12 week scan - urgent advice needed!

[wondering7777]

I'm 12 weeks pregnant and paid for a NIPT blood test to be done recently. The package also included a 12 week nuchal scan, where they checked that all organs were present, measured the baby, took a nuchal measurement etc.

I'm due to have a 12 week scan and blood test at the NHS this afternoon and am wondering whether I still need to go to this appointment?

It sounds like a silly question but I'm just worrying that a) the NHS might spot something the private clinic didn't; and b) I want to make sure that I don't fall off their system as I want to have the baby at an NHS hospital.

I've been trying to call the hospital all morning to ask for advice but nobody's picking up the phone.

Should I go along anyway or is it a complete waste of time/NHS resources?

Any advice gratefully received!

To those asking why I booked a private scan (@MarshmallowsOnToast, @ittooshallpass and anyone else!) I actually only wanted a NIPT blood test, but the clinic where I went was offering a 12 week nuchal scan as part of the package. So it was almost incidental really! I wouldn't have booked it otherwise, but it seemed silly to turn it down when it was offered.

@MissPepper8 I was the same as SoyDora - I had my booking in appointment at around 8/9 weeks, which included a blood test for HIV, hepatitis and various other things - but it didn't test for the three trisomies (Down's, Edwards and Patau). Where I am, that second blood test is done at the hospital (or privately) as part of the 12 week scan.

I cancelled 12 week scan telling them I had had it privately with harmony test, they deleted me from hospital records and I didn't get invited for 20 week scan, had to chase and chase to get back on their 'list'. Midwife seemed to think this was an inevitable consequence of not having the NHS 12 week scan!

@StraffeHendrik oh, that's annoying! Maybe it is good I went along today then, as the nurse did spend about 10 minutes entering all my details into the computer. At least I can be confident I'm definitely on their system now!

Same as OP - i had the harmony test at the Fetal Medicine Centre, and it came with detailed scans at 10 and 12 weeks - i wasn’t looking for it separately.

@SoyDora I call it my booking in, I did though had a visit at 9 weeks at home just to go over notes and history and then she text me my scan date. Different areas I guess.

@StraffeHendrik Bloody hell thats awful, basically dont tell them you've had scans else where.

@wondering7777 Ah they don't do blood tests at home where I am, it's in clinic. She just did my notes at 9 weeks and the rest in clinic.

I doubt the NHs scan will discover things the private scan had not - I did both and the private scanning machine was far superior to the NHS one. even at 12 weeks, we saw stomach, kidney, 4 heart chambers , nasal bone etc wheres the NHs was just a grainy picture.

but I would still go just to be on the records - for 2o week scan etc.

and it's nice to get to have another look at the baby no matter how grainy.

do you think they could add it into my blood test this afternoon or am I too late? What was the result of your test

They should be able to. I’m not sure on the policy where you are, but I just told them on the day that I needed a toxo test and they took an extra vial of blood from me. Mine came back that I was immune to it. I’d obviously had it at some point in the past and you can’t get it twice. Not surprising though, I’ve worked with animals for over 20 years!

Glad it worked out for you OP.

Those asking about private scans, I also want to do NIPT and a scan is included. My reason is that I’m a little older and - unlike the NHS screening - NIPT doesn’t include age in its risk calculations.

Everything is worrying at first OP! It does get easier.

Having said that I'm 35 weeks and now thinking perhaps I should have been more worried about toxoplasmosis?? Twin cat owner that I am 😳

Out of interest what did the private test say?
Assuming it was a harmony or panorama?
I had one, went to my NHS 12week scan where the sonographer decided I had a 1in5 likelihood of down's by leaving a voicemail and then was contactable. The panorama was completely clear.
I spoke to a senior member of staff at hospital who informed me they are not supposed to do scans where a clear result for downs has bern detected on test already. I dont know what the policy at your hospital is but this caused so much stress and confusion to me as I couldnt understand how the sonographer had reached her(incorrect) conclusion.