Testing for spina bifida and other NTDs at 16 weeks

[Sophia1984]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know if it's possible to get a screening for spina bifida and ancephaly before 20 weeks? I'm worried not only because I didn't take folic acid early enough, but also because I have been on 20mg of Citalopram before and during this pregnancy and stupidly have googled and found there is a link :-( I feel like I've doomed my baby to have some kind of neural tube defect by being stupid. I would never have continued taking citalopram if I knew this was a risk, and doctors and midwives all said it was fine. I didn't know you needed to take folic acid before pregnancy. Have got my self in a right state and feel like bad news at 20 weeks is inevitable.

Lots of people don't take folic acid before getting pregnant. Chances are you've probably got enough from your diet. As for Citalopram, lots of my friends have carried on taking their antidepressants through pregnancy and have had healthy babies. Its all weighing up risk, your doc obviously thinks its better for you to be on them. I stopped mine just before I got pregnant and tbh I'm not sure it was the right thing to do as I'm struggling in my first trimester. I cant tell what is a normal level of anxiety. The first thing my midwife said at my booking in appointment was don't google! Some people don't even know there pregnant til past 20 weeks so they won't have been taking folic acid either! Whatever happens is out of your control, you've not done anything to cause it. Big hugs xxx

Thanks whiteychappers I'm sorry to hear you're struggling too x

I had a NTD diagnosed at 12 weeks, they see a lot more at the 12 week scan than you realise.
I hope all is well with your pregnancy