[designdiva32]

Okay girls...as a jittery nervous RPL sufferer dealing with her third hopefully successful pregnancy in 8 months I have a couple of questions for you all.

We have just been booked in for the 12 week NT scan and I am completely clueless about what to expect. Firstly, do they do the transvaginal or the transabdominal u/s? I'm wondering whether I'm to drink water or not.

Secondly, what exactly is this going to show? I guess I'm scared because we have obviously had chromosome issues in the past with our m/c's, although none of them were downs syndrome or anything. Just random extra chromosomes as far as the doctors know. Is this test a good indicator that the baby is healthy? I've been told its 45 minutes long, which seems lengthy. Which brings me back to the drinking water question...I don't think I could last that long with a full bladder!! Did you get a break??

Sorry for all the questions girls. I just know you will have the answers and I'd much rather ask all of you than the crabby nurse at my clinic!! lol

[Rob&Irina]

Alana - you should be excited about your upcoming NT scan... it will be the most amazing thing you've ever seen!

and to answer your questions
- it's andominal
- they will check all organs (heart, liver, kidneys), measure them, make sure the blood is circulation correctly
- the will check for number of bones (hope for 3) of your little ones pinky finger... 2 means Downs, so you want to see 3
- the will measure thickness of his/her skin on the back of the neck (for Downs, again)
- they will take more blood from you...

oh, i was not instructed to drink any water...
and it will take about 45 minutes... that 45 minutes you will never forget!
good luck!

[kcmour]

OMG Alana...I did not know you were pregnant. I must be living in a hole!!! Congrats to you on your pregnancy. As someone who has also suffered several miscarriages, I completely understand you being anxoius. Best of luck to you!

[MustLoveDogs]

Congratulations on your pregnancy! The NT scan was the most amazing u/s I had. Just imagine...45 minutes being able to look at your baby. Anyway, that was my first belly u/s, and I did not have to drink any amount of water. In fact, I used the restroom before the exam. They do check everything and check the thickness of the fluid in back of the baby's neck. They took some blood samples for further testing. I hope everything goes well with yours.

[designdiva32]

Lol...thanks Kelly. I've kinda been keeping it quiet due to my nerves. However you are definately my inspiration here so I'm going to keep hoping I have a success story like you did.

Robin, thanks for the info hun. That was very very helpful. I guess I won't bother about the water then, which is just as well. I can barely last 10 minutes at the moment let along 45!

I'm pretty excited to hear you get to have a more detailed scan. Ours have been very quick so far and even then they have been too amazing for words. I have been so scared the last few weeks...now I'm actually feeling a little bit excited that maybe...just maybe...this might actually work out! (yikes...I think I just jinxed myself there!! lol)

Daysi...I hope it goes well too...its going to be very nerve wracking. I'll have to get you girls to send out prayers and wishes that all is well with BB (Belly Baby...we had to call them something. lol)

[jenedens6102]

Alana, how did I miss that you were expecting? Congratulations. I really hope that this is the one for you. It sounds like so far things are going very well. I didn't have the NT Scan done so I can't help to answer your questions but I do want to wish you all the best!

[elisa0422]

Alana, as you know I had mine done yesterday. Mine lasted an hour I guess because baby wouldn't cooperate.

I was instructed to drink 20oz of water 30 minutes before my appt. It was an abdominal u/s at 1st but she also did a transvaginal u/s to check cervix and placenta since I've had the bleeding. In addition to what the other girls said I know they also look for the nasal bone, no visible nasal bone is also an indication of down syndrom.

[hannah01]

alana, i didn't have to drink any water before mine either... which is good because they push on your stomach a lot to make the baby move into the right position. this was my most memorable and enjoyable appointment to date - not only do you get to stare at your baby for 30+ minutes, but you also get to see them move around a lot. the nice thing is that they will tell you right away that the neck thickness looks normal - so it's not something you have to wait for results and stress about. my understanding is that most chromosomal problems would have reared their heads by this point (by week 8 or something right?) ... so you really should go into this scan feeling confident. can't wait to hear about it!

[mazariee]

Hate to be the one with the bad on this test but here goes.

My NT Scan showed we had a 1 in 11 chance of my Baby have downs. I had to wait 2 weeks to be able to get an amnio done and then another 2 days for the FISH results (prelim results). It was the worst and hardest 2 weeks of my life. In the end my sweet Son was perfect with no defects at all as per the amnio.

So basically I wanted to say that NO it is not a good test to indicate if your baby is healthy or not. It is a statistical test and it basically gives percentages based on what the doctors consider "normal measurements on the the liquid in the back of the baby's neck.

I guess all I am trying to say is if you get a high risk like me then do not freak out!!! You have a great chance that the Baby is perfectly normal and healthy. This test has a high rate of false positive. I just want you to go into it knowing all the facts about it.

I wish you nothing but the best with this pregnancy!!! May God bless your Baby!!!!

PS: for sure enjoy the ultrasound it was amazing to see my Baby at 12 weeks, amazing!!!!!!!!!!!! The details on this ultrasound are great!!!!

Hugs!!!

[charms]

i had my nt scan done today

abdominal
they measured the baby crown to rump
and took several snap shots of the back of the neck and measured the black space just under the head, three measurements.
it was quite a painful u/s - the baby would not cooperate with the tech and she kept pushing and pushing and pushing - ugg.

but it was quite fun to watch the little hiccup frustrate the tech

Good luck!!!! hun - it will be fun to see the little one bouncing around.

[mrsjanowski]

Congratulations to you! I was told that a full bladder was essential for the NT scan and I had to follow a guide... I had to drink a certain amount (I can't remember the amount) empty my bladder, then 30 mins before the exam consume another 8 oz.