High Nucal fold thickness

[redshift1]

We've just had our 20 week scan and was told that he has a higher than average Nuchal fold thickness of 7.3mm. Everything else looks normal and healthy and they examined his heart extensively and nothing looks out of the ordinary. We have done the NIPT test and just waiting on results but I am just so scared of what the outcome will be, the not knowing is torture. I've also not felt much movement yet, and felt no kicks at all. Could this be a link? Or am I just being extra paranoid? Has anybody else got any experience with this?

[MajorFaffington]

Did you have a NT measurement taken at your 12 week scan?

[redshift1]

@MajorFaffington yes and that was fine and our results came back as 1 in 15067 chance of downs so this has definitely come as a bit of a shock

[stormy11]

You only need to start worrying about not feeling any kicks when you are 24 weeks pregnant. If you don't feel any by then call your midwife straight away.

I hope everything is ok.

[MajorFaffington]

Yes, it must have been a real shock, I’m so sorry that you are going through this @redshift1.

I don’t have any specific experience of high NT at 20 weeks, but did have a NIPT after a high risk combined screening result at 12 weeks, so I do have an idea of how you might be feeling waiting for the result.

I hope that you get a positive outcome, and that in the meantime you get some helpful replies from people with experience.

[modernfamily77]

Hope you dont mind me asking but what was tbe outcome of your baby?
Seems I'm now going through the same as you. I had an ok 12 week scan, low risk bloods but now 20 weeks scan has shown 7.4 NT. Re scanned and now showing 8.4 NT. All babys organs are showing as ik, nose and facial ok so now waiting for NIPT. I declined the invasive test but just wish I could no for sure.
Wishing you well

[Missy38]

I hope all turns out OK for you, mine was a little over at 12 week scan, 3.6 but resolved at 14 weeks and so far heart and everything else looks OK, I had 1 in 15 chance for downs, but NIPT came back low chance, the only thing that's bugging me is baby is never in a good position to see spine as they keep saying suboptimal view, I declined the amnio as the scans are OK at the moment, its a really scary time and I've not enjoyed any part of this pregnancy at all, constant worry and not much sleep

[Avacadoandtoast]

Hi @Missy38 - just read your message and thought I’d post. I had a NT of 3.4mm just recently (I know they say this is in ‘normal’ range, but really the difference between 3.4 & 3.6 is minimal) On words of advice from family, we paid for NIPT - although still a screening all the results came back at low risk which has given us much more peace of mind. Maybe something which would help you? I think you could ask for it on NHS of above 3.5.

[Missy38]

Hi I had the NIPT test and that came back low chance which really did help alot, I just think I'm more paranoid than anything about the what ifs if you get me, and all is looking good on scans, its just what I've read about having that fluid on the neck, the ifs later on that the scans don't pick up ☹

[Avacadoandtoast]

I know - it is scary - how far along are you? Do you have long to wait until your 20week scan?

[Missy38]

I'm nearly 25 weeks, what about you

[Avacadoandtoast]

Only 17 just now - so still to have my 20 week scan - quite nervous but the NIPT definitely settled me a lot. Are you getting any more scans or is that you now?

[Missy38]

Hope all will be OK for you, yeah they are gonna give me a ans every 4 weeks now

[Missy38]

Scans every 4 weeks that should have said, just to keep a check on the growth, so far all the growth is on the centre line for head stomach etc

[Avacadoandtoast]

Oh that’s good! I’m getting scans every couple of weeks from 28 weeks, hope all is well. Keep in touch - you’ll be great I’m sure!

[Mousecheese]

For those that have had thhe NIPT test was this provided on NHS or did you have to go private thanks

[Missy38]

Thank you ☺ you also

[Missy38]

My NIPT was done through the NHS I think because I had high risk my first lot of bloods came back 1 in 15 for downs so they offered me the non invasive test before the invasive, in the end I choose not to get the amnio, well so far

[Avacadoandtoast]

@Mousecheese we paid privately for our test as were low risk

[SamK93]

@redshift1 I know this is an old post but I just wanted to know what the outcome was? I'm going through something similar right now and worrying out of my mind

[redshift1]

@SamK93 Firstly I'm sorry you're going through this, it really was the worst week of my life so if you need to talk I'm here. I know it can be a horrible lonely time.

We paid privately for the NIPT test which came back with a 1 in 100,000 chance of the 3 chromosome conditions. We decided these were pretty good odds and went ahead without further testing and I gave birth to a perfectly healthy baby boy in April.

We did have extra scans throughout to keep an eye on the nuchal fold but nothing else was ever picked up.

[SamK93]

@redshift1 thank you so much for replying, congratulations on having your baby boy. Im expecting a boy too I'm 21 weeks, I only found out at my scan yesterday. She told me at the end of the scan that everything else seemed normal but one of the measurements she took was 7.5mm and the threshold is 6mm so she will be sending it off to fetal med for a second opinion. She said I might hear something on Monday and to take it from there. I literally haven't slept and I can't think of anything else, my husband doesn't really understand and I can't speak to anybody else about it I'm just so worried

[redshift1]

@SamK93 my midwife told us that at 20 weeks you'd expect to see other abnormalities such as a stomach or heart problem or a clef lip if there was a chromosome issue and that sometimes baby's just have a high nuchal fold and that's just normal for them. So with the rest of the scan looking good it's a really good sign!

Did she talk you through any further test options or anything?

[SamK93]

@redshift1 thank you for some reassurance, she didn't say anything else just that she's sent the images off to someone at fetal med and they should be in touch Monday, she said they'd either say it all looks okay or that further investigations will be needed. That's all I was told. I really appreciate you replying x

[redshift1]

@SamK93 I hope they get back to you Monday, it was like torture waiting for that phone call.

We were given the option of an amniocentesis but we decided that was to risky for us so we decided to go private with the NIPT test instead.

Did you have the standard screening for the 3 chromosome abnormalities at your 12 week scan? What were the results?

[SamK93]

@redshift1 it is like torture honestly.
This is my third pregnancy I always declined the screening tests as I would love my baby no matter the outcome, as I declined with my other two I did with this one too. I'm 26 now and maybe I just never gave it a proper thought, I'm starting to wish I did have the test? I don't think I'd have the amniocentesis either and would definitely opt for NIPT. I feel like I'm going mad. Am I stupid to feel like this?