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Antenatal tests

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Original poster

12 week (nuchal) scan on Tues.....

8 replies

wickedfairy · 29/04/2012 11:07

Hi,

Am preg with DC3 - I have my 12 week scan on Tues and now they will do a nuchal scan as well (didn't have this option with the previous pregnancies). The booklet they sent with it says something about the combined test and results taking 2 weeks, but I am not sure if I am having that or just the nuchal scan - it is not really clear?

I had bloods taken at my booking appt with midwife at 10 weeks, do you think they will take more blood at the scan and test that (hence the 2 week time frame). Do they tell you the nuchal measurement at the scan or do you have to wait until the bloods are ready too?

In the North West, if that makes any difference. Any advice welcome, thanks!

OP posts:

GinPalace · 29/04/2012 12:08

With plain nuchal scan they can tell you there and then if it shows risk is low/high.
The combined is blood tests too and the bloods at 10 weeks aren't used as too early, so prob have to take fresh ones.
If they are doing combined they may wait till they have the full range of indicators from scan and bloods before they give the the conclusion.
hth

loveisagirlnameddaisy · 30/04/2012 10:21

The combined test is made up of a) the nuchal fold measurement taken during your 12 week (dating) scan and b) a blood test. The bloods are analysed for hormone levels like Papp-A and HCG. These levels are combined with your nuchal measurement and your age and you are then given a risk factor of Downs (and other chromosomal abnormalities). Risk will be expressed as 1 in xx. High risk is anything up to 1 in 150. If you are high risk you are then offered further testing.

loveisagirlnameddaisy · 30/04/2012 10:22

Forgot to add that in my experience, blood is always taken at the same time as the test.

AdiVic · 30/04/2012 14:19

hello - like loveisagirlnameddaisy said, bloods are usually taken at the same time as 12 wk scan - they will measure nuchal fold there and then, and tell you whether it is normal/large etc. Then you wait a short while for your blood results (i got mine much quicker than 2 wks) which give combined risk - then, based on that you may/may not be offered further testing IF high risk.

Jo178 · 01/05/2012 16:34

Hi, I'm in the north west too, Manchester. We had our combined test done when I was 12 weeks and 4 days. I had to sign a consent form saying I agreed to the test. During the actual scan the sonographer explained what would be an acceptable NT measurement and what our babies was. He also pointed out the nasal bone which is important as in babies with Downs Syndrome it isn't always developed at that gestation. After the scan I had about four sets of bloods taken for various things. These were the first blood tests I had as my midwife didn't take them at my booking appointment. We were told that they would ring us if there were any problems but otherwise to expect a letter which came around three weeks later. All my bloods were normal and our combined risk of Downs taking my age (36) the nuchal fold and blood test into account was 1:16,000. Our little girl is now 6 months old and is fine.

loveisagirlnameddaisy · 01/05/2012 18:22

Wicked hope your scan went well today?

Original poster

wickedfairy · 03/05/2012 16:36

Hi Loveis...

Thanks for asking! Had my scan and saw the baby, heart beating, etc so that was lovely!

As said by everyone above, they did the NT measurement and then took blood. The NT measurement was 1.6mm - I have read on here that under 3mm is a good result. I asked the sonographer but she said, without the bloods the result meant nothing.... So, I am waiting - they said if I was high risk they will call in a few days and if not, I would get a letter stating low risk but with no ratio figures, just that I was low or high risk.

So, I am waiting and hoping the phone doesn't ring. Is it true that the NT measurement alone means nothing? I suppose it must be, or she would not have said that....

OP posts:

loveisagirlnameddaisy · 03/05/2012 18:19

That's great news! Exactly the same NT measurement as I had this time round! :)

I wouldn't like to contradict a sonographer since I'm not medically trained but I don't believe an NT measurement on its own means nothing at all, otherwise why would they give you a threshold of under 3mm as being a good result? I just think they don't like to say anything prior to the official combined results being issued in case there is a problem (and certainly a low NT measurement does not completely rule out a problem).

However, I would be very reassured by that and it certainly helps with the wait for the final results. :)

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