I had my first ultrasound today!!! 9 weeks and 2 days but very concerned because of what the tech said...?

Question

Once I was getting ready to leave she asked me when I was going to see my Obstetrician (which I'm going Monday) and she said he was going to talk to me about testing my baby for Down Syndrome at my next Ultrasound. My friend told me it was normal procedure but the way she worded it made me feel very uneasy, and I can't wait until Monday for clarity. So do you think she saw something abnormal this early (can it be detected this soon) or am I just a bit paranoid...PLEASE HELP Experienced only.

Thank you for all your positive feedback and I'm 23.

also on the sheet they gave me for the follow up said

Nuchal Translucency-Not first scan in pregnancy

Answer 1

There is nothing that she could have seen on an ultrasound at 9w2d that would in any way "put her on alert." It may be due to your age (you did not indicate how old you are), some family history indicated in your file, or standard operating procedure at that office. Or, she may have been way off base.

When you speak with your doctor about testing, and when evaluating whether you want to test, please be sure and discuss the difference between "testing" and "screening." An amniocentesis or CVS will give you conclusive results but they are not without risks, and in any event may not be at all warranted. The Nuchal Translucency has only (relatively) recently been widely accepted as a good alternative to invasive testing -- it involves a detailed ultrasound at a particular point in the pregnancy along with a simple blood test, and what it does is indicate how great a risk there is that the baby has certain genetic disorders; if the risk is high enough then invasive testing might be desired, of course, but the hope is that that is never going to be an issue.

But to reiterate: at 9w2d there is nothing that could be appreciated that would suggest a problem with Downs. Relax, don't worry, and enjoy your weekend.

Answer 2

Don't be paranoid. The procedure is called an amniocentesis. It's normally offered to all pregnant women, but doctors recommend it more to women who are over 30 and pregnant, and women who have had an abnormal triple test. Its usually given or offered between weeks 14 and 20. They just take a needle and withdraw a little amniotic fluid and run tests on it for Down Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, and Spina Bifida. It can also check the baby's lungs to see if they are maturing. Some people, like me, opt to not have the test done. I didn't want to know, because I was going to love my child regardless, and I wasn't at any health risks that would be assessed with the test. Just don't worry about it, and ask a lot of questions. Thats what your doctors are there for. Hope this helps. Good luck with everything!!

Answer 3

Just remember that Tech are not doctors and cannot diagnose. Do you have any children with Down Syndrome? If you are really concerned call the office with questions, before Monday. The doctor has to read the ultrasound. It is probably normal to test for down syndrome since testing needs to take place in the first trimester. Try not to concentrate on what the tech said. Just call the nurse or doctor before Monday if real worried. Wish you well.

Answer 4

its a routine test and no, downs syndrome cannot be detected this early in your pregnancy. a later ultrasound can detect some things associated with downs syndrome, but cannot tell you if your baby has the disorder. in my state, i was given the option to test for spina bifida and downs syndrome and i did not because the window to test for those disorders is like 12-14 weeks and i was about 16 weeks along. i had an ultrasound done on october 15th and both the ultrasound tech and my doc said that everything looks great and to expect another baby girl in march! don't worry...it's a routine test. i'm sure everything is just fine. good luck!

Answer 5

My doctor does a routine ultrasound between 11 and 13 weeks to identify chromosomal disorders such as downs syndrome. It includes an ultrasound to measure the nuchal translucency (basically the thickness of the neck) and a blood test to check hcg and another hormone papp-a. I just had an ultrasound today at 9 weeks 1 day. I go back in 2 1/2 weeks for another to check my baby for the chromosomal disorders. I wouldn't worry too much. It seems routine to me. Sometimes we hear stuff wrong because we worry about our babies so much. Good luck sweetie!

Answer 6

I take it that you are an older mother. The ultrasound technician was WRONG to speak to you about this, and there is NOTHING that can be told in an ultrasound at 9 weeks. It takes an amniocentesis to check for Down Syndrome, and that is usually not done until the third trimester. DO NOT WORRY, but do 'talk to the doctor' about this, because you WILL worry a bit no matter what anyone tells you. The technician was WRONG to say anything like this to you this early in your pregnancy, though ... no matter HOW old you are. And don't worry ... I had a baby when I was nearly 40, and he was FINE. Down Syndrome is more common in older women, but it is also a 'genetic disease' and if you have other women of the same age who have had babies in your family and their kids don't have Down Syndrome, then it's more likely that your child doesn't have it either.

Answer 7

It is a completely normal test. Don't worry. My husband and I opted not to have it done because it can't tell you 100% if the baby has Down's or not. It just gives an idea of the probability and then more testing would need to be done.

Also, at 9 weeks your baby is a peanut! There is nothing she could see to lead her to believe that the baby has Down's. She is just checking for the heartbeat and the length to give you an estimated due date.

Sleep easy. Worring is one of the worst things you can do. The link below may help put your mind at ease until you can get back to the doctor.

Answer 8

I do believe that it is a common test which is done with every pregnancy after a certain age. Try not to worry about it. My daughter was only 26 when she had her first baby and they tested her for all kinds of defects and blood disorders just as a regular practice. I am sure that she just said the words and it frightened you to hear it. Not sure when they can detect any problems but it would seem to me that this is a very early stage for detecting abnormal situations. Ask your doctor; this was only a tech telling you this and your doctor will be able to reassure you.

Answer 9

I have had 6 kids and many ultrasounds and never once was I told what was said to you. I just had my one son on mothers day this year and I am 36 and they asked if I wanted an amnio at my 1st appt due to my age for abnormalities and I said no. I am going to love my child for who they are not what they have and they all were fine.
My friend was told her son was down syndrome baby when she was preg and she almost aborted and her sis talked her out of it. He is 15 and totally normal ! I know others who were told that something was wrong and nothing was... So have faith and trust God and if He gives you a child with a special need its because you can handle it....
All babies are beautiful.

Answer 10

Generally all babies are currently tested (usually by a blood test) for many detectable genetic diseases. Maybe your tech meant that you'd be having those tests when you have your next ultrasound? Here where I live they tend to test at about 16 weeks. It's really no big deal, just a blood test. I seriously doubt your technician saw anything and didn't talk to you about the possiblilities. I would just take a deep breath and keep plugging along. Best of luck to you!