12-wk scan NT 8.3 with fluid on abdomen

[Christina135]

Hi, all. So we had some really worrying news at our 12-wk scan yesterday: the NT measurement was 8.3mm and there is fluid on the baby's abdomen too. At first, we had no idea what any of this meant, but having spoken to the sonographer and read a million stories and websites, we know that this sadly puts us at high chance of Down's, Patau's and Edwards'. We also know that heart defects are a possibility.
We have read lots of stories of people who also had high readings, but went on to have babies with none of these health issues. On the other hand, the majority of experiences that I've read about where there were issues, the readings were fairly high, like ours :(
We have spent most of our time since leaving the hospital either finding out more about these tests, probabilities, conditions etc, or just sobbing with the sadness and stress of it.
We have another scan booked in for later, and I'm presuming they'll take my bloods too to check our probability of having one of these issues; however, I can't just sit here and wait.
If anyone reads this who has had similar difficulties, could you comment your NT measurement, blood test probability and eventual outcome please?
I'm not after sympathy or prayers please, just other parents who have been in the same situation who can enlighten me on their experiences so that I have some contextual understanding of what to expect, and not just an NHS website saying there are 2 outcomes...

Hi Christina, I can't remember what our NT was now, but it was high. Nhs bloods when they came made us low risk for the syndromes. But before they arrived we took the harmony test privatly which ruled them a out. Two weeks after our dating scan we had a scan with a fetal heart specialist (booked by nhs at the time of our original scan). It showed transposition of the great arteries. Our baby was born by planned section at 38 weeks and had open heart surgery two weeks later. Congenital heart defects vary in severity and long term effects but many can be treated.
The waiting is the worst, I hope you get some answers soon. If you have any questions that I can help with just ask.

Thank you, Hoolahoophop, that's helpful to know. I'm sorry you had that heartache for your baby :( How is your baby now?

Our baby is 15 months now, and just starting to walk, she is chubby, happy, and meeting all her milestones. As are all the other tga babies we know. She has had further surgeries unfortunately as she has complications. But that's very rare, with tga at least in 95% of cases after the switch they only need monitoring but have a perfectly normal standard of life. Our daughter is the 1 in a million who will need further treatment. But, nobody would ever know there was anything wrong as she looks perfectly happy and healthy. It has been difficult, but we are all happy with our gorgeous girl.

That's absolutely amazing! What a strong little girl you have

Sorry I don't have a similar experience to share but just wanted to say that there is a really good charity called Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC) who have a helpline with really lovely and knowledgeable counsellors that you can talk to. They are completely independent of the NHS and I would definitely recommend speaking to them for additional support and advice at any stage.

Hi, ive been thinking of you. I hope you have had some reassuring news by now.

Thank you. Well we had the CVS last Friday and should get the results today. I've tried to stay away from any threads or forums about this stuff because it is just making me crazy, but waiting for that phone call is worse, so I've come back on here to do a bit of reading. Obviously, we haven't had the results, but when they did the scan, they saw that the baby has a hernia and some fluid on the lungs. They also suggested that the heart hasn't formed properly, but they couldn't confirm this as it's just too small. The consultant told us that the results are irrelevant now, as the baby is so sick, he/she won't last much longer. We are devastated and probably still in shock, but instead of reading a million things about fluid and hernias, we are just starting to think about how we will manage losing the baby (we have a 14mo boy too).

Oh Christina, ive only just seen this. I'm so sorry for you and your family. I wish you all the best in coming to terms with your loss and moving forwards. If your anything like me then I'm sure your 14 month old will give you strength. I hope you will accept love and best wishes from a stranger on the internet.

Thank you, that’s really kind of you. We got our results. She has Turners. And this in itself does not upset us, as we were honestly expecting Patau’s or Edward’s. What’s upsetting is the stats: 99% of Turners girls end in miscarriage or stillbirth. And on top of those crappy odds, the Cystic Hygroma is very large so unless it starts to shrink or disappear completely, she just doesn’t stand a chance. We are going ahead anyway, as it’s still early days. I’m 15 weeks and the scan today showed a perfectly formed heart (hurray!) and lovely, strong heartbeat. There’s still time for the fluid to resolve itself. And if not, then we have her a chance. My boy is 100% getting me through this. I couldn’t imagine if this were our first!

Ps. Both consultants we’ve seen since have said that the hernia is small and not an issue at all. It really is down to the fluid now.