Nuchal Translucency 4.2mm - need some reassurance

[HaggisNeepsTatties]

Hi everyone,

Currently pregnant with my second child and have just come back from first scan having been told that the NT is 4.2mm. They wouldn't tell me there and then if that meant I was high risk, but I have to wait a week for bloods to be done and combined with age (35), presence of nasal bone (which there was) etc.
Have any of you had similar results? Did the combined test mean you were low risk even though the NT was high? Did you have CVS/amnio and get the all clear, but still have heart or other structural defects (which I've read can also be indicated by high NT) .

Totally freaking out at the moment. Have been struggling to get excited about this pregnancy as I'd wanted to wait a bit longer before number 2, but seeing it wriggling about on the screen was the first I'd really felt excited. Now feel like all that's been snatched away from me again.

Hi Haggis, so sorry you are going through this. I had an NT reading of 3.6 and combined with bloods told there was a 1 in 5 chance that the baby would have a serious issue. I opted for a CVS because it was the quickest way to get the results. Everything came back clear. I still couldn't rest until the 20 week scan, which we had with a specialist and was very detailed in terms of the heart. Again everything turned out fine.

I know it's a very scary time. The waiting feels like torture and you feel as though you can't get too excited. I've got my fingers crossed for you that you get the results you want. The way I look at it now is that some baby's just have more fluid than others-it doesn't necessarily mean that there is going to be a problem.

If you do opt for CVS or amnio, it really wasn't that bad. There are other options obviously in terms of the harmony or nifty test which i know lots of people on here have gone for. It wasn't an option for us due to the cost but some people prefer it due to the small risk of miscarriage with the other procedures.

Good luck xx

My nuchal ranged between 3.9 - 4.2. We were given odds of 1:12. My placenta was in the wrong place for cvs so waited for amnio. Then had specialist cardiac scans. All clear. Very healthy 18 month old asleep
Upstairs.
I know how stressful and emotional it is. I was told the high nuchal alone was considered 'high risk' but it's the bloods and age which give the odds, there can be good odds too! I asked to not be told my odds as thought it would add to my worry. I'm glad I didn't know.

By saying high risk I think the sonographer meant it was no longer a low risk pregnancy as based on nuchal they would suggest further testing. However many many many babies have similar nuchal to what you describe and all is well xx

Hi and thanks for your messages. It's reassuring to know that you had high readings but went on to have healthy babies.
I was reading some of the research papers last night and it seems that the chances of either a chromosomal, or another major anomaly for my measurement is about 30%. So trying to focus on the fact that 70% are ok.

I had been expecting to have to wait a week for combined result to come back before anything else happened but got a call from scanning midwife this morning with an appointment for an hour later! Luckily dp was able to get out of work and meet me there. They offered three options - CVS which I could have had done there and then, Amnio which would be in a couple of weeks, but they also gave me the option to do the harmony test privately there and then, which is what we opted for.
Having had two miscarriages before I was uneasy about risk of CVS so we felt the longer wait (two weeks versus 3 or 4 days) was worth it. So it's now a long two week wait, and then another long wait till anomaly scan which hey will do slightly earlier at 19 weeks.
Also got scanned again and baby was waving and kicking and turning somersaults -very active. And apart from NT which was measured at 4.5mm today, everything else looks normal at the moment.

How did you deal with telling people? I'm not showing yet at 12 weeks (apart from bloating in the evenings) and will probably get away with not telling anyone till after we've had the Harmony results back, but think people will start noticing before the scan at 19 weeks! What do you say...I'm pregnant but there might be some problems...??

Hi haggis, glad you've been seen so quickly. Sounds as though you have made the best decision for you.

I told close family just after the 12 week scan when we knew there was potentially an issue-said exactly what you've written-I'm pregnant but before you get too excited.... We were overly cautious but I think we felt like we couldn't get too excited at that stage. Told my line manager who was a great support, but didn't tell anyone else until we had the full results back from the CVS 2 weeks later. I was only 16 weeks then so it was a little easier for me.

We made the decision to tell people even though we knew the 20 week scan could have picked up some problems-the way we looked at it, regardless of what we had been through with the high risk readings, the 20 week scan can pick up issues (sounds a horrible way to put it) anyway.

Will you get any initial results op or do you have to wait the full 2 weeks for all results? Only advice I can give is to try and stay busy but in reality it is very difficult to think about anything else xx

Hi, I have been meaning to post a message to help reassure others going through the same worrying time and your board seemed like the perfect one. It definitely helped me to read some positive outcomes when I experienced the same traumatic time just under a year ago with my second child.

At his 12 wk scan my son's NT measured 4.6mm and combined with my bloods and age 34 I was given a high risk at 1:6. I know how you feel, the thoughts and worries you have are never ending. My OH and I opted for the CVS as we wanted to know as soon as possible. I believe this was carried out within a week and then we had to wait almost 2 weeks for a full karyotype test to check all chromosomes as my risk was so high. The test thankfully came back all clear, but the wait is excruciating and I know you can't think about anything else!

We then had a specialist cardiologist scan our son's heart to check there were no problems at around 18wks and this looked absolutely normal. We obviously told our immediate family around 12 weeks about the pregnancy and potential complications. We told others about the pregnancy after the heart scan! All I can say is I agree with September60b 'keep busy.' I still worked to try and take my mind off it as much as possible. I'm not sure your risk but one thought that helped was looking at the risk factor positively. I had a 1:6 chance as a doctor pointed out to me that means 5 out of 6 women go on to have normal babies with the same results.

Even throughout the pregnancy I couldn't fully relax as I thought something may have gone undetected but I am pleased to say we now have a beautiful baby boy who is almost 6 months and is rolling all over the place as I am typing this. He is such a content and happy baby and developing as he should be. I do so hope this helps you and others to feel that there is a light at the end of the tunnel!
All the best Xx

Lovely message seasidegirl. It's really reassuring knowing your little one is happy and healthy. Not sure the worrying ever really stops at any point throighout pregnancy.

It helped me to look at my risk factor in a positive way - that 4 out of 5 women with the same stats as me went on to have healthy pregnancies x

Thanks September, yes and also I need to mention that Googling research and papers definitely worsened my worry. I know that probably like me Haggis you want to know the likelihood of all possibilities, but my husband in the end banned me from Googling! Hope this helps xx

Thanks so much for your messages, it's so reassuring to know there are others who have been through the same with positive outcomes.
I'm not sure of my risk factor yet...still waiting for the bloods etc to be combined with NT and age, so expecting that next week. Will definitely try to do as you say Seaside and look at whatever it is the positive way.
We'd already told my parents about the pregnancy a couple of weeks ago, but haven't told them about the results. My dad has terminal cancer and is currently having treatment for kidney failure so they really have enough on their plate, they didn't know when the scan was so they haven't asked about it.
We have to wait the full two weeks for results, so will wait till after that before we say anything and before we tell my in laws. Other than that I think we'll hold off telling anyone else for as long as we can. I work for myself so don't need to worry about my boss
Thanks so much ladies for your reassuring words. It really helps! ( and I am staying away from the evil that is Google now!)

Hi, please need to know more on this. Please reply. What were outcomes for you