I'm 42 and I had a very positive NT screening experience. We know our chances of having a serious chromosomal problem are much higher simply because of our age but if all goes well, the NT scan is a chance for shifting those numbers to a much lower risk category which might make the rest of your pregnancy a less anxious time. (For me it went all the way down to 1:900.) The technology difference between my OB's office ultrasound and the super-hi tech NT measuring ultrasound is also significant - there are many things they look at besides just the nuchal translucency measurement. For me they checked uterine blood flow, listened to the heart beat, and made a ton of measurements. They even showed me a 3D image of my baby and made a gender guess. If they find a problem, there is time for additional testing and follow-up. This could mean you decide to do an invasive test like amniocentesis or that additional ultrasounds might be planned to check on a developmental problem - - many of which resolve themselves. In any case, later on, your family is emotionally prepared and the hospital can be medically prepared to handle whatever it is. Understandably, a lot of people are really upset by a bad ratio - - because it is not a real diagnosis, it is just a statistical bracket - - and when the baby turns out perfect they wish they never did the test because it caused so much unnecessary grief. I think you just have to try to take that into consideration and decide if you want as much information as possible or not.
