NT Scan...I'm scared

knrickert · May 2015

I had a NT Scan today and the Dr. said that the back of the baby's neck is thicker than it should be (didn't give me a number and I didn't think to ask so I'll call tomorrow to find out) I went for the bloodwork for the MaterniT21 test and was told that the results will take 7-10 days. I'm not going to lie, I'm scared and an emotional wreck! I had some issues with bleeding early on in this pregnancy and that has finally resolved itself but now I'm facing this and I'm having a tough time. I know that the results may come back negative for chromosomal abnormalities so I'm trying to stay positive, but 7-10 days just seems so far away until I have some answers. Has anyone else had this and did your test come back positive or negative?

ashleywuli · May 2015

I have a cousin, who's baby had a thicker than normal NT scan. She was sent for further testing and the baby is perfectly fine. Try not to stress! The tech could have just taken it at a funny angle or miss measured. Praying for you and your baby.

Ceridwen77 · May 2015

I wouldn't worry - the NT scan is not conclusive. It's good you're getting further testing. Let us know what the measurement is when you find out!

lulamagoo · May 2015

I hope you get positive news soon.
It is possible that the measurement was wrong. Our mfm sonographer was showing us how detailed they need to be when measuring the neck, they can accidentally get the placenta(I think that is what she said) in the measurement which can throw things way off.

lopezalonso · May 2015

I didn't have the neck thickness issue but with DD they first said my Down Syndrome odds were a little higher than expected for my age (even at just .1% chance of getting it). Then they thought they saw a ventral septal defect in the anatomy scan so they sent me to a MFM. The MFM said no VSD but that he did see an echogenic foci in the heart (small calcium deposit), which could be a marker for Down Syndrome. I was a wreck for weeks and it wasn't until I saw the MFM that they even offered me the MaterniT21 test (I was 27). Then I had to wait the 7-10 days and the first time they called the girl's voice sounder somber and I thought, "Oh no! Bad news." But she just called to say the results weren't in yet. Eventually it all came back normal and it was all a lot of stressing for nothing.

If it's any consolation, the MFM said that these new machines are much stronger and pick up on a lot of stuff that is there and that sometimes isn't really there (artifacts) and it just ends up scaring people.

knrickert · May 2015

Thanks ladies! I feel somewhat better hearing from others that they can be wrong when they do the NT scan. I do know that our little bean was jumping around like crazy. The lady doing the measurements said the baby wasn't cooperating to get good angles but she seemed confident that the images that she did get were good enough. The Dr. Also took some images and didn't say anything about the baby not cooperating but I'm really hoping that it could be that the measurements were off. It's going to be a long 7 -10 days!

Nicki Boston · May 2015

ugh, this test is more worrisome than it's worth.. it can't truly tell you if there will be any issues, just maybes, which do you no good. I had one with my first and decided with my 2nd and 3rd I'd pass...

hgonzalez1986 · May 2015

Id say dont worry, regardless of what results come back at the end of 7-10 days. I have a family member who just had a baby with DS. There is no way to tell how severe it will be but baby is absolutely beautiful and, as of now, doesnt appear as though it will be a severe case. I also have a good friend whos son was born with DS and she was never told she was at risk or anything. Completely unexpected. Shes in her mid 20s. He is such a beautiful boy, full of life and personality amd such a bright beautiful smile. My point is, we dont always get the answers we "plan" to get when we start making babies. But does that make you want your baby any less? Likely, the answer is no. Dont panic based off the NT results. And try to stay calm for the next 7-10 days while the blood test comes back. Regardless you cannot control the results. Stress isnt food for you nor the baby. Just take care of yourself and baby and let the rest fall into place. I wish you all the best in every way and hope you get nothing less than the very best news.

knrickert · May 2015

I called today to find out the measurement...it is 3.5mm. We will love our baby regardless but knowing what to expect will help us be more prepared.

vrossolille · May 2015

@knrickert I hope this puts your mind at ease a little bit. These tests are not very accurate of whether or not there will be a problem. With my second they had me worried sick my son had downs and he is completely heathy with not disabilities. Try to relax but I know personally it's not easy! Hang in there!!!!

ash413 · May 2015

I truly think this causes more trouble than it is worth. If people really are worried I think they should just get the chromosomal testing.

kestes946 · May 2015

We just had an NT scan this week and it came back normal. The Maternity21 test will def be accurate and the NT scan is still pretty accurate too, other wise the doctors wouldn't recommend them and stand by it. Anything over 3mm is not considered normal. I'll be praying for you.

vrossolille · May 2015

It's not very accurate. It's a stage they go through first because the maternity 21 is not covered with out reason. So when they do the nt and something is it of normal range than they can get approved for the maternity21. Now, some insurances will cover it but not all. It can't be that accurate if 9 out of 10 times a baby higher than 3mm is just fine.

kestes946 · May 2015

Every OB and high risk OB practices do things differently. I never needed approval to get my Maternity21 test with my last pregnancy. Actually where I live it's very common for practices to offer genetic testing to all first trimester moms. It's all elective at that point. I trust my high risk doctors and the ultrasound machines very much as they found a lot with my daughter. So that's why I have complete confidence in the NT tests and any other scans.

