Nuchal Scan
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Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=18294
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Topic: Nuchal Scan
Posted By: mellybelly
Subject: Nuchal Scan
Date Posted: 16 June 2008 at 8:14pm
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A question for you all.....
I am due to have my Nuchal scan on Friday and am still unsure whether to go ahead with the test. Basically this is how I see it: DH and I have been waiting nearly 5 years for this baby and now we've made it this far I don't think either of us could terminate. Speaking to our OB she said that if we weren't going to act on the test (i.e. have further testing or terminate) then don't go through with it. Even if we were to go as far as having the Nuchal test done and it came back high, i don't think I go any further, I couldn't go through with an amnio - so only having part information (being told we were in a high risk) would worry/stress me out for the rest of the pregnancy....I'm the worrying type. Now of course I'm assuming the worst, that I'm going to be told I'm in the high risk category....My brother is Downs Syndrome and I've had genetic testing and know I'm not a carrier. So am I worrying too much? Should we go ahead with the nuchal test (I know it's our decision)? Do I put aside all my concerns and go through with it and be fore-warned/prepared for the future? Any of your thoughts/comments would be greatly appreciated - I realise the final decision is ours, but getting this out there and discussing it may also help. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: Red
Date Posted: 16 June 2008 at 8:22pm
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I think you have answered your own question Melly .... go ahead with it and if there any probs you and M will have time to be able to prepare yourself for them. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: ItchyFeet
Date Posted: 16 June 2008 at 8:24pm
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I'd go ahead with the test simply because I feel that finding out definitely at the same time you're trying to deal with a newborn is more than enough to cope with.
I also remember reading http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-494106/My-Downs-daughter-changed-life.html - this this and thinking how lovely it was. And http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-386926/The-joy-pain-raising-Downs-baby.html - this. |
Posted By: Rowena
Date Posted: 16 June 2008 at 8:34pm
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I think if you do the scan at least you have some idea of what is to come and there is no risk to the baby with a nuchal scan.
I've been through both the scan and the amnio and it is defenitly not pleasant emotionally. I also have a good friend who has been trying for years to have a baby and ended up terminating after her amnio - I can only imagine what she went through. I'm probably not much help but its sometimes good to know other people have been through the same sort of dilemma even if their decisions are not the same as yours. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: kabe
Date Posted: 16 June 2008 at 8:46pm
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I found that having the test (and it being ok) put our minds at rest and it was one less thing to worry about! In the scheme of things the odds are in your favour that things will be fine.
We found the 12 week scan really exciting and was probably our favourite scan as we could see the baby so clearly. It helped DH get more focused on the baby too, as I didn't look pregnant at that stage. Whatever you decide, all the best! ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: happymumma
Date Posted: 16 June 2008 at 8:58pm
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We chose not to have the nuchal scan for exactly the reasons you talk about - we wouldn't have done any further testing or done anything about a positive result...I guess if anything had been wrong (that they could identify) they would have seen it at the 20 week scan which would still give you time to prepare.
I don't envy you your decision at all but really just wanted to say congratulations on your pregnancy and whatever decisions you make will be right for you and your DH at the time. |
Posted By: katie1
Date Posted: 16 June 2008 at 9:36pm
| We still had the scan but asked not to have the nuchal measurement done. They still did the scan to check the baby was growing and check the heartbeat etc. It was awesome to see our wee baby in there but we were like you - we wouldn't have done anything further if something had been wrong. We did the same with our last pregnancy also. It is such a personal decision though. I know for me, if I wasn't going to terminate then I didn't want to know any odds and worry throughout the pregnancy. Like I said before though, it is such a personal decision and one only you can make. All the best with whatever you decide to do. |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 16 June 2008 at 10:38pm
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I tried to have it done but Jack was breech the whole pg until later on so it was impossible (I was there for an hour each time, 3 weeks in a row!) I honestly don't see what the big deal is, I have a cousin with Downs and while she needs extra help, she's still a person. But I'm not going to get into that debate anyway.
The thing is, if baby did have Downs you wouldn't terminate anyway. The Nuchal will only give you a possibility rating, whereas when baby is born you will definitely know either way. It's like finding out the sex, it's not like its going to change just because you do or do not find out. Good luck for your scan anyway! It's so cool seeing little bean jumping up and down in there! |
Posted By: mellybelly
Date Posted: 17 June 2008 at 7:23am
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Thank you all for your posts - DH and I made our final decision last night.
We are NOT going ahead with the Nuchal test but definitely having the scan, looking forward to that part. We felt they were only giving us the odds that baby would possibly have Downs and it wouldn't be definitive and as katie1 said like her i'd worry throughout the pregnancy. Again thank you for your posts. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: LeahandJoel
Date Posted: 17 June 2008 at 8:24am
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Enjoy the scan, its always so great to see the baby, makes it more real -------------  
 
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 17 June 2008 at 9:27am
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We chose to have the scan even though we wouldnt have done anything further had we been high risk. Our reasons were twofold. 1). We really wanted to see the baby 2). If there was a problem it would give me 6 months to research and prepare
THis time round we have been offered the maternal serum screening which is a blood test as well as the scan. I was undecided about that but figured I could cope with a couple of bruises on my arns to get a more accurate risk. I dont think I would do amnio though.
Good luck with your decision. |
Posted By: Roksana
Date Posted: 17 June 2008 at 10:00am
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Hi MellyBelly,
one of Dec mums had a scan that came back with high risk and then she had an amnio and it came back that the baby is fine. So the amnio is not always a bad thing. Sorry but had a look at your profile and you are still under the high risk stage for DS.....My sonographer told me that it is ususally 35 and over that need to be concern. Please dont worry, I am sure Scan will come back saying you have a beautiful healthy baby. And yes your choice...so the decision is completely yours. Best of luck for the scan! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: cat007
Date Posted: 17 June 2008 at 10:17am
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Go with your gut feeling on this one.
Personally I looked forward to the nuchal scan - I looked forward to seeing our baby on the monitor and it made the whole pregnancy seem so real and exciting. Like you have mentioned, if there was anything wrong with the baby, I wouldnt have taken any further testing or action, however it would have given me time to get my head around it and prepare for the baby arriving and any issues surrounding it. Its such a relief to see your baby on the screen and I just adored it. It made the morning sickness seem all the more worthwhile for me. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  [/url http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: kiwigal
Date Posted: 17 June 2008 at 10:36am
We did the exact same thing I had the nuchal and because of me being in the high risk group for my age everything came back okay the odds were 1:917 and my specialist wanted me to have the maternal serum test and it came back fine. We wanted to be well prepared if there was a problem we could make that decision together than finding out when the baby is born. |
nzpiper wrote:Posted By: Natalie_G
Date Posted: 17 June 2008 at 10:36am
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I am having this scan next week, I cant wait to see the baby looking more like a human.
I am a bit scared about the scan for down syndrome I hope it goes ok. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: Lulu
Date Posted: 19 June 2008 at 4:33pm
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The 12 week scan was my favourite, as the baby has a great form and is easy to see - unlike the later scans when the baby is getting big and you can't see the baby all at once. I would never have terminated a downs baby either, but I would have wanted to know so as to prepare. ------------- Lou http://www.babysfirstsite.com"> 
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