Nuchal fold 3mm......

**Kitt3n** · May 3rd, 2010, 03:09 PM

We are still waiting on the combined blood test but I was wondering if anyone has had an NT of around 3mm, and if you did how did it turn out?

Thankyou in advance for sharing

**OceanPrincess** · May 3rd, 2010, 04:12 PM

Hi Kitt3n,

First of all

Big hugs for you at this stressful time. I have been there with my first bubba so I know how tough it can be, least of all with two other bubs to deal with.

My DD had a NF measurement that was between 6 and 7mm. As I understand it, anything above 2mm is considered "high". When we had the combined results, our DS and other chromosomal abnormality risk rating came back worse than just the high NF measurement on its own.

Was pretty much all doom and gloom for us - we went for a CVS straight away, paid extra for the fast results, cried and agonised for 48hrs until we received the all clear from that round of tests. Agonsied for another 2 weeks for the full results, also all clear.

Agonised until 16wk u/s to check for organ abnormalities - all clear.

Started to relax, didn't relax fully until 20wk u/s - all clear.

Checked by a specialist neo-natal paed at hospital, at 4hrs, 24hrs and 48hrs old - all clear.

Fast forward to today - we are the proud parents of a happy, bubbly 15mth old with no chromosomal or physical defects at all. How was the high NF measurement explained to us? With several "it could be this" type possibilities, but we will never really know.

Now we are pg with number 2 - had a very stressful time waiting for the 12wk scan again (yes we chose to have the screening again, even after the first time) and our NF measurement was between 2 and 3mm, closer to 3mm.

Sonographer was not worried by this at all.

So I would say 3mm is not anything to get too concerned about - wait until your combined results come back.

Between now and then - stay away from Google - it is not your friend.

And then, no matter what the results are, just take it one day at a time, one step at a time.

Happy to answer any other questions you may have

**maz** · May 3rd, 2010, 04:15 PM

yourve seen pics of mini me and I *think*

she is pretty much alright..her nuchal fold was 4mm.

I honestly dont take on what u/s say anymore....ive learnt from past experiences how much of a crock they have turned out to be

**thepixie** · May 3rd, 2010, 04:50 PM

Not sure hon but it doesn't sound like it's far out of the range of normal... try to relax till the full results come back and see what they say.
Easier said than done I know!!

**Junglemum** · May 3rd, 2010, 05:07 PM

A large nuchal fold alone does not mean there is an abnormality. However that, combined with the blood test CAN indicate that there MIGHT be an issue and further testing needs to be done.

As people have suggested some babies just have a large nuchal fold and are perfectly fine, it would be a little remiss however if a large nuchal fold was dismissed and not investigated further (if that's what the parents wanted).

Ultrasound is a very useful tool used to asses and diagnose many things. In the case of the nuchal scan, it is not a 100% accurate test with a foregone conclusion and has never claimed to be. Dismissing them as a crock is a bit of a generalisation Mazza. I understand you had some bad experiences, but it's not always the case.

Kitten, mine was 2.8 with DD1 i think, but combined with the bloods i was still a relatively low risk. Hope the result come back low to put your mind at ease.

**melbel** · May 3rd, 2010, 05:10 PM

Our 12 week old bundle of joy had a nuchal of 3.1mm....he is perfectly normal.....3 is borderline hun...if the bloods are fine the risk should come down for you..try no to stress, I am sure you are baking a beautiful healthy bubba

**Curly** · May 3rd, 2010, 05:33 PM

With this pregnancy we had a nuchal measurement of 3.8mm and combined with blood test a risk of 1 in 60 for Downs.

We chose to have an amnio. I couldn't NOT know. The wait, however, before we could have the test, and then waiting for the results, was very stressful and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

By the time we had the amnio the nuchal fold had thinned right down, so much so that the sonographer didn't even re-measure it (you get a very thorough ultrasound before the procedure) and happily our chromosomal results came back all clear.

We did however have to wait for the 20 week ultrasound because the high nuchal measurement could also have meant that a major organ was not functioning properly, usually the heart or brain. I went to a specialist for this ultrasound who was amazingly thorough and could not find anything wrong.

So we have had the all clear. I personally could not have gone through the whole pregnancy worrying about whether or not something was wrong with my baby. I'm due to give birth this Saturday and I must say that although this whole experience hasn't tainted this pregnancy for me, now that I am close to the finish I'm starting to worry again. The midwives tell me this is very normal for women in my situation. I can't deny that I will be very glad to get the baby checked over by the paediatrician to get the final clean bill of health.

I have posted elsewhere on here the whole story of my amnio, happy to post the link if you are interested.

**csab** · May 3rd, 2010, 06:51 PM

Ohh Kitt, I am so sorry you are going through this. Little V had a nuchal fold of 3.4mm. I ended up doing the CVS and all came back clear after having a high risk of DS of 1:28. Not sure if you remember but I had such a horrible time during her pgcy due to all the worry and stress I was under. I hope that all turns out ok with your little bub. No that I am here for you if you need. Do you still have my No.? hugs.

**maz** · May 3rd, 2010, 07:04 PM

Dismissing them as a crock is a bit of a generalisation Mazza. I understand you had some bad experiences, but it's not always the case.

just my opinion about them chicky dont knock me down for them

**Junglemum** · May 3rd, 2010, 07:27 PM

i know, just standing up for the world of medical imaging.

**maz** · May 3rd, 2010, 07:31 PM

i know, just standing up for the world of medical imaging.

ya chick

**Inanna** · May 3rd, 2010, 09:15 PM

Big hugs Kitten...

Yes, the measurements higher than we like & as this is a screening test we know higher measurements have a higher risk of abnormality. This as you well know my love increases a risk & by no means guarantees an abnormality.

It's just one of the markers that further investigation may be chosen or warranted. I know this is alarming, I also know that generally the results are good ones.

Big cuddles my love.

**OceanPrincess** · May 10th, 2010, 11:37 AM

Hey Kitten, just thought I'd check in on you? How you doing? Any further results or progress?

Hope you are ok

**Antheia** · May 10th, 2010, 11:48 AM

My NT result with this bub was 2.9 i think. They said it was perfectly fine. However i didnt have the blood test because i never actually wanted the NT done, it was to check for dates. But i'm not worried.

*hugs* i hope you're not stressing too much.