Nt scan or not?

**~TT40~** · April 23rd, 2014, 08:10 PM

Im seriously thinking about not having the 12w scan. I cant explain exactly...just that i feel more comfortable by not having it. Im trying to put facts to my decsion but its hard.
Ive already had a scan at 7wks because of the ivf. I did get the 12w scan with Spock but only because of dh age (even though the tests dont take that into account i have read studies saying fathers age can increase risk) i cant remember the exact numbers but it was 1 in 10000 something. Also Quark is technically 3 years younger than us because he/she is from Spocks cycle.
I dont know, just putting it our there, what have others done and why?

**Ca Plane Pour Moi** · April 23rd, 2014, 08:19 PM

I'm not going to bother with Stormageddon, as I don't really feel we need a scan at that point. Not just to measure a fold of skin. Especially with the chances of detecting any problems with it are so low (tiny anyway as the likelihood of a problem is low, and then the NT scan isn't definitive either).

**Lily Dust** · April 23rd, 2014, 08:22 PM

We had it. Personal choice really. For us it was about being prepared if 'something' was detected, nothing more. Just kind of getting the heads up where possible.

**black_rose** · April 23rd, 2014, 08:37 PM

I had the scan with ds just not the blood test, we wouldn't have done anything different so decided not to have the bloods done. We did have it done with both girls though. My first scan was always the 12 week one.

**Teeki** · April 23rd, 2014, 08:42 PM

We did it with both for the same reasons as Lily Dust. If a risk was detected we wanted to be prepared so it was less of a shock if something was wrong.

With DD there was the added reason of actually seeing her for the first time, but seeing as I had a dating scan with DS I didn't really need that. Although, at 12 weeks he looked much more like a baby than at 8 weeks so that was nice

**Beautiful Disaster** · April 23rd, 2014, 09:15 PM

I'm same as Lily dust and Teeki

**nyigi** · April 23rd, 2014, 09:34 PM

Where I am the 12 wk scan is the dating scan and first scan you get. Measuring the neck fold is an added extra that you can get but isn't normally done at this scan. We got the 12 wk dating scan but not the NT part. 1) We'd have to pay to have it done. 2) We'd have to go to a different scan place, not just our midwife. 3) We're low risk 4) We didn't think we'd do anything differently if a problem was discovered.
Also just after we'd made our decision a friend of mine got the NT test and got a really high chance 1/2 of abnormality and was told it wasn't likely that her baby would survive. Of course she was completely freaked out and got more and more tests done. It's looking more and more like it was a false positive and her baby is absolutely fine but she's still really anxious and probably will be at least until the baby is born.

**Teeki** · April 23rd, 2014, 10:12 PM

Where I am the 12 wk scan is the dating scan and first scan you get. Measuring the neck fold is an added extra that you can get but isn't normally done at this scan.

This bit seems strange to me. If you need a dating scan done, why wait until 12 weeks? It's more accurate earlier on - the difference in DS between 8 and 12 weeks was significant. And if you need a dating scan because you don't know your dates, and you do want the nt part done, then worrying until you think you're 12 weeks could mean you miss the window of getting the right measurement. If you know your dates and don't need a dating scan, and don't want the NT bit done, then why do the 12 week one at all?

For us, we only had two scans with DD - 12 and 20 weeks. With DS we had the dating scan because he was a bit unexpected and AF had only been back twice and was abnormal, then the NT scan, anatomy scan at 20 weeks and an extra one at either 32 or 34 weeks I think, just because he was measuring so huge. I nearly didn't do that one.

**Jellyfish** · April 23rd, 2014, 10:38 PM

I didn't have it with either of mine. First scan for both was the morphology at 20w (didn't know my exact dates with either so around then).

I don't know, a fan of low maintenance I guess. I'd do it the same again.

**onthefly** · April 23rd, 2014, 10:41 PM

I didn't have it with either. Dating was unnecessary, and the risk factor they give you is just that, it's not a diagnosis, only a stress point.

**nyigi** · April 23rd, 2014, 10:52 PM

This bit seems strange to me. If you need a dating scan done, why wait until 12 weeks? It's more accurate earlier on - the difference in DS between 8 and 12 weeks was significant. And if you need a dating scan because you don't know your dates, and you do want the nt part done, then worrying until you think you're 12 weeks could mean you miss the window of getting the right measurement. If you know your dates and don't need a dating scan, and don't want the NT bit done, then why do the 12 week one at all?

For us, we only had two scans with DD - 12 and 20 weeks. With DS we had the dating scan because he was a bit unexpected and AF had only been back twice and was abnormal, then the NT scan, anatomy scan at 20 weeks and an extra one at either 32 or 34 weeks I think, just because he was measuring so huge. I nearly didn't do that one.

Yeah I wonder about this now too. I guess if you were really unsure of your dates and wanted to check you could get an early scan here. I think the reason is that in the Netherlands you tend to just go straight to a midwife and your first appointment is normally around 9 weeks and you then make the appointment for the scan which is done at 10-12 weeks. I think they make the 12 week scan part of the routine here to check for missed miscarriages, check for multiples, get a reasonable idea of dates etc without worrying too much about getting an exact date also for people who do want the NT test, so it's a kind of good compromise all-in-one early scan time.

**peanutter** · April 23rd, 2014, 11:06 PM

We decided not to, as irrespective of the results, we would not consider further investigation or termination - so the scan would serve no real purpose, for us as a family.

**~TT40~** · April 24th, 2014, 07:18 AM

Thabks girls. I like the term low maintenance. ..that sums it up. And nothing would change for me in terms of termination... i even doubt id get the amnio etc... ill just take what comes. But if i listen to gut it says dont bother with it

**Tegam** · April 24th, 2014, 07:30 AM

We never have. Our decision was more based on the "what next" question. What results were we happy with and what weren't we and what would we do next. We new we wouldn't risk invasive testing so that just lead us to believe that it would cause more stress than good.

It's a big decision. Hugs

**Lily Dust** · April 24th, 2014, 02:48 PM

But if i listen to gut it says dont bother with it

Trust that, it will serve you well!!!!

I'm big on scans in pregnancy (for me) but I didn't listen to my gut with some things with DSs pregnancy and I regret it beyond word. Trust that gut feeling

**Heaven** · April 24th, 2014, 04:41 PM

I had it all 3 times. Not really for the NT bit but for peace of mind for me after having a m/c. I needed to know they were ok before I told anyone about the pregnancy.

**Miss.September** · April 24th, 2014, 04:48 PM

I had it all 3 times. Not really for the NT bit but for peace of mind for me after having a m/c. I needed to know they were ok before I told anyone about the pregnancy.

Me too. As soon as we had the scan and saw a happy bundle, we made our announcement.

**MummyNaomi** · April 24th, 2014, 09:39 PM

We had ours mostly to make sure there was in fact a real life healthy baby growing. after using AC is all seemed too good to be true. Luckily both times all was good. Gave me reassurance that everything was as it should be