12 week scan - fluid behind neck and on abdomen

[Mummatoawesomeboys]

Hi all,

I have read many threads on high fluid readings but the posts seem quite old. Here is my story so far...

Last Thursday I went for my 12 week scan and found out I’m 12 weeks and 5 days :)

Everything seemed very positive until she did the neck fluid reading. She also noticed some fluid on the baby’s tummy. She said normal readings were 3.5mm or below and our baby had a reading of 4.1. She asked me how I had been feeling and weather I had had an infection recently. I said no but I am a primary school teacher so I am around all sorts all day long.

We then got taken through to another lady (forgive me as I can’t remember her job title but I imagine she was some sort of genetic specialist).

She wasn’t all doom and gloom and talked us through the possible reasons for our higher than expected readings. They ranged from:
~ chance of DS, Edward’s or Pat
~ viral infection
~ heart problems
~ nothing wrong

The baby is the right size and had a nose plate but she recommended I do the combined bloods testing and virus bloods testing. We then talked about the Harmony test too (private testing which is more accurate as it actually tests baby’s blood for the three main chromosome problems).

She spoke about Cvs and Amnio but said she thought as the margin wasn’t massive, doing bloods first would be a good idea and then to decide from there. She also booked us a 16 week scan and said we would probably have an fetal echo too.

I am absolutely gutted and so anxious. Luckily, I have two beautiful, healthy boys (4 and 7) already so I know I’ve had a lucky ride before.

I’m just so frightened. I’m actually more frightened I’ve had some virus that I didn’t know about and that is could cause a miscarriage or birth defects.

Has anyone else been through this? Has anyone else had NHS test and Harmony results that didn’t match? (Also a worry).

Should I just have the amnio anyway?

We were meant to tell people at the weekend and we saw family but obviously didn’t say anything. It was so hard. I know we will need their support either way but we thought we would wait until at least the chromosome tests came back.

My partner is incredible and has been wonderful but in finding it so hard not to talk to the rest of my support network (Mum and sister etc). Mum was a midwife so I know she would be useful but she has been through a lot recently and I don’t want to add to her sad news.

Thanks for your time.

One worried Mumma xx

[Mummatoawesomeboys]

Sorry for the typos and spelling mistakes! No sleep for a few days x

[Rachie1986]

No advice, sorry, but I hope the bloods come back with low risk numbers and everything's alright. for you. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along soon x

[MsP0b]

I had the chromosomal test; I really recommend it. (It was called Serenity but same thing as Harmony and Iona they are just different companies.)

It is the fastest way to get the most accurate info. It was expensive, about £400, but worth it for the value of the info gained. Got the results over the phone in about 5 days.

I think amnio test is also v accurate but there's the big needle and miscarriage risk associated.

All the very very best good wishes to you and yours x x xxxxxx

[Nightmanagerfan]

Hello, we have been in this situation but with slightly more indicators at the scan.

The NHS blood tests only give you a one in x result, so you won't know for sure. CVS/Amnio are diagnostic and can tell you for certain. I understand people are wary due to miscarriage risk, but ask your hospital what their risk is as it is usually way lower than the 1 in 100 that is quoted.

Harmony/SAFE etc are also not diagnostic but very accurate. You can ask how long it takes to come back as some send the bloods to the US and take longer.

ARC charity www.arc-uk.org/ are very good if you want to call their helpline. All the best.

[Mummatoawesomeboys]

Wow thank you all for your prompt responses. Nightmangerfan did you get to the bottom of what caused it?

Anyone had any good news after high reading or fluid on the abdomen? I’m trying to stay positive but it’s hard!

