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Original poster

12 week scan yesterday... devastated. Any advice welcome.

232 replies

WickedWitchOfTheWest83 · 21/04/2018 18:13

Hi,

So yesterday (Friday) morning my husband and I skipped off to the hospital for our 12 week scan, both very excited to see our very much wanted 2nd baby.

An hour later, after hearing the heartbeat and watching the sonographer struggle because the baby was moving around so much (which my husband and I were laughing at because we thought it was so cute!), we were ushered into a private waiting room and told our baby’s NT is measuring at 6.3mm and there seemed to be a bit of fluid around the head too. I was hysterical and my husband was barely holding it together.

They took my bloods and couriered them off to be processed as quickly as possible and booked me in to see the consultant for another scan and CVS on monday. So we are waiting all weekend unable to function at all!

The foetal medicine nurse/midwife who was in the room with us at the hospital, trying to reassure but also prepare us and explain everything to us as best she could, called yesterday afternoon with the results...

1:146 risk of Downs.
1:9 risk of Patau’s Syndrome.
1:9 risk of Edwards syndrome.
Hormones are very low too - 2 particular pregnancy hormones that I don’t remember the names of.

So all is still going ahead on Monday with the scan and CVS. The consultant isn’t actually working on the ward that day but she is going to be in the hospital and has promised to come to the ward just for me.

We are in pieces. I can’t believe this is happening to us! This sort of thing is the kind of thing you read about but never think it would happen to you. Not really. I’m 34, my husband is 38. That’s not really old, is it? My husband and I just keep taking it in turns to be the strong one and hold the other while we cry. It’s mostly me crying, but he is just as devastated. We have to get through the next few days of tests, results and decisions and I’m not sure how to do it.

I keep scanning the internet and these threads looking for good news - women who have had the same experience but had healthy babies. We wouldn’t continue with the pregnancy if we didn’t think the baby was going to have the best quality of life, but we are trying to not go down that road yet - we want it to all have been a mistake on the doctors part.

I’m not sure what I am asking, but please post whatever replies you think might help.

OP posts:
Zeze247 · 22/04/2018 22:08

My friend had a similar experience last year she now has a beautiful and healthy baby girl.

Ickyockycocky · 22/04/2018 22:15

Thinking about you 💐

Hoolahoophop · 22/04/2018 22:20

I hope all goes well for you. In my second pregnancy we had a high nt. We didn't get the blood results back for some time but in our case our baby was clear of syndromes but had a congenital heart defect. Most of which are treatable. Flowers

resipsa · 22/04/2018 22:39

Just posting to wish you all the best. My nephew had suspected Edward's after 12 week scan but received the all-clear and is now a strapping, bright teenager. I don't want to give false hope but as PPs have said, as matters stand, the odds are in your favour for a positive outcome.

Original poster
WickedWitchOfTheWest83 · 22/04/2018 22:45

Thank you everyone. It really means a lot to both myself and my husband for the support - even from strangers! It’s good to know people understand what we are going through. Family members are upset for us, of course, but they will never quite understand. In a strange way it has brought my husband and I even closer, if that were possible. I couldn’t go through this without him.

Whatever tests they are doing tomorrow, we will have the three main trisomy results back by Wednesday and the results of a FULL screening with everything they can possibly test will be back within a week. This will rule out or confirm anything else that isn’t down’s, Edwards or patau. I’m assuming this is what some of you are recommending I ask for anyway - so I’m hoping that this means that the hospital is thinking ahead and doing everything that is needed without me having to ask. But I will double check tomorrow.

Thank you for the advice. I’ll keep you posted.

Give us a little mental hug at 10am tomorrow... hopefully we will get some sleep tonight!

xxx

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 22/04/2018 22:48

Sleep tight OP and good luck tomorrow.

bigbird50 · 22/04/2018 22:49

with DS2 I was 1:32 risk of him having DS and high risk on the others too. He is fine apart from some allergies and growth hormone issues. My DS3 was 1:4 risk of having DS and high risk with the others too. He is absolutely fine. I had a CVS with both too. You will here good outcomes on here and some not so good. So go for your procedure and wait for the outcome.

PerfectlyDone · 22/04/2018 22:59

This might be of interest to you - v informative site and supportive forum.

V best of luck tomorrow x.

writingsonthewall · 23/04/2018 06:26

Good luck today OP.

My son had a 6.5mm nuchal at the 12 week scan. Downs probability was similar to yours, I can’t remember the other two.

I had a clear CVS (with full microarray) followed by a couple of cardiac scans in London (large nuchal can be indicative of heart issues), and regular scans throughout the pregnancy.

Nothing was found. He’s at infant school now and is a brilliant little boy.

Hope your story is similar. Pm me if you need, it was a rollercoaster

Chrisinthemorning · 23/04/2018 06:56
Flowers This happened to us, the nuchal was high and after cvs it was trisomy 21 and we did end up tfmr. I found ARC charity linked to previously to be so helpful. I’m so sorry you’re going through this and good luck today Flowers
Namethecat · 23/04/2018 07:07

You asked for a mental hug at 10am today. I'm starting my hug now and wishing you the very best to you and your husband.

MNscum · 23/04/2018 07:08

Thinking of you today OP, hope it’s good news. Flowers

backsackcraic · 23/04/2018 07:21

No advice, sending hugs and good luck x

Ledkr · 23/04/2018 07:22

Good luck today.
I had high odds due to age and other factors but all well.
Hang in there.

ladymelbourne1926 · 23/04/2018 07:27

Thinking of you, best wishes for today.
I was in a similar position, with ds2. I well remember the fear and awful waiting.
X

Ohforfoxsakereturns · 23/04/2018 07:32

Just to say best of luck. A tough couple of days ahead Flowers

NanooCov · 23/04/2018 07:58

Wishing you luck. We weren't in quite the same situation - 12 week was fine but then some worrying aspects to physiology at 20 weeks meant we then went for additional scans and the Harmony test. My son also had to have additional brain scans at birth. All turned out fine for us in the end but I remember the fear. Thinking of you today.

Iputthescrewinthetuna · 23/04/2018 08:01

To you and your husband I wish you luck. I will be thinking of you today!
Thanks

Janel85 · 23/04/2018 08:09

Hope it all goes well today op Flowers

Montydoo · 23/04/2018 08:12

really hope you get positive news.

FellOutOfBed2wice · 23/04/2018 08:16

Sorry to hear this OP. Don’t have any experience but I’m a fellow fibromyalgia sufferer and two kids is hard when everything is typical so I understand your reasons for being worried about having a child with additional needs. Thinking of you. Got everything crossed.

PerfectlyDone · 23/04/2018 08:25

I will be holding you in my thoughts today Thanks

Ohdearyme2018 · 23/04/2018 08:25

Hope alls ok OP 💐

MarshaBradyo · 23/04/2018 08:30

Waiting is so tough, thinking if you and wishing you good luck

Isadora2007 · 23/04/2018 08:32

Thinking of you both today. And will do so at 10. 💕