Nuchal translucency test?

[pol79princess]

Do you think it's worth doing a nuchal translucency test to detect genetic problems in my situation? I'm 30 years old and I didn't think I had any family history of genetic disorders, but my sister just reminded me that our dad's cousin's daughter had a daughter with the Down Syndrome (years ago). However, IF she remembers correctly, that was linked to the father's family history (no relation to mine). Is this not closely enough related to me to worry about? My insurance most likely won't cover it ($1000), and my husband is really the one that is insisting on it. Based on our initial discussions, we MAY decide to terminate if genetic disorders are detected... Any input would be greatly appreciated, thanks :)

[jschoch8]

i did it just because it was routine for my doctor. if you decide to do it, just understand that you shouldnt freak out if you have elevated risk. i would never terminate my baby, but i would like to know ahead of time what challenges we might face. also, it is reassuring to know when things are going great. the u/s at 20 weeks will pretty much show you any problems that the baby would have if you decide to skip the NT scan.

[Cassandrajane]

If you have a further testt for DS the needle they put into your stomach (If you choose to have it) DOES have a 1% chance of Miscarrige... I thought I'd let you know. Im not having any tests done, I said I'd have the scan for any BUT thats only because the my baby's father has a Heart Murmur and I just want that checked. But im really not fussed about any disorders, As long as I get my baby it will always be Beautiful to me, Having a disorder or not. Becausee its my bubbby.

But seriouslly, I do think the tests are pointless.. They pick up DS and other things and most times they arent even right.

x

[BTS1022]

I also wouldn't get it. I had it done with my daughter, and it was unable to pick up the genetic disorder that she was born with, which also caused her death. I was told I had a perfectly healthy baby, but at birth she was not able to survive for long, and did in fact have a cranial facial genetic disorder, which caused major defects in her heart and other internal organs.

I don't think it's worth it at all....I have 3 other children, and have not had the test for any of them, it's pointless in my opinion if the test is only done for certain genetic disorders.

[pol79princess]

Thanks for your responses ladies. I wouldn't terminate my pregnancy based on that initial test. At this point, I'm trying to take this one step at a time. If NT scan comes back as high risk, I'd opt to do more testing as it does matter to me to at least know if my baby is sick, no matter what I decide to do next. Considering how anxious I am about all this, I think it is probably worth it doing the test... Does anyone know if the family history that I mentioned in my first post puts me at a higher risk of having a child with DS at all? Thanks again :)

[Cassandrajane]

I really wouldnt terminate a pregnancy if it has a genetic disorder... I work with disabled children, they are so funny and amazing and I love it.. and it breaks my heart when they get bullied, funny looks and terminated because they are different, Im not one to judge on termination as I myself have had one, for reasons. but not because it wwas different if it was different for that matter. The tests are never 100%. Like people have said, you could have terminated a healthy pregnancy.

But as someone who has had an experience of a termination and the effects it has on you. I regretted it so much, I locked my self away for 2 months, didnt leave my room unless i needed the toilet, i already had an eating disorder for 5 months which carried on for those 2 months i was depressed for.  more than what i was. having a termination still affects me now and will for the rest of my life, And I will never be who I used to be, based on my termination, it knocked my confidence, it made me more ill, more depressed. And I lost alot of friends and family for my choice....

its not a road I wish anyone to go down especially if its because they are 'different' I know many disabled people who are so smart, one of them who is in year 8 at school, its already taking his end of secondary school GCSE's.... and he is only 12/13. its amazing what they can do, just because they are not like you and me doesnt mean they dont have feelings...and it doesnt make them any lower class than us... if not they are better.
Im really not trying to be mean, but from experience, its not a nice road to go down. trust me please!

x

[Clysta]

The only problem is that the others are right. They're not 100% accurate, so if you were to terminate based on the results, you could end up terminating a healthy pregnancy. But it's really up to you and what you feel comfortable with.

[zazou]

The test is not 100% accurate so it won't completely tell you if your baby is free from a genetic abnormality. When I was pregnant with my daughter last year I was 29-30, I didn't opt to have it. My friend who was the same age as me did get it done and she was given a big scare with the results, thankfully everything was OK with her son. It's a personal choice.

[WifeofAnt]

I wouldn't get it, especially if insurance doesn't cover it.

1. It doesn't give you a yes or no answer.  It gives you a relative chance (1 in a couple hundred to thousand) and there is no definitive diagnosis unless an amnio is done.

2. It doesn't always catch it and there are really plenty of other genetic problems and birth defects that can't be caught with a nuchal translucency test.

3. Even if you personally already had a child with Down Syndrome the chance of a second child having it is 1%.