Nuchal Fold Abnormality - Pregnancy

morgwick

14/08/2009 at 13:27

Hi everyone... I'm feeling so down at the moment. I had my first scan today and its showing as a slightly large nuchal fold measurement. Its measured 3.4mm.

The sonograpgher said that she wasn't qualified to do precise measurements, and that I would be referred to a specialist (which is next week), but apparently it can be an indication of Downs.

Has anyone else had anything similar.

I know I shouldn't worry yet, but can't help it.

twolittleboys0109 Platinum member

14/08/2009 at 15:03

Hiya
Sorry to hear about the results. I've tried looking online for some more infor for you, sadly couldn't find lots but did find this website if t helps

http://www.ob-ultrasound.net/xdown.html

TheOriginalMonkeynuts Platinum member

14/08/2009 at 15:04

hi hun

I haven't had anything similar but didn't want to read and run.

You must be feeling so worried. Did they comment on any other things like the presence of a nasal bone as I think they also look at this when assessing the risk of downs. Also did they do you a blood test or just a scan? I had combined NT testing a couple of weeks ago (privately) and they did both as apparently you can get a more accurate risk factor if you take into account both the size of the nuchal fold, presence of a nasal bone and levels of certain things in your blood.

Sorry for such a big ramble. Just wondered whether this was one thing in isolation they were concerned about or whether there were others. Either way sweety try and keep positive. The odds are in your favour. Most babies are born perfectly healthy...

MN
14+5
xxx

morgwick

14/08/2009 at 15:42

Thanks for your replies.

The scan does show a nasal bone, which she said is a good sign. The only bloods that I have given so far are those taken on my initial midwife appointment to test for rubella etc. Apparently you can't test for downs by blood until you are 16 weeks pregnant, so I'll have to wait 5 weeks.

They've not mentioned any risk factor yet, I'm guessing that will be next weeks appointment.

I kind of wish I never knew anything.

They panic me with my first daughter, but she's healthy, so I am trying be positive.

nina699

15/08/2009 at 04:04

Hi I've not had this but did'nt want to read and run. My friend had the blood test and it came back as 1 in 70 chance so my friend had the ammnio which I think is the only way of finding out for definate. Anyway it came back normal and she now has a happy and healthy 2 month old. I've heard of this happening quite a lot as the tests are so unconclusive. I really hope that ecerything is fine and gets cleared up next week.
xxx

---------

15/08/2009 at 05:30

hi hun try not to worry my nuchal fold come back at 3.1mm with my age 25 they phoned me a few days later to tell me i had a 1 in 90(odd) chance of having a baby with downs they recommended i have a cvs which sounds very scary (a needle through your tummy) but it was ok i wouldn't say painful just uncomfortable after 3 days my results came back that she wasn't downs and its just one of those things they had me in tears for 3days as its hard to prepare yourself for bad news but just say positive and im sure all will be fine good luck xx

xx30+3xx

gazsgirl

15/08/2009 at 05:37

Hi hun
I hope all turns out ok for you, I'm sure it will.
I am due to have this test shortly, as I am 39. I am dreading it, but like you would rather know now so we can prepare.
Just try to remember that by far the majority of babies are born healthy with no complications.

xx

NewMrsB

15/08/2009 at 08:16

they can combine blood taken at the same time but not all hospitals do this. My odds of downs were 1 in 169 - nuchal measurement was 2.2 but the bloods made my risk higher. I couldnt face having either an amnio or cvs so we decided to leave it and my little girl is now 6 weeks old and doesnt have downs.

good luck with whatever you decide to do and hope the scan next week reassures you. Oh I should also mention I had a private scan afew days after the nhs one with a guy who was recommended to us and he measured the nuchal fold as 1.7cm (not 2.2cm) so its good your seeing a specilist xx

libranaster Platinum member

16/08/2009 at 23:30

Please try not to worry, my baby's fold was over 8mm and I was told she would deffinately have downs until my CVS came up normal. The only thing that can tell you for sure there is a problem is genetic testing of your baby. Try not to worry until you know for sure which I realise is very difficult as I was a nervous wreak when they told me.

keg2

17/08/2009 at 14:23

hi my babys nuchal measurement was 4.5 , and combined with the blood test ,(which they did the same day ) i was given a 1 in 5 chance of my baby having downs.
i decided to have the cvs as the risk was so high and i felt i needed to know for sure, luckily the results from that all came back clear , and my baby was born perfectly healthy x

morgwick

23/08/2009 at 06:29

Thanks for everyone's replies and support.

I had the re scan done on Thursday. It took over 45 minutes of being prodded as the baby wasn't lying in the correct position, but they finally came to the conclusion that they couldn't see any problems. This was such a huge relief. They said the nuchal fold was measuring within the correct limits and that there were no signs of cystic hygroma (where a cyst grows in the baby neck). Obviously they can't be 100% sure that the baby will be 100% healthy, but it is a relief that they can't see anything at the moment.

We were given the option to have another scan in 2 weeks, but we have decided to not have it and get back to having a normal pregnancy. We will just wait for the 20 week scan as normal. It will be another nervous time!

[Modified by: morgwick on August 23, 2009 11:30 AM]

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