Hi Kel,

I am sure you are still mulling over your options so I thought I'd add some things I have considered during my pg.

My mum had amnios with my bro and sis without even considering not to, she just had Ob's who said she should due to her age (36 & 41) Both amnios had no effect on her pg. My friend who had decided with her DH, prior to getting pg, they would not consider having a child with any kind of test anomaly had every test they could. They had made the decision to terminate any pg with risk knowing that the were having trouble TCC (due to DF losing an ovary a couple of yrs ago, and DF's age -36/37)

My DH and I had decided that no matter what the outcome of a test we wouldn't terminate, so by that account we decided there was no point having any tests, we still had 19wk scans with the first 3 but as yet I haven't bothered with #4, we had a scan a few weeks ago, I know there's one in there and I feel it's a girl so I just see no point in another scan.

I guess for some finding out there's a problem allows them to continue the pg knowing and gives an opportunity to prepare, mentally or in some cases even the environment for the child??? If we did have a child with a severe disability I would probably want to move back to the city were I would have a much stronger support network and family.

I definitely agree with Tegam, a second scan before all other tests is a good place to start - 0.7mm is such a tiny measurment and unfortunately u/s have been known for getting measurements wrong in the past, sonographer error or baby position can effect the outcome. If you are worried about the risks of other tests it is surely worth re-checking if they are necessary.

The other thing you mentioned was, although there are plenty of tests that can be done, none will provide a definitive answer. Based on this piece of info I would wonder then if it is a good idea to subject yourself to the stress and inconvenience of multiple tests.

Will you gain enough knowledge from tests to make them worth it? Is what you know now, that there may be a chance of mild-severe disabilty, enough to decide on your pg? Will you with more tests that rule out certain problems, be able to change your mind about continuing or discontinuing your pg? And as horrible as it sounds would you be able to justify having done a test (say the amnio) if it causes a negative side effect to the baby or (in the rarest of cases, I believe <1%) a miscarriage? Your amnio risks are decreased further as you are past 18wks, there is much more fluid around bub these days and it is easier for Dr to get at it. The thing with the amnio is it will be covering a lot of things that can be assumed by the u/s, for eg. Trisomy 21 (Downs Syndrome), and neural tube defects (Spina bifida), and other chromosomal defects.

I don't know what you should do but what you decide will be right for you and your DH, I wish you all the strength and love that you need for the next month or so and I pray that whatever the outcome you and bub are well and healthy.

Sarah