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Antenatal tests

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Original poster

NT 4.1mm at 13 weeks

28 replies

shoeprincess2 · 08/03/2012 17:22

Hi ladies! So, today was the day to have my dating scan and the combined nuchal test and blood thingymejig. I was so relieved to be told that baby's heartbeat was there, that i was totally not prepared for the "your baby's NT is above normal and I shall get a midwife to come and talk to you about further testing". I'm afraid the midwife might as well have been talking a totally different language in the half hour that followed. My mind was whirring. Fortunately, my partner was there to ask lots of questions- i just sat in a daze. Anyway, we agreed to still have the blood test, to get a combined risk factor and will be booked in for an amnio in a few weeks. However, i guess even if the amnio comes back with no chromosonal abnormalities, the anomaly scan is going to be key to see if there are any other issues. I am so upset by this. I guess I just wanted to post to see if someone will come and hold my hand...

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1borneveryminute · 08/03/2012 17:29

Hey, really sorry to hear that and wishing you best of luck, I'm sure it will all be fine in the end. Do keep us posted.

MrsLovely · 08/03/2012 17:29

Hi shoeprincess

I too had a very high nuchal measurement with my dd, it was 5.3 and combined with the blood results and my highly advanced age it gave us a very high chance of the baby having Downs or another chromosomal abnormailty. Like you, I was in such a daze when they told me the results of the scan I couldn't really take it all in.
We went for the CVS test rather than the amnio, unfortunately the test failed and we only got a few results back, and we decided against further testing.

We were monitored and supported so well throughout all of this, and the baby was fine when she was born. The midwife who supported us was brilliant, always happy to answer questions and completely non judgmental about everything.

It's such a difficult time, use all the support you can get, and ask all the questions you need to (several times, in my case!)

Original poster

shoeprincess2 · 08/03/2012 17:48

My partner has told me that she took the measurement 8 times and only once was it over 4mm. Makes me wonder how it can fluctuate! I still feel like i have a big weight on my shoulders. When we had DS1 we were making phone calls at this point, excitedly telling people our news. Now i just feel totally deflated and can't even look at the scan picture. I am welling up just thinking about it now. Thanks ladies for your kind words and i shall certainly keep you posted. S x

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nearlymumofone · 09/03/2012 19:06

Hi, I am in a similar boat. And up for holding your hand. I'm 16 weeks and had 12 week scan 3 week ago. My NT measurement was 2.9mm at high end of normal but combined with bloods we got back 1:153 on the cusp of high (high being up to 1:153). I was shocked as DS had been 1:11,000.

Obviously I don't know what the future holds for any of us, but reading a lot of similar posts (as I have been trawling the net- probably like you are doing right now) there are TONNES of people with NT measurements like yours and higher who have gone to have the amnio or just ridden out the pregnancy and had normal babies. When I told my friend about my situation she told her best friend (an experienced midwife) who kind of shrugged and said this happens all the time, people are always being given high risk when there's nothing wrong. So... I guess what I'm trying to say is, there's a great chance that everything will be absolutely fine. Hold onto that.

Personally we have decided not to have any further tests, after thinking about it I knew that unless my baby had a fatal abnormality I personally would not terminate. I did a bit of reading up on down syndrome, and spoke to a good friend who's neice was recently born with down syndrome and I feel more well equipped and less in the dark. To be honest with you, I don't have a fear surrounding the possibility of down syndrome now (although I still fear the anomoly scan may show something more sinister- but that's just because I'm a born worrier!!!)

Take care, and if you read other posts you will find out you're not alone and that there are lots of people in your situation that have gone on to have positive outcomes. xx

(I probably sound quite chilled about all this, but it took me a good 5 sleepless nights before I got to this point!!!)

Boggler · 09/03/2012 21:52

Shoeprincess I know exactly how you feel, I had a great nuchal fold just 1.4mm so we were totally unprepared or when my bloods came back and the calculated risk was 1in 36. After much agonising we are booked for an amnio on Monday, so we should know one way or the other by the end of the week. The whole process is horrible but personally I think it's best to find out that way you know what in store. Very best of luck xxx

Original poster

shoeprincess2 · 12/03/2012 11:15

boggler Hope your amnio goes ok today. Let us know how you are when you get back home. Make sure you have lots of bedrest and chocolate

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Original poster

shoeprincess2 · 13/03/2012 18:30

So, I got my combined risk back today- 1:5. Seeing as they had already told me that 70% of babies with a high nuchal translucency measurement end up being ok, I don't really see that my odds have changed significantly. I am booked in for my amnio on 26th March, with a discussion session on the 19th March (where I get to talk to the consultant). My emotions are all over the place- one minute I think "whatever will be will be", next I feel incredibly sad and am almost mourning the loss of my baby (despite this being an indicative test so far, not diagnostic). The actual amnio isn't worrying me. But I am driving myself mad with the worst case scenario. I still need my hand holding- are you prepared to do this for me for the next fortnight?

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nearlymumofone · 13/03/2012 18:35

I'm there shoe. I don't know what to advise you, but i'll hold your hand.

