Was wondering if anyone who had an NT of 4.6 that went straight to CVS without waiting for blood test results

[Jnnlw]

I just had my Nuchal Translucency test.  The measurement was 4.6.  I'm 37 years old and am at 11 wks and 2 days pregnant.  My blood tests won't come back until next week.  I heard that the CVS had to be done between 11 and 12 weeks.  I'm not sure if I should wait for the blood tests or go straight to CVS.  I was wondering what others had done in my situation.  Thanks!

[Courtcoop]

Sorry to hear about  Turners....however, I just saw a show on it the other day. Most girls live a happy and healthy life.  They are just shorter than most, have somewhat of a webbed neck, shorter fingers, etc, but other than that, these kids on this show were perfectly healthy, beautiful and smart! One had asthma, that was it.

Turner kids can lead a healthy normal life!

[adgal]

I'm so sorry.  I don't know anything about Turner's, but do want you to know I am here to support you anyway I can.  Take care.

[JourneyJoJo]

I'm so sorry to hear of this.  I agree that finding a support group for Turner's is a great idea.  Take care.

[Quinns momma]

I did go onto google and there are many support groups for girls that are born with turners syndrome. They also showed many pictures and besides these girls being on the shorter side they looked quite healthy and happy.  

[Quinns momma]

I am so sorry you did not get the good news you were hoping for. I do not know much about Turners syndrome. Just know that I am thinking about you.

You may want to start a new thread with Turners Syndrome as the subject. Maybe there are some out there who do have more knowledge of it.

Hugs,
Kelly

[Jnnlw]

I just got the preliminary results from the CVS test.  Not good.  Even though my risk was 1:71 for Down's, the baby does not have Down's, but instead has a chromosomal defect that has a risk of 1:2500.  The baby has Turner's Syndrome, which is a missing sex chromosome.  There's a 98% chance that I'll miscarry by 20 weeks.  It took us a long time trying to conceive this baby, and I'm so sad.  I am currently researching Turner's syndrome in case the baby does not miscarry, and I would appreciate hearing anyone's experience with bringing up a child with Turner's, or their own personal experience with having Turner's syndrome.  Thanks!

[sherrysb]

Now i suggest you consider a new obgyn.  You want to have a Dr. who will be able to explain things to you in laymen's terms.  As the pregnancy progresses you will have a ton more questions and need to feel comfortable.

[JourneyJoJo]

Well that's good news!  Please keep us posted on the results.  I bet everything's fine.

[Jnnlw]

I had the CVS done a couple days ago.  Now for the endless wait.  One piece of good news was that the NT went way down to 1.9.  The doc said that it did not change my risk ratio but it did help her rule out any possible heart defect.

[rubyinparadise]

Good luck with your CVS! For what it's worth, I would have gone for CVS too if my NT results had been over 3.0, or if my bloodwork gave me a high risk. I wouldn't have wanted to wait several weeks for more tests, or for amnio. This way you will know for sure, which is a great thing!

[adgal]

I am so glad I was able to help. I am also glad you feel comfortable with your decision.  I get a bit frustrated when someone tries to convince someone one way or the other.  I actually did do the fish with my amnio, but again, easy for me to say, I didn't have to pay for it.  Because my risk factor was so high, it was offered to me.  Feeling good about the Dr. doing the procedure and the clinic is so incredibly important.  I wish you well and look forward to reading your future posts.   BTW, you made your decision the same way I did mine....my risk of trisonomy 21 was much higher then my risk of complications.  Good luck!!!

[Jnnlw]

No, CVS is not safer than amnio.  The national average miscarriage rate for CVS is 1:100 to 1:200.  For amnio, it's 1:200-1:400.  However, with amnio, you have to wait until 15-16 weeks to get it done, and wait another 2 weeks for the results (unless you pay extra to get preliminary FISH results in 2 days).  CVS can be done between 11-13 weeks.  I chose to get invasive testing because my risk ratio was 1:71, which is higher than the risk of having a miscarriage from CVS.  I chose CVS because I can't wait until my second trimester to find out the results.  It's already driving me crazy.   Plus, I also found a perinatologist who has a miscarriage rate of 1:200 and has been doing it for over 10 years, and does the procedure at least once a week.  I feel really good about her experience.  

[piggy2]

duh... I see you posted 37.  OK.  : ()   Is CVS safer than Amnio?

[piggy2]

Hi Jnnlw,

I am following your posts closely because I have my test coming up next week!!!  I would have to say that trying to inform myself over the web got me worked up more than I needed to be!  

you did not say how old you were, did you?

