Nuchal Scan...or not?

Ems1971 · Post by **Ems1971** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 1:19 pm

Hi ladies

I am in a bit of a quandry about the nuchal scan that's available if I opt for it. I have my first midwife appointment next Tuesday and I guess it will be discussed then. I have known 3 people, including my sister with her second child, who's risk of down's came back high and they then had to deal with the decision of whether or not to have an amnio, and if that had come back with bad news, whether to terminate the pregnancy. It turned out in all 3 cases that everything was fine, but I don't know what I would do if I came back high risk.

I suppose what I am saying is, if I came back high risk, and then had to make a decision on whether to have the amnio, would it really be worth putting myself through all that if at the end of the day I wouldn't terminate the pregnancy if the baby did have down's? I just don't know what is the best thing to do.

Any advice?

Emma xx

skidoo · Post by **skidoo** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 1:46 pm

Wish I had some insight for you. I think it is all a personal decision. My OB told me last week that there is really nothing too significant with it. he said the blood work gives you a good indication and if the labs are not good he would recommend a scan. So we are waiting on blood work. Seems like when you do IVF you worry about everything...Moms that get pregnant natural I dont think are in tune with all the technology out there.
Good luck with your decision!

PebblesUK · Post by **PebblesUK** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 3:53 pm

Hi Emma

Congratulations on your pregnancy. I was so pleased to see you got a BFP.

I paid to have the nuchal fold scan. The blood tests that you are routinely offered on the NHS aren't as accurate as the results from the nuchal fold.

They take the measurements from your scan, take your age and the results from the bloods, put it all into the computer and it lets you know what your risk is. If you come back very high risk then you would be offered an amnio.

Personally, I think if your baby did have downs and you would go ahead with the pregnancy then why go through it all?

The scan we had was the best one we had though and it was worth every penny. As the scan nor blood test harms the baby I think I would do this much and see what the results are.

I'm blabbering now. Best of luck to you

Jo
xx

meg12 · Post by **meg12** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 4:41 pm

Emma--It's a hard decision to make. We struggled with it and it all came down to the question, "If the baby does have Downs or some other condition would we terminate?" As the answer came back no everytime we asked each other, we decided that it would be less stress on all three of us just to not do the scan and to let the pregnancy progress naturally. I think my RE was a little disapointed, but she didn't pressure us at all once we told her our decision!

You and your dh or dp just need to discuss it and make the decision that seems best for you--don't feel pressured by the medical community!

crasmus · Post by **crasmus** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 6:02 pm

hi there...can i please give my thoughts to you... we deceided that we were not going to have the scan done, as we would not terminate the pregnancy, and felt comfortable at the time....
but since then we had issues come up at our scan at 19 weeks that gave the baby a soft marker for downs.. we missed the opportunity to had the nucal scan done... we will not have an amino (because of the risks).. so we are just waiting to see...
if i could go back and have the scan, i would because it would give me a better sense... if we should think about a special needs child, or give us some relief that it's probably not downs... the scan is harmless to the baby, opposed to the possibilities of an amino.. i just wish that i could prepare myself one way or another... we'll love the baby the same, and be bless with what God has given us, but i am a planner and do not do well with the unknown.. i love to be prepaired

the decision is yours and your DH's alone...

take care,
colleen

PebblesUK · Post by **PebblesUK** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:00 pm

oh just re-read what I wrote. I meant to say as the scan or blood test does not harm the baby! Sorry do not know how to edit it!

missmolly · Post by **missmolly** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:45 pm

We had our nuchal scan just two days ago. We did not feel that we would terminate if the baby had down's, but felt it was important to be aware of it so we could prepare ourselves. Taking care of a child with special needs would alter our plan, so we wanted to be prepared for that. On a happier note it is such a great way to see all the good bits of the baby!!!

There is no right or wrong decision either way.
Missmolly

Macca8 · Post by **Macca8** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 11:58 am

Ems,

I'm with Miss Molly on this one too. I want to do my scan so that I can prepare or even relax in the face of a problem. I think if you were to find out theres a problem as you give birth it would be a massive blow but if it did happen and you had time to come to terms with it, surely you would deal with it better.

I wouldn't personally have an amnioscenthesis (sp??) because of the risk of miscarriage or trauma to the fetus (mind you I can't have one of these anyway, if you are preg with twins) but I think a nuchal fold scan is definitely worth the money.

I have mine on the 3rd of April, just less than 2 weeks away and I know that if they tell me the risks are low then I will relax and start enjoying the pregnancy better.

Love Lisa XXX

kholtan · Post by **kholtan** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 2:33 pm

Lisa~ I get mine done the same day as you. I was in the OB's office yesterday and because I have worries, he recommended it to ease my mind and let me be prepared if I had to be. I haven't gained any weight and am still my normal size and even the OB thinks at my petite size that I would show at least a little. He's concerned more about my weight than the babies weight but he says that anything that can ease a pregnant mother's mind is a good thing. I agree!!!

We wouldn't terminate either but like miss molly, I would rather know now than later and get prepared. The odds are very slim but I am looking forward to seeing the babies again!

Ems1971 · Post by **Ems1971** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:26 am

Thanks ladies for all your advice.

I saw my midwife yesterday and discussed the options and we have decided to go with a nuchal scan as like you say, if all is ok we can relax... touch wood everything will be fine.

So, I should get my date through in the next week or so. Also, since Feb the nuchal scan has been free in our area so another good reason to go for it.

Love Emma xx

Macca8 · Post by **Macca8** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:24 am

Ems,

You lucky girl. I have to pay £200 for mine. I know everything will be fine for you. I have two scans next week. I have the nuchal one on the 3rd and the NHS 3 mth one on the 5th. I am taking my MIL to the 2nd one as DH will have just seen the babies two days before anyway. She is so delighted as she has never seen a scan before. I suppose it is the downside to having only boys, daughters tend to share with their mother but sons don't as much.

Love Lisa XXX

Ems1971 · Post by **Ems1971** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:30 am

Hi Lisa

Brilliant! Let me know how the scans go. Our nuchal screening is included in the 12 week NHS one so that's good too. I have to say I am quite impressed as usually the NHS in our area is pretty rubbish, I am saying that and I even work for them!!

Good luck next week! I am sure all will be fine.

Lots of love
Emma xx

Nuchal Scan...or not?

Nuchal Scan...or not?

Advertisements