High NT at 13 weeks 6 days - but 0.01% on Harmony test?

[Somedayivf]

Hi all,
I had my 11-13 week scan today at what's technically 13 weeks 2 days (although the baby was measuring at 13 weeks 6!)

We went privately so that my partner could be there, as I've had several miscarriages most of which have been detected at scans. They took the time and had a really good look at it and everything was fine until they looked at the nuchal translucency. It's measuring high at 3.5/3.6mm. Thank god I've had the Harmony test results before this which came back at 0.01% chance, so that's a relief.

But I am really concerned about other heart defects. She said she was fairly sure the brain was OK and that from everything she could see, the heart was fine - but that it was too early to detect some problems with it and that while some babies are fine, 3.55 and above can be indicative of up to 50 defects.

Has anyone had this and their baby has actually been fine? She said that lots of healthy babies have this but that 3.5mm is the cut off at this point in terms of when they start to get worried. I did call my consultant afterwards and explained everything she'd said and he seemed to think it was probably fine, but you can't help but worry can you?

I'd just like some reassurance really that things can be OK despite readings like this, as it's going to be a long wait until the 20 week scan when we can find out more.

[Sussexbysea]

Hi, currently in the exact same position as you. Remember that 3.5 is extremely low and that fluid can increase and decrease throughout pregnancy. At a recent scan, there was no fluid visible

We have our 20 week scan in two weeks and then a fetal heart scan 2 weeks after that. If they detect an issue with the heart at the 20 week scan, we’ll be up at St. George’s in London the next day.

[Somedayivf]

Thank you. Did you have a similar reading earlier on? It’s a long time to wait for reassurance isn’t it? I really hope everything goes well at your next scan.

The NHS is actually wanting to rescan me on Monday (we’d gone private for the scan so my fiancée could be there as we’ve had several traumatic scans) and the sonographer couldnt get a consistent reading - it was 3.3/3.4/3.5/3.6 - so we’ll see if another sonographer and a different machine produces any different result.
x

[Sussexbysea]

@Somedayivf it was 3.5mm at my dating Scan. Combined screen came back high for all three syndromes. My NIPT/SAFE test came back super low so I wasn’t worried.

They said the heart scan is purely a tick box exercise but I’ve learnt that the screening midwives at the hospital are very careful with how they word things. I was 14 weeks when we were referred and the specialist in fetal medicine detected nothing wrong with her heart. I’m sure the scan will be fine though. I’ve got my fingers crossed.xx

[Stassi]

I am also concerned with an NT of 3.2. When are your 20 week scans?

[Somedayivf]

Mine isn’t until the end of November :( I’m considering going private as they’ve said they won’t refer me for a 16 week scan as they would anyone else who had a 3.5mm reading (purely because the 3.5mm reading was taken at a private scan).

@Sussexbysea when did they take the further NT measurements? Did you only have it taken at 11-13 weeks or did they do further readings? The NHS wouldn’t take the reading for me as my baby is measuring ahead and was 14 weeks 1 when they scanned me.

[Somedayivf]

@Stassi have you had a harmony / NIPT test?

[Stassi]

@Somedayivf Yes I have. It came back as 1 in 39 million. But my NHS is 1 i in 164. How can they be so disaparate?

[Somedayivf]

@Stassi is it not normally represented as a percentage? The harmony test is supposed to be more accurate. Have you had amniocentesis or did they do the NHS test where it’s based on an algorithm?

[Sussexbysea]

@Somedayivf the specialist wouldn’t measure NT again, said he wasn’t allowed. He explained that the measurement fluctuates so much during pregnancy so it would kind of give a false reading. I was 13+3 days at my dating scan and my 20 week scan is next week.

[Stassi]

@Somedayivf it wasn’t a percentage just a 1 in something chance the same as the NHS. But different companies do the NIPT. So it can be Harmony, NIFTY, IONA etc so maybe they report results in different says. My 20 week scan is in 2 weeks and I am nervous.

Hope yours goes well @Sussexbysea

[HopefulRose]

Hi @Somedayivf, just wondering how everything went? My baby has a similar NT reading to yours at the 12 week scan xx

[ispyland]

Hi @HopefulRose happy to report all was fine. He’s a very healthy 2.5 year old now! Did you do the NIPT blood test? I would really recommend for peace of mind.

[HopefulRose]

Hi @ispyland so glad to hear! All fine for us too, now have a very happy and healthy 20 month year old (with a larger than average head but turns out mine is bigger than the average female head 😂)

[ispyland]

Oh haha! Mumsnet randomly emailed me about your reply from 2 years ago last week, weird!
Well that’s great and what a relief - a very belated congratulations!! Yes mine also has an above average head - 95th centile I believe 😂 - I wonder if that’s a thing?!