@knrickert, hope you're able to get all the answers you need! Praying for you!

jkerouac · May 2015

kestes946 said:
Every OB and high risk OB practices do things differently. I never needed approval to get my Maternity21 test with my last pregnancy. Actually where I live it's very common for practices to offer genetic testing to all first trimester moms. It's all elective at that point. I trust my high risk doctors and the ultrasound machines very much as they found a lot with my daughter. So that's why I have complete confidence in the NT tests and any other scans.

@knrickert, hope you're able to get all the answers you need! Praying for you!

Yes but there is still such a thing as false positives ( and false negatives ), which the OP may well have had.

kestes946 · May 2015

And I'm not sure where the 9 out 10 number came from in regards to babies being ok? Can I find that number on a statistics website that is medically accurate? If the OB practice is thorough then they will recheck and double recheck to make sure that what they have is accurate. They may have you come back when baby is a little bigger. The waiting will be tough but necessary.

mummy2b2twins · May 2015

My sonographer here in the said that it is 98%.

kestes946 · May 2015

@jillkerouac, I just don't want to give her any idea that it may be wrong since we aren't doctors and this is just a forum. Yes, anything is possible but let's leave it up to the doctors. That's why I'm telling her I hope she's able to get answers and that I'm praying for her.

jkerouac · May 2015

kestes946 said:
@jillkerouac, I just don't want to give her any idea that it may be wrong since we aren't doctors and this is just a forum. Yes, anything is possible but let's leave it up to the doctors. That's why I'm telling her I hope she's able to get answers and that I'm praying for her.

No we aren't doctors but I do know that the NT Scan and the Quad blood tests are not diagnostic, they can only tell you if you are of higher/lower risk. It is important that people understand this. That said, I do agree that it's always best to discuss this with your ObGyn.

kath16 · May 2015

Agree with Jill ^^^. These tests don't say "your baby has/does not have a genetic issue". They will just tell you that the odds are greater than or less than normal. They'll say that you have a 1 in 10,000 chance of something being wrong, or a 1 in 30 chance or whatever. Not a yes or no. There is a very important difference.

knrickert · May 2015

Thanks for all of the feedback ladies! From what my Dr. Has told me, the NT Scan is not the only determining factor it is only a red flag. He said that even if the NT Scan shows increased fluid behind the neck, it doesn't alone determine that anything is wrong, that is why I had the bloodwork done for the MaterniT21 test. He said that the MaterniT21 test is 99.6% accurate in detecting chromosome defects. If it comes back negative, they will monitor the baby closely through ultrasounds to determine if a heart defect may be a cause of the neck thickness. He did say that when the increased fluid is behind the neck, it can also be an indicator of a heart defect 10% of the time even without a chromosome issue. I really appreciate all of the prayers. The waiting to hear back is the tough part. I should hear by the end of next week...

jkerouac · May 2015

@knrickert Best of luck, I know the waiting is tough!!

vrossolille · May 2015

https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a544491/nuchal-translucency-nt-scan

That is where I read about the nt scan. And I do know the nt test is not accurate because I went through it with my last son. The nt scan gave red flags of downs and back than(only five years ago) the blood tests they had only gave you a 50% chance of accuracy for downs. My only for sure diagnose would be a amino which could cause miscarriage. So I was monitored every month with ultrasounds. He's fine and healthy. I get not giving false hope but really I guess everyone's comments could be considered false. As even doctors give differing opinions on test and such. I read some positivity and decided to pass it along, that's all.

kestes946 · May 2015

@jkerouac @kath16, we must be confusing the tests then because the Harmony test I had done diagnostically tests for only 3 different possible chromosomal abnormalities. It tested for Down Syndrome, Trisomy 18, and then another Trisomy but I cant remember the name. That particular test does tell the makeup of DNA and not whether it's high risk or not. Maybe the Maternity21 is different in that it only tells you if you're high risk or not, but to me that wouldn't make sense since its testing your specific blood. I don't know.. Praying everything is ok for the OP.

kestes946 · May 2015

@vrossolille, in the last year they came out with a new blood test for pregnant women in their first trimester. It became 99% accurate in testing for certain genetic abnormalities. The testing you had 5 years ago sounds different. I do know new technology has allowed for a more accurate finding.

