Nuchal Translucency

[shoka]

hi ,
have heared about this test??
Do you think is it really doese like amniocentesis, I heared Nuchal Translucency is really safe .
If you have experience tell me which one is better and safer???
thanks

[pookie1121]

NT measurements just give risk factor - no diagnosis of chromosome problems, just a risk factor.

I am pregnant with twins (you can see my post from Feb and got a bad NT results for both babies!!!!!  one neck measured 3.5mm and the other 4.1mm.   A week later she measured 3.25mm and 5.11mm!!!!!!!!    She gave us odds of 1:8 for Baby A and 1:22 for Baby B.


Many things can cause extra fluid around the next - chromosomal problems, organ problems, heart problems or NOTHING.

My doctor was pretty negative - She told us most likely they both had chromosomal problems and that depending on what it was, maybe the pregnancy would end on its own.  She even asked if we still wanted the ultrasound photos or if it would be too strange for us to take them (knowing our babies wouldn't live or were not healthy)!!!!!  We were devastated..... She suggested CVS to see what was wrong.

So we decided to get a second opinion before deciding to do anything invasive!

So we went to an excellent specialist, who is also head doctor of a university clinic, this past Wednesday.    HE was VERY VERY thorough.  He said both babies look very good good - and checked their hearts, organs, extremeties - alll fine.  He said that with chromosomal problems usually there is something else wrong too.   He gave us odds of 1:50 for both babies.  Not great, but much much much better than the odds we had received from my normal doctors ultrasound.

We decided there that although he gave us much better odds and we felt much more at ease after that appt, we still decided there to do the CVS with him because I needed to regain that peace of mind and KNEW he was the right one to do the testing.  

Turns out both girls chromosomes are totally normal.  All that stress just because of this stupid measurement of less than 1mm of extra fluid more than normal range.  

PS.  I switched doctors after that drama.

[PamelaBee]

This measurement by u/s is performed as Kellym said between 10-13 weeks.  It is one of several measurements taken during a screening process called First Trimester Screening.  Many women get frightened when they discover the measurement of their babys NF is not within normal range. This is ONLY a screening process and cannot accurately diagnose the overall health or outcome your baby.  Only a CVS or Amnio can give you an accurate diagnosis.  I would google "Nuchal Fold Translucency" on the internet and you will get lots of information.  It is safe, and does not hurt.

[kellym]

It's just an ultrasound that measures the amount of fluid I think in the back fold of the babies neck. It is 95% accurate for genetic disorders. It is done between week 10-13.