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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Anyone not have a nuchal scan?

17 replies

Loulee · 18/01/2007 19:21

Just curious really. Anyone else choose not to have these tests? I realise it's a very personal decision but being offered these tests as routine now by the hospital due to my age, it's made me think about it again.

I'm 37 and pg with no3. Didn't have a nuchal scan or any of the 'extra' blood tests with dd1 or dd2 - figured if they weren't 100% accurate and i wouldn't have an amnio or termination if risk was high that there was no point. Still feel like this, but was wondering if there would be any other reason for me to have these tests that I'm not aware of and what other people do?

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roberta3 · 18/01/2007 19:48

I didn't have the scan even though I was 37 when pregnant with DS3. I decided that whatever the result I probably wouldn't change my mind about having the baby so there was no point having the test.

I was fine with that decision till I got really near the end of the pregnancy. I then got into a total panic thinking had DH and I been really selfish deciding we'd have the baby whatever any tests might say, rather than thinking about the impact it may have had on DS1 and DS2.

I don't mean we wouldn't have continued with the pregnancy but we could have given the whole family time to get used to the situation if the test had revealed anything.

All was well but I just thought it might be something worth considering now rather than waiting till near the end of your pregnancy and getting into a total tizz like I did!

tissy · 18/01/2007 19:48

me!

I was 37 when dd was conceived knew it was my one and only chance of a baby, and wasn't going to terminate for any reason (short of soemthing massive that could be seen on an ordinary scan).

Nuchals weren't offered here 5 yrs ago, but I refused the triple blood test, as I wouldn't have had the amnio if the results were abnormal. My obstetrician was in complete agreement.

divastrop · 18/01/2007 20:17

i only had the triple test in my first pregnancy cos i didnt really know what it was for.
i am now expecting no 5 and i didnt have triple test(nuchal scans arent offered where i live)in any other pregnancies.i wouldnt want to have an amnio or anything else so i just figured i'd rather not know.

pulapula · 18/01/2007 20:23

I wasn't offered one, but I am concerned about being higher risk of DS baby as I am 35.

I tried to get one at a private clinic (£125) but there were no slots until too late into the pregnancy.

Decided to have triple test tho.

I would not have an amnio even if high risk.

Although people with low risk factor may have DS babies, and vice versa, I thought knowing something was better than total ignorance of the situation. I should get the results next week.

cuppa · 18/01/2007 20:38

well, had them in uk with ds1 & 2 as routinely offered. Just did them without thinking.

Then moved abroad where you pay for everything, so they asked me if I wanted it, rather than just booking me in iyswim and I put some thought into it, decided >I couldn't consider anything other than having my baby no matter what, so had absolutely no tests other than blood pressure etc done.

Original poster

Loulee · 18/01/2007 20:56

Nice to know I'm not alone - all the threads I've been on recently everyone seems to go ahead with them - or pay to have them privately if not available. was beginning to think it was only me that didn't want to.

OP posts:

Uki · 18/01/2007 20:57

I'm mainly having one for the photos,and you get such a good view of the baby.

I will not terminate if test was positive, but agree with roberta might give you a chance to tell family ,etc. also dh wants to know, I don't mind and have changed my mind twice already, it's a weird situation really, as I would not go onto the amnio either.

booge · 18/01/2007 21:20

I did with my first but not my second as I knew I would continue with the pregnancy regardless of any results and I wouldn't have considered an amnio or cvs even if I had been high risk because of the inherent danger of miscarriage. I guess I just felt differently having had a child.

Kyte · 19/01/2007 09:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

twelveyeargap · 19/01/2007 10:07

I didn't have the nuchal done as I'd seen SO many people on here worrying themselves silly about getting a 1/250 and it should have been 1/ over 1000 and all of that stuff. I just did not see the point of finding out the "odds" of having a baby with Downs etc. I wouldn't have terminated anyway, but even so, it seemed to be just adding a pointless worry to a perfectly healthy pregnancy.

I did have the anomaly scan as I can see the point of having a scan were they can tell you that they are sure/ amost sure there is actually a problem. You can then prepare for it.

Sonographer at anomaly scan was awfully stroppy about it and didn't want to see my point of view. More or less said, "if you didn't have the nuchal, why are you here?"

jabuti · 19/01/2007 12:49

what makes me want a nuchal scan is not about terminating pregnancy, but about preparing myself and DH for the possible outcomes. for us its about preparation, and not termination.

TrinityRhino · 19/01/2007 12:51

I didn't have it as I knew that I wouldn't have an amnio or terminate so saw no point

Pruni · 19/01/2007 12:58

Message withdrawn

pulapula · 19/01/2007 13:06

I am not sure the anomaly scan is more "accurate" than a nuchal fold scan or triple blood test- it is still based on risk to some extent, and only an amnio or CVS can give a 100% certain result for some conditions.

I have known people who were advised to terminate following an anomaly scan due to signs of severe disabilities/short-life expectancy, and have gone on to have healthy babies.

I see the nuchal fold scan (and triple blood test) as useful indications of possible conditions, which further scanning can help make a fuller assessment of. I wouldn't have an amnio or terminate the pregnancy unless there was absolute certainty that the baby had a condition which meant their life would be short, in constant pain, and never able to leave hospital etc.

But I don't see what is wrong with preparing yourself for a baby with a learning disability or phyical disability, and the screening tests help identify where this may be more likely for you than for other people.

As long as people understand the risk factor (1 in 250 is still 1 in 250 of having a baby with a condition, and 249 in 250 of not, so still a lot more likely not to have the condition).

helenhismadwife · 20/01/2007 20:19

I think it is a very personal thing, I had my youngest two dd's at 38 and 39 I didnt have a nuchal because it wouldnt have given me the definate answer and reassurance I needed, I felt I was more likely to get worried about the results and being aware that I could be that '1' in however many, it gives you a risk factor, and for me that was not enough

I had a cvs, I knew the consultant who did it was the best in the area and got my results within days, I then had two fantastic worry free pregnancies and two beautiful daughters

for me it was the right choice and if I was pregnant again I would make the same choice

helenhismadwife · 20/01/2007 20:22

the anomaly scan is a diagnostic screening test, this is looking for certain abnormalities and depending on the skill of the sonographer can be very good at picking up all sorts of things.

My niece was found to have a heart defect at the 20 week scan, being prepared meant the hospital were aware before she was born and were able to treat her appropriately she is now a gorgeous lovely almost 4 year old who runs rings round my db

eidsvold · 21/01/2007 07:15

I did not have them with dd1 or dd2 but this pregnancy my dh wanted me to have one so we could be prepared. I was quite happy not to have one. Our eldest dd has down syndrome and was born with a heart defect. I have spoken to a number of mums who were given low chance one - 1 in 1500 of having a child with ds - and she was the one. NOt trying to worry you but an increased nuchal fold can indicate a number of conditions that can potentially be far more serious than down syndrome.

We knew we would do nothing with the info but felt it would prepare us. For us personally there was no intention of having an amnio etc.

We knew before dd1 was born about her heart defect and down syndrome. I was 33 when I had her and am now 38 having no3. We found out about dd1's conditions from the 20 week anomaly scan.

The nuchal + bloods is more effective than just bloods.

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