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Nuchal fold & blood tests

15 replies

DelGirl · 15/09/2004 17:21

I think this may have been discussed before but I could do with some of your thoughts please. I'm due to go for a Nuchal Fold scan in about 3 weeks. When I 1st saw my midwife I was positive I wanted the scan done as I would either like reassurance or be able to prepare myself. Whatever the result may be (healthy please) then I would carry on regardless, I just felt that I'd like to know. However, as the test is inconclusive and carries no guarantee, i'm not so sure now. A few people think if I don't get a good result this will cause unneccessary worry. The other thing that my midwife hasn't discussed is about the triple/quadruple test. It seems to be that this is carried out at around 16 weeks but I can't find anything that shows the accuracy of such a blood test. Does anyone know? Has anyone been through the same and wish they hadn't had the tests or wish that they had etc!! Any comments gratefully received. tia x and sorry it's so long.

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bundle · 15/09/2004 17:26

here's some research on the quadruple test , where 4 hormones are measured, but if you say you wouldn't do anything (ie terminate) about a pregnancy no matter what the result, then i wouldn't bother with any of these tests which give you a risk, not a result. only way to say yes or no is have an invasive test like amnio which will look at the genes of your baby. i had nuchal measurements/blood tests with both pregnancies and went on to have amniocentesis too. don't regret it at all.

Original poster
DelGirl · 15/09/2004 19:32

bump

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motherinferior · 15/09/2004 19:44

DG, I agree with Bundle; knowing a bit about your background and why you're determined to take this pregnancy to term, maybe you shouldn't test. Certainly not take the risk of an amnio.

(I did do nuchal fold but my feelings/circs were rather different.)

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xxxxxxxxx

frogs · 15/09/2004 19:46

My hospital offered nuchal fold scan in combination with blood test (done later). I think they crunch all the numbers to come up with an overall probability.

Unlike bundle I turned down the whole lot of it in all three pregnancies, on the basis of high incidence of false positives, unnecessary worry to pregnancy, risk of miscarriage with amnio and unwillingness to undergo termination.

On some level I accepted that I might have an affected child -- but ultimately felt that having a baby is like signing a blank cheque anyway, so at some point everyone has to face up to the fact that they don't really have control over what may or may not go wrong with their child.

It was the right decision for us and I've never regretted it.

Twiglett · 15/09/2004 19:49

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Original poster
DelGirl · 17/09/2004 16:09

Thanks for your' thoughts everyone, much appreciated. I had already decided to not have an amnio no matter what and I'm 99 % sure that I won't have the nuchal test or blood tests now either. But, there's still a small part of me that would like to know everying is ok. I have another appt with my midwife on the 1st and she's away until the 29th of this month so can't speak to her before then. So i'll have a week to decide/discuss it before i'm due for the scan. Thanks. Still open to more views though.

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Socci · 18/09/2004 21:19

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Merlin · 18/09/2004 21:26

Hi DG. Also booked in for my NT on 6/10 at Poole. This is purely down to my age (41), also had one for DS (nearly 4 now). Agree with Twiglett that is the first chance to see your baby - I AM worried about the increased risks because of my age, but am trying to take one step at a time, when I get the statistics from the NT scan, we'll take it from there. Obviously hoping we won't need to make a decision on more invasive tests (had MC in June so don't want to do anything that may cause another). I find it confusing with all the different tests on offer, but as I said I think just taking it a step at a time and not thinking too far ahead about something that may not even happen is the best thing (easier said than done I know!)

Twiglett · 18/09/2004 21:30

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Original poster
DelGirl · 18/09/2004 21:31

thanks Merlin and Socci, I'm booked at Poole on the 8th Merlin. I think I may cancel it or just ask for a normal scan. Have had 2 already. 1 was because i'd had treatment and I think they like to know, also increased risk of ectopic I think. The other one was because I was anxious. So, I've seen him/her already but can't wait to see him/her again at 12 weeks. Knowing me, I would worry (more) if results were not good. Am nervous as it is as i've had 2 m/c's in the past 16 months.

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Original poster
DelGirl · 18/09/2004 21:32

I realise the test is not invasive and I would like to be reassured but how is knowledge power in this instance?

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Merlin · 18/09/2004 21:34

twiglett, reading back my message may have made you think I thought it was invasive or was that for DG's information? I know I rambled on a bit - I'm tired!!!!

Twiglett · 18/09/2004 21:41

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Original poster
DelGirl · 18/09/2004 21:54

typed a response to you and then the site kicked me out. Gremlins in the pc I think. The risk for me is 1:180 but at age 39 when dd/s is born it's 1:135 I think but I assume it's set at conception age. I think if the ratio were to go down even by a few I would worry more than would be good for me probably though I do see what you're saying about 179 more likely to have a healthy baby. The ratio for cancer is 1:3 but that's what my dh died of and so did his mum at the same age so it didn't work out there fmui

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Original poster
DelGirl · 18/09/2004 21:55

fmui doesn't mean anything btw, more gremlins me thinks, or my dh telling me to shut it

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