How many of you opt to have NT scan?

[Life is Good]

I agree that it is such a personal choice. We both agreed that we were going to have it done while we were still TTC. We also agreed that should we get a high-risk reading, we would have an amnio or CVS. Taking the decision then made it easier to go ahead a do what was a very emotional screening for both of us when the time came. I do not necessarily agree with the view that it is pointless unless you are willing to terminate. I would rather say that it is pointless unless you are willing to have an amnio or further examinations to clarify any doubts. Just my opinion

Our reasoning was that, whilst we may not have terminated (unless the baby had no chance of survival and / or would pose a very serious life risk to me), we felt that being informed of any potential challenges lying ahead would empower us and equip us to more readily handle a child with special needs and requirements. The last thing we wanted was to be in the awful position of not being properly prepared to support a child that had very specific emotional, physical or financial needs that we may have been unable to cater for had we not known in advance.

Further to this, we knew that at the scan we would be able to have them check a variety of other things. They checked the health and position of my cervix, the blood flow in and out of the umbilical cord, that bub had 4 properly-sized heart chambers, that the placenta was in the right spot and healthy etc.

Our risk for DS is extremely low, which we are so thankful for. The hour-long scan was very special for both DH and I. DH walked out saying that he would have to categorise that scan as one of the top 3 experiences of his life. It was for both of us - we were both in tears most of the way through. So whilst it could have been a sad experience for us, we were fortunate enough to have had a very special one.

Nothing has changed for us and we will definitely have NT scans (and amnios, if required) for all future pregnancies.

Firstbub, it is such a difficult decision to make and I hope that our feedback helps. Big x

[Frangipani]

We had the NT scan done and we were given a high risk result with the downs syndrome (1 in 141 chance). The scan was actually looking ok, but apparently it was mainly the blood results that brought us down. We were booked to have an CVS - but the day before I decided not to a I knew I couldn't terminate. There is other little indicators they can see at the 20week scan - and most were ok at our scans (we also had a 30week - just to be sure). Turned out we were NOT that 1 in 141 - we now have a healthy little boy.

In saying that, I would probably still do the scan again...cause there are a few other things they look for. My cousin had her scan done and it turned out that the baby was not ok and that it wouldn't survive - so they could terminate early (still hard I know, but could've been even harder if they'd found out those results further down the track).

I also loved the opportunity to see our little one.

Good luck making your decision...obviously it'll come down to what feels right for you.

[tattoo_mama]

Gosh Evie that is terrible that he said that!!
Honestly how can someone like that become a doctor....sure they are there for medical opinion but the reason *most* doctors become physicians is because they have compassion and want to help people!
If a doc had said that to me id slap them!

[HotI]

For me, i reckon it would be easier to continue a pregnancy with a baby with T18 than T21. Most babies with T18 have a lessened expected life span and i would be able to give it all my energy for its short life (whether this be in utero or after birth).

Having a baby with T21 is a different decision to make because you have to think long term.

In saying that, for now I don't think i will have NT scan because i don't want the info that it might give me. I'm not prepared to make a decision on continuing a pregnancy, and i don't want the negativity of a high risk result to follow me. (professional and lay people's attitude to a high risk result is negative, not the potential implications of the result)

Just my thoughts tonight