Too late for Nuchal fold/blood tests

[Hexing]

Good morning,
I was hoping for some advice from those with experience of having had CVS and/or Amnio tests.

Yesterday I went along for my Nuchal fold and blood tests only to find I am around 15 weeks pregnant. I knew the scan date was pushing it in terms of being close to the cut off point for it being possible so i'm kicking myself for not having changed the appointment date when it came through, but I was confident with my dates.

So, too late for the tests and i've now been offered a CVS, which with midwife said must happen next week, or an amnio around the same time as my 20 week scan, which is actually booked in for when i'm 18 weeks.

I am 34 in November, this is my 2nd pregnancy...first one perfectly healthy. We have no history on either side of our families, however my BMI is higher than it should be and I have read this can be a factor in neural tube defects.

I'm now thinking maybe I should wait until the 20 week scan and see if that throws up anything in terms of abnormalities with heart or other organs and from that decide whether to go ahead with the amnio. Seems bonkers to have an invasive test when i've nothing flagged up to be concerned about, but it's precisely because I have no information that i'm dwelling on what might be, I guess it's just the not knowing that's concerning me, would you have an amnio just to confirm things, as far as that's possible?

Would appreciate any thoughts or experiences you would feel comfortable sharing, i'm all googled out!

Thanks for your time

Hi there

When I went for my first antenatal appt (at 11 weeks) I was told that some women are further along than they think and miss the window for the comined NT and bloods test. They said these women can have a different kind of blood test that looks at different things.

On a related note. One the elements in my bloods came back too high. When I called the clinic about this they told me I could have additonal abnormality blood tests at 15 weeks (and for a couple of weeks beyond this I think). This is the clinic and I think the tests they were talking about

www.wolfson.qmul.ac.uk/epm/screening/tests.html

They told me I would need to pay for this privately. Might be worth it for peace of mind?

Hope this helps

Hi there

I had an amnio before my 20 weeks scan at around 18 weeks. I found it quite tough waiting to have it but the procedure itself was fairly straightforward and didn't hurt me at all. I got the preliminary results 3 days later.

Hexing, they've only been doing the nuchal fold test for about a year where I work. Previously to this you either had to pay privately or the only routine test offered on the NHS was the triple blood test which is done from approx 15-17 weeks. So you could have the blood test done and see if you're a raised risk and then decide if you want an amnio.

Now although I'm a midwife my knowledge of NT scans is a bit patchy as I work on labour ward. But I really did think that NT scans for chromosonal problems, ie; Downs. Not for neural tube defects. As far as I know spinabifida is tested for via a blood test.

Prior to NT SCans being available any woman aged 35 or over was automatically offered an amnio if she wanted one due to being at higher risk of a Down's pregnancy due to her age. So you're just under that cut off if that helps at all.

I think its only you who can make that decision whetehr to have the more invasive tests, rememebering that they do carry a risk of miscarriage. With the CVS having a slightly higer risk. If you did the blood test first you need to think what figure would reassure you; if you got a result of 1:1000 would you still be worried you were that one or would you think they were good odds? People have different ideas about what is an OK figure for them. Good luck.

Thank you so so much for your super helpful replies. I'm defs going to get that Quadruple test booked, I live in Stockholm surely i'll find somewhere here, have emailed my midwife. Failing that I can just go back to London.

Have decided not to have the CVS next week.

Again, I really appreciate your time, every post has given me extra info to base our decisions on, wow thanks so much. xx

my local NHS offers the triple test (blood test_ to screen for downs (they don't do the NF scan over here . test is always done after 16 weeks. maybe want to check with your MV if it is available in your area as well?

Hi there - poor you. I am 42 baby due in April. I had a CVS on 13th Oct as my risk was 1:76. Yes it IS invasive and it IS traumatic waiting for the results but I had it done at UCH in London which was fantastic. Now results have come back normal I am hugely relieved and it was worth it for peace of mind. It has to be YOUR decision and I am glad I had it. If you do have CVS you must have complete bed rest for 72 hours afterwards. Good luck. sarah x