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Antenatal tests

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Trying not to panic

86 replies

cally0 · 21/03/2016 20:35

Hi all,

I had my nuchal scan today. They dated me at 13 weeks and the nt measurement was 3mm. I am 28 years old.

I know 3.5mm is the max limit, but I'm feeling extremely anxious that I'm so close to that limit.

I won't get my blood test results back until after Easter now.

Anyone else get a similar measurement to this? If so, how did things turn out? Know it's different for everyone, just need some reassurance Sad

Thanks xxx

OP posts:
KittyandTeal · 25/03/2016 08:57

The soft marked for the bloods are very different for T21 than T13 and 18.

For T21 you are looking at high hcg and low Papp a, generally the hcg being double that of the hcg. Papp a under 1 mom and hcg over 1 mom (generally)

The other major trisomies are marked but very low hcg and Papp a, usually under 0.5mom.

I'm guessing that's why they don't run for the other trisomies of you are high risk for T21.

However, our amnio ran the three majors with 48 hours and a full karyotype that was available 3 weeks later although it was delayed to 6 weeks because of our positive T18 diagnosis so the other results weren't needed in such a hurry.

Do you have the option of keeping the sample and having the full karyotype run if you get a negative T21 result?

bishboschone · 25/03/2016 15:34

I would have the karyotype and pay for it . We had a cvs and were told we were having a normal baby . This was not the case , I don't want to scare you but I do wish I had been aware that just because they don't have Down's etc doesn't mean the baby is ok... I'm sure yours is but if you would abort for Down's then have the test .

cally0 · 25/03/2016 16:13

Thanks Bish. Do you mind me asking what your baby had in this case?

I really want to do the full test with karyotype however I've not been offered this by the hospital. I'm going to call up on tues am before my appointment and ask to have the full test. We don't mind paying for it.

X

OP posts:
bishboschone · 25/03/2016 16:39

He has an unknown genetic condition ( duplications in his X chromosome ) . This presents a lot like Down's in that he has delayed development and limited speech at nearly 5. I would ask for a full micro array if you want to eliminate most risk .. We were told our baby was normal and he isn't . We have coped and he is a joy but I would have liked to know the full facts . Pm me if you want to know more .. As I've said I don't want to scare you but I don think people should be aware of the risks as we weren't .

cally0 · 25/03/2016 18:13

Thanks Bish, I really appreciate your honesty and advice, and I will be taking this on board and requesting the full karyotype. I'm hoping that this is something they will let us do as we do not mind paying for it.

I don't know why they don't just do the full karyotype as standard as then things wouldn't be missed. It must've been an awful shock especially after you'd been told he was fine. Thank you again xxxx

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bishboschone · 26/03/2016 07:27

No problem.. My son is nearly 5 and the micro array test wasn't available( didn't exist in this country ) when I was pregnant . We have asked about it since because we would have paid too had we realised there was an option to . I adore my son but he struggles through life and will require life long care . This is not something I would have chosen for any of us obviously and I'm being absolutely honest ( and I know it's harsh ) but I wouldn't have had him had I known ..... The shocking thing is it's more common that I realised . Since I've had him I have many friends with children like him and we had no idea . I thought I was having an invasive test with an absolute yes or no answer ... Good luck with your decisions and outcomes .

bishboschone · 26/03/2016 07:30

I will just add my son had no soft markers either and his nt was 2.6 .. I was 37 when I had him so not even that old . My risk factor came from my bloods .

Undercooked · 26/03/2016 07:38

Sorry you are going through this OP. I was given a 1:8 risk after a nuchal measurement of 3.2mm and my bloods. I opted for the Harmony blood test which the Professor I was under told me really is conclusive but can't be marketed as such. It came back v v low risk. We had a heart scan at 20 weeks which was also fine. DS is now a happy, healthy toddler who had met all his development a markets in advance of his peers. I hope you have a similar result.

mrsjskelton · 26/03/2016 09:36

OP remember you are not a sonographer and just because you can't see a nasal bone doesn't mean there isn't one! I couldn't see my LO's nasal bone either. Please stay positive X

cally0 · 26/03/2016 18:05

Thanks again for everyone's replies. Thanks

I am now starting to think about what 'happens next' after the cvs, if I were to miscarry or require a termination.

When I briefly asked the midwife on the phone about what would happen she said I'd need to call the delivery ward.

Does this mean I would have to give birth to the baby? I was hoping I would be able to have a surgical abortion such as a D&e under general anaesthetic.

I have struggled with depression prior to becoming pregnant (came off my medication when I found out I was expecting) and I'm very concerned that the psychological trauma of giving birth may push me over the edge.

Does anyone else have any experience of miscarriage / abortion from 15 weeks on? Would like to hear your experiences

I just don't think I could go through giving birth Sad

OP posts:
cally0 · 26/03/2016 18:05

Thanks again for everyone's replies. Thanks

I am now starting to think about what 'happens next' after the cvs, if I were to miscarry or require a termination.

When I briefly asked the midwife on the phone about what would happen she said I'd need to call the delivery ward.

Does this mean I would have to give birth to the baby? I was hoping I would be able to have a surgical abortion such as a D&e under general anaesthetic.

