Nucal Scan

Hi Tia

The nuchal scan is done between 11 and 13+ weeks. 12+ weeks is actually perfect timing. At 13 weeks they may get a better images (especially with larger ladies) but you run the risk of baby being too big for the test the closer you get to 14 weeks.

If they don't get a good view at 12+ weeks they will bring you back in a week.

Good luck - don't worry too much
AmmaS

Nefertiti - I am 37 and so I had a fairly high risk to start off with purely due to age (1:160) but after the scan it was reduced to an adjusted risk of 1:2327 which made me a low risk for chromosmal abnormality. I was 12 weeks and 6 days when I had the scan.

I thought a lot about what I would do if there was an abnormality and obviously my decision would have been based on the degree of severity of abnormality and survivability post birth. Also, I have horrible pregnancies so it would have had to have been something serious for me to terminate as I don't think I could go through another first trimester again! I just wanted to know cause, as you say, I would prefer to be prepared than find out at the birth. (which still could happen I guess).

Good luck and I know it's hard not to stress, cos I couldn't help it either, but try not to worry!

My daughter had a friend come over today and when her mum picked her up we got talking. She works with severely disabled children. And she shed alot of light on the effects abdomalities have on older children, their life and their families.
Just to mention a few things:
For children under 17 they can get a set amount of hours for respite care each year. This is very minimal hours. After 17, there is nothing like this for them. Unless you can pay for it.
She has one girl she looks after and she is 12 but has the mental age of a 9 month old and that will never change.
The parents of the children she cares for are of all ages. The youngest was only 15 when she had her baby.
The severities all vary. There is one mum who had a downs baby and it was known while pregnant....she had a 2nd baby and all was fine during pregnancy but something happened at birth and now she has to disabled children.
Some parents have said if they knew the severity ASWELL as what the implications this would still have in years to come, they may have made a different decision.
When I think of the possiblity of having a downs baby etc, I have actually never thought past 5 years. And that was something that I only realised today! Yes, I do know the baby is for its whole life, but I hadn't really thought past a few years.
So this had made me think quite abit now. Not so much as a decision, but I guess what a future would be like.
Food for thought I guess :)