Nuchal Scans - Is it For Me?

There is no questioning the fact that pregnancy is such an exciting, wonderful time. The notion of being able to carry a tiny new life inside of you is almost too exciting to bear! What a breathtaking thought! This same amazement,however, is the same reason why this is such a daunting thing to go through-- the burden of bearing another life, beyond your own. The probability of birth defects is something that most parents would rather not talk about. Definitely not something women like to consider during their pregnancy, nuchal scan is such a big help in finding problems early on.

PREGNANCY QUESTION: Why would I want to go for a nuchal screening test? The answer is because knowing what you could struggle with or ruling it out can help you manage your pregnancy better. You will breathe better knowing nothing is wrong with your baby, and in the unfortunate circumstance that something was detected, it is always better to know earlier rather than later. Not only medically, but also in terms of preparing yourself for what is to come.

PREGNANCY QUESTION:  Who can go for Down's Syndrome screening or nuchal scans?  The answer is, anyone. But your doctor may recommend it particularly if you have a predisposition to having a baby with Down's Syndrome due to how late you've had your pregnancy, or if the baby has tested positively on another anomaly screening

Remember that with nuchal scans, timing is everything. The accuracy and efficacy of the test depends almost entirely on that window. If you are off even just a tad bit, the results are compromised. Make sure that you work closely with your health care provider to ensure that your dating is right, hence, making sure that you hit that window spot on. Timing is of utmost importance in nuchal scans. There is a window wherein this tests is effective. If you miss the incredibly important window, the fluid measured by the scan may have drained, making it almost impossible to point out this prior to birth again.

What the doctor or the sonographer looks out for during the scan is what is known as translucency.  This measures the fluid in the area behind the baby's neck. The presence of this fluid is actually not what is indicative of Down's Syndrome. The presence is normal, but an anomaly is detected in having high amounts of it. A Nuchal Scan is pretty accurate. However, your doctor may recommend that you have other screening tests done in order to confirm the tests results. The odds of you having a baby with Down's Syndrome gets higher as you age. At age 40 and above, the chances are remarkably high.

If you have a predisposition to having a baby with Down's if you got pregnant late, or if you've had a suggestive result on another anomaly testing, you should definitely go for nuchal scans. You become at higher risk for Down's as you get older.


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