Looking for Nuchal Translucency Help/Info...

I just went for my 12 week NT scan this morning it was a horrible experience for me. The results came back 3.1mm with a CRL of 44mm. At first I wasn't sure if that was good or bad, but now that I've researched it a bit online I see that it is high. I'm only 24 years old and this is my first baby so I'm pretty freaked out about it. The sonographer didn't speak to me at all during the scan, and wouldn't even show me the screen during the scan either. I had to twist my head so far to the side just to see a glimps. When it was done she wouldn't even print out a picture for me because she said I'd just be worried if I looked at it!! I don't know why she would say something like that to a new mom! :( I was really looking forward to having a picture of my little one but I felt so horrible leaving the clinic. I wasn't worried at all before I had the scan because I thought the chances of an abnormality was low because of my age and the fact that there is no history in my family of genetic problems. But now that I have the higher result I'm pretty worried. And the sonographer's response really didn't help me feel any better at all. I haven't gotten the results of my blood test yet and probably won't for a week so I'm trying to find out as much as I can on my own. So far I haven't found a lot of promising information out there. I Just really hope everything is okay with my baby. Any information anyone can give would be great. Is a reading of 3.1mm really that bad? I know it's hard to say without the blood results, but any info would be really appreciated. Thanks Everyone!

Hi Hon

Take a deep breath and relax. The NT scan only shows one component of the test. The scan results are combined with your age and blood test results to give the full NT results. Don't go working yourself up as you could be stressing for no reason at all :hug:

As for the sonographer, well what a stupid cow! Fancy making you feel like that and stressing you out unnecessarily! If there was an issue, she should have spoken to you about it there and then. You had every right to be looking at the screen too and were most definitely entitled to a photo of your little one. If I was you, I'd be making a very big complaint about that woman - her attitude sounds appalling!!

My best advice is to stay off Google as it will only worry you more - self diagnosis is evil and dangerous (and yes, I've done it many times before too!). Get you bloods done and book into see your doctor as soon as you can to discuss the full results.

I really hope everything is ok with you little bubs

Hi lafasta,

Ah a subject close to my heart. I am a positive story for you. Here's a brief run down of my experience.

12 wk scan - NT measurement was 6 (twice yours)
Combined with blood test result, down syndrome risk factor became worse

Fast forward to 39 wks - my precious baby girl was born, healthy and perfect.

There were a lot of things that happened in between then, obviously - but I just want to show you that we had an NT measurement higher than yours and our bubs is fine.

Please don't stress yourself out too much. I made myself sick reading things about what it *could* mean and in the end it was nothing. Take it one step at a time - get the blood test results and talk about what means with your Doctor.

Good luck - please keep us informed!!!!

I agree with Taureen said, STAY AWAY FROM GOOGLE! ;)
It can be a nasty thing! I've been there, trust me!
Wait for your bloods!

You're totally right, your age is great, no family history - the likelyhood you have a bub with d/s is VERY VERY LOW

Ocean Princess has given you an example of sometimes these things just aren't correct! My friend had her NT scan done at 12 weeks, the lady who did it was a total cow (wonder if its the same person, lol), told her that her baby had d/s and it had 2 cysts on its neck (she was 21). She travelled to brissy and got the test done where they insert a needle and take a sample to look under microscope (sorry, pregnancy brain totally forget its name), and there was NOTHING wrong with the baby!! The specialist then did an u/s and could not see ANY cysts... that lady was seeing things!! :lol:
She gave birth to her baby girl in jan this year - perfectly healthy!

keep your chin up, and make an appointment to see your doctor! :hug:

my friend also had a similar experience. her baby had 2 components flagged by the sonographer. she went on to have a perfectly healthy little boy...some babies just develop at different rates in utero.

where the fold measurement is below 5mm and where mumma's age is in her 20s are generally pretty good signs. they just have to flag a measurement of 3.1mm as it is above the norm range of 2.0-2.8. usually by the time the next lot of testing is done, bubbies have 'resolved' the component that was of concern.

hope you get some answers real soon and sending lots of positive belly rub vibes your way.

I follow poor old Ocean Princess around on these types of threads all the time.

I'm now 30 weeks and the baby's NT scan was horrible and ended up being an extremely horrible time for me. The measurement was 3.8mm and my BT test showed high risk for Down's. I got called in to the Dr and was told the chances of my baby having Down's was 1:2 and Trisomy 18 was 1:6. Just awful. They are extraordinarily bad odds. The chances of Down's was 50%!!! I was too late for a CVS and had to wait for an amnio (which we had decided to have). I waited 5 weeks for the amnio and had it on 18 Feb'. The results came back two weeks later completely clear. The baby did not have any of the conditions which literally had me crying for 5 weeks.

