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Pregnancy

Nuchal fold scan :-(

43 replies

VJONES1985 · 04/02/2014 13:13

I had my 12 week scan today and I wanted it to be a wonderful experience but sadly it had a cloud hanging over it.

Everything is fine including three of the four Downs syndrome markers. The one that wasn't was the fluid on the back of the neck. Apparently the maximum normal amount is 2.2mm and my baby's is 2.3mm.

The midwife is calling me tomorrow with the personalised chances of me having a Downs baby and she said she's not concerned at all. I really hope she's right.

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Twobusyboys · 04/02/2014 13:16

2.3 isnt that bad. High end of normal. I would expect the risk will be fairly low.
Many people have 4 or 5cm. And some of those babies are fine. Try not to worry til you have actual results through.

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Twobusyboys · 04/02/2014 13:16

I have been through similar

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VJONES1985 · 04/02/2014 13:18

And I'm guessing everything was fine in your case? Thanks, that does reassure me.

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Twobusyboys · 04/02/2014 13:21

It was. I did find it very stressfull though at the time. It alnost makes you wish you hadnt bothered with the test.
I think my reading was 1.8 and it came back about 1 in 200.

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VJONES1985 · 04/02/2014 13:24

You had a 1 in 200 chance? I'm 28 and, as far as I know, have no higher chance of a Downs baby than any other 28 year old. But we shall see, I guess.

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BabyNumber02 · 04/02/2014 13:52

I got a 1 in 25 risk from the combined screening. The nuchal fold was 3.1 which is supposed to be right on the limit. I got no answer about why my risk was so high but we were devastated by it. We opted for an amnio as we couldn't face the rest of the pregnancy with all the worry hanging over us. Thankfully everything was fine and I am now 39 weeks. I really wouldn't worry too much about a nuchal fold of 2.3 as it is pretty low to me and it can drive you crazy.

From my experience they unnecessarily worry you!

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VJONES1985 · 04/02/2014 14:04

Thank you, that has made me feel better. And you know what, I got an amazing scan photo of the baby's face today and just looking at that makes me smile :-)

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lucy101 · 04/02/2014 14:09

Just to mention the Harmony test as a good and less invasive options to amnio and cvs (off course you might not want any more tests). I can't recommend the FMC in London for scans etc. too. I hope you get reassuring news.

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lucy101 · 04/02/2014 14:10

I meant to say I can't recommend the FMC highly enough! They are brilliant.

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eurochick · 04/02/2014 14:15

I've also had the Harmony at the FMC. I'm waiting for my results now (be warned, it does take 2 weeks as the blood is sent to the US, so it is not a quick way to get an answer, but it doesn't carry the risks of amnio or CVS).

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atomicyoghurt · 04/02/2014 14:15

Please don't worry wait till you know the details. My best friend has had two pregnancies both of which had high nuchal readings (7.2cm and 7.1cm) and both boys were non-Downs when born.

The first time she went through hell worrying and being pressured to terminate my the medics and it was all unnecessary.

My three girls all had measurements around 3cm and all fine.

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MrsB2013 · 04/02/2014 14:17

VJ try not to worry 2.3 isn't that big. most hospitals say under 3.5 is normal. Mine was 1.7 and my risk was 1:11000 and im 32. My friend had 2.2 and 1:100000 and she was 30 at the time.

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Writerwannabe83 · 04/02/2014 14:18

I was only thinking about you last night VJONES and wondering how your pregnancy was going Smile

I don't think your reading is particularly high so try not to worry too much. I think mine was 1.9mm (so not too far away from yours) and my result still came back as 1: 90'000 Shock

Stay positive, I'm sure everything will be fine x x

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CrispyFB · 04/02/2014 14:18

I second Harmony if you end up screening positive (usually more than 1 in 150). And the FMC a hundred times over!

I've had a 1 in 34 (DS has normal chromosomes) and a 1 in 5 (Harmony says negative, still pregnant!)

Both times the reason for the high risk was the bloodwork. If you have good bloodwork that will dramatically lower the risk.

With this pregnancy the NT was 2.7mm and she apparently has typical chromosomes. DC1 was 2.2mm I think (typical chromosomes) and DC2 was a bit less.

The nuchal fold increases in size as you get towards a 13+6 fetus size as well - how big did the baby measure?

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Showy · 04/02/2014 14:21

I had a 3mm fold with ds. Our hospital considered this just within the normal range for gestation. He is 2yo now, no probs. Sonographer wasn't worried at all.

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VJONES1985 · 04/02/2014 14:25

I can't remember how long the baby measured, I will check my notes later. But I'm 13 weeks exactly so probably not close to 13+6. Doesn't sound like 2.3mm is especially high considering some of your experiences on here. And glad to hear the majority of your stories ended well.

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VJONES1985 · 04/02/2014 14:35

Crispy - when you say they had typical chromosomes, do you mean your babies had/have Downs? Or it looked like they did but it turned out they didn't?

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PenguinsDontEatKale · 04/02/2014 14:40

2.3 is still within what I was told is normal. They told me 2. 4 for higher risk.

Did you have bloods done too? If you did and these are normal, you are likely to still fall within low risk.

I was high risk based solely on bloods, but had amnio and everything was fine. (Typical chromosomes means no Downs Syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities).

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LastOneDancing · 04/02/2014 15:12

Hi Jones.

Our measurement was 2.1 at 12 +3 weeks. Sonographer said anything under 3.5 was considered normal!

I'm 35 and with bloods our 'risk' was 3000 to 1.

Everything crossed for you, but I really don't think you should panic because of that measurement.

And congratulations in a 12 week little bean!

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ChicaMomma · 04/02/2014 15:24

I was told that the 'line' was 2.5!! and even at that, 2.5 - 3.5 is still only medium risk... and 3.5+ was high risk.. I reckon you're fine to be honest. But in your situation i'd probably go for further testing, like the CVS, just as i'm a worrier also.

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VJONES1985 · 04/02/2014 15:29

What's a CVS?

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GingerRodgers · 04/02/2014 15:31

Have you had the bloods back yet Vj or is it just the scan measurements? I really wouldn't panic (easier said than done, I know that) before knowing all the results. Hope you're ok.

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GingerRodgers · 04/02/2014 15:32

Cvs is where they test the placenta and normally done earlier than an amnio (which tests the fluid).

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VJONES1985 · 04/02/2014 15:34

That was just the scan measurement. Tomorrow the midwife is calling me with my chances of having a Downs baby based on my bloods.

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ChicaMomma · 04/02/2014 15:43

The CVS test is like the amniocentesis (google them both), it can give you a positive or negative test on the basis of amniotic fluid taken. But about a 0.75% risk of miscarriage attached. The CVS can be done now, the Amnio can only be done at 16 weeks +.

To be honest, i think you'll come back reasonably low risk. DO you have a minimum figure in your head? 1 in 1000? 1 in 100? after which you'd go for extra testing? i had a figure in my head of 1 in 1000. (I came back as 1 in 64,000 in the end thankfully.)

I woudl wait and see what she says, and discuss your next steps with her if youre high risk. I wouldn't think you will be though! but google CVS and Amniocentesis so that you know what they are if she mentions them..

best of luck!

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