Need advice -- very long, about NT scan timing

Hi everyone,
This will probably be long, so I apologize in advance. I really would like some honest opinions and advice. I am a hormonal nervous wreck right now, and I know that I have a tendency to make things more stressful than they need to be, so please tell me if I am being too anxious about this (I miss my ativan!) ...

OK, had my 8 week appointment on Tuesday. It was great. My dr. made an appointment with me for 4 weeks from now, and also told me to make an appointment at the hospital for the NT scan, also at 12 weeks. When I was perplexed at how I can make 2 appointments at the same time, he told me that I just need to tell the hospital my due date and they will give me an appropriate appointment.

So, I called the office today. Their hours are M-F 8-3:30. I'm a teacher. Not great hours for me, but OK, this is worth a day off. So I am a drama teacher and my big play is 6/11.
The week of 6/8 is the beginning of my week 12, and is the absolute worst week for me to take a day off. Its the only time to rehearse on the stage. I told this to the nurse/receptionist, and she said that's fine, It can be anywhere from week 11-13. So, I asked her for the week before. There was nothing available, except for the one day I am supposed to facilitate a city-wide workshop, and I really didn't want to miss this.

So, she then gave me 6/15, which is 13 weeks 1 day. I asked her if that was too late - and she assured me up and down it wasn't, that I could do it up until 6/21. So I made that appointment.

After I got off the phone, I was beating myself up, and literally in tears. It bothered me so much that my work situation is interfering with care for my baby - what could be more important than taking care of my child. I'm doubting my decision of the 6/15 appointment. I'm wondering if I should take the 6/4 appointment, which is 11 weeks 3 days instead, and miss the workshop.

Do you think its better to take the test on the earlier side of the window, or do you think I am insane and taking it at 13 weeks 1 day is fine?

I read that you can take it up to 13 weeks 6 days, but my big fear, is that my due date is an estimate, so what if he estimated wrong by a few days, would it be too late for the test to be accurate?

Should I take the 11 weeks 3 days appointment instead?

I called my ob and talked to the assistant. She told me that 13 weeks is perfectly fine, but if I'm going to stress I can change it, but she reiterated that the hospital's office would never make an appointment if it was not within the right time frame.

Wow, that was long. I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions and advice. Thanks for reading all this.

Message edited 5/14/2009 6:27:07 PM.

Re: Need advice -- very long, about NT scan timing

I am sorry you are feeling so torn about this. I am a teacher, too, so I know how hard it is to take time off during the day and the guilt you feel when you don't take off, as well as the guilt you feel when you do!

What I would focus on is the fact that the NT scan has a main purpose- to check for markers that indicate chromasomal abnormalities like Down's Syndrome. This is not something that you need to know at a certain time so that you can do something about it, KWIM? It's a test that will give you info, and let you decide if you want/need further testing in the future. Even if you had bad results, it wouln't be like there was something you could have/need to do that will change things....

I would just go with the later appt. since the hospital says it is within a normal time frame and try not to worry too much about it. Of course, if it's really going to drive you nuts, do what you need to do to get in earlier to set your mind at ease.

Re: Need advice -- very long, about NT scan timing

Posted by QueSeraSera

I am sorry you are feeling so torn about this. I am a teacher, too, so I know how hard it is to take time off during the day and the guilt you feel when you don't take off, as well as the guilt you feel when you do!

What I would focus on is the fact that the NT scan has a main purpose- to check for markers that indicate chromasomal abnormalities like Down's Syndrome. This is not something that you need to know at a certain time so that you can do something about it, KWIM? It's a test that will give you info, and let you decide if you want/need further testing in the future. Even if you had bad results, it wouln't be like there was something you could have/need to do that will change things....

I would just go with the later appt. since the hospital says it is within a normal time frame and try not to worry too much about it. Of course, if it's really going to drive you nuts, do what you need to do to get in earlier to set your mind at ease.

