Nuchal Translucency 4.3mm at 10 weeks 5 days any room for optimism?

[Andsoitis]

Hello, I was hoping for some feedback from people who have been through something similar.

I went for a private viability scan yesterday, and everything great, but I was concerned about the thickness of fluid - it seemed very visible and clear even to me. I asked sonographer if she thought it was okay, and she said that, although measurements not usually taken, it looked very thick. She measured 4.3mm, but all other markers fine. She said that I I measured 4.3 at 11 weeks this would give me a very high risk of Down's Syndrome for our baby - 1 in 5.

She recommended I come back next week for bloods, plus another scan during proper time frame, saying thickness can change. However, from my reading the thickness changes in proportion to the foetus as this stage, so it would increase, rather than decrease.

I am 38, having been ttc for over4 years with just 2 m/c to show for it, and now this.

This thickness seems extremely high so early on...is there much hope that bloods results will lengthen our odds?

Ill be really grateful for any feedback - don't feel the need to put a positive spin if you respond, I'm have become vey accustomed to having my heart broken over the last few years, so it seems like a normal state to me.

[LadyCad]

I don't have experience of nuchal scans but when I conceived at 40 the bold tests showed a very high risk for DS. I was devastated for a day or two but my protective instinct was very powerful and I felt much more confident that we would cope, whatever the outcome, as the pg progressed.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is that this awful feeling of anxiety you have may not continue.

So sorry I can't be more helpful.

[fifitot]

I know it's hard not to worry but until you have a proper nuchal screen with bloods you don't have the most accurate info to go on.

They are recommended all the time but ARC are good at support and info related to these issues.

Lots of women have high nuchal folds but the outcome is still OK. You need more information and will get it from your next scan.

Sorry I can't help more but good luck.

[Northernlurker]

1 in 5 means that 4 babies with that measurement won't have Downs syndrome. That's still a sizeable majority. I know it's not like 1 in a 1000 or even 1 in 100 but the chances of your baby NOT having the syndrome are still there. You need more information I think from the other tests - and also perhaps about children with Downs syndrome. This measurement gives you a risk, it doesn't give absolute confirmation and the fact that there are no other markers and the baby looks fine is a really good thing for you both. Good luck.

[happywheezer]

I'm really surprised they didn't do bloods with your NT.
Did she see any other markers? Nasal bone and heart?

As others have said it's only a risk so whatever the outcome I hope it's a good one for you.

[DuelingFanjo]

is she fully trained in Nuchal scans? It's very easy to measure incorrectly. Sounds to me like you were having just a normal scan rather than the more technical Nuchal scan. If you want a Nuchal scan and teh NHS doesn't offer it in your area then you would be much better paying to have it done by someone who is trained and experienced. What she seems to be talking about is just the regular NHS blood tests.

[DuelingFanjo]

sorry - just noticed it was a private scan.

Still - it doesn't sound to me like she really had expertise in the Nuchal scan.

[peelprincess]

Don't know if you've read my post but my baby had 5.5mm at 11 weeks and 6.7mm at 12. I have had a CVS and await the results. My hospital don't do the blood screening until 16 weeks.

I think it may be an idea to try and find out if you can be seen by a fetal medicine unit who are more specialised in dealing with situations like this.

Good luck - fingers crossed for you x

[Andsoitis]

Thanks. It wasn't intended to be a nuchal scan, but I asked about the thickness because it was noticable so she measured it for me. I am returning for proper scan with bloods on wednesday. It was at the fetal medicine centre in Harley St and they seem to know what they are doing.

I know that many people with Downs Syndrome have happy fulfilling lives. However, like any mother to be, I am upset at the thought that my child might not have the fullest advantages that life has to offer, and obviously I am extremely concerned about the other trisomys, and viability.

[mowmi]

Sorry you're going through this - the ladies on here know far more than me and some of them supported me when I went through something similar last year (thanks again ladies).

Lots of room for optimism - we were given 1 in 2 odds after high nuchal and bad blood results - our little angel is asleep in his cot upstairs, without DS.

Surely the result can't be that reliable - there's a reason why they do it between a certain gestation?

It's a teribly worrying time but northernlurker is right - even with those odds there is more chance your baby will be so called normal (i hate typing that).

I know how you feel, I was crushed at the thought (we had 2 ivf's, 1 miscarriage and testicular cancer to overcome in our quest to be a mummy and daddy) and although we would have continued the pregnancy I began to mourn the baby I imagined I was carrying.

All that is my long winded way of saying all you are feeling is perfectly normal and the odds are still in your favour - so try and stay positive...

I wish you strength for the next few weeks - this thread will support you all the way.

X

x

[Andsoitis]

Thank you for your responses. I really hope that you get good news peelprincess, I will certainly keep my fingers crossed for you.

Mowmi It is heartening to hear that things worked out so well for you, especially after all you have been through.

For me, I feel as though I have remained optimistic over the years despite everything that has come my way, and I had just passed the point at which my previous m/c occurred, so to find out about this was such a blow...I just feel as though I am running out of optimism, and that of course this is going to go wrong - everything else has!

Well I suppose there is little point in moping until we get further info...I just find it hard to convince myself that such a nuchal thickness can possibly result in a healthy baby .

[Andsoitis]

Hello, just to update...

,,,,went back from proper nuchal screening, and nuchal thickness had decreased from 4.3 to 3.7 over the intervening 5 days. This, along with my blood tests,put my risk factor at 1;33. I had CVS, which was fine, though a bit scary, and results came through after a day to say clear of the main trisomies! I hope this is helpful to anyone going through the same thing.

[LittlePoot]

Great news Andsoitis. Fingers crossed your full results come up with the goods for the other chromosomes too.

[HavingAnOffDAy]

Great news for you xx

[mowmi]

Wonderful news - you must be so relieved! x

[babysham1]

hi, im 14 weeks preg and had a nuchal test on monday, nuchal was 1.82 mm which seemed normal but bloods put me at high risk group of 1 in 100-150. they have rec cvs which i went for today but because im on tinzaparin injections they wont do it until next week so i dont do my inject on that day. naturally im anxious as ive had 4 previous mc and 2 tested pos for diff syndromes, it must be awful waiting for results, id really appreciate any advice!

[florrie83]

hi im 27 and had my nuchal scan on fri, it was 5.6mm which was very high. but doing research on the www i beleve the baby was in the wrong possition and you could not see the umbilical cord at anytime during the scan. i have a 9yr old son who i didnt have the scan but my bloods came back at 1:220 which at 18yrs old is very high. if you look at my profile i have posted a pic of the scan and you can all look and see what i mean.