Harmony test & nuchal fold

[Kangaroo77]

Hi all,

I've just had my first scan at 10+5 but the baby is actually measuring 2 days bigger so adjusted to 11wks. The scan was part of the NIPT testing and not NHS one (yet). All seemed fairly positive however they wouldn't measure the nuchal translucency as the baby needs to be 45mm and mine is only 43mm. All in all it was a positive experience.

However, my first pregnancy was Trisomy 13 (Patau) and I remember how my world literally collapsed when I got the phone call to confirm. I chose to have a medical termination at 18.5 weeks, all very traumatic but I went on to have two healthy girls afterwards. This was with my ex partner, he left shortly after my second daughter was born.

FF some years later and now my girls are 4 and 6 and I have a wonderful supportive (younger) partner and we got pregnant with my third (his 1st) almost as soon as we started trying last November. We've been together nearly 3 years and we're delighted to bring another child into our lives to cement our lovely blended family.

So everything is great BUT I am now suddenly convinced something is wrong with the baby. After studying my scan pictures I can't tell if the NT is very thick (and therefore an issue) or if it is the umbilical cord or the amnion (sac). Googling isn't helping at all. I keep seeing pictures of high NT like mine. I'm terrified. I've cried 3 times since yesterday already. The gloom is suffocating me and it's bring the first pregnancy trauma back.

I also feel bad for robbing my partner of his joy as I'm stressing out so much. I know I should worry when there's something to worry about. I know all this. Does anyone relate? Anyone else waiting for bloods? I should add I'm 42 so also v high risk 😬.

Any reassuring similar worries would help. Has anyone else had similar lines to mine and it all be ok? Thanks for reading.

[Sussexmidwife]

@Kangaroo77 It is absolutely understandable that you are suddenly feeling very anxious. It is becoming recognised that experiences like yours can lead to PTSD which is what you are experiencing now.
The sonographer was absolutely correct not to measure the NT because it is not a reliable indicator at this gestation - even a few days can make a huge difference. I am contacted fairly frequently by people who have been told that their baby's NT is increased when they are around the same gestation as you. When they have their scan at more than 11+5 weeks (45cm CRL) the NT is within the normal range. An accredited sonographer at the right gestation is the person you need to put your mind at rest (plus your NIPT result of course). Do you have your NHS first trimester scan booked soon?
Just a point to think about and perhaps try to refocus your thinking slightly: at 42 you are at an increased chance of various issues in pregnancy, compared to someone of 22, but those risks are actually pretty small. You are not "very high risk" but you do now have a slightly higher chance. Sorry if that sounds picky, but I think that so many women get terrified because of the language we use in healthcare about risk.
Hoping you get reassurance about your precious baby soon.

[Kangaroo77]

@Sussexmidwife Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me. I definitely feel better today and have managed to calm my anxiety somewhat. Yesterday I was full panic mode and what you say about PTSD is really interesting because whether it's as bad as that, I definitely went back to the place I was at before when I was told I had trisomy 13 which was traumatic for me. My NIPT bloods come back next week and my NHS scan is booked for 24th. I'll be 13 weeks. Thanks again, very much appreciated. Xx

[ThirdTimeLuky]

Dear @Kangaroo77, I hope you are well. If you don’t mind me asking, I was wondering how this all progressed please?

[42andpreggo]

@ThirdTimeLuky hey, I changed my name. So this pregnancy didn't work out. I was diagnosed at 16 weeks with Trisomy 9 - very rare, and terminated surgically at 17 weeks.

I waited a couple of months and then fell pregnant again with a healthy girl (so far). I'm 22 weeks and doing well.

[ThirdTimeLuky]

Dear @42andpreggo, thank you for coming back and answering... I am mostly likely facing termination myself and it is reassuring to hear your story following your termination. Especially because I am also 40 years old. I wish you a very healthy rest of your pregnancy and all the best .

[ThirdTimeLuky]

@42andpreggo and of course I am very sorry you had to terminate but I am very happy to hear you were able to get pregnant again briefly afterwards.

[42andpreggo]

@ThirdTimeLuky oh I'm sincerely sorry to hear you are going through this. What is your story (if you want to share it)?

I'm 43 in 2 months time and I feel great this time round. I've had lots of reassuring fetal medicine scans and my NIPT was clear this time.

