CVS test today....

[jdutch]

Hi, I had my 12 week scan yesterday and the NT measurement was 8.3 so I have been put at very high risk of the baby having downs syndrome. I am in bits. I am due to have a cvs today, I know it carries a risk but I feel I need to know if the baby has downs so we can prepare. I have two healthy girls and both pregnancies were relatively straightforward so I haven't experienced anything like this before. Anyone been through this? Thanks

I don't have experience with a high NT measurement, but I had a CVS four weeks ago after they didn't find a nasal bone during the scan and my HCG was high. (All turned out to be fine). I was incredibly stressed and nervous before the procedure, but everyone at the hospital was lovely and I can assure you that the anticipation was far worse than the actual thing. It didn't hurt and was over in five minutes. After they took the needle out, we saw the baby wriggling and heard the heartbeat, which was very reassuring. The few days of waiting for the quick results were tough, but I recommend taking it as easy as easy as you can and lining up things like DVDs and a good book to distract yourself as much as possible, though your two girls may be enough to do that!
I can imagine how worried you are, but try not to assume anything -- remember that what you've had so far is a screening, not a test. There are many many more false positives than actual problems.
Best of luck for today and the next few days.

Hi, hope the test goes well. If you get a positive result please feel free to pm me. I have a DS with downs (currently causing havoc around me!) x

Hi I've just seen this thread. I hope yesterday went ok for you and you are doing ok today. I really hope you get some positive news hopefully today. I have had three cvs's and they phoned me the next day with each of them.
Have a rest today and distract yourself with your girls, a book or whatever. Waiting for the call can be difficult. With my third one they didn't ring till after 5pm!
The reason I have had three is that our dc1 has got downs which was diagnosed at birth. He is nearly 9. We decided to go straight for the cvs with our subsequent three pregnancies and didn't even bother with NT screening!
Like wips I'm here answer any questions you may have. Let's hope you don't need to, but just to let you know that it may seem like the end of the world now having a child with DS (god knows I thought that when ds1 was born) but it isn't I promise. Also I will NOT judge you at all if you find yourself making a difficult decision. I would not have had the three cvs's if I was not thinking about my and my families choices. Take care of yourself.

Hi, thanks for your responses. The test went well, in a bit of pain but trying to take it easy. OH is off work and realising how hard it can be looking after the girls! I was given at best 1:4 chance so not great. I was also told as the NT measurement was so high if it isn't DS then it is likely to be a heart or other organ problem. So, just clinging onto the small chance but also trying to prepare myself for the decisions I'll have to make if the news isn't good. It's reassuring to hear of people with positive experiences. In my heart I don't think I could terminate, but I am worried about the impact on my daughters, but just trying to lay out and think about all possibilities.
I'm hoping to get the call soon

Glad you are bearing up, hope your dh is coping with the girls !!

One thing for sure, you'll get loads of support on mn if you need it with difficult decisions, termination choices, having a child with extra needs, how it may impact on your dd's and anything else. There will be someone on here who has walked in your shoes.

With my ds1 being the eldest we didn't have others to think about, but have gone on to have three more children. We lead a completely normal family life and I can honestly say now I wouldn't change a thing. This is a conversation I'll happily have with you if you want/need to pm me.

Fingers crossed and am thinking of you all. X