!" So have my half-test w/ pic only on Wednesday haha

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