Now, the baby is still around and I've had the second scan - EVERYTHING fine. Everything has been really easy compared to what my DH and I went through in the first/second trimester. This pg has gone very quickly, but it is because I don't think I psychologically considered it started until week 21.

It's hard, but the stay off Google advice is very good. It's doom and gloom city there - just have you in tears. I was just a mess but remember you are not alone, there are quite a few of us who have been through this awful experience and most of us (as far as I know) have had a positive outcome.

Thanks for all of your replies... You've given me a lot of positive information that's helped A LOT. I actually called the clinic that I got the ultrasound done at and they said I could get images from their library of my ultrasound. I guess the good news is that at least I finally have some pictures of my little peanut! Bad news is I got a call from my doctor this morning to say she received my ultrasound results and wants to see me about them... This got me a little worried again. I know she just has to talk to me about it because it's outside the "normal" range, but it still makes me nervous. Another thing I wanted to mention was that while I was looking through the pictures (there are about 20 or so on the CD) I noticed that most of the pictures measured the NT at 2.7 to 2.9 mm, NOT 3.1mm. There was only ONE single picture with a 3.1 mm measurement. I thought this was strange that even though all of the other measurements were below 3mm, they gave me a measurement of 3.1mm just because of the one picture. Is that normal?

Thanks again everyone!

Sometimes the measurements can be all over the place.

If you go to see the Dr and need someone to talk to, MSN me. I can try and answer any questions you have.

Likewise, here to talk if you need.

I admire you for looking at the pics - I couldn't bring myself to do it until we were in the clear. Like Evie (Hi Evie :D ) I didn't get my head around it until 20 weeks when we were cleared. Then I went back and put the pics on the fridge, played the DVD, etc.

Don't do your head in with what it "could be". Take it one step at a time. It is positive that all the measurements were under 3! Praying for you that everything will be fine.

im so sorry to hear that you didnt have a pleasent experience at your ultrasound :( i have no idea why you couldnt see the screen.... like hello of course you want to see, its YOUR baby! everytime ive had a scan, theres been a seperate screen for me to watch. and i would have thought the sonographer would have spoken to you 'heres the head, heres the feet' hmm not sure about that one.

as for the NT results, they give you a combined risk factor scan & blood test. my blood test came back with a risk factor average of a 36yo woman (im 24) but the midwives at the birth centre reassured me that it wasnt classed as 'high risk' but 'higher than average'

they an refer you to a genetic counsellor.. so look into that if you feel you need to discuss it anymore.

:hug:

Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to post an update to my situation. I received a call from the doctor at the Genetic centre at the hospital and she told me that my results showed a 1 in 19 chance that the baby has DS. :( I really couldn't and still can't believe it. I've felt sick all day thinking about it. I know that's only a 5% chance, but it just seems so high considering the normal results for a 25 year old is 1 in 1400! I feel very helpless at this point since there's nothing I can do now but wait. I have a CVS scheduled for Monday at 9:00am. The doctor told me that she would have the results by either the next day or by the day after that. I'm so relieved that I won't have to wait 2 weeks for the results! I know I'd go out of my mind worrying about it. This is so stressful, and I know it can't be good to be this stressed out, but it's impossible not to be. DS was something I never even considered. The possibility never even crossed my mind before the tests. Now it's all I can think about and I think i'm still in shock. This whole thing is just awful. I just keep praying and praying that the results come back negative for DS. I really don't know what I would do if they don't. I guess all I can do now is wait and see.

Hi Lafasta!
I am 25 too and was told the same as you and it was heel. I was given the option to terminate and It was Hell going through it.
My measurement was 3.3. I had the CVS done which all came back normal and have just had my 19 week scan which shows the fluid has completely resolved and the baby looks perfect! They are keeping an eye on its heart just in case as that can also be a cause for the excess fluid but at the moment they can't find any problems. I know its scary but you just have to take one day at a time. Im here if you want to talk hun!

It's impossible not to stress, but TRY!!! I've also been on the receiving end of bad results - the test is only accurate to a point. If you want to know for sure you will have to go to CVS or amnio. I was given an NT meausrement of 2.3mm (which is only the upper end of normal), but with bad bloods, my ratio was 1:10 for ds, and my bub sadly was the one. I've read of so many with higher measurements whose bubs are fine, so just try to hang in there and try and assume the best.

Lee

Hi Lafasta,

It is such a scary situation you are in, and I hope that the time passes quickly til you get the results of your cvs and can clear your head.

