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Original poster

Thickening of Nuchal and small Lateral ?? at 20 week scan. Help Please!!

34 replies

cupcake78 · 14/05/2007 14:41

Just been for my abnormality scan where we have been told that baby has thickening of Nuchal fold and something in his/her brain is small for dates.

I am 21 weeks

We have been referred to to Fetal Medical Clinic for further tests but I have no idea exactly what this may entail for our babys future.

Consultant has said that it may mean nothing but may also mean that further investigations are needed but he wouldn't tell me anything more.

Has anyone else had this?? What does it mean?? What do I need to prepare for.

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rubles · 14/05/2007 17:20

cupcake78, really sorry you are having this worry. I'm afraid I don't know much about this but I am bumping this for you. I hope it turns out to be something and nothing.

lulumama · 14/05/2007 17:22

this link might help
sorry you have this worry. i hope the further testing gives you some answers

Glimmer · 15/05/2007 11:10

I am so sorry for your worries, cupcake.
I assume that you know that a large nuchal fold at 12 weeks can be, but does not have to be an indication for having a baby with Down's syndrome. I do not know if the nuchal fold thickness can be also used as an indicator later on. I hope you don't have to wait for long for future tests and post here to at least share some of your worries. Do you want further test or would you rather not know? I believe it is your right to turn down further tests, if you do not want them. Lots of strength!

Original poster
cupcake78 · 16/05/2007 03:06

Today has been a living nightmare!! Our baby has two abnomalities one is very minor and really doesn't worry me but the thickness of the Nuchal fold is very significant and this in conjuction with the other minor problem all strongly point to Downs Syndrome.

We have been offered a Amniocentisis and initially said not till after the risk of miscarriage had passed but we have now decided that we need to know the facts before considering our options.

I can't sleep, eat or drink and I am sick I have lost over a stone in two days and can't see an end to this.

Because I am 21 weeks + if we do decide to terminate (really not sure) then we only have two weeks to decide and the test results take over a week to come back.

This is the hardest thing I have every had to do.

OP posts:
rubles · 16/05/2007 05:11

Oh dear Cupcake what a terrible dilemma. Are you sitting up all night? You poor thing. There's just no right or wrong with this, you just have to weigh everything up and try to feel confident you have made the right decision whatever you decide.

Would it help to imagine your baby does definitely have Downs and then decide whether you could terminate?
If you research on MN (I'm pretty sure there are quite a few threads on here) or use the internet, or I have browsed books in book shops about real life with a Downs child, and then you could imagine yourself coping or not with what would be the worst case scenario.

If you assume you have a baby with Downs and then know that you still could not face a termination then is the amnio just then a way of knowing earlier - so is that worth the 1% risk?
If however you are confident you & dp/dh would want to terminate then that makes it a judgement of the risks which is much more of a gamble. I fully empathise with your logic of 1% seeming high when you have been through what you have been through. Do these kind of statistics vary from consultant to consultant? Is there any chance of finding out about who would do yours if you had one????

I hope more people come along with experience for you of having an Down's child/amnio/termination to help you out further. Good luck xxxxxx

Diege · 16/05/2007 15:47

Bumping this for you cupcakes. Really feel for you - went through a similar thing with dd1 (all fine in the end after 3 scan markers for chromosome probs and high triple test risk result). Had amnio but had a 'culture failure' so went through living hell till the birth. It really is the most nightmarish thing to be going through and I'm sure there are others who have been through similar things on mn. Hugs to you, and let us know how you get on. xx

OtterInnit · 16/05/2007 15:53

cupcake you need to talk to someone who knows - are you in UK or Aus??

Please eat and look after yourself and i hope someone more qualified to offer advice comes on here soon
thinking of you at this hard hard time - things will get easier its all a shock x

Glimmer · 16/05/2007 17:42

Hi Cupcake -- don't know if you are checking in or just having a little time for yourself. I thought that if you want to reach some of the mums of children with DS you might want to start a thread with DS in the name. I know there is number of them that post regularly. You could also check out the special needs thread. Thinking of you.

eidsvold · 16/05/2007 21:48

i answered on your other thread but if you do a search of mumsnet for down syndrome and my nickname it will bring up lots of threads with information and our story which I hope can help.

short version - have an almost 5yo dd with down sydnrome - knew before she was born - also born with heart defect that was repaired at 8 weeks old - heart no other issues since. we too have been to the fetal medical clinic - they are fabulous.

It can be a worrying time but once we knew what the situation was we found it so much better. However we had already decided prior to going to FMC that we would not terminate so that made it easier - even though originally we were told our baby had a different heart defect that did not have such a positive outlook.

eidsvold · 16/05/2007 21:49

lots of helpful links here

hth

Original poster
cupcake78 · 17/05/2007 06:07

You have all be so brilliant.

Links have really helped up. Thank you so much.

Had Amnio yesterday- felt nothing it was much much easier than I thought it may be.

Results back tomorrow and we will take it from there.

Thank you everyone and think good thoughts for us.

OP posts:
StrangeTown · 17/05/2007 13:27

Best wishes cupcake - hoping for good news for you.

firststar · 17/05/2007 13:49

Message withdrawn

Chooster · 17/05/2007 15:51

Good luck with the results cupcake - Let us know how you are when you get a chance. I was waiting for test results last year (CVS instead of amnio) and it can be an awful time. I really feel for you... x

talcycharlesandeddy · 17/05/2007 15:53

Hoping that this all works out for you cupcake
x

Grrrr · 17/05/2007 15:55

Have had amnio twice myself so wishing you all the best for tomorrow's results.

RGPargy · 17/05/2007 16:24

Good luck with your results cupcake.

Glimmer · 17/05/2007 16:52

Thinking of you!

plummymummy · 17/05/2007 17:47

Hope it's good news tomorrow cupcake

OtterInnit · 17/05/2007 23:32

thinking of you x

Original poster
cupcake78 · 18/05/2007 09:52

Can't beleive it but my baby is ok and doesn't have downs syndrome.

It is just a baby with a big Nuchal fold etc.

Today is the best day of my life so far. Lets hope there are many more to come.

OP posts:
Chooster · 18/05/2007 09:53

Congratulation cupcake!!!! Very very pleased for you

Grrrr · 18/05/2007 10:02

So pleased to hear your news. Hope it relaxes you to enjoy the pregnancy.

Big baby, large nuchal, I'm betting it's a boy !

Mumpbump · 18/05/2007 10:05

HURRAY!!!!!!! So pleased for you!

Glimmer · 18/05/2007 10:07

Hi Cupcake -- I am very, very happy for you and it's great that you do not have to make any hard decisions. Was checking this thread as soon as I come in.

Now, I got slammed about some things I said about special needs on other threads, so please do not misinterpret: but maybe having a child with dowsn syndrome but healthy organs isn't that bad? Just a thought -- it clearly would be a big adjustement....