Nuchal Translucency (BUN test)

Today I had the test for Downs Syndrome. I was very anxious prior to the test though confident that everything would be fine. Everything was in my favour, especially age.

The baby was not as active as the other week, though it was in the best position for the test.

First the babys nose is checked to see if there is sufficient bone the whole way down. Babys who have Downs only have a dot of bone at the end of their nose. In the first picture you can see that there is a white line down the whole length of the nose which is the bone.

The second test which is performed is a measurement is taken at the back of the neck to measure the nuchal fold. This should be less than 3.0mm. Anything between 3.0mm and 3.5mm is to be of concern. Our babys was measuring at 1.2mm, or perfect as the U/S technician said!

The babys heartbeat today was 156 bpm. I was meant to be 12 weeks and 3 days, though the baby was measuring slightly larger at 12 weeks and 6 days.

We got some great shots of the baby head on. There has been so much development in just the past 9 days with the bones. In the first picture the knuckles can be clearly seen on the raised hand. The U/S technician was able to show us the full spine with the vertebrae forming, clearer pictures of the legs and arms, and more bones of the skull.

Eventually the baby started moving more (I think we woke it up!) and like last week, it started spinning around - last picture.