Higher reading for Nuchal translucency scan - feeling panicked!

[linspins]

Hi all, Just been for our 12 week scan today and had the nuchal scan to test for Downs. The reading was 2.8mm. They said this was high, but not high enough to be classed as high risk without doing a blood test. I had a blood test afterwards, but the results won't be in til Friday. I am just really worried now that there is something wrong with the baby. I'm 36, so no spring chicken, and had a heartbreaking time with my first pg, after severe abnormalities were diagnosed at the 20 wk scan and we had a termination. I have since had a healthy lovely little girl, but I'm scared again. Has anyone else had high nuchal reading, was it ok?

I've just noticed this thread and just wanted to say how very sorry I am that you're going through this. I lost my first baby under similar circumstances to you and I can't imagine how painful your current anxious wait is. Am really hoping that you get good news in a few days.
x

Linspins - I just wanted to say how sorry I am that you're going through this terrible time. Again.

I wanted to add that we had our triple test results on 31st Dec and were given a 1 in 38 chance. I am 38 years old and am pg with DC3.

We opted to go to the Fetal Medicine Centre for another, more detailed, nuchal scan and at 13+3 it measured 2.8mm. There were no other soft markers for Downs and the heart looked ok. We were given an adjusted 'score' on 1 in 786. We decided not to have CVS but have a detailed echo cardiogram at 20 weeks to rule out any cardiac problems.

I posted on here on 31st Dec and got some amazing replies. I can't do links, but maybe you could try and find it in the archives? I remember reading about ladies that had 1 in 2 chance, 1 in 7 chance etc. And some that had nuchal measurements of 3, 4 or 5 mm who went on to have perfectly healthy babies.

I can remember how awful the week was when we were waiting to get into the FMC. I hope you have some good people around you to support you in this awful time. And I hope with all my heart that the results come back favourably.

Linspins ? so sorry you are going through this. I have the same issues as you so I know how it feels.

Am just over 12 weeks with my first and had nuchal fold of 3.2 and the bloods were apparently low in the PAPP-A, giving me a 1 in 13 chance which sounds totally dreadful.

I am having CVS next Tuesday and there have been a lot of tears. I never imagined this would be a reality and am terrified of what will be found.

Big hug to you amid all this worry and fingers crossed. Hope the results will bring comfort.

x

Music maiden - big hugs to you, its a grim time isn't it. I am desperately hoping for you to be one of the good 12 in 13! I know how horrible all the waiting is.
My 1:80 was scary enough. Now we've had the scan though I just don't know what we are facing - even if the downs test comes back fine, the baby still has suspected heart problems that won't be able to be diagnosed until about 16 weeks, as the baby just isn't big enough until then. More waiting.
Fingers crossed for us both. xxxxx Lins

Thanks Heytheregeorgiegirl, its so good to get supportive messages.
I am so worried though, as even if the CVS comes back fine, now they have found suspected heart problems, it could be anything! Just hate this all so much.
I know that many babies are born with heart probs and they can be fixed, but I don't seem able to look on the positive side...probably trying to protect myself so that hopes aren't dashed.
I wish I didn't feel so ill too, it makes life harder to cope with.
Thanks again. Lins xx

Rosebud05, would you mind me asking what happened? If you can't write it that's ok. It just feels helpful to hear the good and the bad...
I know how awful it is to loose a baby, we had a termination at 22 weeks in 2004 with our first baby after a severe (rare) chromasonal abnormality was diagnosed. It broke my heart and I thought it would never ever mend.
Wish we weren't having to go through this again!
Best wishes to you, Lins xxx

Hi linspins/musicmaiden - sorry you're going through this, it's a terrible wait for results, but our story has a happy ending, hope yours will too. We had a 8.2mm nuchal measurement and a very grim prognosis of 1 in 4 for downs, edward's or patau and a 95% chance of having severe abnormalities, such as heart/organ defects, skeletal probs etc. We had the cvs, which came back negative, then scans every two weeks to check on development. they couldn't find any problems and slowly the fluid reduced. A couple of weeks ago we had a detailed heart scan at Great Ormond Street and although that came back fine, they did find a clue as to what could have happened. The right side of heart is stronger, although the left side is now normal strength. They think that maybe early on there was a heart problem which caused the fluid to increase and it meant that the right side had to work much harder. It has now resolved itself. Just had 20 week scan and everything shows normal. It's taken us since just before Christmas to get the all clear, but has been definitely worth the wait. I really hope you get some good news, there are a few people on here who have had scares and it's turned out okay, so don't give up hope. Wishing you both well.xx

Thanks Lins, keep us posted on your results, it really helps to hear other people's experiences and know we're not alone.

Deleting - what wonderful news! You must be over the moon. Hope you can now relax and sail through the rest of the pregnancy.

x

Deleting, thank you SO MUCH for posting your story, it has made me cry, as a little bit of hope has crept back in. That's such great news for you, and I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly, you deserve it!

Lins xxx

deleting, that is wonderful news!

Lins, fingers crossed for you here ...

Have just popped back and want to wish everyone waiting for results good luck. I had a horrible few days in october waiting for results after a 1:29 nuchal. I feel for you all and have everything crossed for good results.

Deleting, what a good outcome after what must have been a horrible time for you. I hope the next 20 weeks are nowhere near as eventful - until week 40 of course!

Linspins Just popping back to see how you are? I've been thinking about you and wanted to send you (((((HUGS))))). Have you got any news? I think it's the not knowing that nearly kills us isn't it? At least with some type of concrete information one can formulate a plan. Hon, I know that it's looking very, very bleak at the moment, but there is still hope. Even if it's only the faintest glimmer. Hang on to it with both hands.

