Close up view of baby's nasal bone and back of neck

According to What to Expect When You’re Expecting (4th Edition) by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel the “First-trimester combined screening involves both an ultrasound and a blood test.  First the ultrasound measures a thin layer of fluid that accumulates in the back of the baby’s neck, called nuchal translucency (NT)…  Then the blood test measures for high levels of PAPP-A (pregnancy associated plasma protein A) and hCG, two hormones produced by the fetus and passed into the mother’s bloodstream.  These levels, combined with the NT measurement and the mother’s age, can provide a risk assessment for Down syndrome and trisomy 18…  First-trimester combined screening is performed between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy.” (p. 60-61)

"Baby Wiggles" moves hand up to face

The doctor that performed this ultrasound was also looking for the presence of a nasal bone.  According to the book some studies have shown that the lack of a nasal bone at the end of the first-trimester is an indicator of Down syndrome while other studies have shown no correlation, so this type of screening is still controversial. (p. 60)  As “Baby Wiggles” displayed both a nasal bone and a NT measurement of 1.77 millimeters (3 mm or greater is an indicator that more testing should be done), the ultrasound indicates a low likelihood of Down syndrome.

Close up view of baby's hand by mouth

 The other thing that this ultrasound revealed is that my sub-chorionic hematoma had spread to encompass about 50% of the placenta.  Since my regular OBGYN is on vacation another doctor in the group looked at the images sent over and informed me that I should not be traveling this week; and in fact I should be on bed rest or at least working from home in a reclined position.  So my employer was forced to find a last minute replacement for this trip and I am doing my best to be productive from home.  At least at home the restroom is MUCH closer…

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKAi6SB7IbM

This is the video of the NTT Ultrasound and I just got my blood test results back today, everything was normal.  No risk factors were found.  So that eliminates one possible reason for choosing abortion.




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