We did the Harmony test so it’s the agonising waiting :( stage xxx

[Jessie5]

Hi I’m 17 weeks pregnant now, I’m 37yo and had a NT reading of 4mm at 12 weeks 5 days. We were v worried, booked in for harmony test we were lucky to have the test next day, had a stressful wait until the results but all came back low risk, my nhs bloods came back the same day and lowered the original risk from age/nt to 1:192 had a heart scan last week and all seemed fine, got another more detailed one at 23 weeks. I found ARC helpful to speak to, Hope this helps in a worrying time xx

[Nightmanagerfan]

@Mummatoawesomeboys our NT reading was 4.6, and the baby had a heart defect/no nasal bone. Our bloods showed 1:5 downs risk and CVS confirmed downs.

At our hospital we had bloods/scan and CVS all on one day and got the results from the CVS 48 hours later. We decided not to continue with the pregnancy.

It does sound like our situation was worse, and had more 'markers' for DS, so please don't be unduly worried.

I guess you need to weigh up what you would do if tests showed a chromosomal abnormality. If you'd carry on, then you might choose harmony as it's slower and no miscarriage risk. We wanted to know for certain as coupled with the heart defect we didn't feel that the pregnancy was viable for us to continue. Feel free to ask or come back to me for more info as I'm happy to PM you.

Hope that helps. It's super stressful and hugely emotional so sending love.

[Nightmanagerfan]

Sorry, just saw you've already had the Harmony. Hope the wait isn't too long.

[Mummatoawesomeboys]

Thank you for sharing Jessie5. How long did you have to wait for your harmony test to come back?

I’m so glad your tests came back well. You must feel so relieved. Did they book your heart scan there and then or after your bloods?

Sorry for the questions! Xx

[Jessie5]

Thanks we are feeling much more relieved now, it’s such a horrible feeling being in limbo waiting on results and not knowing what is going on, hope you get your results as soon as possible and hope all goes well. We had our harmony on the Thursday before the Easter weekend so didn’t get them back until the following Friday because of the 2 bank holidays, but they usually take 3-5 working days. They phoned us and then emailed the results through just after. We were booked in to see a nhs consultant on the Tuesday after the bank holiday, they did a further more detailed scan that day. They were more reassuring than when we had the original scan. We were booked in for the heart scan when I called up with the harmony results.

Really hope all goes well for you if you have any other questions I can help with just let me know xx

[TinyTerror1]

Hi OP. There have been quite a few of these posts recently but they aren't always easy to identify from the title :) I'm now 17+2 and my baby had an NT of 3.9 at the 12 week scan. With my age (40) and bloods (not sure on the figures) the overall risk of Downs was 1:5 - Edward's and Patau's was 1:372. I opted for the CVS (at my hospital the miscarriage risk was only 0.5%). The detailed scan showed no issues and all my results came back clear. So that's a good news story for you!

The harmony test is very reliable for the three main trisomies. I had the invasive test as I wanted to be sure of ruling out any chromosomal abnormality. In my extensive googling, I found that NT of 3.6-4.4 has a 70% chance of having a healthy baby (which I found reassuring). I think the question about a virus may have been because this can be a benign reason for baby to have extra fluid rather than that you'd done any harm but I'm not completely sure about that.

Try to sleep and not worry too much. Thinking of you xx

[marajade12]

Hi
I am in a similar(ish) situation. I am 14 weeks tomorrow. Had my 12 week scan last Tuesday. NT was 2mm which I was told was within normal range. However they found pericardial effusion which is basically fluid around the baby’s heart. I have another scan tomorrow with the Foetal Medicine Unit and have been booked in for a cardiology scan at 16 weeks. No sign of results from 12 weeks scan yet so I am holding out hope that it’s not a chromosomal problem.

Just sick feeling sick with worry 😕

[Nightmanagerfan]

@marajade12 so sorry to hear that you've had a similar experience. I really hoe you get good news and that your scan today goes well. When do you get your blood results? It's super stressful. Do you have good support in real life? I found it easier just to talk to my sister and one friend, as I wanted to get my head around what was going on with DH first. Also, support on MN was so helpful too. Really hoping you get some more answers today.

