Nuchal Translucency

[maybebaby88]

Hi all,

I'm due to have an NT scan in about 2 weeks. I also have the blood tests to get done around the same time. Can anyone tell me exactly what happens in the scan though? I think it should be safe, I'm only 21 and have absolutely no family history of DS at all, or any other birth defects or anything else. Neither does DP... I just get very paranoid, so am hoping someone can help me out a little

Thanks guys

[BrookeSyd]

Originally Posted by maybebaby88

Can anyone tell me exactly what happens in the scan though?

Congratulations on your pregnancy! The scan is a simple ultrasound so they place the probe on your belly and you can see the image of the baby on the screen. It is in no way invasive or painful.

By 12 weeks it is a fully formed bub - just gorgeous to see! The technician measures the Nuchal Fold at the back of the baby's neck and uses the data received from your blood tests to correlate the odds of the baby having DS.

Enjoy seeing your little bub!

[maybebaby88]

thanks does that mean i should have the bt before having the scan?

[Ayesha]

Just wanted to add....

If you have no risks...there is no need for you to be pressured in to having the NT.

I didnt have one.....

But If you want one then thats your choice, and I respect that.

[maybebaby88]

Thanks DP wants it more to make sure everything is ok, I just wanna see bub and see that he/she is nice and fully formed

[Fee]

My OB preferred me to have the bloods done before the scan so the results were back by the time he did the scan.

My OB does his own scans and reads his own results though. In previous pregnancies, i had to wait for the scan and bloods results to be sent back to my OB and read at the next visit so depends on your OB.

I chose to get my scans done everytime even though i was never in a higher risk category just for my own piece of mind but as PP said they are not compulsory.

It is fun to have a look at bubs though at this time.

[maybebaby88]

I think I will just get the scans given directly to me to take to Dr (the dr is an hour away, and the scanning place gives me the option). I'll get the bt done early then, probably 11w5d and the scan at 12w 2d. that should be plenty of time.

[MandaMoo]

They take the BT results, add it to the scan results then give you a ratio of what your risk level for downs and other chromosomal abnormalities would be.

So for me, I'm 31, have no family history of chromosomal abnormalities and am generally healthy. My results were 1 in 11 000 chance of downs and 1 in 20 000 for other abnormalities like Trisomy. I *think* a ratio of 1 in 200 is considered high risk. Even if you were to get a ratio of 1 in 200, remember that means you have a 199 in 200 chance of bub being fine

Its not a compulsory scan, medicare don't over it unless your Dr states you have a reason like family history of downs, but saying that its a really nice scan to have. The bub really looks like a baby!

[Taddy]

Hun, easier said then done, but try not to stress, I had my NT scan done last thursday, I was glad to see my little bubba bouncing of the wall, very active, LOL.
Then I stressed from then up til yesterday when i actually got my results. My results were 1:2000 my third pregnancy and I am 22.

So goodluck and I hope all goes well.

[Manda-1985]

you should be fine as your said you are young and have no family history. I was 17 with my first baby and they didnt do nt scans. just amnios if you were over 40 or high rish. This bub i am 24 and had the NT scan so i could see baby and if anything was wrong i could read all about it by the time baby was born. My risk was low risk 1:5000. I had the blood test a week before the scan so it was all there and ready for the scan.