NT Scan

I was supposed to have my NT Scan (Nuchal Translucency Screening/Scan) today, at 12w6d (12 weeks & 6 days), but Dr.B has to be in surgery during my appointment time, so it had to be rescheduled for Tuesday. And, since this is a time sensitive test, and Dr.B didn't have any openings, I will be seeing one of his partners. I already know her from being a long-time patient there, and having a baby with them before....so, it's not THAT big of a deal. Obviously I prefer Dr.B, and that's why I continue to be his patient, but whatever. They make you see all of the other docs during the prenatal care regimen so that you're familiar with each of them and they are familiar with you...

Anyway...
What is the NT Scan?
It "is a noninvasive screening test for fetal Down syndrome and Trisomies 13 and 18. This test is available to women between 11w4d and 13w6d of pregnancy" (www.hopkinsmedicine.org).

Here's more Info:

Down syndrome and trisomies 13 & 18 are chromosomal disorders that cause mental retardation and birth defects. Babies with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome #21 (trisomy 21) which causes mental retardation and various medical problems involving the heart, digestive tract, and/or other organ systems. Trisomy 18 (having an extra chromosome #18) and trisomy 13 (having an extra chromosome #13) are more severe disorders which cause profound mental retardation and severe birth defects in many organ systems. Few babies with trisomies 13 or 18 survive more than a few months. Anyone can have a baby with these chromosome abnormalities, however, the chance increases with the mother’s age.

First trimester screening is not a diagnostic test, which means it cannot tell you whether your baby has Down syndrome, trisomy 13, or trisomy 18. Instead, the screening provides a probability that the baby might have Down syndrome, trisomy 13, or trisomy 18. This probability, or chance, is based on three criteria: your age, information obtained on a sonogram (ultrasound), and bloodwork. The screening results can either alert you and your doctor that your baby is at an increased risk for one of these chromosome disorders or be reassuring that your baby is at a lower risk for these conditions.

This screening includes a sonogram and maternal blood work performed between 11 4/7 – 13 6/7 weeks of pregnancy. The sonogram will confirm how far along your pregnancy is. In addition, a measurement of the fluid underneath the skin along the back of the baby’s neck, called the nuchal translucency (NT), will be taken. The sonogram will also determine if your baby’s nasal bone is present or absent. A maternal blood sample is used to analyze two chemicals called free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), which are found in the blood of all pregnant women. In some pregnancies when the baby has Down syndrome, trisomy 13, or trisomy 18, there is extra fluid behind  the baby’s neck and/or the hCG and PAPP-A results are higher or lower than average. Additionally, a baby’s nasal bone may be absent in some pregnancies with a chromosome abnormality. Combining your age-related risk with the NT measurement, nasal bone data, and blood work provides you with one risk figure for Down syndrome and one risk figure for trisomy 13 or trisomy 18. Your obstetrician will receive your screening results from NTD Laboratories within approximately one week.

Guess what?
I'm on the cusp of advance maternal age.
ADVANCED MATERNAL AGE.
wtf?
Apparently I'll miss being IN that category by 2 weeks. Why? Because they look at the mother's age when the baby is born. I'll be 35 mid-June, and the baby is due at the end of May.

The up-side to this test: Yet another chance to see the baby in utero! I truly can't get enough of seeing her (or him).
....and I'm kind of convinced it's a girl at this point.
I'll be exactly 13 weeks on the day of the test.
Can't wait to see her {or him} on the screen!!!!

Expect to see more sono pics soon.
:)