Anxious between 12week and 20 week scan

[essexanon]

Hey all

how do you all cope with the wait before the 20 week anomaly scan?

I had my 12 week scan, and my NIPT results came back with a high risk for Downs , low HCG and an extremely low papp-A.
NT (2.2mm) 1.42MoM,
Papp-A 0.22MoM,
HCG 0.96 MoM
RISK- 1 in 53

Im not going through with the CVS/Amnio as we have decided not to take the small risk of miscarriage and we will have the baby either way, with or without downs.

BUT, this wait until the anomaly is so hard, im TERRIFIED they are going to find something else due to the above results.
Im so scared something is going to be seriously wrong with the baby and I cant relax and enjoy the pregnancy like I should.

How did you deal with this? did anyone else come back with abnormal NIPT results but have a normal anomaly scan and baby?

I wish I could relax but im constantly stressed about this :-( xx

I was extremely stressed and anxious in that time as well even though I had no particular reason to be from the initial 12 week scan or tests.

I paid for a private gender scan at 16 weeks to find out the gender, but this can also be reassuring as it breaks up the 2 months in between the scans!

Also, have you considered the harmony test to find out if baby has downs? It’s non invasive but might help out your mind at rest either way if you’re thinking about it a lot.

I'm high risk and I've had 2 no result NIPTs. My hospital scanned me today (15+4) to help us decide if we needed an amnio or not. Could you ask your mw if you can be scanned as you are anxious due to your results?

No advice really, I wasn't high risk but still really anxious that something would be found at the 20 week scan. Its scary. Sorry to hear you have the additional things to worry about. Hope everything works out okay.

Hope everything is ok for you. The anxiety is normal even without those results but with those results your anxiety must be through the roof. I always paid for a private scan at 16-17 weeks to ease the stress.

Thanks all! I do actually have a private gender scan booked for 16 weeks (22nd feb), I’m hoping they will tell me if everything looks ok so far and measurements etc, rather than just the gender.
Although it’s only just over 2 weeks away, it feels like ages 😩

I thought I’d be buzzing and really happy during pregnancy, instead I’m an anxious, eat everything in site, greasy monster 🤣

I also have an appointment with my midwife on the 25th feb, hopefully she can put me at some ease too, no scan but maybe she may listen to the heartbeat?

Gosh this is all so much isn’t it xx

I was super anxious but at about 15 weeks I realised I wasn't doing anyone any favours with stressing. I did some meditation and listened to an audio book to try to help deal with worries. I also started doing more exercise, mainly walking but the odd run. I did feel it helped and the last couple of weeks have been much better. I'm 19 weeks today, scan is next Thursday. I'm so relieved to finally be able to say it's next week

@toomuchteaandcake I agree, stressing isn’t going to help but it’s so hard not to worry. I’ve been keeping busy with work and I’ve organised every cupboard and drawer in my house already but the weeks seem to be dragging lol.
I’m hoping to start a aqua natal class this month for some exercise and relaxation.
I may start some light meditation also. Glad it’s worked for you, good luck for next week!!! Xxx

@essexanon thank you! Yes and by my post I definitely didn't mean to suggest I stopped worrying completely or that it wasn't hard - definitely not! But I think I manage to minimise my worries a bit when they arose by distraction, endorphins etc. Good luck to you too and try not to count the days too much (and if you manage that let me know how!)

I am in the same boat as you. I got a high chance result from my 12 week scan and have also refused further testing. I have had two children and have never worried about the 20 week scan until this time :(