Had NT test at 12.1Weeks...Bad ****Update page 5****

Hey there everyone. Ive posted here before a couple times. For those that haven't read my post, Im Marybeth. Im 29, with 3 beautiful girls. Desperately wanting a boy, but doesnt matter as long as baby is healthy now!

Ok, so I had the test done. Baby was so incredibly Cute and was moving. Well, a little bit into the scan the sonographer said do you want to know the sex? I wasnt going to even ask as I know its too early, it can go either way. I said yes, and she THINKS it may be a little BOY. Im so happy about this but annoyed because she gave me a crappy picture of the baby that doesnt show the nub. well at least I dont see it. I will try and post it later.

The bad news is that the scan showed that the baby has a thicker than normal neck and I have to go to genetics counselor for further testing! She was soooo rude tho when I was asking questions just kept saying "The genetics doctor will answer all your questions". They told me that they would recommend terminating the pregnancy, but that it was my decision etc. Mind you this place I go to also does Abortions. So I left outta there crying and I must have looked like a total mess cuz the security guard asked me if I needed help.

Does anyone think I have a chance that this baby will still be ok? :-( I dont want to terminate the pregnancy as they suggested. They are going soley on my ultrasound because the bloodwork didnt come back (did it today) My doctor said that she rarely sees false positives and that she doesnt want to upset me, but she has to present me the facts. But for now I just want some answers! And some Hope. I want to celebrate that it MIGHT be a boy, but this thing has me so upset. Please answer this post. Thanks guys.

So regardless of my situation, what do you guys think????? Boy/Girl? I dont think I can see it. Just wanted to try :) 

 I hate NT scans, they are so undefinitive! I have heard of so many ladies that have gotten told this exact same thing and I don't know any that had a down's, etc baby.  Is it possible, yes, but I would say like maybe 1% just from seeing neck folds.  Try not to stress to much because I bet it will be all good!

 Of course their is a chance your little baby is fine. That is why they do the NT, to see if everything looks right, if not, they look further into it.Go to the next appt for the further testing and hopefully, you will hear great (boy) news then. Sorry they said that to you about terminating.

I posted in the Ask the Doc section. As for gender, unless the tech is very good at gender guessing at 12 wks, it really could go either way, as both sexes have a penis like protuberance.

good luck

 The following statement is just my opinion based on my observations working in a high risk OB clinic.

 It really depends on how abnormal your NT was. I've seen them thick and juicy that turn out just fine. I've even been surprised a time or three where it's been so thick i thought for sure something would come back with chromosomes when it ended up coming back clean. The thicker the NT the worse the odds are, generally speaking.

They can (and should) offer CVS which will give you answers on the chromosomes. If the chromes come back clean then the next step is clearing the heart and making sure there isn't a cardiac defect. Once that is done and clear it's often smooth sailing from there. I have seen many in the shoes you are now walking in end their journey happily. That said some get answers they didn't want to hear. What you do with that information is 200% up to you. 

I wish you nothing but good news in the immediate future

I've had the NT scan done with this pregnancy and i've not had my results through yet. My understanding of it is that a COMBINATION of the scan being positive and the bloodwork too gives you a risk factor. if you then fall into an increased risk band (our health authority's cut off is 1 in 200), you are offered further testing, like a cvs. It can't be determined that your baby has a genetic problem just from the scan-it's just one risk factor. If you DO come back higher risk after the bloods come back, remember, its just a higher risk-it still doesnt mean your baby has a genetic problem.

If your worst case scenario does happen, then make sure you have a good support network around you who respect and support your decision not to terminate. I have my fingers crossed for you, but i hopefully don't need to as there's every chance everything will be just fine. Do try not to worry (easier said than done, huh?), as it won't be good for you or baby. Good luck-and i hope it is a boy for you! xx

 

I was my understanding at my NT scan that it was a screening test - not a dianostic test - it merely tells you if a defect is more likely.  CVS/amnios from what I know are the only sure fire way of diagnosing chromosonal conditions.  I wish you all the luck in the world, hope your combined test comes back ok xx

I had that happen to me. I then went to a genetics doctor and he said sometimes the tech can get a diagonal view and it will look thick. My bloodwork came back1 in 5000 so my OB said he did not have downs. He also had no other downs markers. SHe did offer an amnio because I was 20 weeks at that point but I declined.

He was born perfect.

 This happened to a friend I worked with.  She was beside herself with worry after her NT scan and was then went onto have an amnio.  It came back negative and her DS was born perfect

I am horrified that they recommended you terminate your pregnancy based ONLY on the nuchal translucency without the benefit of advanced TESTING, not SCREENING!!! I hope I misunderstood your post somehow. The NT screening is just that-a screening tool. If there is a chance your baby has an abnormality, CVS or amnio can DIAGNOSE the problem. What you do with that data in combination with genetic counseling is between you and your husband. I am so sorry you are going through this! You are in my thoughts....

Amy

oohlala:

I am horrified that they recommended you terminate your pregnancy based ONLY on the nuchal translucency without the benefit of advanced TESTING, not SCREENING!!! I hope I misunderstood your post somehow. The NT screening is just that-a screening tool. If there is a chance your baby has an abnormality, CVS or amnio can DIAGNOSE the problem. What you do with that data in combination with genetic counseling is between you and your husband. I am so sorry you are going through this! You are in my thoughts....

My niece was told the same about her little boy at the NT scan, she had a CVS a couple of weeks later and all was fine. Please ask for further testing before making a decision, the ultrasound is not enough.

Don't worry too much, but plz consider further testing. U/S is never enough for termination of pregnancy. It is just a screening test, which prompts you to have a further evaluation -CVS or amniocentesis. My OB says that only 2-3% of those who had (+) blood test have actual Down syndrome, proven at amnio or CVS. I am having amnio myself because of my age, even though NT was normal.

Just wanted to thank everyone for their responses! I love this board! Im going to speak to a genetics counselor today and have another sonogram. Im not going to just turn in the towel like that. :-) Im so nervous but God is in control and he does things in mysterious ways. I will post back when I get out. Hugs to everyone, and have a great afternoon. Just one more day till TGIF!

Good luck hon

I just wanted to say that even the blood test has a 25% chance of giving you a false positive. I wont take it for that reason. I had a little girl 5yrs ago that had a chromosome disorder...trisomy 13. I didnt know she had it until she was born because they never offered me any of the screening tests due to my age at the time. However, I know that I wouldnt have terminated the pregnancy even if I did know. I had 9 awesome and unforgetable days with my daughter after birth that I wouldnt trade for anything. I just wanted to mention that IF your baby does have a chromosome problem you do have the option of continuing on with the pregnancy. Dont let someone pressure you into terminating unless thats what you want to do. You will know whats right for you. They offer all of the screening and diagnostic tests to me now but I wont do the blood work ones because of the false positive rates. 25% is high. I leave it in Gods hands. My friend took the tests for downs syndrome (trisomy 21) and they came back positive with her little girl but when her daughter was born they discovered that she was perfectly healthy! You have a GREAT chance of having a healthy baby. Good luck to you and GOD bless!