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Nefertiti 
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 Topic: Nucal Scan
Posted: 23 September 2008 at 9:28pm |
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I am having my nucal scan next week at 12w2d. My midwife said 12 weeks, but sonographer said 13 is best. Being worried about this pregnancy anyway, I didn't want to turn up at 13 weeks....superstitious lol
Anyway.....will 12w2d be ok? And what can I expect at the scan? I've already had 3 this pregnancy so seen the heartbeat and then the baby moving. I didn't have a nucal scan with my other 3 kids....infact I'd never heard of it until about a year ago!
While I'm there, will they tell me what range I'm in for the possibility of a downs baby. I have just turned 34 so quite worried.
And after typing this, I just realised I should've done a search for other threads! But will post this anyway.
TIA :)
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cuppatea
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Posted: 23 September 2008 at 9:34pm |
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With Spencer I wasn't sure of my dates and turned up at what i estimated to be 12 weeks but I was only 11 weeks and 4 days but they were still able to do the test, this time I had it at exactly 12 weeks.
Basically before the test you have a risk number....I think mine was 1in 700 (i'm 28) and then they do the measurement, go off and put it in a computer or do something not sure what and come back with your new number, which is then based on your age and the measurement. Mine changed from the 1- 700 to being 1-4200.
They go off after finishes checking everything else and they will let you know right away if it is looking like a high risk but will go off after the scan to get you the actual number. (or at least that was my experience of it, every scan place is probaby a little different)
Other things they check at that scan are just heart beat, size from head to bum and also head circumference and a few other bits but not much, obviously you can see if all limbs etc are there. The 18-20 week scan is a lot more indepth.
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Danaj
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Posted: 23 September 2008 at 9:45pm |
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I'm 30 and wasn't sent for one as the risks were low so i'm told.
I wouldn't stress too much about being 34 chick. Yes the risk is higher but still very low. I was told 12 weeks was fine for the scan by the tech I spoke to on the phone so i'm sure pre 13 weeks will be fine.
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MonicaMouse
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Posted: 23 September 2008 at 10:37pm |
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It may be, or it may not be, it all depends on bubs. Blair was a 'smidge' too short when we went in for ours, so returned 10 days later to get it done - on the plus side we were only charged for one lot of scans, and we got to see bubs an extra time early on
*by smidge I'm talking millimetres
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Blair 15/10/2007
Daniel 30/07/2009
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Bizzy
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Posted: 23 September 2008 at 10:41pm |
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the nuchal scan is pretty basic really. it measures the fluid at the base of the babys neck and they use that along with the mothers age to give a risk assessment of downs and trisonimy 13. the sonographer wont be able to tell you probably what the result is tho, but you may get them then anyway depending on who is doing the scan.
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kriss
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Posted: 24 September 2008 at 8:36am |
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At 13wk3d I was too late for a nuchal scan, but was considered low risk anyway. Just make sure to book before then! GL =]
Edited by kriss
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emz
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Posted: 24 September 2008 at 9:09am |
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12w2d will be fine, I went at 11 weeks, 12 weeks and 13 weeks as they couldn't get the measurements and the first one (11w) the dates were slightly out so that's why I went earlier than I should have. Still didn't get the measurement cos Jack was in a weird position (no matter what we tried!) but got to see him 3 weeks in a row which was cool, and only paid for 1!
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Nefertiti
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Posted: 24 September 2008 at 9:23am |
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Thanks for your replys. I'll keep my booking for 12w2d and hopefully they'll find something.
Does anyone know how I find what the risk is just based on age?
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ElfsMum
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Posted: 24 September 2008 at 11:50am |
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for me I had a 1:600 risk at 30......the risk gets higher as soon as you turn 30.
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ElfsMum
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Posted: 24 September 2008 at 11:52am |
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and my sonographer told me straight after what my assessed risk was and they told me the range was 12 weeks to 13 weeks 6 days but people do seem to get told different things..
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Nefertiti
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Posted: 24 September 2008 at 11:58am |
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My sonographer basically said the same dates too foxxy_one.....I think up to 13w4d. I'm just paranoid and didn't want to turn up on week 13 lol.
I think I read somewhere at 34 the risk is 1:465 or something is similar
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cuppatea
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Posted: 24 September 2008 at 12:58pm |
I found an age/risk chart on this website.
http://www.obstetrics.co.nz/nuchal-translucency.html
I wouldn't go at exactly 13 weeks either. I nearly changed a flight seat once cos it was row 13.....so stupid. 
