Yesterday I got a phone call to come in and see my OB. This is my first pregnancy and I'm 39 years old. We fell pregnant naturally. My NT results came back with a 1 in 4 chance of Trisomy 21. Needless to say I'm experiencing many emotions including fear, confusion, sadness and I'm just plain numb.
Results were:
NT: 2.2
Free B-hCG: 1.879
PAPP-A: .219
The bit that confuses me as to why my scores came back so low is that the scan looks normal. It says 'Normal intrauterine pregnancy'. It says 'Nasal bone: present: Skull/brain: Appears normal; Abdomen: appears normal; Stomach visible.
We have elected to have the CVS procedure first thing on Monday morning. I'm scared about that too because the OB said it's a 1 in 100 chance of miscarriage but I feel with a 1 in 4 chance of something being wrong its the right test to have.
Can anyone please offer me any advice on these figures or their own experiences.
It is a scary thought, isn't it?No matter how brave you thinky ou are when you go in.
I think the CVS is a good choice.
1:4 still means 3:4 that it's not the case - wouldn't that be a great explanation for the normal looking scan?
Good luck. Thinking of you.
I have heard of someone having high chance but all worked out fine so try not to worry too much (easily said i know) I don't know the details tho sorry.
CVS are very common these days I have had 3 and they are just a little uncomfortable. (my DD1 has cystic fibrosis so subsequent preg's need to test bubba) so try not to worry too much about that.
Thinking of you it is a lot to take in and you have every right to worry just try to think positive xoxo
I can't tell you not to worry because of course you will and that worry doesn't go away even when your results are fine and it gets worse after bub is born. We are always worrying about something.
But in saying that I would say the chance bub doesn't have trisomy 21 are great. Your age alone will put you at a much greater risk or having a baby with a trisomy so that will increase your risk on its own despite the blood test and NT measurement.
I would continue with the CVS as you said you have planned however although 1:4 is high such a large amount of women have high risks and results such as your's turns out to be a false alarm.
Thinking of you and hoping your results for the CVS are speedy so you can then continue to enjoy your pregnancy without the worry.
Your age is factored into the ratio so that may be why some of your results have come back looking "normal" and yet your number is so low...the same thing happened to me too. It's important to remember the NT screen is just a SCREENING test only and doesn't necessarily mean anything in real terms.
We opted to have the CVS but it's really important before you have the procedure that you have thought about through the implications. What do you plan to do if this baby does indeed have trisomy 21...or another form of trisomy? It's a good idea to ask to see the genetic counsellor at the place you are having the CVS - they will help you get across the information and understand what it might mean.
Our CVS results came back normal and I now have a healthy nearly 2 yo. A friend's best friend had a NT result of 1in2 and she also ended up having a normal healthy bubba. It's a lot of uncertainty right now but you will get through this ok .
This morning was our CVS procedure so I thought I would share with everyone.
We went to the Sydney Ultrasound Clinic for Women in Liverpool. Everyone we met there was exceptionally nice. We first met with a genetic counselor who let us ask as many questions as we liked and answered all of them as best she could. Being 14 weeks pregnant I was by their procedures a little past the cut-off for CVS and too early for the Amnio. The counselor took us to a 'quiet room' were we could be alone to talk while see went to talk to the Doctor.
After a little while the Doctor (Dr Richardson) knocked at the door and came in. He was wonderful. He too answered all our questions and really had a wonderful way of talking to us which put me much more at ease. He said that he felt comfortable in doing the CVS and we decided to go ahead. We really trusted this doctor.
Next we were taken into a room where a technician gave me an ultrasound and said that my placenta was in a good position for the procedure. She gave us a good look at our baby too. Then she made all the preparations and when she was ready she called in Dr Richardson.
Dr Richardson told me what he needed me to do - which was pretty much to try to stay calm and remember to breathe. He told me that he knew how anxious I was and that he was aware I was scared of needles and we had to work together to do this. My DP held my hand and I shut me eyes and away we went.
First I was given a local. That hurt and then I felt some pressure. The Dr told me that I was going to feel a little more pressure suddenly and I did. At that point I started to freak a little. It wasn't because it hurt because it didn't, I think I was just totally overwhelmed. DP and the Dr were all very calming. I felt some wiggling around and then the Dr said he was done. All in all it took about 1 minute.
After the procedure the Dr told me how wonderfully I did. He was so nice to me and DP. He did another ultrasound to look at the baby. DP had been watching the screen through the whole procedure and said that the baby wasn't near the needle at any time and seemed to be moving around normally. The Dr said that he was very happy with how everything went and that he got a great sample. He spoke with us for a little while longer and then he left.
After that the technichian asked if we'd like to see the baby one more time and of course I did. This time she let us listen to the heartbeat too. She had me lay on the table until I was ready to try sitting. After I sat up I felt O.K. so I went to the bathroom and she showed DP back to the quiet room where they let us sit for a long as we liked until we were ready to go home. At no stage were we rushed at all.
We paid for the FAST track results which should be here tommorrow some time. I pray with all my heart that everything is O.K. but I will deal with the next hurdle as it may arise.
Thanks for the kind wishes from everyone and thanks also for reading my story.
Thanks for sharing that. I'm glad the procedure wasn't traumatic for any of you. I'm glad you went for the Fast Track - I think it's well worth it. I wish you the very best for your results. Hope you take it easy for the rest of today and this week.
NT Scan Didn't Go Well....
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It is a scary thought, isn't it?No matter how brave you thinky ou are when you go in.
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