NT scan dilemma- input appreciated!

mego14 · July 2015

Hello everyone,

I would really appreciate your opinions.... I know no one can make this decision for me, but I am hoping hearing other insights may help me to be able to make a decision...

I went for my NT scan on Friday when I was 12w6d. Towards the end she said that she could not get the measurement behind the baby's neck because of the position he/she was in. She told me I could come back Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday next week but after that, the baby would be too large to measure. So I made an appt for Tuesday. I have a lot of reservations about getting another ultrasound though bc the NT scan was already my 6th ultrasound (due to a previous miscarriage and worrisome symptoms early in the pregnancy). My doctor has assured me that I should not be worried about too many scans and that they will not cause the baby any harm. I certainly trust my doctor, but I am also diagnosed with OCD so when something is concerning to me, I tend to obsess and it's difficult for me to think rationally. I read the post on here about how many ultrasounds everyone has had and that made me feel better that some people are not concerned about it.

So, the dilemma is that I don't think I am going to go through with the scan on Tuesday. I spoke with a genetic counselor on Friday over the phone after my appt and I inquired about getting the cell free DNA test. I do not have any risk factors so I would have to pay out of pocket (she said it would be $995 and they don't even attempt to run in through insurance if you don't have any risk factors). My husband and I decided that we wouldn't mind paying that. My husband is okay with either decision.... I just don't know what to do and would love some insight from others... I guess it's important for me to know if something is wrong with the baby because I would like the time to get used to the idea and to prepare (I would not terminate). But then part of me thinks that knowing now wouldn't change the outcome so maybe I shouldn't find out... I would love to hear how everyone made the decision to find out or not.

Thanks so much!

CaraBoonie · July 2015

As you said, it's very much a personal decision. That said, I personally would have the scan, because I don't believe it has negative effects and at the very least it's another chance to see your baby for free. I would not do the test if I had to pay that much out of pocket and had no risk factors (I am doing it because my doctor has a deal with the lab and it's free for the patient, but if I had to pay I never would have), especially if you don't think the outcome would impact any major decisions

aphilli8 · July 2015

I didn't have the bloodwork or NY scan done with my first pregnancy because it was during a time frame when we were moving cross country. I never thought twice about it and just did the second tri blood work. It's really not medically necessary so you don't HAVE to do it.

aphilli8 · July 2015

And what? no, the genetic counseling is an absolute waste since you have no reason for doing it.

Fixie23 · July 2015

The only thing I have to say is:

Tha name ultrasound speaks for itself, just like when you listen to music and those waves get to your belly... Thats the way and ultarsound works.

Just like a naval sonar that sends a sound wave on each direction and receives a confirmation when it "hits" something.

Each confirmation is translated into a dot, and all those dots combined make the image we see in the screen.

No risk for you or your baby, so I would reccomend you to do it. Who knows, maybe you can even see if its a boy or a girl!!! My little one was moving too much and we couldnt see if its a he or a she.

claireloSC · July 2015

I would not spend $1000 I could spend on baby stuff on an unecessary test like that. However, it seems like you've made up your mind to do that instead of an ultrasound? If you're not sure it's safe despite your doctor saying so, I'm not sure how we can convince you...

ainverso · July 2015

I would move forward with the scan on Tuesday and see what they find. I would not spend $1000 on a DNA test as that is too much money for me to justify if I had have no risk factors . But you have to do what you feel confortable with

mego14 · July 2015

@claireloSC Actually, I haven't made up my mind about the blood test. That's what I am conflicted about. I also wasn't asking to be "convinced" of anything. I ended my post by asking how people made their decision about getting the NT scan or whatever hey decided to do. It's always helpful for me to hear how other people made decisions I am conflicted about bc it sometimes helps me see things another way that I didn't see before.

enkb · July 2015

I'm avoiding unnecessary ultrasound because of the potential for slight inrease in risk for a few conditions, but for me the key word is unnecessary. If there is a medical reason, like a screen for something that you think is important to know about, then I wouldn't hesitate to have an ultrasound. The potential risks are fairly low (its not like every baby who has x number of ultrasounds will get x condition), and you want to weigh those risks with the benefits you'll get from having it done. We decided not to do any of the screening tests, mostly because the risks of a false positive that would lead to a huge amount of stress for us did not outweigh the benefits of finding out ahead of time, but it is an increadibly personal decision and everyones pro and con list will look different. From what it sounds like to me from your comments, the pros of knowing is ranking pretty high, so if I were in your position I would have the ultrasound done.

LauraFi · July 2015

I agree with previous posters. I would go ahead with the appointment Tuesday and unless that scan indicates a higher risk would not bother with doing any additional testing. I had a regular ultrasound at 12 weeks rather than the NT scan since I had no elevated risk factors and felt comfortable without (in my area would have had to pay for it myself since I didn't have increased risk). It's a personal decision though and at the end of the day you should do what makes you feel best.

mstefanovic · July 2015

Get the scan. After almost an hour of trying to get a good image and failing, I almost had to go back the same day because baby wasn't in the right position. That would have been my 4th in 12 weeks. Nobody gave me any reason to believe an extra US should be of concern. And if you have obsessive compulsive thoughts in your day to day life, not finding out may cause you to obsess over the unknown.

Sovvy · July 2015

Do the scan.

mom2be2016 · July 2015

I would definitely do the scan.

wahlflower98 · July 2015

I caution you on the NIPT cell free blood test. Mine was covered by insurance since I will be giving birth over the age 35. My first test was unreadable and my second test came back low fetal dna. Considering I'm not overweight they told me that having two tests come back unreadable is a red flag for chromosome issues (Down's syndrome tri13 or tri18). I took the CVS invasive test and come to find out my baby is perfectly happy and healthy. I fell into the 2% of women that they cannot explain why my results were the way they were. I worried from 9weeks to 14 weeks about the health of my baby! I believe all is in God's hands and stick to the NT scan please don't worry yourself on the NIPT cell free blood test like I did! I will never take it again- I hope this helped you a little

mego14 · July 2015

Thank you so much!!! @wahlflower98 That definitely gives me something to think about

I'm glad to hear your little one is healthy!!!

rgpatel · July 2015

I did the NT scan and then the free cell DNA test. I chose the DNA test over the standard blood work that is down with the NT (and covered by insurance) because I was told it is far more accurate. I am 36 so I really want to avoid amnio or CVS. In the end I made the best decision for me which I feel is also the decision that lets me sleep at night. Do what you are comfortable with.

N1col3 · July 2015

I ended up opting out of the first trimester screening because we will love the baby either way and if something is wrong I didn't want to obsess about it the rest of the time I was pregnant.

My doctor did tell me that if you get a bill for $1000 for the fetal dna test to call the company and they will lower it to like $99

mommiesandbabies · July 2015

I would get the ultrasound.

ChrissyD1203 · July 2015

I have diagnosed OCD too (since age 7)-- being pregnant has brought new episodes. If you think the NT scan is important (I had it done, but lots of women on here did not want it done--- not because of having an extra u/s, all for separate reasons), then I would trust your doctor. My OCD is often about me feeling responsible and guilty - but here it is your doctor (the one with probably 2 decades of medical training and experience) making the decision, so my advice as a fellow OCD'er would be to think of him as the responsible party. Disclaimer: this advice might not make any sense to someone without OCD

monaclemere · July 2015

Get the ultrasound. You'll feel better and you'll get to see your baby again!

wahlflower98 · July 2015

Your welcome @mego14

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