12 Weeks Pregnant Update: Heading into week 12 of pregnancy stills seems so surreal. And everything seems to be a mad rush. Rushing to get my ultrasound done, blood tests, and NT (Nuchal Translucency) test for Prenatal Genetic Screening. My window to book an appointment and to screen for down syndrome, trisomy 18 and open neural tube defects was down to the 11th hour. I got in at the last minute and basically had to leave work and rush to the clinic. Just before I am 13 weeks pregnant.
The doctor told me there was several ways to test of genetic disorders for my baby:
Blood Test: Regular and Non-Invasive Screening Test (NIPT) is a prenatal tool for pregnant women to screen for Down Syndrome as well as some other chromosomal abnormalities. NIPT test is expensive and costs between $800 and $1500. It is covered in a couple provincial health-care plans.
Nuchal Translucency (NT) Ultrasound: Nuchal translucency is a collection of fluid under the skin at the back of a baby's neck. This test must be performed between 11 weeks and 13 weeks plus six days of pregnancy. An NT measurement of up to 2mm is normal at about 11 weeks, and up to about 2.8mm by 13 weeks and six days. Results combined with a blood test gives a more accurate result.
Amniocentesis aka (AFT) Amniotic Fluid Test: There is a one in 200 chance of miscarriage of a perfectly normal and healthy baby. This is not a procedure my doctor recommended me nor would I have signed up for. The medical procedure used requires a sample from the amniotic sac surrounding the fetus. The fetal DNA is s examined for genetic abnormalities.
I choose the first two options. I did not want take any risks with AFT.
On a lighter note: Even though we don't know the sex of our baby just yet. I can't help but spend hours on Pinterest searching for the perfect nursery decor ideas. I've pinned there HERE incase are you doing some research too! I swear this is all for the parents more so than the infant themselves. I mean, all they care about is milk and sleep right?
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