Re: Need advice -- very long, about NT scan timing

I would ask to speak directly with your obgyn. Make him or her recalculate your due date using both your earliest ultrasound and the last date of your period. Then ask when you can take the NT test. I hope with that info it will calm your fears. Alternatively, can you see if you can have the test performed elsewhere? Also, you can do the blood portion of the test earlier - week 12 if that will help you feel better.

Re: Need advice -- very long, about NT scan timing

Message edited 5/14/2009 9:45:25 PM.

Re: Need advice -- very long, about NT scan timing

Hedge your bets and ask to book both appointments tomorrow morning.

Re: Need advice -- very long, about NT scan timing

I think you are totally fine with the later appointment but if it makes you feel better definitely ask them to look at your EDD more closely to double check.

I know how you feel - I decided LAST minute I wanted the scan and had to be squeezed in at 3pm on 13w6d...the last day (I decided the morning of). Thank god my little guy cooperated (even though I was there for almost 2 hours). That would be the only other reason to have it earlier - in case baby doesn't cooperate to get accurate enough measurements.

Whatever you decide, I am sure it will work out!

GL!

Re: Need advice -- very long, about NT scan timing

Posted by Katie111806

I think you are totally fine with the later appointment but if it makes you feel better definitely ask them to look at your EDD more closely to double check.

I know how you feel - I decided LAST minute I wanted the scan and had to be squeezed in at 3pm on 13w6d...the last day (I decided the morning of). Thank god my little guy cooperated (even though I was there for almost 2 hours). That would be the only other reason to have it earlier - in case baby doesn't cooperate to get accurate enough measurements.

Whatever you decide, I am sure it will work out!

GL!

Re: Need advice -- very long, about NT scan timing

Ok, after having a very good night's sleep, I have decided to keep my appointment as is, not to call anyone, and not to make myself crazy!

These are medical professionals who do this every day - they would not make me an appointment if It was the wrong time frame. I realize that I need to trust people more.

Once again, I just want to thank all of you for listening and your advice and support.

This site is amazing!

Re: Need advice -- very long, about NT scan timing

You'll be fine being 13 weeks 1 day. I'm glad you called to reassure yourself. This is all new to you so it's ok to be stressed!!!!

Congrats on your pg!!!!

Re: Need advice -- very long, about NT scan timing

Posted by QueSeraSera

I am sorry you are feeling so torn about this. I am a teacher, too, so I know how hard it is to take time off during the day and the guilt you feel when you don't take off, as well as the guilt you feel when you do!

What I would focus on is the fact that the NT scan has a main purpose- to check for markers that indicate chromasomal abnormalities like Down's Syndrome. This is not something that you need to know at a certain time so that you can do something about it, KWIM? It's a test that will give you info, and let you decide if you want/need further testing in the future. Even if you had bad results, it wouln't be like there was something you could have/need to do that will change things....

I would just go with the later appt. since the hospital says it is within a normal time frame and try not to worry too much about it. Of course, if it's really going to drive you nuts, do what you need to do to get in earlier to set your mind at ease.

Re: Need advice -- very long, about NT scan timing

13w,1d is fine....and remember, they can also do an AFP test at 16 weeks to test for DS, spina bifida, etc

Re: Need advice -- very long, about NT scan timing

I did the NT Scan in the beginning of my 13th week, too.

DON'T WORRY!!! It's fine!

Re: Need advice -- very long, about NT scan timing

I had my NT at exactly 13w 1 day and it was absolutely perfect timing. The tech and the doctor were able to see and measure everything perfectly. I would not worry about this at all!!

Re: Need advice -- very long, about NT scan timing

I also had it done at 13 weeks. It was fine.

Re: Need advice -- very long, about NT scan timing

when i was pregnant with DS we did it on the earlier side and we got back a false positive...

this pregnancy we did it on the later side and it still took us a week for her to cooperate.

i was def. at least 13weeks +days

Re: Need advice -- very long, about NT scan timing

thank you everyone!!!!