I am new to this forum - I have just posted in the "due Feb 16-28 2009" thread - but this thread is what has inspired me to post.
Like OceanPrincess, I had a high NF measurement (6.1) and subsequent CVS, with no sign of genetic issues. I also have twins. The initial NF US showed one looked great (low NF), while the other is/was a bit small and had the high NF. I am waiting on the 16 weeks US too, to see if they can detect cardiac issues, or maybe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
Has anyone else come across any other possiblities? I hope all is well, but I was given a bit of the "ONE baby may be OK, but the other one is stuffed" at the initial scan which I haven't really recovered from...
My fingers are crossed for you OceanPrincess, and I'd love to hear how you go...
my wife and i have been through this TWICE... first with our 2nd daughter who measured 5.9mm at 12 weeks and came out just fine (she just turned 3 and is quite normal) after a barrage of tests and odd attempts at explanation. but we still believe in the science of it and had the fold measured when my wife got preganant with our 3rd...lo and behold the measurement came back 6.1mm! same battery of tests to be sure, cvs to rule out chromosomal abnormality, lots of very precise ultrasounds (we live in los angeles and have access to some of the best ultrasound 'artists' around) fetal ekgs, genetic testing etc. our son was born feb 5th and, again, he's quite normal. i'd even say both of them are pretty exceptional, but then again they're my kids.
when we first got the high measurement on my daughter almost 4 years ago, the method was somewhat new and there was nothing but bad news on the boards when i went on. but my wife was, is, patient, trusted the science and the idea that THE MEASUREMENT ISN'T A DIAGNOSIS, JUST A SIGN THAT SOMETHING MIGHT BE ABNORMAL. so we stuck it out both times (the second time feeling only a bit less nervous) and got two great kids out of it. i hope all your results come back positive and you have the same luck we have. but it can happen.
as for why the measurements were so high in both of my kids, i'd love an answer too!
Hi
My neice had a very high result for this test. She was told there was definately something wrong with her baby and she should consider termination. She had further tests that were inconclusive but decided to keep the baby.Turned out that he was perfectly normal.I don't think these tests are all they are cracked up to be!
Regards
LisaB.
I am sorry that I didn't see this thread - it is easy to miss threads sometimes - I am sorry Ocean Princess it is frustrating when you don't get replies...
I am hoping that your u/s results have been okay?
Higher than "normal" nuchal fold measurements can be an indicator of chromosomal abnormalities - in the event of "normal" karotyping this can be ruled out.
It also can indicate cardiac problems and due to this babies are monitored closely by u/s.
Sometimes babies just have a big nuchal fold for no reason - just is as it is. I have seen this many many times too. It is just one of the pointers (a big one) to chromosomal abnormalities and as such should not be overlooked or discounted.
lmbmbc: It is inappropriate and I cannot quite digest that your niece would have been offered a termination based on nuchal fold measurement. If a low ratio is returned women are offered invasive testing - either or both cvs and amniocentesis. Nuchal Translucency is a SCREENING test it is not a diagnostic test and as such practices will not offer pregnancy interrruption without definitive diagnosis...
Thanks Flowerchild, I was looking for something that didn't really exist I guess... as we kept ruling out options (its not this, its not that) I was wondering what it could still be.
I can answer my own question now - it can also be a cystic hygroma, where the drainage system at the back of the neck doesn't develop in time with the rest of the baby and as a result fluid can build up. Looks like this is what it is with my little bubba - it will either resolve itself in utero (by catching up with the rest of the development) or she might be born with a little cyst at the back of her neck.
Either way is fine with me - not critical, not life threatening, apparently if she's born with it we might not even notice it.
I had a high nuchal scan measurement when I was pregnant (5.3). They rushed us into another room for genetic counseling. We were so scared. We decided to get the CVS testing. When I did it, they used the needle and I had some renowned specialist from Canada do it. He said he had difficulty piercing my cervix to get the cells. If I had to do it all over again, I would have waited and done the amnio (there was not another method for doing the CVS at the time). The genetic screening came back just fine (no abnormalities), so we rejoiced and tried to stay positive the rest of my pregnancy. Our son was born on time and was very healthy. About 3 weeks later, we discovered he was deaf. It was very difficult for us at first. I don't know that a higher nuchal scan was what happened in our case. I do have a friend who has a deaf child and she had a high nuchal scan as well. HOWEVER, there are also other moms that have deaf children who had normal nuchal scans. For me, I just felt like something was amiss when the doctor put that needle in me, everything felt wrong about it. I would never have that done again.
I do agree with what many have said on this board - that you have to try and not stress about it, as hard as that may be. I guess that I just discovered that even though I experienced a lot of heartache initially, I came to realize that my child is still perfect. He is doing so well that at 3 years of age he speaks perfectly, reads, and has the vocabulary of a 7 year old. You would never even know he was deaf. But whether you could tell he is deaf or not, I don't care. He is the most amazing and beautiful boy and I am grateful for every minute that he has been in my life.
Best wishes and hugs to you!
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