Twin Pregnancy - Maternit21 Test
Over two weeks ago at my 22 week ultrasound, one of the
measurements the tech took was the length of our babies’ nasal bones. Very
small nasal bones are a marker for Down Syndrome. After the tech had taken all
her measurements along with some super cute 3D photos, the Maternal Fetal doc
came in to discuss the findings. She did mention that our babies had small
nasal bones, and offered us an extra screening. We kinda brushed off the idea
at first because our doctor thought it was *probably* just due to genetically
small nasal bones, and the test would cost around $200 out of pocket.
The next day I was going through the DVD we received that
contained all the various measurements. When I found that Baby A’s nasal bone
was in the bottom 5th percentile, and Baby B’s measured in the
bottom 7th, I freaked out a little. I didn’t realize they were that small! I do not like doing extra
medical stuff if it’s not needed…but the idea that our babies may have Down Syndrome
kept nagging at me. We decided to do the test, at least get peace of mind. In
my heart, I knew our babies were healthy, but that Down Syndrome seed had been
planted in my head!
The screening we ended up doing is called Maternit21. It simply
requires a couple blood samples from my, and they isolate the fetuses’ blood
cells that have escaped the placenta (or something like that). They then able take
the fetus’s DNA and run some tests on it to look for chromosome abnormalities. The
results take 7-10 business days.
So, while we waited for the results to come back, we both
did a ton of research. The lower 5th/7th percentile is
still in the “Normal” range, which gave me comfort. As the days passed…I grew less
and less worried, surly our babies are nice and healthy and will be very intelligent.
Yesterday we had ANOTHER ultrasound (we go every two weeks).
Still not knowing the results of the Maternit21 test, I paid extra close
attention when the tech measured the nose bones again. She could not measure
Baby A’s, because she was facing my spine, but she did measure Baby B’s…and I
can’t say for 100% certain, but I am almost positive that when she took the measurement
I saw the screen read that the new measurement is in the 51st
percentile. Again, I can’t say for sure, we did not get copies of all the data
this time, but I am pretty sure. And if I’m right, I feel kinda dumb for taking
that extra test, I just let them scare me into thinking something we wrong with
our babies when my mommy instincts told me everything was fine.
When I got the voice mail today that the results of the
Maternit21 test had arrived, I wasn’t even in a rush to call back, I knew what
the results would be, and I was correct. Our babies have perfectly normal chromosomes.
Also, no Y chromosomes were present so we know for an absolute fact that they
are girls.
I’m anticipating a $200 bill and some negotiation with the insurance
company. The one thing I gained from this experience is a deeper appreciation
for my baby’s health. I’m obviously not out of the woods yet…there could be complications
on the horizon, but for a couple days I had to seriously consider what it would
be like if we had two girls with Down Syndrome. We would not have terminated
the pregnancy or anything, we love our babies and even if we wanted to I think
it’s illegal at this point. Down Syndrome was a harsh concept to think about.
Now that I know everything is normal, I am even more grateful for normal
babies, I had taken it for granted before.
On another note…the Starbucks barista made my drink decaf
without me asking…I have mixed feeling about this as I was looking for a bit of
caffeine (doc says one cup of coffee a day is perfectly fine).
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