[Mummatoawesomeboys]

I’m sorry to hear some of you are going through similar situations. It is so so stressful especially when you have to carry on with life as normal. I feel that knowing (either way and even if it is bad news) is better than this limbo.

Still waiting for results. I managed to get some sleep last night so feel a bit more optimistic that I can deal with whatever is thrown at me.

I have decided to pick a song to have my emotional response to. I have a good cry and when th song is over, I get on with my day. It’s working for me.

Keep me in the loop other Mummas going through this and keep your chins up. Thinking of you all xx

[Mummatoawesomeboys]

Ladies, I got the harmony tests back. For the three main chromosone tests, I am at 1/10000! For all three. We have decided not to do the amnio as these odds are better than the low risks odds I had with my two sons. We also found out we’re having a girl . I know we aren’t out of the woods as we still have to wait for viruses to come back and have fetal heart echo scan etc at 16 weeks but a much more posItive outlook than this morning. Xxxx

[TinyTerror1]

That's fab news Mumma. You must be so relieved :) fingers crossed for everything else xx

[Nightmanagerfan]

I"m so pleased for you @mumma ! That must be such a relief. Hope you can rest and enjoy the weekend

[Jessie5]

Great news!, really pleased for you x

[marajade12]

Hi everyone,
Been for my scan in the Foetal Medicine Unit today. Consultant was really nice and he did a very detailed look at every part of the baby. Effusion is still there but everything else is ok. They took some bloods to check for any viral infections today too. Back again in two weeks time for a scan with the cardiologist.

On a more positive note got my combined screening results today too and everything is low risk (downs 1:37,825, Edwards/pataus 1:100,000).

[marajade12]

@mumma that’s great news on your results too 🙂

[Mummatoawesomeboys]

That’s great news. Still nervous but feeling a lot more positive :) xxx

[Mummatoawesomeboys]

Oh you poor thing! Do they have the harmony test there. I highly recommend it as an alternative to the invasive as it tests babies bloody and isn’t a combined age/your blood/scan “educated guess ratio”. It’s more reliable than that and it’s what they use in America. Apparently NHS will be bringing it in within the next few years.

Try not to worry. I’ve just had my vitals back and I’ve tested positive for Slap cheek (parvovirus). Which is very worrying but explains why the fluid was there. I’m going to see the consultant on Monday and will probably have weekly/fortnightly scans to check baby is Ok 😢 I can’t believe I wasn’t immune as I’m a primary school teacher and have been for over 10 years!!

I know it’s hard but keep positive. It’s our only option and try not to google like crazy as it only causes more stress. Increased cortisol levels aren’t good for you or baby. I’m one to talk as I’ve googled the hell out of slap cheek and I’m anxious 😆

Lots of love and I hope for the best xxx

[AggyB26]

Yes they do harmony test hear but it’s cost money
We saw baby yesterday and the heart was perfect and NT was just 2.9mm so hopping for best with my blood results 🤞🏻
Awww am sorry to hear that , hope everything goes okey for you 😇
Omg I have been on google since day one we found out 🙈 just not knowing its driving me crazy 🙈
Thank you for your reply, i wish all the best with your pregnancy 😇

[Valwithhope]

I know this is a longshot as this thread hasn't been seen by anyone for 5 years now but I'm desperate for some positiveness or just to believe I have hopes and some of these stories I read helped a little.
Just had my 12 + 4 weeks scan yesterday and baby has hight NT under the neck 4.5mm septated and found some fluid around the abdomen and chest. I'm absolutely in bits...my worst nightmare became reality and had the worst 24hours. I got an appointment for fetal medicine tomorrow morning but I'm not sure what will I hear.. how bad is this?! I know it's bad, but do I still keep my hopes up? I don't know how to process this. I have opted for CVS already as I'm pretty sure they will offer it so I don't want to waste time.if that's what they think the best is to do. I don't know how to process this.