Screening worries

8 replies

doctorDoche · 26/01/2008 21:23

I went for a NT at the FMC in London last week and got what I thought should be a reassuring risk of 1 in 4700 for the NT & nasal bone/heart scan & blood tests combined. However the sonographer was quick to point out to me that I could be 'The one' and suggested that a CVS might be worth considering. I'm now really bewildered and not sure what to think of the apparent contradictory test results and advice. Has anyone got any thoughts on the matter as I'm driving myself mad with worry.

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doctorDoche · 26/01/2008 21:25

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madmouse · 26/01/2008 22:05

One thing is for sure, with a low risk like that you are statistically far more likely to miscarry as a result of the CVS ( 1 or 2 in 100)than you are to have a baby that has anything wrong with it! I would think very carefully before having a CVS. The result is not contradictory, if your chance is 1 in 4700 there is simply that very very small chance that yours is the one rather than the 4699.

I would advise you to talk the results over with your midwife or request an appointment with an appropriate doctor, so that you fully understand what your results mean.

poppy34 · 26/01/2008 22:32

doctor -said something similar to me as my odds were similarly small - what they said was odds were small but only way to be completely sure was to do a cvs or similar. I think they were just gently reminding that although remote there was still a small risk.

Madmouse is right though balanced v. cvs risk you are really very low. And i think that fmc only start really recommending testing when you're quite low on risk scale (something like under 1 in 200 from memory). So I would try not to worry -but know thats tough.
It irritates me how people at these scan places and that includes FMC don't realise that what they say can be misinterpreted/taken out of context by naturally anxious parents to be.

if you are still worried give them a ring on monday and ask to speak to one of teh doctors - I did that when was worried re scan from somewhere else and it did help reassure to get a second opinion.

PortAndLemon · 26/01/2008 22:53

They have to point out that you could be the one in however many it is (although there are ways and means of doing it and clearly this sonographer may have phrased it badly). I know people who have opted for a CVS regardless of their good NT results because they wanted to know for sure, and I'm sure that the sonographer has come across them too, and doesn't know whether you'd take that attitude or not.

barbamama · 26/01/2008 22:58

We decided to have a CVS regardless so actually ended up having a CVS, then the nuchal on the same day for some strange reason which had odds similar to yours. Everything was fine. I think they do have to point out that the nuchal is a statistical risk wheras the CVS is definite (for the main chromosomal abnormalities it tests for). Only you can decide whether you need "highly unlikely" or "definitely not". If you are not over 40 or anything I'd say highly unlikely should do it, but obviously it very much depends on your personal circumstances and attitude to risk.

Scampmum · 26/01/2008 23:05

I think you should see this simply as them being careful to assert that it's not a diagnostic test. I wouldn't take it as 'advice'; if it was meant that way I would find that pretty unprofessional. If it helps, our scan was 1:85 and we didn't even consider CVS because I couldn't cope with the odds of miscarriage being nearly as high as the odds of DS - for us, DS was a far preferable outcome to miscarriage.

PaulaYatesBiggestFan · 26/01/2008 23:07

my odds were 1 in 32000 and the sonographer at northern private clininc said the 'you could be the 1' bit
i think they have to

would not do cvs personally no matter how high the risk

Original poster

doctorDoche · 27/01/2008 10:03

Thanks for all your responses. I'm beginning to think that it was a badly worded way of telling me that it was only a risk score and not a definitive result. I hope so anyway as I really did leave the clinic feeling like the sonographer had been a bit unprofessional the way she seemed to be pushing me to take further tests.

I spoke with one of my community midwives the other day about it and she called me a spring chicken at 36 (which was nice!). I really would rather not risk a diagnostic tests if I can help it. I think I might ring the FMC back to speak to a doctor and get their take on it all.

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