No NT scan or NIPT - suddenly anxious at 37 weeks!

[Curious14]

I’m not sure if this anxiety has been caused by reading how fearful others are of conditions like Down Syndrome but I’m experiencing it quite a bit these last few days. Conversely, I think it’s quite strange that people are so fixated on T21 while there are many terrible - worse - things that could occur but that’s a whole other thread!

Where I live NT scans and blood work to check PAPP-A and HCG levels aren’t performed. NIPT tests are available privately but not in hospitals outside of major cities.

Due to Covid, and the fact that I wouldn’t have been able to go through with an invasive test, I opted to not get a NIPT. It seemed pointless.

My question.

How much solace can you take from scans appearing clear? Of which I’ve had many and I’ve been told the baby is doing very well.
She measured 3.2kg at 36+6 and is tracking great from scan to scan.

I was 32 when she was conceived and will be 32 at EDD.

I will love her no matter and know there is no guarantees in life - I’m just grateful to be her mum.

But I guess I could do with someone weighing in to alleviate my concerns, as much as they possibly can without anything definitive to go with!

Thank you x

It is hugely reassuring your scans have been normal. If your baby had one of the rarer chromosomal disorders I expect there would have been clearer evidence by now via scans or pattern of growth.

T21 might be tricker as I believe there can be quite a variation in how it may present (eg some babies may have cardiac issues and some may not) but even so I think soft markers and growth rate changes would have been picked up.

It’s no guarantee but that’s true of us who have had NT screening etc as even with a low risk result it’s not certain. The last few weeks of pregnancy are so anxiety inducing - maybe you’ve latched some of that worry onto this area? Don’t want to make assumptions though so sorry it that comes across badly.

At your age the odds are very much in your favour. Good luck :)

Thank you for taking the time to reply, @Foreverbaffled, you’re very sweet and your words are reassuring ❤️

You’re absolutely right with your assessment. So much anxiety!

I wish you the very best of luck too x

Even if they don't measure the NT do they at least comment on whether it appears thicker than normal? Do they also comment on any obvious abnormalities at scans? Obviously you must be in another country as never heard of places not measuring the NT even if they don't do the blood test associated with it and score the risk?

Most of the people I know who subsequently had babies diagnosed with issues their babies measured a week or more behind right from the beginning of the pregnancy (6-7 weeks) and this can be an early indicator of chromosome issues

I've just had NIPT results on my twins. I'm 37. I did it as a friend has to terminate for medical reasons last year but it was clear from the 12 week scan that the baby was very poorly. Also I did some PGS testing of IVF embryos last year and they all came back with chromosome issues. I elected not to test these two at embryo stage as the PGS science is flawed but for peace of mind elected for NIPT at 12 weeks

No issues on scans means high chance no issues. Of course there are no guarantees but what will be will be. You ve decded to love your baby and noghing can change that .

Thank you both for replying.

I’m not in the U.K, no @ivfdreaming. At 12 weeks it was just a dating scan but they would comment on abnormalities, I believe. The NT measurement was never mentioned. I assumed it was checked as standard, and it was only afterwards that I found out it is not. Perhaps if it were noticeable they would comment? I don’t know. There are certainly no blood tests.

At 20 weeks I had an anomaly scan and subsequent scans due to a low lying placenta where they also measured her growth. They commented each time that everything looks perfect.

Hope all goes well for you with your little ones!

@Embracelife Yes, whatever will be will be now and she will be loved! It does help to discuss it - albeit via a forum - as it helps to see that.