Nuchal Translucency (pros & cons?)

[*Amy*]

So I'm getting to the point where my midwife wants to know whether to schedule the NT at week 11/12, and I'm not sure whether I want to do it. I'm not high risk (I'm 31, just about to be 32), and I've heard there are so many cases of false-positive-type scares. On the other hand, it's a good reason to have an ultrasound and make sure the babe is doing OK. So I dunno. Thoughts?

[judybean]

Well, I'm an ultrasound fan myself (it's simple reassurance). But, I'm not a fan of extra tests. I opted not to have quite a few of the genetic-type tests done with K simply because the outcome (i.e. Downs syndrome, etc) did not matter to us.

Some would say it would 'give you time to prepare' should you find out your baby could have DS. I always figure there is plenty of time. Babies are babies, no matter their genetic make up. They'll need to be rocked, held, nursed, etc. I suppose it's just really up to you. This test is quite non-invasive, so that's a definite plus in my book. The obvious con seems to be that you could get a false 'alert' if you will. Pregnancy can be stressful enough.

That's my $0.02 on it anyway

[girrllie]

I'm definitely having it done. I'm 35 though, so am in a higher risk age range. I've read that it's 95% accurate if you have it done in the correct week, so that's actually very, very high accuracy. It will hopefully be my one and only U/S as I'm *not* a fan of U/S. Part of my decision to get the test is what I would do with the results. It's such a personal decision, but something to consider. I've always thought that if you would have the baby no matter what, then don't bother with the tests.

[littlemomma]

Well, because the test has no risks, other than the emotional risk of a false positive, I'm going to do it. With regard to a false positive, I believe that if the test is positive, they repeat it, thus reducing the chances of another false positive.

While I totally agree with the previous posting mamas, if I found out my angel would need me to become educated in ways I was not already, I'd like to get a jump start before she was even born. I would want to go ahead and join support groups/read books/etc. and be as ready as I could be to meet this child. I agree that they all need basically the same things in the beginning, but certain disorders may make those basic things (nursing, etc) more challenging, and I'd like to already KNOW what to do to give it all the best chance. Also, if there were going to be surgeries to make decisions regarding, I'd like to have more than a few months to become educated before it was time to give a decision.

My thought is, it can't hurt, but it could help.