I have struggled with depression prior to becoming pregnant (came off my medication when I found out I was expecting) and I'm very concerned that the psychological trauma of giving birth may push me over the edge.

Does anyone else have any experience of miscarriage / abortion from 15 weeks on? Would like to hear your experiences

I just don't think I could go through giving birth Sad

OP posts:
hazeyjane · 26/03/2016 18:16

Many genetic conditions have to have specific testing, so wouldn't necessarily come up on a microarray, which is why there are many people with disabilities who have undiagnosed genetic conditions.

bayswatersophie · 26/03/2016 18:23

Cally0 I don't have any experience of this yet but sadly I will next week when I will be admitted for a tfmr as my baby was diagnosed with T18 this week. I am at 20 weeks so for sure is induced labour. Like you I am so scared and sad about having to do this. I pray with all my heart for you that your baby is OK - try not to panic yet, you still don't know for sure there is a problem. And if there is, know that I am going through it with you and I send you lots of love and support xxx

hazeyjane · 26/03/2016 18:30

Sorry, I meant to add - I Hope everything goes OK,Cally.

Flowers bayswatersophie

KittyandTeal · 26/03/2016 18:30

I have experience of a termination after 20 weeks and a medical management of a mmc at 14 weeks.

I think that some hospitals will refer you to Marie stopes or similar for a surgical procedure up to 16 weeks. My hospital won't offer digital after 13 weeks, I didn't ask about a referral as I wanted a medical management.

22 weeks was pretty much like a short labour.

However, 14 weeks I was induced using normal induction drugs, given pain relief and used gas and air. It was a little bit like labour. There are lots of women here who have had the same thing and only needed mild pain relief.

I opted to go to the delivery ward but this was more uncommon (I wanted to have a similar experience to my dd2 and I knew the midwives were amazing with still birth and mc there) usually you go to a private room on the gyne ward.

You can opt to see the baby. We did in both circumstances but only because I knew it would help me grieve. We have photos, hand and foot prints and a memory box for both babies. Both of our babies are named and we have/will have them cremated. For me it was a way of completing a circle.

That is my experience. You experience doesn't have to be anything like that. Generally hospitals will do all they can to find the best way for you.

I will say whilst I was going through my tfmr I was utterly terrified of giving birth to her (I had no choice that late on) and I had already had my dd1. However, it wasn't as hard or as scary as I had imagined and strange as it sounds birthing her (and also my ds) has helped the healing process.

If you are definite that you want a surgical procedure and the hospital can't do it I'm pretty sure you can go private up to 16 weeks too. Don't quote me on the 16 week mark but I'm pretty certain it's the cut off for surgical.

mrsjskelton · 27/03/2016 21:02

OP you're thinking so negatively and I realise that with your history of depression that may explain how you're feeling. Please PLEASE stay positive. Think of how many women before you will have been through pregnancy never knowing they were high risk of downs but never had the test and had perfectly healthy babies. The problem is that we're too well informed these days. Let's get this CVS out of the way - we're all here for you and then deal with the results the following day! SmileWine

mrsjskelton · 27/03/2016 21:04

Sophie I can't imagine how you're feeling Thanks

ReturnoftheWhack · 27/03/2016 21:36

DS was measured at 3.4mm at 13 weeks 6 days, I believe 14 weeks is the cut off for the test and the nuchal fold naturally increases at a rapid rate the closer you get to 14 weeks and beyond. My DS is now 4 and perfectly healthy and without chromosomal abnormality.

Frazzled2207 · 27/03/2016 21:56

Sorry you're going through this. Please keep positive- odds are still in your favour. A friend had similar odds and a perfect baby. I had an anxious pregnancy convinced that something would be wrong with ds1.
He's nearly 3 now and perfect.

cally0 · 28/03/2016 17:59

Bayswatersophie - I am so sorry you are going through this. I cannot imagine how you are feeling. Sending you all of my love. Thank you for your kind words xxx

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bayswatersophie · 28/03/2016 20:01

Thank you, I appreciate your kind words too. It is really really tough but somehow I will get through it. I am rooting for you that all turns out well for you, keep checking the thread in the hope you have good news, it would make my day if things work out for you even if they haven't for me . Sending good vibes.... Xxx

mrsjskelton · 29/03/2016 09:18

All the best for today OP, just keep yourself relaxed for baby. You're under consultant care and the best of the medical staff. I'm looking forward to hearing the good news tomorrow! ThanksCake

cally0 · 29/03/2016 10:02

Thanks Sophie & mrsjskelton thanks]**
**
I'm feeling a bit nervous but glad the day has finally arrived. My appointment is at 3.30 so fingers crossed placenta and bowel are in optimum position so they can do the test!

They said I would find out in 3 days, do they sometimes try and let u know same day then?

Xxx

OP posts:
cally0 · 29/03/2016 10:02

Or day after*

OP posts:
bayswatersophie · 29/03/2016 10:22

Sending you loads of love and positive thoughts. No idea on the timeline, I had an amnio and they told me in 48 hours. But it was an amnio in a private hospital in France so not a good comparison. If they said three days I would not plan on them telling you sooner, you'll drive yourself nuts jumping each time the phone rings before which was my mistake...Try to stay distracted during the wait for the results if you can. Wishing you all the luck in the world xxx