[Jnnlw]

You're the greatest!!!  THank you so much for your recent post.  That was actually really helpful and made me feel alot better.  I decided to go ahead and get the CVS.  It's scheduled for next Monday.  I called lots of different offices.  The one I went with had a better miscarriage/CVS rate and over 10 years of experience, and I felt really comfortable with how helpful and knowlegable the staff was.  They even let me talk to the genetics conselor over the phone since I live so far from them.

[adgal]

Ok, I am certainly no expert or even a Dr., but I will tell you what they told me.  There are really only 2 things they look for.  The first is the thickness of the nucheal fold. Anything over 2mm is considered higher risk.  The other is the ratio between the two hormones they are testing in your blood.  In your case it looks like your bloodwork is great as the numbers are close together.  So I think it's probably the thickeness of the nucheal fold that is causing the test results, combined with your age.  So, if everything else was the same and your babies nucheal fold had been under 2mm, you would have had more of the 1:150 type result, or even better.  

In my case, it was the opposite.  Nucheal fold was below the 2mm, but the ratio between the 2 hormones was really high.  My beta was way way higher then yours, although I can't remember the actual number.  So that, combined with my age gave me a result of 1:13.  

I know what you mean about the stats you read.  I am not sure why that is.  I am 40, due on my 41st bday and was told my risk before testing was 1:75.  

The thing to remember is that this is only a screen.  The decision to have CVS or amnio is really a judgement call.  I am glad I did it, but it's easy for me to say as I had no complications.  It's not an easy decision, but I am glad they didn't try to convince you one way or the other.  Don't let anyone do that for you....do what you think is best.  I hope I helped a little bit.  

[Jnnlw]

Oh yeah, one more thing.  I don't understand why the risk based on maternal age is sooo variable.  One source says it's 1/177, another says 1/150, and my lab says 1/81.  Anyone can explain this?

[Jnnlw]

I got my blood test results:  PAPP-A was 1.70, beta HcG was 1.88.  Does anyone know if the beta HcG # is high?  My risk from the combine testing is 1/71.  The lab said that the risk just based on age was 1/81.  My OBGYN was really vague.  She said the number was "just slightly worse because of the combined testing"
and hardly gave me any information to make an informed decision on whether to get the CVS test or wait until my second trimester to do the amnio.  

[adgal]

I was just reading JourneyJo's comment and wanted to say that I could not agree more. One of the things I did when I decided on amnio was quite literally interview the perinatologist that was performing the procedure.  I made sure my OB referred me to a highly experienced clinic, and asked a tonne of questions.  The perinatologist that performed my amnio had 15 years experience.  And although the odds of complications with amnio are 1:200, that clinic and this Dr. were more like 1:1600.  I am pretty sure they found me quite irritating, but my body, my baby, therefore my decision and I needed to know that information.  By the time I actually had the procedure I felt very confident in their ability and that my baby would be fine. Do not let yourself be intimidated...ask lots and lots of questions and make sure you feel comfortable with the procedure.  Good luck to you!!

[Jnnlw]

Thanks for everyone's reassurance.  I know that these are just markers, but it's really hard not to get worried.  Today, I found out that CVS is done between 10-13 wks, not 10-12 wks.  So, I guess I have more time to wait for the blood test results!  

[JourneyJoJo]

We were prepared to do CVS if our RE recommended it based on the results of the NT scan.  I've read that if you're having the CVS, you should make sure that they're very experienced and that will help lower the risks.

[mlb1234]

Oh and she got her CVS results the very next day!  

[mlb1234]

I have a friend I work with and yes she went straight to CVS after a large NT result (I can't remember the exact number) - she had the CVS the same day in fact.  The CVS came out perfect but there was still a marker for heart problems.  Now that she is over 20 weeks along she had an advanced heart ultrasound and everything is perfect.  Just goes to show that these are only markers and not conclusive evidence.  Good luck!

[adgal]

With my first trimester screen I had normal NT, but due to my bloodwork my results came back 1:13 for downs syndrome.  It was pretty scary.  I had my first trimester screen at 13 weeks, so was too late for CV.  I opted for amnio.  I think the odds of complications are about the same, 1:200.  The amnio went very well, no problems and it turns out my little boy is just fine.  Not quite the same situation as yours, but similar.  Personally I am glad I did the amnio, it truly put my mind to rest.  That being said, there is an element of risk involved with both procedures, so it's a very personal choice.  Many say if you wouldn't terminate anyway, there is no point in having the procedure.  For me it was not about whether or not I would terminate, it was that I had to know for certain.  Decide first and formost why you want either test, then make your decision from there.  It is a highly personal decision.  I wish you well.