kestes946 · May 2015

Continuing to pray @knrickert.. I am all too familiar with the waiting game. Hope you get some definitive answers.

kestes946 · May 2015

Did he mention a cystic hygroma at all? @knrickert

vrossolille · May 2015

@kestes946 Can that test only be done in the first trimester? I haven't had that test and now I'm 14 weeks but see my dr tomorrow. I'll have to ask about that.

kestes946 · May 2015

@vrossolille, I'm actually not sure of the cut off time.. I'm thinking it's around 14 weeks though but it's worth it to ask.. From my understanding, the reason why they do it in the first trimester is because you and the baby share the same DNA and blood and then the placenta takes over later in your pregnancy.

jkerouac · May 2015

@kestes946 I was mainly referring to the NT scan as the OP was worried that her result showed signs of problems.
As for the blood tests, there are different types ( first trimester screen, quad screens, cell-free DNA tests like Harmony ) and without going into them all, yes the Harmony/MaterniT21 which are the cell free DNA tests are said to be very accurate ( they can still have false positives and negatives but it's more unusual ).

knrickert · May 2015

@kestes946 he didn't mention anything about a cystic hygroma...never hear of it and not sure what that even is?

I know that he said that he materniT21 test is newer and much more accurate (99.6%) than tests from before testing for Down Syndrome, Tristomy 13 and 18 ( I think that was what he said). When I had my daughter in 2012 the cell-free DNA test wasn't available to me then and the blood work that they did do was just to tell you if it was a higher or lower possibility of your baby having a chromosome abnormality. The older testing (for bloodwork) gave a lot more room for error and guessing probabilities, whereas the cell-free DNA testing is much more accurate. Thanks for the encouraging words ladies. I really am hoping for the best but I'm preparing just in case its not the news I'd like to hear.

kath16 · May 2015

kestes946 said:
@jkerouac @kath16, we must be confusing the tests then because the Harmony test I had done diagnostically tests for only 3 different possible chromosomal abnormalities. It tested for Down Syndrome, Trisomy 18, and then another Trisomy but I cant remember the name. That particular test does tell the makeup of DNA and not whether it's high risk or not. Maybe the Maternity21 is different in that it only tells you if you're high risk or not, but to me that wouldn't make sense since its testing your specific blood. I don't know.. Praying everything is ok for the OP.

The NT scan, which is what the OP was about, is exactly what I mentioned above. Along with the bloodwork it is called the sequential screen. I know that for sure and just had mine done.

I do not know as much about the Harmony or MaterniT21 tests. I'm not doing those.

Knottie36392871 · May 2015

The Harmony, MaterniT21 and other cell-free DNA tests are not diagnostic. They are simply another screening test that give you your odds of having a child with Trisomy 13, 18 or 21. The only diagnostic tests that can determine if the baby has one of these genetic conditions is a CVS or amnio. While these are great non-invasive tests, it's really important to know the difference like a PP mentioned. Check out this article:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/12/14/oversold-and-unregulated-flawed-prenatal-tests-leading-abortions-healthy-fetuses/aKFAOCP5N0Kr8S1HirL7EN/story.html

Thinking good thoughts for you! I'm in the same boat, had a concerning NT scan and just had a CVS today to get a definitive answer.

knrickert · May 2015

@Knottie36392871 - thanks for the info- I'll definitely check it out! Praying that your little one is also okay!

kestes946 · May 2015

@knrickert, that's what I was mentioning earlier to the other girls about the new testing. You will have an answer soon on if the baby has any of those 3 abnormalities. Really praying baby doesn't and that nothing else is wrong! Keep us updated.

lindsaymj7 · May 2015

Up to 13 weeks 6 days in my area

sla626 · May 2015

I had this with my son, did the materna 21 and everything came back fine. Try and focus in the fact that you will find out sex of baby from the test if you aren't team green. Hang in there.

knrickert · May 2015

@sla626- thanks! We're still waiting to hear on the test results and since I originally posted this I've had some time to come to terms with "it is what it is" which has helped my stress level somewhat. Hopefully we find out this week and have some answers before the weekend. You're right though...a bonus to having the test is that we will find out what we're having much sooner which I am beyond excited about!

newfie69 · May 2015

May I ask what your results we're?

kestes946 · May 2015

@newfie69, the test came back fine on all 3 but she still had a very rare genetic syndrome that wasn't diagnosed till after she was born. Had lots of problems during my pregnancy and after.

knrickert · May 2015

I'm still waiting to get the results back...was really hoping I would have gotten them on Friday so I didn't have to wait the weekend not knowing but maybe today will be the day I hear back! I'm beyond anxious for some answers!

Want a personalized experience?

NT Scan...I'm scared

Re: NT Scan...I'm scared

Choose Another Board

Search Boards