1:5 so that's 80% chance all will be fine.... hmmm... sounds better already.

Try to keep calm and distract yourself with other things... xxx

Original poster

shoeprincess2 · 13/03/2012 19:13

Thanks Nearly- my DP is out for the evening, my 18 month old has just gone to bo bos, so I am having a leisurely evening and then a face pack. I am feeling a little bit better. I think the next 13 days are going to absolutely drag, but worrying incessantly for them isn't going to change the result. It doesn't help that i am going to a funeral on Friday Ho hum. I shall check in periodically so keep those hand ready!

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TheHonMrsP · 13/03/2012 23:57

Mine was 4.6mm and 1:3 - it all came back fine.Fingers crossed yours will too.

Original poster

shoeprincess2 · 19/03/2012 16:10

I went to fill out the consent form for my amnio this morning. I had a chat with the midwife and felt surprisingly calm. It's not the amnio itself that is worrying me- it is the waiting and the constant "what ifs". I feel as though I have been through every single emotion for every single outcome. I have been told that i will get the initial results on the Wednesday or Thursday and the full karotype in a fortnight. So, even if the initial results are fine, there is yet more waiting. Then if the full karotype is fine, then i will have to have a detailed fetal cardiogram. So even more waiting. I am so glad that my blood pressure hasn't been taken the se past few weeks, as i am sure it will be elevated. Still need my hand holding...Anyone else still waiting on results? I know Boggler had good amnio results, so here's hoping the same for me!

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Boggler · 20/03/2012 17:20

shoeprincess keep positive there are so many of us that have been given rubbish odds and have come out ok when the results the come back. I'm sure that yours will be ok too, the trouble with us all is that we have so much information available we read up on all possibilities no matter that our bad odds are still very much in our favour. Up until we got the results I felt that the pregnancy was on hold and I found that I could no longer look at prams etc and it felt as if I was distancing myself, as I had decided to terminate if the results were not good. When do you have the test? Hope it's ok and take it easy afterwards and let us know the results as we are all crossing fingers for you xxx

Original poster

shoeprincess2 · 20/03/2012 17:53

Hi boggler- my test is at 9.40am on Monday. i just want it over and done with now, so that I know either way. I should have the results by Wednesday or Thursday- here's hoping... i shall keep you posted. My nails are chewed to the quick- I feel sick with worry most of the time! S xx

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Boggler · 20/03/2012 20:47

Not long now then shoeprincess, I remember the countdown to the test being sooo stressful and full of anxiety you have my sympathies. Xxx

Boggler · 25/03/2012 22:18

Wishing you good luck for tomorrow shoeprincess xxx

Original poster

shoeprincess2 · 26/03/2012 13:21

Hi ladies! So, I had my amnio this morning. The anticipation over the last few weeks has been worse than the test itself. It was just uncomfortable, more than painful. Results should be through Thursday/ Friday. Eeeeek!!! x

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batteryhen · 26/03/2012 15:24

Good luck shoeprincess. I had my amnio almost 2 weeks ago now. I had a risk of 1:140 originally, even though the nuchal fold was 1.1mm. So I decided to have a detailed scan at the FMC in London. I thought this would give me a better assesment and therefore I would be able to avoid the amnio. However, after a detailed scan they then put my risk at 1:63!!

So I went ahead and had the amnio at my local hospital, I had it on the wednesday and the results were called through to me on the Friday. Pleased to say all clear :)
The waiting is the worst, I pretty much sat on the sofa for 2 days and was too terrified to move!

Boggler · 26/03/2012 15:24

Rest up and take it easy shoeprincess, at least you've got the test over with and remember the odds are in your favour xxx

batteryhen · 29/03/2012 10:56

Any news yet shoeprincess?

Original poster

shoeprincess2 · 29/03/2012 19:04

Just got home and logged on after a frantic day. I got the call at 11.30am to say the first set of results for DS, Edwards and Patau syndrome are clear!! Hurdle one of three now complete. Just waiting for the full results in 10 days and then the thorough scan on 25 April, to rule out any structural problems. Thank you for all your hand holding and moral support. i feel a lot happier, but still a little reserved about things. I guess it is to be expected after 3 weeks of stress and worry... S xx

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Boggler · 29/03/2012 19:13

Oh shoeprincess that's wonderful news, I'm so very pleased for you. Isn't it a lovely feeling to have that black cloud of worry lifted.

I wouldn't worry too much about the full results they are for the really really rare things that no one has heard of. The scan will be fine as well so try and relax and enjoy things from no on. Xx

nearlymumofone · 29/03/2012 20:35

Great news shoeprincess. Breathing a big sigh of relief for you x

Boggler · 30/03/2012 13:08

I've just had a phone call to say that the full carryotype results are back from my amnio - and they are all clear! Whilst I knew they were looking for the rare stuff it's still a massive relief!

Original poster

shoeprincess2 · 30/03/2012 18:58

That's great news Boggler. I am nervous for mine, but will be asking the sex (as a bonus!) Did you find out, or are you keeping it as a surprise? xx

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nearlymumofone · 31/03/2012 09:16

Congrats Boggler! x

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