FMC nuchal scan or NHS dating?

[Diege]

I have a dilemma as to where to have my 12 week scan. To cut a very, very long story short, I am pregnant with dc 5, and in terms of screening in previous pregnancies I have had everything from triple test, amnio, to nothing at all, to nuchal. I have had quite 'high risk' pregancies in that every 20 week scan I have has come up with at least one 'soft marker', but these were subsequently groundless in that my children don't have any chromosome issues. My anxieties seem to centre around my, on the one hand, 'need to know' if there are problems, combined with a fear of a screening scan (such as the nuchal) throwing up soft markers that would leave me in a position of wanting a cvs.But then I wouldn't terminate for ds . At least I don't think so.
I have a dating scan booked with the NHS for next week (I have had 2 early scans already due to bleeding), and a provisional appointment at the FMC the day before. The dating scan isn't a nuchal (although the sonographer has told me they 'have a little look' at the nuchal that tbh doesn't fill me with confidence. I'd also like some reassurances from the scan that might offset the inevitable 20 week marker fest that I feel sure to have yet again. But of course a deatiled FMC scan with the prof may simply highlight things I don't want to need to know as I know they look at so much at the FMC. I know I'm not making much sense but if any one can get any sense out of what I'm saying I'd be grateful for your thoughts .

Hello diege

I am no expert, but reading through your post i'm thinking maybe you could explain the above to your sonographer, saying you would only want to be told in the event of xyz ....

That way you wont be thrown into confusion by an inconclusive hint at DS, or other non life threatening problem, especialy if you wouldnt terminate for those.

Does that help? Have i read you right? xxx

Thanks Misty . I think the problem is that my NHS sonographer will report anything 'as policy' and in terms of soft markers they may say to be (as they have done in the past) that it's probably nothing but they need to report it...and so the spiral of anxiety begins. If I go to the FMS obvipously they will report on absolutely everything, and that is what I would want if I went there as it would be a means of getting reassurnaces..which of course I may not.
I think I need to try and detress a little and acknowledge that whatever scan I have, it's not going to change what's happening inside. I suppose I want all the reassurances of a 'good' scan and none of the 'possible problems'

Yes - modern technology ay?

I recently had this dicusion with someone here, saying how these scans are amazing things - but then you realise there are no magic wands being whipped out to deal with the fall out!

I think you've answered your own question there diege, destress a little and decide wether you need/want to know. Its a very personal decision.

with what ever you decide. Maybe someone else can come along here soon and be more helpfull than me ..........

Thanks Misty After all you've been through you're very kind to even respond to a post like this where nothing is actually 'wrong' yet.

You're right that screening in one sense is like opening a pandora's box, and of course once you start asking questions you can't not hear the answers. I think I am erring towards going for the dating scan and if all seems ok will hold on until the anomaly. If there are issues raised at the dating scan I'll try and book with the FMC for the following week when I'll just be inside the timescale for a nuchal.

That sounds sensible xx you sound alot calmer now Sometimes just laying it all out on here makes you realise you know what you want - just got to get it straight in your head.

Let us know how you get on anyway xxx Good Luck xxx

Yes, that's very true MIsty; part of getting it clear in your own head is writing it out and trying to make what's going on in your head sound rational.
I have ummed and ahhed a little today, and very nearly rang the FMC to confirm my appointment. However, even though I might regret it, I think I'll hang on now until next week's dating scan and take it from there. I did have a scan last week at the EPU when I was 10 weeks (but measuring 2 days off 11 weeks) and she said the nuchal looked fine, so fingers crossed that's a positive sign. Thanks again, and take care x