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Hi all
I've ahd my NT scan last week, and my nuchal fold ranged from 2.2 to 2.7, with an average of 2.5. I don't get my BT's until next week and now really anxious. The sonographer said that anything under 3 is considered to be normal, but my OB wasn't overly happy. Has anyone else had that type of thickness and got a low risk?
Are the BT's likely to push the risk up or down?
TIA
Hey mum,
I feel for you being in this stressful position. How annoying that they don't have your BT results handy to give you some more info now, instead of waiting a week!
With my NT scan, my measurement was extremely high (5 to 7 with average of 6) which on its own is about 1 in 50 chance of a chromsomal abnormality. The Dr was able to combine with my BT results on the spot to give us our weighted risk.
Unfortunately whatever was in my BT results pushed our risk up even higher than the Dr had originally estimated - 1 in 20.
However - no one here can tell you what your BT results will do to your risk rating because only the pathologist and your Drs know your results! They look for certain markers in your blood and if you have them, the risk factor goes up, if you don't, it goes down.
DH and I endured a lot of stress and pain over our nuchal fold measurement and risk rating and underwent further testing. We are now 32 weeks with to the best of our knowledge a happy, healthy baby girl. So please don't stress - remember that the NF measurement combined with the BT will only give you a risk factor, like 1 in 500, it will not tell you anything definitive.
Hope this helps, good luck and let us know how you go. :hug:
I wouldn't worry about it until you get the combined result. They have to look at both the blood tests and the nuchal fold thickness together to come up with a reasonably accurate risk factor for a problem with the baby. Even then, the tests aren't that accurate, and most of the babies identified as being at risk will be healthy anyway.
Remember that the nuchal fold thickness of any baby will change day by day anyway. I would trust in what the sonographer said, until you know any more details.
Hi, the woman that did my nuchal fold wouldnt tell me the measurement! She insisted that on its on it is irrelevant and would only cause me stress. Her atitude was actually what stressed me, but in truth she was correct. Its apparantly a fairly complicated formula between the blood test and the measurements. Its awful to have to wait so long for the result but it is most likely to be a good result - as Tenar said, even out of those told that they have the high risk, most bubs turn out fine. Best of luck - and good luck to you Ocean too :)
funny, i actually came in here to ask exactly the same thing! i had my nuchal translucency today and it was measuring 2.4. Doctor came in and took over from the sonographer to double check, then said anthing under 3 was consdiered normal, but the closer to 3, the higher the risk. I have to wait for tomorrow for my blood test results to see if it is going to push the odds in our favour or the other way. Doc seems to think my age (27) and the fact our baby had good nasal bones (apparently downs babies dont always form nasal bones) will help push us in the positive direction.
So im trying not to be too concerned - he said i might be offered an amniocentisis, but ive already decided not to do it. i wont have a termination, even if there is something wrong, so i dont want to risk hurting what is probably a totally normal fetus.
good luck hun. i hope it turns out to be nothing for both of us!
There has been evidence to suggest that the chance of the nuchal test showing false positives is very high.
There is a significant higher risk of m/c through amnio and CV, than there is that the test is accurate.
It still doesnt stop us stressing about the results, but just know that for everyone who gets a warning marker than something might be wrong from the nuchal test- most of the time everything is fine!
Hope this info helps and good luck!
odette
The test is accurate in what it is measuring. The NT scan measures the skin at baby's neck and the blood test measures certain chemicals in the blood.
The combination of the results give you a risk figure. This figure is also accurate. If the risk figure for DS is 1/250 it is saying that of 250 women who have those results, one woman will have be carrying a child with DS.
It is how we understand and interpret the results that leads people to say the screen is inaccurate. Some people will see 1/250 as extremely high, whereas others will see it as a low risk.
Before having the 1st trimester screen, the doctor should explain how the results work, and that the results are not definitive, just that they can tell you if you have a higher chance of carrying a child with a chromosomal variation. It should also be discussed what you think you might do / feel if the results came back as high risk, and the implications and risks associated with further testing.
The first trimester screen has come to be seen as routine, something that everyone should have. Everyone wants to see a low risk come back, but it is also important to think about what you might do if the results are not what you thought they might be.
The stated risk of miscarriage following CVS is 1/100, and in amnio is 1/200. It's a lot of maths and figures, but something that must also be considered when deciding whether you would have follow up testing.
Officially, they are not supposed to release the results of the blood test and NT scan separately because it can cause unneccessary stress. The risk figure is a combination of maternal age, NT measurement and the blood tests. Having all results together give you the most accurate information.
hey hun, just wanted to come back in and tell u i got my blood test results today, and theyve decreased my risk to 1 in 1090 - so now considered low risk.
Your younger than i am, so that will work in your favour as well. Im sure all will be right. keep us posted!
I wouldn't worry about that measurement. I was told under 3 was fine. DD was 3.8mm but my BT was really good. Our risk was 1 in 119 and we had CVS done and all was fine. DD is perfectly healthy and no abnormalities.
A lady I worked with got 1 in 7 chance and also had CVS only to have healthy baby.
I really wouldn't be worrying especially since you do not have your BT work back. Not sure why your OB wouldn't be happy with that reading.
Mine was 2.6 I think but combined with my BT results my risk was very low - somewhere around 1:9000. So dont panic until you are told too. I was worried to but all for nothing!