I have been in a similar situation, with a dodgy NT reading and having to have a cvs. But the result was fine, and my baby girl just turned 2.

The cvs wasn't painful, just a little scary. And it's great that you can get your results quick.

Try not to stress... you are only 24 and like others have said there really is such a low likelihood of your having a downs baby... keep that in your head and I hope to read good news next week when you get your results.

Thinking of you

Jo

I had a 1/37 chance of DS but my son doesn't have it. I opted for the amnio to get actual results rather than just a risk factor. His NT measurement was 4.1 I think & I looked at the CD over & over & found all the other measurements were lower so I think they must base it on the highest measurement they get.

That sonographer handled the situation very badly. Mine was very nice & pointed out that the measurement was high & that I should be prepared for the possibility of further testing. She spent over an hour doing the scan. She also told me that there were no other markers so he looked normal apart from the measurement.... but mine was done where they only do pregnancy scans so I guess they are used to dealing with this type of situation. She also gave me a 3D pic & a couple of normal ones as well as the CD to take home. I wish you'd been seen by someone as nice as her.

I hope it all goes well on Monday & the wait for the results goes as quickly as possible for you.

Lafasta, just wishing you all the best for Monday. The procedure will be fine and I agree that its great you can get results the next day or the one after that!!

Keep us posted with how you go. Take it easy after the procedure - rest up and stay away from google.

Remember to take it one step at a time.

:hug:

Oh Lafasta!! I wish I were there to help you!!

I know EXACTLY what you are going through. It is pure hell!! And that's praising it up. People just cannot understand the pain you are feeling until they go through it. It still affects me now..... I will probably be a total wreck when my baby is born. It can be a scarring experience, but there is no greater feeling than when they tell you everything is OK. I was so happy I nearly fainted.

I hope everything will be fine for you. There is heaps of hope!

Let us know as soon as you find out the results!

I just wanted to post about a friend of mine. She has an uncle with DS and her husband's brother has DS, so their chances of having a baby with DS were greatly increased. With their first baby, after the test, they were told the chances of this baby having it were 1 in 4. Their son was born six months later, perfect in every way with no DS. So, even though they've given you a 1 in 19 chance, remember there are 18 chances this baby is fine. Huge hugs!!! :hug:

Hi Everyone,
I tried to post sooner, but the website was down so I couldn't get on here. But I just wanted to update everyone on everything so far...

So, I went for my CVS on Monday May 25, at 9am. I was so nervous while I was waiting, and they were 30 minutes behind which didn't help. Finally it was my turn and I when I went into the room I was a little surprised to see 4 people in there waiting for me. 2 men doctors and 2 women doctors. I was really hoping the women doctors would be doing the procedure since they were doing transcervical, (not the kind with the needle through my stomach). But of course, the 2 men doctors did the procedure, lol. It was a lot less painful than I thought it would be. It was more uncomforable than anything. The only part that hurt more than the rest was when they had to press down to get the right angle to get to the placenta. But I guess I should get used to that area being stretched right :lol: It only took about 5 -10 minutes max for the whole thing to be done. The next couple days were the worst yet! Not because I had any physical problems after, but the waiting was killing me! That's all I thought about all day long! My Dr. told me that she would have the results by Wednesday, so I waited and waited for my phone to ring, and finally at 3:00pm I couldn't wait anymore. I called her office and She told me she just got my results from the lab... NO DOWN SYNDROME!!!!!!!!!!! I don't think I've ever been more happy about anything in my life!!! I prayed and prayed that everything would be ok, and now that I know it is, I am soooo thankful! Those were honestly the worst 2 weeks of my life! From the first day of the ultrasound on May 9 to yesterday I worried myself sick! Thank God it was over nothing!

I just wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone on this thread who commented with such kind words of encouragement and information that really help! I just kept reading them over and over whenever I started to feel really upset and it made me feel better. You helped me so much! I don't know what I would have done without you guys!! :hug: :grouphug: :hug:

The other good thing that came out of all this is that I now know the gender of my baby.... IT'S A GIRL!! :stork-girl: (as you can also see by my newly created pink countdown ticker)

Thanks again everybody! I can never thank you enough!!

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/t/txj2BfxDrA.gif

ABSOLUTELY BLDY FANTASTIC, LAFASTA!! I am sooooo happy for you! Another positive outcome from a very scarey diagnostic test.

Oh well done!!! Woo hoo!!! :happyforyou: :leap: :dance:

I'm just so happy for you! I'm so glad everything turned out okay!!! :hooray:

ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR PREGNANCY!!!