NT 3.7 - 3.9, CVS Friday - advice please

[Arianas mummy]

Hi,

I had my 12 week scan today (actually 11 week 5 day), they recently stopped offering the Nuchal fold testing here in Swansea in line with other hospitals in the area. However the sonographer noted that the nuchal fold was measuring 3.7 to 3.9 and raised her concerns.

I previously thought that if this happened i wouldn't go through with any further testing. Im 43 and know that i'm high risk anyway. However i have a healthy 8 month baby girl and need to consider her future as well. I also need to know/be in control, if baby was to have a severe condition that would mean baby would die in utero i feel that i need to have the time to get my head around it.

Due to us going on holiday in the coming weeks and my need to know soonest i decided to request a CVS.

Normally this would be carried out in Cardiff, but as its summer, the consultants are on holiday and wont be available for a number of weeks. The M/Ws have been fantastic and have rang round the hospitals to find somewhere for me. I have just found out that i have an appointment at 09:30 this Friday in Bristol. This is the only available time, and i'm being squeezed in.

Has anybody any experience of the CVS procedure?

Has anybody had similar NT measurements - can you tell me the eventual outcome?

The MWs mentioned that sometimes the fluid can go away, and that a second scan may show things to be normal. Has anybody any experience of this?

Thanks in advance,

Marie

 

[tateypot]

Hi Marie, I had a CVS test 5 weeks ago - was given a 1:7 risk of Downs after the combined test. My Nuchal fold measurement was 2.67, and my other two blood test results contributed to the final figure. I knew straight away that I wanted a CVS test. It was a bit painful/ uncomfortable but the staff are very helpful and explain everything really clearly. The Consultant also gave me more clarification than any of the other doctors who couldn't really explain the high result to me. It doesn't take long and I got the preliminary results within 48 hours - thankfully everything was clear. Really hope it goes well for you xx

 

[Arianas mummy]

Thanks Tateypot,

I didn't have the blood tests as with my age i knew it would come back high risk.

It just really shocked me. I have spoken with ARC and they have explained that even if women don't request the Nuchal test, if the fold is bigger that 3.5 it will be highlighted as a possible concern. ARC stressed that i'm only just above the upper limit. But even so it has knocked me sideways.

I'm happy aboout going to Bristol as ARC also explained that the fetal unit is a centre of excellence. I'm just hoping that their scans will show that the measurement isn't as big. Did they also look for any other soft markers with you before the CVS?

How long did it take to recover? I have an 8 month baby girl who currently wants to be picked up and 'walked' everywhere.

Thanks,

Marie

 

[tateypot]

Hi Marie,

There were no other markers that they could see. I had one day off work and was a bit sore - tummy was bruised, but I probably could have gone to work. Was pretty exhausted by the whole emotion of everything so it was worth having the day off and the nurse recommended it.
Think you will have had your sppointment by now - so I hope it went well. Will be thinking of you xx

 

[Trying4ababy]

My baby had a NT 5 mm

Level 2 ultrasound shown that baby had 3 soft markers for down syndrome

I had the CVS and came back positive as a cystic fibrosis carrier


I had an amnio done and baby is 100% healthy with no problems at all

 

[Arianas mummy]

The consultant rescanned me and confirmed the measurement as 3.8

The consultant said that based on the scan and my age, the risk of Downs was 1 in 3. I had no blood results that could be entered.

I decided to have the CVS. It didn't hurt and wasn't uncomfortable, over and done with very quickly.

I'm absolutely shattered, and hoping that i will sleep well tonight.

I don't know what i will do if baby has downs - tho i'm quite sure i couldn't terminate it. Its the other trisomy's that petrify me. I think its the not knowing that is screwing my head up - i like to be in control. Everything is moving at a pace that i'm struggling to keep up with.

They've said that they will call me with the results on Monday or Tuesday. They also said that if the results are ok, that they would like me to have further appointments and scans with them in Bristol. A long trek from Swansea, but i know i'll be in good hands.

Trying - So is your baby OK? Where you one of the 2% where the results can be confused? How are you after all of this?

Thanks for your replies.

Marie

 

[_Vicky_]

I have no advice as have no experience but didnt want to read and run - sending you lots of PMA xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Trying4ababy]

The consultant rescanned me and confirmed the measurement as 3.8

The consultant said that based on the scan and my age, the risk of Downs was 1 in 3. I had no blood results that could be entered.

I decided to have the CVS. It didn't hurt and wasn't uncomfortable, over and done with very quickly.

I'm absolutely shattered, and hoping that i will sleep well tonight.

I don't know what i will do if baby has downs - tho i'm quite sure i couldn't terminate it. Its the other trisomy's that petrify me. I think its the not knowing that is screwing my head up - i like to be in control. Everything is moving at a pace that i'm struggling to keep up with.

They've said that they will call me with the results on Monday or Tuesday. They also said that if the results are ok, that they would like me to have further appointments and scans with them in Bristol. A long trek from Swansea, but i know i'll be in good hands.

Trying - So is your baby OK? Where you one of the 2% where the results can be confused? How are you after all of this?

Thanks for your replies.

Marie

I am almost 28 weeks along and everything has came back that the baby is OK.
I'm a Christian but I won't preach. All I will say is I truly believe that God had a hand in in our baby being okay.

 

[tateypot]

Pleased you are feeling ok Maria and glad it was quick and painless. Will be thinking of you over the weekend. I was exactly the same as you - much prefer to know what is going on.
Take care - try to keep busy.
xxx