Nekabu and Ladyhelen2 - Lovely to see you both again. I remember you well. You calmed me down no end.

Deleting You learn something new every day on MN. I'm sure that sharing your information will help other MN'ers in a similar situation. So glad that everything has worked out for you.

Hi linspins,

Have been debating whether to post but thought I should share with you - we had a similar story last year where our baby had a high nuchal, CVS showed no chromosome abnormalities but a heart scan revealed some heart defects at 18 weeks.

I won't go into the details as for us it wasn't good news, but I wanted to say that I did lots of research into congenital heart problems as part of this process, and there really is a huge variety of problems, and only a few of them are untreatable. Some even resolve themselves all on their own, as Deleting has shown.

Children are born every day with heart defects, most of them go on to lead normal and happy lives and the treatments available are really sophisticated, so there really is hope.

Have you contacted ARC? It's a small charity called Antenatal Results and Choices and they can put you in touch with people who have been through similar experiences who will talk or listen (normally over the phone) and I found it really helpful just to call them up and let it all out. They're here.

I know how you're feeling and how hard this time is - we have a toddler too and it really was the only thing that kept me upright and soldiering on, but somehow you make it through. Wishing you lots of luck and sending lots of positive thoughts your way.

Hello Whatfreshhellisthis!
Yes, unfortunately (or fortunately) I know all about ARC as our first baby was diagnosed with a rare chromasonal abnormality in 2004 at the 20 week scan and after lots of heart searching we decided to let her go. So I gave birth at 22 weeks. We now also have a lovely healthy toddler, who is my joy, but in my heart I have 2 children. ARC are so fantastic, they were my lifeline before, and have proved a good support this time too, although I wish I wasn't back in that place!

It's good to see someone else promoting ARC, it's a charity which means a lot to me.

I'm just hoping and praying that the heart problem isn't something like before, and as you say, could be treatable.
Thanks for writing in though. Best wishes, Lins xx

I'll be thinking of you over the next few weeks - please do update us after your CVS results and your heart scan if you feel able to.

After going through something like that, the worry never really goes away, does it? It's as if you suddenly have a window into a whole world of fears that you never had before, and it's hard to shut it again. I really hope and pray that your baby is ok.

xxxxx

NEWS The CVS results are back and its all fine for Downs etc. Yay! That's one step in the right direction.
Now we have to wait 2 weeks for the full chromasonal report to come back to check it's not anything else rare/un-named.
On top of that we still have the baby's suspected heart problem to think about, we just have to wait til it's bigger, prob 16 weeks, for a cardio scan to find out what's going on.
But I do feel calmer...(although just as sick etc. When is this morning/24hr sickness going to go!!!!!)

Hope everyone else going through this kind of waiting game is holding it together ok. Hugs.
Love Lins xx

Hello everyone

I posted a few weeks ago, was in terrible state deciding whether to have amnio. My nuchla was fine but they don't do it with bloods here and I was just rerally anxious with baby three as I misscarried last year and had a sister with spina bifida who died at birth. I am almost 35. I decided to have the amnio, and I am awaiting the results next week. It is so nerve racking, I just really want to end this anxiety and enjoy my pregnancy.

Just read your thread Linspins, and so glad to hear that you have had some good news at last! Hope there is plenty more to come, and that the MS goes off soon

Bebetrois, hang in there! I'm going through it with you. Hope you have the very best news next week. xxxxx

Linspins Am so VERY VERY glad that the CVS results have come back normal. What a weight off your mind. I really hope that you can enjoy the rest of the pregnanacy.

I'm in the same boat as you, we have our 20 week scan on Wed when we'll also have a detailed echo cardiogram to rule out any cardiac abnormalities.

As for the sickness. Mine is just about going (am 20 weeks today). I gave up trying to eat 'healthily' and just concentrated on what I knew I could keep down. Bran flakes and ice cold milk are a fave as is fish fingers/crunchy lettuce/grated carrot/dollop of mayo!

I also found that stress was a BIG factor in my MS. We've had a nightmare time with builders/lawyers/architects. So hopefully your stress levels will reduce and you migt start to feel a little better.

(((((HUGS))))) to you for the remainder of the pg.
xxxxx

Linspins, am glad your first round of CVS results came back clear. I saw my consultant between the first and second round and he said that the chances of having a problem with the second round once the first lot were ok were very very small, so fingers crossed, the next round will be all clear too. I hope you can relax a little bit now anyway.

Bebetrois, fingers crossed here for you too. The wait is awful. Hope you have good news next week. Keep us posted.

Great news Linspins - really pleased to hear it. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that heart problems will either have resolved themselves or be minor by the time you have your next scan

xxx

Update for me: had the amnio on Tuesday, and it wasn't as bad as I had imagined. It was more scary than painful and was over in 5 minutes. I had light cramping for the rest of the day, but it passed. I got my prelim results on Friday, and all was clear for Downs. It was quite a relief! I have to wait for 2 more weeks to get the complete results, but at least the worry is over.

Lins: sorry to hear that you have more waiting to do and that your scan was worrisome. Hopefully your results come back all clear. I agree... the heart must be really small for them to make such conclusions at this stage... it still has so much growing and changing to do.

Keep us posted

xx

Monday morning, the sample will be with the lab by now and the process will begin. I hope that the results are ok, I am so worried

Bumping this for you.

Really hope your next scan brings better news. Take care.