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Happy1
I'm a mommy!!!!
Member since 6/07 1758 total posts
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Should I be concerned with the OB I chose?
The reason I ask is because most pregnant women I have spoken too have gone for their 11-13 week test which is the Nuchal translucency testing. My OB did not test for this and has me scheduled for the blood work to test for Down Syndrome and Spinal Bifida. Also, I have an appt. for an ultrascreen to do all the measurements on the baby.
When I asked my OB's assistance about the Nuchal Translucency testing she said that not all doctors do this as most insurance companies don't cover this test. Not sure if that was just a bs line or if this is something I should be really concerned with.
I think my doctor is wonderful but not sure if this is a sign that she is not doing everything she is suppose to be doing 
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Posted 12/16/07 10:46 AM  |
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nickipa
love my boys!
Member since 4/06 5648 total posts
Name:
Nicki
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Re: Should I be concerned with the OB I chose?
isn't NT testing the same as an ultrascreen?? Ultrascreen is the combination of bloodwork and ultrasound to measure nuchal translucency
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| Posted 12/16/07 10:51 AM |
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Re: Should I be concerned with the OB I chose?
I don't know what they're supposed to do, but I did not have this test.
I did not have the Downs blood test either although that was offered to me.
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| Posted 12/16/07 10:52 AM |
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Happy1
I'm a mommy!!!!
Member since 6/07 1758 total posts
Name:
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Re: Should I be concerned with the OB I chose?
Posted by nickipa
isn't NT testing the same as an ultrascreen?? Ultrascreen is the combination of bloodwork and ultrasound to measure nuchal translucency
Yes, it is however there are a total of three tests:
Screening tests include:
- Nuchal translucency testing:
This test, performed between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy, uses ultrasound to measure the clear space in the folds of tissue behind a developing baby's neck. (Babies with DS and other chromosomal abnormalities tend to accumulate fluid there, making the space appear larger.) This measurement, taken together with the mother's age and the baby's gestational age, can be used to calculate the odds that the baby has DS. Nuchal translucency testing correctly detects DS about 80% of the time; when performed with a maternal blood test, it may offer greater accuracy.
- The triple screen:
(also called the multiple marker test) and the alpha fetoprotein plus. These tests measure the quantities of various substances in the mother's blood, and together with the woman's age, estimate the likelihood that her baby has Down syndrome. They are typically offered between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy.
- A detailed ultrasound:
This is often performed in conjunction with the blood tests, and it checks the fetus for some of the physical traits associated with Down syndrome. However, these screening tests are only about 60% accurate and often lead to false-positive or false-negative readings.
Diagnostic tests include:
Some doctors do all three test and others just do two out of three from what I hear.
Message edited 12/16/2007 11:22:46 AM.
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| Posted 12/16/07 11:21 AM |
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ckone
LIF Adult
Member since 8/06 3014 total posts
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Re: Should I be concerned with the OB I chose?
Posted by nickipa
isn't NT testing the same as an ultrascreen?? Ultrascreen is the combination of bloodwork and ultrasound to measure nuchal translucency
That what this sounds like to me. I sounds like you are getting the first trimester screen with bloodwork.
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| Posted 12/16/07 1:22 PM |
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Re: Should I be concerned with the OB I chose?
My dr. never did the NT or ultrascreen test on me for both pregnancies. I wouldn't worry about it.
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| Posted 12/16/07 1:44 PM |
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Happy1
I'm a mommy!!!!
Member since 6/07 1758 total posts
Name:
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Re: Should I be concerned with the OB I chose?
Posted by ckone
Posted by nickipa
isn't NT testing the same as an ultrascreen?? Ultrascreen is the combination of bloodwork and ultrasound to measure nuchal translucency
That what this sounds like to me. I sounds like you are getting the first trimester screen with bloodwork.
That's what it sounds like but even if I'm in the 2nd trimester?
I hear that you can't test for that first screening after 14 weeks, there is a deadline.
I guess it is nothing to be concerned with, it just depends on the doctor...every doctor is different.
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| Posted 12/16/07 1:47 PM |
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Karen
Just chillin'!!
Member since 1/06 9690 total posts
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Karen
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Re: Should I be concerned with the OB I chose?
If you are getting the ultrascreen, you should be totally covered. The ultrascreen is a sonogram, plus bloodwork.
What do you think that you are missing?
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| Posted 12/16/07 1:47 PM |
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nickipa
love my boys!
Member since 4/06 5648 total posts
Name:
Nicki
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Re: Should I be concerned with the OB I chose?
Posted by Happy1
Posted by ckone
Posted by nickipa
isn't NT testing the same as an ultrascreen?? Ultrascreen is the combination of bloodwork and ultrasound to measure nuchal translucency
That what this sounds like to me. I sounds like you are getting the first trimester screen with bloodwork.
That's what it sounds like but even if I'm in the 2nd trimester?
I hear that you can't test for that first screening after 14 weeks, there is a deadline.
I guess it is nothing to be concerned with, it just depends on the doctor...every doctor is different.
perhaps you are calling the level II an ultrascreen? usually you get a detailed sono at 20 weeks called a level II. As far as an "ultrascreen"--that test is specifically done in the first trimester only---I had it done, but I know plenty of people who didn't. Its actually still pretty new.
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| Posted 12/16/07 1:58 PM |
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Happy1
I'm a mommy!!!!
Member since 6/07 1758 total posts
Name:
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Re: Should I be concerned with the OB I chose?
Posted by Karen
If you are getting the ultrascreen, you should be totally covered. The ultrascreen is a sonogram, plus bloodwork.
What do you think that you are missing?
The ultrascreen that is done in the 1st trimester.
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| Posted 12/16/07 3:19 PM |
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Happy1
I'm a mommy!!!!
Member since 6/07 1758 total posts
Name:
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Re: Should I be concerned with the OB I chose?
Posted by nickipa
Posted by Happy1
Posted by ckone
Posted by nickipa
isn't NT testing the same as an ultrascreen?? Ultrascreen is the combination of bloodwork and ultrasound to measure nuchal translucency
That what this sounds like to me. I sounds like you are getting the first trimester screen with bloodwork.
That's what it sounds like but even if I'm in the 2nd trimester?
I hear that you can't test for that first screening after 14 weeks, there is a deadline.
I guess it is nothing to be concerned with, it just depends on the doctor...every doctor is different.
perhaps you are calling the level II an ultrascreen? usually you get a detailed sono at 20 weeks called a level II. As far as an "ultrascreen"--that test is specifically done in the first trimester only---I had it done, but I know plenty of people who didn't. Its actually still pretty new.
As long as I am covered than I will be content with that. I just got concerned because most pg women I speak too had the ultrascreen done in the 1st trimester.
What is the purpose of it and why do some dr's do this and some don't? That is what I just don't understand.
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| Posted 12/16/07 3:21 PM |
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LoriH
There's no place like home
Member since 8/07 4110 total posts
Name:
Lori
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Re: Should I be concerned with the OB I chose?
My doctor didn't do any bloodwork until my triple screen. She told me she doesn't take blood earlier unless she is concerned. My ultrasounds were fine and all my symptoms were normal.
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| Posted 12/16/07 5:10 PM |
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