KEslinger
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First of all...
This is off of the whattoexpect.com website about Nuchal Translucency Screening..
"When nuchal translucency screening is done
Since NT screening must be done between weeks 11 and 14, an accurate date of conception is important for an accurate result. (A recent study found that NT scans done during week 11 were the most accurate of all because the fold is most translucent then.)
Additional tests: NT screening can be combined with blood tests for more definitive results. For example, your first trimester blood test measures free beta-hCG (a certain type of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone) pregnancy protein called PAPP-A (pregnancy associated plasma protein A). Low levels of PAPP-A early in pregnancy indicate increased risk of genetic abnormalities, heart problems, and preterm birth. The results of these two blood tests plus the NT screening, known as the first trimester combined screening, can be combined into one number that represents the likelihood of having a child with a genetic abnormality.
The results of an NT screen can also be combined with a second trimester blood test known as the quad screen, which tests for four entirely different markers present in the maternal bloodstream. Again, all the results can be entered into one formula, giving you one statistic. This option is called the fully integrated screen. Or you may be given the results of the first trimester screen and the quad screen separately (this is known as stepwise sequential screening)."
"Risks: Unlike more invasive genetic tests, there are no increased risks of miscarriage for the NT screen (or the accompanying first and second trimester blood tests). The biggest problem might be the anxiety they can provoke. False positives are common. So are false negatives. But try to keep it in perspective: The odds of having a completely healthy baby are overwhelmingly in your favor. The NT screen is best thought of as a decision-making tool. Before you decide whether to have this procedure, talk to your practitioner about genetic counseling to help you determine which genetic tests are right for you."
We had decided that we'd do the full integrated screening. And, either way, we'd love and accept our baby. Knowing that it'd be harder and the pregnancy would most likely have a ton more anxiety involved in it, we decided to go through with it anyway. We also decided that we would NOT go through with any further testing (CVS or amnio). We just wanted to know what our risk level was, that way we could be better prepared for any impending childcare, doctors appointments, etc. And, also give us time to "digest" the information and become further informed about caring for a special needs child. I know the risk for miscarriage is super low but for some reason it scared the crap out of me. (My mom had an amnio with me to see if my lungs were good to go early, and I'm still here!) I had read way too much on the internet about people who had positive screens, got the amnio, miscarried only to find out it was a baby with no genetic defects. **DO NOT READ THINGS ON THE INTERNET!** At the same time I did reading and found that people had negative screens and ended up with a baby who had Down's Syndrome.
For me: I got my bloodwork done on the first day possible... bad idea. When the baby measured 1 day earlier it threw off my results and I had to have my blood drawn again for first trimester bloodwork. My NT scan actually added a lot of anxiety (more so for OH). The baby was measuring fine, and the fluid was perfect, but when they submitted my info there was an error. HOWEVER, they weren't telling us anything. They were immediately on the phone with the state like they had discovered I was pregnant with a bomb or an alien that was going to invade the country. After a while OH said something and they said the baby looks fine, and my first levels were good, and what not, but there was an error with the screening. (WTF?!) That's when we learned that because the baby was off by 1 day, so was my bloodwork. Thankfully that was all for me. My second trimester bloodwork came back good, and a few weeks later we got a "negative screen" card in the mail.
A question I have for you, did you only do first trimester blood work, or have you gone in for the 2nd trimester bloodwork? (I should've looked to see if you have a ticker before I commented. Sorry!) My doctor didn't want me to have my second trimester blood work until 16 weeks... that way I'm far enough into the weeks that they want to not have another "error" with my test. They had told me that sometimes your levels can indicate high risk but after the 2nd results come back it can lower the risk a little bit? I'm not sure how accurate that is. They also told me if the first one showed high risk they would refer us to a genetics counselor and we'd be educated on and offered other tests.
Keep us updated, and keep your chin up!
I'm still worried about this, but I'm feeling more and more peaceful about what I can control and what I can't. If I had it to do over again, I do wonder if I would have opted for the screen at all. I suppose it's high-risk, high-reward--you get an extra scan and a sigh of relief most of the time, but if you get a bad result, it's hellish. I called in this morning and scheduled my genetics counseling (and likely my amnio) for February 23rd. I'll just try to maintain my calm until then, and face what's ahead when we get there.
I hope it all goes well on Friday. I can't wait for my scan but it's a long way off yet. Do you have a preference?
He/she has a strong heartbeat of 167, and already you can see that it is clearly a baby (scan was 7w6d) my daughter looked like a sweet pea at 7 weeks, not like a baby at all lol. It was so exciting. I was told I have a very anterior placenta, and the ultrasound tech was SO nice and sweet and informative. She told me everything she could. 
I'm excited. We've been told 3 times ours is a girl. I won't have another ultrasound until after my baby shower -- at 34 weeks, just a growth ultrasound. We MIGHT do a 4d ultrasound with the mom's sometime late March early April if we have the money for it. We'll see. It was VERY clear on ours the difference between the 2 or 3 lines of female genitalia and the umbilical cord. She also gave us a really good shot at the last ultrasound. Still a bit of a brat, if she kicks hard enough to feel it on the outside, she won't do it again. If she does she waits a LONG time and then does it in a different spot. Otherwise she's usually kicking super low.