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CuriousG
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Posted: 24 September 2008 at 1:32pm |
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I was 26 and my risk was 1:55 based on the results. So looking up the age thing really wont give you an exact indication (rather a guideline) - they need to factor in everything.
Edited by CuriousG
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Nefertiti
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Posted: 24 September 2008 at 2:55pm |
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Thanks cuppatea - thats interesting that the figures change from week 12 than at birth! I thought that by week 12, then if it was to be, it was to be IYKWIM.
CuriousG - that was quite high for 26. Can I ask if everything turned out ok?
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CuriousG
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Posted: 24 September 2008 at 3:53pm |
Yep, it was very high, measurement of her neck was 3.5mm. It was a stressful and scary time but I had a CVS and she was perfect. I have a beautiful, very intelligent 2.5 year old! I got to find out she was a girl at 13 weeks too. Yay!
(Turns out she just had a fat neck at that time, I blame her father) 
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Emmecat
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Posted: 24 September 2008 at 4:32pm |
Neferiti- just curious...and tell me to mind my own beeswax if you want lol. ....but would finding out a 'bad' result change anything for you? I'm asking because I am 34 and this is my first baby (although not my first pg!  ), and I sometimes sit and think what would I do if I got a result that indicated my baby wasn't going to be 'normal'?
I know this kinda opens a can of worms but I just wonder if sometimes we can know too much or if it's good so we can 'prepare' ourselves either way!
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cuppatea
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Posted: 24 September 2008 at 6:59pm |
Emmecat, for us the scan was to a) look at the baby and b) get the risk indication. Had we had been told we were high risk we still wouldn't have had an amnio but we would have just been a bit prepared at the birth that the chances were higher. We may have done the maternal blood serum thingy though if the results had been high risk as I think that can give you a better indication than a scan alone but I don't know much about them.
The scan can never say for sure there isn't a problem, we have a 1 in 4200 chance but we could still be that one. Only an amnio will tell you for sure and of course there are risks to having those tests. Can be a minefield trying to decide what to do
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Nefertiti
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Posted: 24 September 2008 at 8:08pm |
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Emmecat - I couldn't possible honestly say what I would do. In the past I would have said I wouldn't continue, but now I don't think I could decide. I think I would have the amnio if the screening gave me a high chance. I also have to consider that I already have 3 children. I would definately want to know before the birth, because I feel if I found out at the birth I know I would not be able to cope.
Also, I do not have family support and also don't have friends here that could support me in such a situation so I would be totally alone if my baby did have a severe disability, and in the end I'd have to take that into consideration amongst other things. I know there are organisations that help, but they aren't there 24/7. And I know me.
This has come out all wrong and hope I won't be judged for it. But in the end.....I can not honestly say what I would do :( I do hope that I don't have to make that decision though, because I already love my lil baby with all my heart.
Edited for spelling.
Edited by Nefertiti
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_Soda_
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Posted: 24 September 2008 at 9:07pm |
hiya just lurking in here if thats ok...
finding it really interesting to read all this- Im not pg as yet but we plan to start ttc from about august next year, and i hav a possibility that i carry the chromosomal abnormality for the genetic form of downs syndrome as my aunty and cousin both carry the abnormality and My aunty has one child with downs. My DH also has a sister with DS, but are unsure if it is genetic as she is 17 and we his mum was never given that info back then. We both can be tested to see if we are carriers due to family history, but have chosen not to get tested as it wont change our decision to have children so theres not really much point IMO... but i have just foind out that if i am a carrier my chance of having a child with DS could be 20%- thats not counting my age at the time of concieving ie if i wanted to ttc later in life etc... Finding thi sinfo out has made me thing twice about having nuchal scans done tho- maybe it would prepare ourselves of the possibility? but then again the tests can be wrong and make you unnessicarily worry and stress... aargh i dunno- but i do know that whatever happens the baby will be ours and will be so loved no matter what :)
so its really interesting to read what others have been thru!
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My little miracle 6/1/2011 My angel in Heaven 9/5/14 
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Shezamumof3
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Posted: 24 September 2008 at 10:38pm |
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I had my scan at exactly 12 weeks...I dont really know much about the latest you can have them, but from my understanding its pretty standard that you have it at 12 weeks..
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Nucal Scan
Little Angel, April 10
