First trimester screening!

Jenny101015 · April 2016

I go tomorrow am... What should I expect to be happening! First time momma over here and very nervous! Lol also is this when they do the blood test to find out The gender if I ask?

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt · April 2016

Are you having an NT scan and blood work done? It's an ultrasound; takes a few minutes, they push on your uncomfortably full bladder for a while. Depending on the policy of that particular place, you may or may not be given images. Usually unless you have risk factors, you don't do the NIPT. That's the blood testing that can tell the sex, but it isn't a standard part of first trimester screening in most cases.

AdmiralKitty · April 2016

It depends on what your OB has planned for. The normal 1st Tri screen is bloodwork+ NT Ultrasound. NIPT/NIPS is an alternative (the genetic tests that will also tell you gender) but you should be able to opt to pay for it yourself if it's not covered by insurance. It's usually only required if you're over 35. If you're speaking with a genetic counselor they will walk you through all of it. My OB wanted me to do the normal 1st Tri screen, then H and I opted to pay for the Genetic tests both for baby and the carrier screening for me. We like to have alllllll the information.

CCrane22 · April 2016

I just had mine done this morning - ultrasound and blood draw. They were running behind...by 45 minutes...so I had to pee. The tech said that it works better with a fuller bladder, and all I thought was, 'don't be 45 minutes late and we woulda been fine!'. It took her awhile to get a good shot for the measurement, but I wasn't mad...more time to see my little nugget

Knottie1458416769 · April 2016

We have our NT and genetic screening scheduled a week apart. The NT ultrasound is covered by insurance, the genetic screening not (regardless that we went thru fertility specialist) - but we wanted to find out the gender early, and they won't do full NIPT/harmony/panorama blood work without full genetic screening, so we are paying $350 out of pocket (about same cost as the trigger shot that wasn't covered either).

mrsjlang · April 2016

We have to repeat the ultrasound part tomorrow because baby wasn't in a good position to measure the face and neck. We got told here that it's not unusual for that to happen. Perk is we get to see baby again.

I don't know what it's like for you, but here they had me do the blood work last week and then after you get good views on the ultrasound we'll actually talk to someone about the potential abnormalities. FX that there's none. We don't have the option for the gender in the blood test, which honestly doesn't bother me any.

chloe97 · April 2016

I got a call that my Panorama test showed no results. I got the draw at 9wks 5 days and it could just be that it was too early, but it's also possible that it indicates chromosomal abnormalities. Apparently there is a 50% chance that a redraw will also show no results. My next choice is to do the full NT screen and not just the ultrasound or jump straight to a CV or Amnio. Not sure what we will do. I'm going in to see the Dr tomorrow to make sure that there is still a heartbeat (fetal demise can be another reason for no results) and then we'll go from there.

shamrocandroll · April 2016

Good luck, @chloe97! I'll keep my FX for good results for you!

lilwonder · April 2016

Today we met with the MFM specialist and I had blood drawn for Panorama, integrated screening and the full-blown Horizon testing (for everything under the sun). We figured it's better to get it all done this time, in the event I have another loss, but FX I don't, obviously. We did the IS and Panorama last time and everything checked out a-okay, but my belief is that I'd rather have all the info available should I ever need it-- so after getting the Horizon done this time, I won't ever need to get it done again.

We went ahead and told the doctor that we want them to find out the sex of the baby, but we're probably going to ask them to hold off on telling us until after 16 weeks, when I pass my loss milestone.

Ugh, @chloe97-I'm sorry for the Panorama results not being clear. FX for you and good outcome/results. Please keep us posted after your appt. tomorrow.

CecilTheBear · April 2016

@chloe97 - I hope all goes well tomorrow. You're in my thoughts.

Thewizardofrhythm · April 2016

@chloe97 sorry to hear that. I'll be thinking of you. Hope all goes well.

comealongponds · April 2016

Ugh @chloe97 I'm sorry you're going through this. Hopefully it was just too early and an insufficient sample error. Thinking of you.

edit because autocorrect turned an into Iran...

sweetlyuntied · April 2016

For OP, the doctor will likely explain to you when you arrive, but unless you are high-risk, you will not be finding out the sex until sometime (usually) between 15-20 weeks. The tests are typically to screen for normal growth, genetic conditions, and spina bifida. You will probably have a blood draw and an ultrasound.

I'd highly recommend poking around TB a bit, they usually have good info on what to expect and when.