I created a healthy plan for me and my partner when we terminated, making sure we reconnected and exercised, walked etc. We tried to forget about babies for a couple of months and then I started using digital opks at 3 months and fell straight away. This pregnancy is completely different and after having 2 terminations for trisomies, I'm aware that they are bad luck flukes and it doesn't mean the next preg will be the same. Sending huge hugs.

[ThirdTimeLuky]

@42andpreggo this is why I love the internet. You just writing back to me with your story and your advice and sending me encouragement is everything. I was also pregnant my third child beginning of this year. In March right when the pandemic started, I miscarried the baby around 11 weeks (missed miscarriage). At that stage we hadn’t even gotten to the screenings etc as one day I had bleeding, after my early scan, and there was no heartbeat and baby was so small, they told me baby probably stopped developing about three weeks ago. They said after looking at the tissue etc, most likely the most common reason, some sort of genetic abnormality. This miscarriage was a bit of a shock as, I’ve been blessed with two easy pregnancies, with not miscarriages or infertility issues, first one at age 35, and second age 37. At that moment I thought, ok, this is a new chapter, this is a new feeling for me. Now I live this, now I know it, now I understand mothers who are going through miscarriages... And I was alright. I have two healthy children, although one with special needs (no physical disabilities but takes a lot from us, sensory issues). So I’m blessed. Then I got pregnant in August again. Last week I went for a reassurance scan around 10 weeks, just to hear the heartbeat again (had the early scan at 7 weeks), as I was so nervous. I would be having my Harmony next week when I would be 12 weeks, together with my nuchal translucency scan. The sonographer said if I wanted to, I could already have the harmony test, and I did. It came back yesterday and with a high risk of trisomy 21. And now in hindsight, I am looking at the scan from last week.. she said it’s too early for her to measure the nuchal liquid but I can already see, it’s there, it’s big. I think she had a suspicion...... I am seeing a consultant for the nuchal scan in a few days and will also do the CVS but I do know that for trisomy 21 there’s a very very low chance of a false positive with harmony...... the most difficult bit is, I feel the baby, it’s growing inside of me, but, I find it very very tough, with a special needs child, can we also provide for this baby’s potential needs... Anyway. So I’m already prepared for the confirmation of the hard news but your reassurance is very helpful. Thank you.

[42andpreggo]

@ThirdTimeLuky oh darling I feel for you. Thank you for sharing your story. I'm really sad to hear of the predicted T21, unfortunately it seems to be more common as we get older to get T21.

We're really similar in that I had my first baby at 35 and then another at 37. 🥰

Regarding T21, there seem to plenty of people who embrace these babies and have fulfilling, happy and rewarding lives.

I have to say for me, I personally wouldn't cope so well with the potential issues and would terminate if I had a similar diagnosis. I think this is a personal decision that should be supported either way. At the end of that day you know your family, your life set up and capabilities. Feel strong and secure in the decision you make and believe you are doing the best thing whatever you decide. There is no right or wrong, just what is best for your family.

If you choose to terminate should T21 be confirmed, keep positive that you will succeed. Yes you're older but people have successful pregnancies into their mid 40's. It might be a bumpier road to get there but it's still very possible. Eat well, sleep well and take the best prenatal vitamins you can afford and just keep moving forward. That's what I found helped. Sending love and best wishes xxx

[ThirdTimeLuky]

@42andpreggo Thank you xxx. One last question please... I've been using Proceive second time around this year for vitamins. Is there any you took and would recommend? Thank you and lots of love.

[42andpreggo]

@ThirdTimeLuky Yes, I took high strength CQ10 Uniquinol. It's meant to improve egg quality. I took it for 3 months until I conceived. Masses of luck ❤️.

Qunol Plus Ubiquinol Coq10 200mg with Omega 3 250mg, Extra Strength Antioxidant, Coenzyme Q10 for Heart Health, 90 Softgels https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0716Q35T1/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_4X.KFb7AWDK6Z

[ThirdTimeLuky]

@42andpreggo I cannot thank you enough.

[42andpreggo]

@ThirdTimeLuky honestly it's a pleasure. It's nice to give support to others going through it as until it happens to you, people don't understand. I also took high strength vitamin D. This is mean to be just as important as folic acid these days. Stay positive. X