I'm definitely in a different place than I was a few days ago - I'm more relaxed, less hysterical. I wish I'd never had the test done - I'm not going to do the amnio - although the risk may seem minimal, if I did miscarry - even if it had nothing to do with the amnio, I would never forgive myself.
The test consisted of the nuchal scan, body scan and blood tests. As you know, it's not a diagnostic test, but merely a statistical analysis. The nuchal scan wasn't really the issue - the nuchal scan was normal to high normal. There is a nasal bone. The rest of the scan was completely normal - no abnormalities were detected. The blood work, however, is another story. I was just over normal on one and a little bit just over that for the other (hCG and PAPP-A). What further tipped the scale is my age. Additionally, according to my sister's own analysis, they used to do the nuchal translucency test in the second trimester but found that the nuchal scan was more accurate at 11 - 14 weeks (13 weeks, 6 days). The blood tests, however, are more accurate in the second trimester. She thinks I should have those redone and then also wait for the Level II ultrasound (offered to all my doctor's patients).
I've spent plenty of time on message boards in the last couple of days reading of women who had a higher risk than myself, did the amnio and all is well. Of course, there are those where the amnio confirmed the chromosomal abnormality - but that seems to not be the norm (at least in my reading). However, I'm trying to just accept my fate - and enjoy this pregnancy, enjoy seeing my child grow, whatever lays ahead. I don't have a problem, specifically, with having a child with special needs, it just will take some readjustment. But I am also not so naive as to think that it is an easy life, or the life I dreamed of for my child. Again, you reassess, you readjust, you deal. I also do not have an issue with someone who would choose to terminate their pregnancy - it's just not something at this point in my life I could do. Going through four miscarriages was difficult and I'm not willing to let this one go. I already love this child. Whomever he or she may be.
Thank you for all your comments. They are a comfort.
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5 comments:
This post was beautiful.
I'm still very hopeful that all is well, but thinking of you all the same.
Thinking good thoughts for you.
PAPP and bHCG are first trimester bloods (and NOT more accurate in the second trimester- that's why they're ideally actually done around 10 weeks, *before* the nuchal scan), the blood markers in the second tri are actually a bit different and are UE3, free-BHCG, AFP and inhibin A. You could still go on to do that test, but it less sensitive than the combined first trimester screen you've had already.
Either way, you're right when you point out the vast majority of increased risk results are false positives, and it is very likely that nothing is wrong.
Good luck with everything,
J
I'm glad to hear your feeling more relaxed. I think you're attitude is great and I really admire it. I find all this testing incredibly confusing and the information about it not very accurate, considering every resource I consult makes different claims about how to interpret the tests, when to have them performed, etc. Like you, I don't think I could terminate at this point, so I wonder why put myself through this?
I have my "nuchal @%$* nuchal" next week and will definitely keep coming back to this post as I go through it.
Hope you're having a peaceful weekend...keep hanging in there.
I don't blame you for not doing the amnio. As you know, I opted to not do it. I just didn't think the risk was worth it.
The nuchal test opened a whole new can of stress for me during an already stressful (but happy) time.
Hang in there and enjoy your pregnancy.
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