NT Results - Negative, but thought I would feel better?

emccooler · September 2015

Hi All,
We had our first trimester screening yesterday, all limbs are accounted for, nasal bone is present and we got our ratio's for Trisomy 21 (Down's Syndrome). Based on my age, height, weight, baby's info our ratio was 1:460, and the nurse said they consider that a negative test as it is above 1:300 (my risk threshold). I really thought having this appointment and getting a negative result would make me a lot happier than it has.

I think I just felt like that was still a really low ratio, I was expecting it to be in the 1 to 1000 range. Even though the nurse said it all looks good, I just can't help worrying. Has anyone else had this happen to them? I see my GP on Monday so I can go in to more depth with her, but it would be nice to hear that I am not the only one out there who thought I would feel one way and totally feel the other.

I should mention I am in Canada, so this is the routine first trimester screening that everyone can get (it is optional, though). It's bloodwork plus an ultrasound.

hfarr042 · September 2015

How far along are you? I'm in Canada too but haven't has the NT test yet.

emccooler · September 2015

I am 12 weeks, 5 days. I am in Alberta, but I was fairly certain they did the scan across the provinces.

pinottoparenthood · September 2015

I know it's hard not to worry, but the odds are SO low.... try to enjoy your pregnancy and not stress about it. Is there any option for another test, like one of the blood tests, to help ease your mind/get more info? If you're that upset about it, it might be worth looking in to. But honestly those are really good odds and you should feel good!

Goldsgirl9 · September 2015

If you are concerned I would have the blood tests done, if available, so ease your mind. With DS I was not given odds after the NT. We were told all looked good and all measurements were on track and that was it. Had I been given odds I'm sure I would have worried as well. Hang in there!

runlong3 · September 2015

Just remember, it's a screening, not a test. All it can tell you are odds, not whether or not something is actually wrong. There are markers they look for and if concerned can continue to watch, but the only true "tests" are the amniocentesis and the cvs. Everything else is just to see if further testing is warranted, and in your case it's not. You can think of it this way, you could have odds of 1:2, 1:300, 1:500, or 1:1000, and still be the 1. Or you could be 2, 250, 300, 478, or 897. While some newer screening have fairly good rates of success, there is zero way to know 100% without an actual test.

Honestly, the second part of the ratio is really probably based mostly on your age, ethnicity, that kind of stuff, not really how healthy the baby looks.

rschenck14 · September 2015

I can understand why you feel this way to some extent. I hate how the words "positive" and "negative" are used on the NT Scan because to me that's not very accurate and then again neither are the tests. They should just say these tests are percentages and they don't definitively define whether there is an issue or not. If you are concerned and can do the blood tests that may offer a little more comfort for you.

Jessiesweetpeajones · September 2015

I'm having that ultrasound o Tuesday. I'm also in Canada! I have so much anxiety over this. I'm constantly reading that people had negative tests but still produced a baby with chromosome abnormalities.

hlrf683 · September 2015

I prefer to look at percentages. 1 in 10 is only 10% (pretty good!). 1 in 460 is 0.002%! I think you're safe.

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