Screening at 12wk scan - what did you do and why?

[Mimba1]

Interested in people's choices and why they made them and whether they would do the same thing again.

I hope to be an older first time mum (nearly 37) so I know my risk is higher and have had 2 MC this year after 3 years TTC. It's been a long journey. DH thinks it's a no-brainer and we should have the screening. I'm wondering whether to - I'm not sure I would choose to have amnio if it came back high risk given the risk of MC from the procedure (one of my MC was after seeing a heartbeat at 8 weeks - I've been on the wrong side of 1% odds before...) And if I'm not going to follow it up what's the point of having the scan and possible worry? Obviously it could come back fine... am I overthinking this? I'm still worried I'll MC before then as well and the whole thing will be irrelevant (2 or 3 weeks to go)! I am a crazy lady!

Oh @Storczyk39 I hope.your result comes through quickly for you has a screening midwife been in touch?

Have you heard about ARC (antenatal results and choices)? That might be useful for you, I think they have a helpline.

And yes, I think Low Papp-A is common in IVF pregnancies, but I'm not sure why.

@FakeTanandProsecco thank you ☺️ I live abroad at the moment :( had my treatment here with a private clinic 🙄 my doctor is a bit useless to be honest, she did not explain much today just said I need to do NIPT to have a more precise results. Did not mention low PAPP A or anything, I had to do all the research online. I might have to ditch her in the future… many decisions to make x

@FakeTanandProsecco yes, it’s old :/ I didn’t see either ... I was just looking for someone with a similar problem as after receiving the results today I needed someone to talk to about all this x

@Storczyk39 it all worked out fine for me. The NPIT test came back as normal and I'm sat here feeding a perfect 6 month LG. I remember how it felt with the similar results you had, and though it's hard to think it, the odds really are still in your favour. I hope the results come through quickly for you and you can relax and enjoy your pregnancy. Let me know how you get on xx

@confused107 Such great news that all went well for you. I had a little bit of a shocker with these results today, specially that I have transferred genetically tested embryo… the low PAPP A is also worrying me… hopefully the test results come sooner than 2 weeks x

@Storczyk39 sorry I can't remember what my PAPP A score was so can't help with that, but know how hard it was to wait for the results. I hope it comes quicker xx

@Randomdogbite

It’s not just testing for Down’s syndrome though, there are other genetic issues that can show, they only offer further testing if your initial scan shows an issue.

^ this I had the tests.

Just read that your embryo was genetically tested. I would be very surprised at your results too! I was kind of expecting a high risk result as pretty much every risk box was being ticked apart from weight and smoking! But it is just that, risk. The odds still are in your favour that you will get the result you want. Sending love and hugs your way xx

@Randomdogbite

I had some further testing done today, NIPT test. My nuchal translucency measurement is in the norm, baby measures fine for 13 weeks, trisomy 18 & 13 are fine but Down syndrome came back elevated and pappa result is low 😕I guess I just need to wait for the results and see x

@Thegirlhasnoname

I chose to have the screening. We didn’t care if it came back with a high chance of Downs but we opted for it as we wanted to know about the risk of Edwards or Patau’s given that they are “incompatible with life”

Exactly the same thought process with us. They called me too early to do the NT and offered me the Downs quad test instead of a rescan... That was no good to me as Downs wasn't what I was concerned about in the first place! Luckily PALs got them to rebook the scan and all came back low risk. I couldn't have waited to 20 weeks for Edwards and Pataus, there's enough to worry about at that scan as it is without having had the chance to rule out something like that beforehand.

I had the screening with my second at 36.
Was so shocked when the Down Syndrome test came back as 1:20. We paid privately for the NIPT test (and found out the sex at the same time). Was such a relief to hear that every was fine (and we were having a boy!)

Very personal decision! We chose not to have any blood tests for genetic screening. You never know how things will turn out, complicated births etc and would never terminate under any circumstances as I couldn't live with myself.
This was /Is my decision and I would never project my feelings or beliefs onto anyone.
You have to make your own decisions on your own circumstances, no one can decide that for you.

My 1st pregnancy, after 4yr TTC was age 38. I paid for NIPT at 10 weeks. It was positive for T13- patau syndrome. NT was 6.5mm and a detailed scanned showed physical issues. (Brain abnormalities, large umbilical hernia, cleft face, yes face, not just a cleft lip- among other things.) If the results hadn't been so obvious, I would have waited for amnio or CVS. We chose TFRM and the autopsy confirmed the diagnosis.

For me, I was glad to know so early on and had time to make the right choice. I didn't suddenly MC later in the pregnancy. I wasn't showing by then, so people didn't know. I got my body back quicker so I could TTC again.

I advise speaking to your partner about what choices you'd make with various results, so you are at least on the same page. best of luck.

We tested for everything every time as I knew that we'd terminate if there was a serious issue.
I think if this isn't the case and you accept the Risk then I wouldn't worry overly.