Ughhh, Second Finger Prick Results...UPDATE & Question at Bottom

I just got the call from my midwife that my 2nd finger prick test shows an elevated risk for NTDs

She said that they didn't have my early anatomy scan scanned into the computer yet but the report said they saw the ventral wall and the brain and nuchal fold looked ok, which lead her to say that the gross anatomy of the baby appears to be normal. She still wants me to see the genetic counselor to discuss my risks and the possibility of an amnio...waiting to hear back from Genetics to schedule an appt.

I was supposed to go for my 20 week anatomy scan this coming Monday (Jan 13) but I changed it to the following Monday b/c I already had a midwife appt. that day and because DH was having trouble get off work on the 13th but is already scheduled to be off on the 20th for MLK. Now I'm kicking myself for making the appt. a week later.

Anyone have similar situation where the early anatomy scan looked good but blood work came back concerning?? Just praying that all is good with my baby girl

Message edited 1/20/2014 8:28:55 PM.

Re: Ughhh, Second Finger Prick Results

I don't have personal experience but my good friend went through it last year. Same as you blood work came back concerning. She had genetic counseling and then a amnio. Everything turned out fine and he is a happy healthy 10 month old now.
My other friend had a similar experience and everything turned out fine too.

I remember being so worried for my friend. It's so scary. But try not to freak out too much yet.
Hope everything turns out okay:))

Re: Ughhh, Second Finger Prick Results

Yes, I had a very high AFP and came up w a 1 in 18 or so risk of NTD. My doctor immediately repeated the bloodwork which was actually worse the second time, and he pushed up my level 2 to the next day (I was like 17 weeks). Everything looked normal on the sono. My doctor urged me to have an amnio but I refused. Even an amnio will not 100% rule out NTD. I saw the genetic counselor, which was reassuring, but didn't shed too much light, and I had many repeat sonos to keep checking for NTD and growth problems. My baby was born completely healthy. It was so stressful especially not knowing for sure until the baby is born. Sono is 96/97% accurate at detecting NTD. I hope everything turns out ok!

Ughhh, Second Finger Prick Results

I had a similar situation. My NT Scan showed an elevated risk for Downs, but it was only from the blood work portion of things, the sono looked fine. I declined the blood work testing at 16wks. Then at my 20 wk sono, they noticed a possible cyst on the brain and an umbilical cord problem (I only had 1 artery, not 2). From then on, I was both a nervous wreck and more highly monitored (more frequent check ups, sonos every 2 weeks the last 10 wks).

Fast forward to now; my DD is 13mo old and perfectly healthy and wonderful. All that stress for nothing! I hope everything goes well for you! Try not to stress, even though I know just how hard that can be!

Ughhh, Second Finger Prick Results

Can you do the maternity 21 test? It is just a blood test. I hope everything is ok!

Re: Ughhh, Second Finger Prick Results

Re: Ughhh, Second Finger Prick Results

I really appreciate the replies--it does help a little to know that several of you have been in a similar situation but went on to have healthy babies . It's so nerve wracking!

My midwife didn't give me any numbers or odds and I was too shocked to ask, plus I was at work. She said the genetic counselor will go over everything with me and discuss an amnio and another less invasive test, but she didn't give me the name of that test. Dunno if I'll go ahead with the amnio, guess I'll wait for more info. I'm not even telling my mom b/c she will be even more nervous than me! She was freaking out when we discovered I was a carrier for CF--thank God DH is not a carrier though

I feel great physically but it's one thing after the next with this pregnancy--I also have to have consult with the anesthesiologist b/c I had a spinal fusion and may not be eligible for an epi (wanna go natural anyway) but they need to know just in case I end up wanting an epi or if I need an emergency C section, they need to know about a spinal block. Then I have to meet with the cardiologist for heart palpitations/irregular heartbeat that I've never had before. I've never seen so many doctors in my life

Thanks again for the support, ladies!

Re: Ughhh, Second Finger Prick Results...UPDATE & Question at Bottom

So, I went for my anatomy scan today and everything looked good, thank God! They confirmed she's still a girl, as they predicted at my early anatomy scan She was ALL over the place. The sono tech kept saying she couldn't believe how wiggly she was. It took her a while to get all the shots she needed, I had to keep switching positions to try and get the right view, but that was fine with me...gave us more time to see baby girl

My midwife still wants me to see the genetic counselor tomorrow so we'll see what they have to say about my actual numbers and risk. I feel a little better knowing that everything looks good. She said it was probably a false positive, or, the defect is so slight that the ultrasound didn't pick it up so the disability would be very slight, if anything at all.

I'm trying to make a list of questions to ask the genetic counselor...does anyone have any suggestions??