False positive NT?

Question

Went at 10w 6d for my Nt and blood work. They only did blood work since the baby was too small and should have the ultra sound at 12 weeks

We did blood anyway, can back a low risk and a boy!

A week and a day later go back for the same blood work and NT ultra sound

Blood work now high risk and NT shows fluid behind neck at 3.5mm. The doc there said I was a confusing case and went on about addition al tests at 18 weeks and talks about terminating as an option.

One I couldn't terminate at 18 weeks especially after seeing him move.

Has anyone else experienced this? How did my blood work change in a week and one day?

I don't think I'm doing any further testing as my husband and I will never terminate. Please share your experience as those docs at the hospital scare the crap out of you!

Answer

NT testing often gives a scary result and stresses parents out unnecessarily. The test just tells you odds of having downs or trisomy 18 but does not conclusively give a
Positive or negative result. So higher odds does not mean baby has any problems at all. For now I would try (hard I know) not to stress about it. If you don't plan to terminate, you may still want 18 weeks screening done so that you can better prepare yourself for whatever the outcome, and If the baby is healthy then it saves you 22 weeks of stress.

Answer

None of the blood test screenings are completely accurate. They assess the risk but do not diagnose. They have false positives and negatives (though not common, it happens). I had the panorama with my first child and the risk came back low. After she was born we found out she has partial trisomy 13. The NT is also not definitive. If you want to be 100%'sure your only options are cvs or amnio. But they do carry risk of miscarriage. You can have these tests even if you won't consider termination, just so you know for sure what you are facing. Sometimes it's just easier to know before hand. Especially if you'll stress throughout the pregnancy if you don't know. Doctors throw termination around very easily. Having a child with a disability is not always easy, but it is just as fulfilling as having a typical child.

Answer

With my son (who is six now), the State testing bloodwork came back with a 1 in 7 chance of Downs.  I was 26 years old, first pregnancy.  We had to wait a week and a half for the specialty ultrasound, and it was so stressful!  The ultrasound looked promising,  but we opted for an amnio to get clear answers.  The results wouldn't have changed anything in carrying on with the pregnancy,  we just wanted to have the time and knowledge to better prepare for what the future would bring.  The amnio disproved any chance of Downs.

We were so surprised this time around that all these tests could be done via bloodwork (we had the Panorama and Natera done yesterday).

Although this is a stressful time,  remember that those initial tests do not diagnosis... and that children with chromosomal abnormalities are also blessings.

Answer

How bout getting a second opinion.....

Answer

The blood test and scan has to be done on the same day as its not accurate. I would unfortunately say they may be a problem for one of the 3 conditions they test for. However it's only 80-85% accurate. If you want to prepare they will discuss testing with you. You do not have to have these. Some women do so they know what to expect at birth. Good luck

Answer

My doctor told me the N.T test was only about 80% accurate leaving a good chance of a false positive. I ended up doing just the blood test which was 99% accurate. I didn't want the chance of a false positive which can lead to more invasive testing. Hope all goes well with your baby, stay positive!

Answer

I had the npit test (similar to harmony) in my last pregnancy and that crap was wrong in every way including gender. My baby had a cystic hygroma which is excessive fluid on his body and they talked about termination, but I allowed my baby to determine if he wanted to fight through this or not. I will say this...forget the whole testing bc the neck fluid can resolve itself. Go to your normal appt in a couple weeks and then see if its getting any better and from there make a decision.

Answer

I unfortunately had to have a D&C, but was told 11 weeks was the earliest I could get blood work done. Maybe that's why? I never made it to my NT ultrasound as it was supposed to be two days ago, but I do know that it gives you a % risk. I don't have personal experience, but depending on the blood test you had, some are 85% accurate and some are 99% accurate. It's odd they did your blood work early as they try to pair it with the ultrasound. Prayers for you and your little boy!

Answer

Was it the same blood test, or did you have, say a harmony/progenity test and then the finger putting by Perk and Elmer?

False positive NT?

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