Anyone get combined test/nuchal at FMC in London?

[LuxuryTrifle]

Hi all. I'm booked in for combined test with nuchal scan at FMC in week 12. I was wondering if anyone could comment on their experience of that there?

Specifically I am wondering if it is more detailed and reliable than the usual Nhs version - and whether I need to do combined test on Nhs as well. I think not, surely - just FMC enough? I have heard FMC combined tests can produce hugely different risk scores which I think might be because include more markers?

(I will have Harmony too because of my age - 42. Had amnio with first dc and want to avoid that this time if odds are ok; found amnio a v difficult choice personally.)

NHS scans vary very much depending on hospital. Some (although) look at all the same markers as FMC, some just measure nuchal fold and do blood test. It depends on where your NHS scan takes place, really. In some hospitals you also get offered non-invasive prenatal test (similar to Harmony, but done locally) if your risk is above 1:1000.

I had my combined test and Harmony at the FMC. Didn't bother with the NHS one. Make sure you are in the system for the 20 week scan if you want that on the NHS though.

I had both there. The FMC one is a lot more in depth than most NHS ones. A few NHS ones might be comparable but they're usually somewhere like Kings College (run by the same professor!) or UCLH - top research hospitals basically.

There's no point doing an NHS scan if you do the FMC one.

I did have my NT screening result from the FMC despite having Harmony, but I asked for it specifically as I knew it was going to be bad (it was - 1 in 5! But negative Harmony) and I wanted to know out of personal interest.

Yes, I meant to say "some, although very rare"!

That's really helpful - thanks all!

Crispy, thanks for the heads' up about asking specifically for the NT screening result - I think I would like to know it too , even if a bit scary!

I had combined test/nuchal there with DC3 when I was 38 (but not Harmony as no one did it then). I chose that over the NHS (and yes, no need to do NHS test if you are doing FMC) because of the immediate results (i.e. take blood sample, do NT scan, blood results are back by the time the NT scan is finished so you get an immediate combined risk score, and then can be booked straight in for CVS if there's anything concerning).

It's more detailed than most NHS tests, although some centres will use the same set of markers. But new refinements of the screen will tend to come to the FMC before they come to the NHS just because Nicolaides and his team are at the forefront of research.

Ah, thanks for the warning Madrigals. I am doing the nuchal and harmony on the same day in week 12, so it will be a bit bleak if they don't give me any stats straight away, and make me wait until the Harmony results in week 14.

The NHS does give a rough indication from the NT straight away, so it never occurred to me that FMC would do the scan and combined test and say 'right, no figures forthcoming until two weeks time, when you get the harmony result....'

I think they do have the number there, but they're reluctant to share when Harmony results have already been given because for many people who don't understand it fully, it might totally throw them. I did have to push a bit, and promise I wouldn't be freaked out by it, basically! I said how I'd had a 1 in 34 before and waited it out and knew my stuff about it all which was clear from my questions, so perhaps that influenced things. This was a year ago for the record. Although a friend had her Harmony back in July and was told.. but she had a 1 in 2 screening and negative Harmony so perhaps that is why she was told as it was so unusual.

However if you're having NT screening and blood draw for Harmony the same day I'd be amazed if they didn't tell you, so it shouldn't be a concern!

FMC gave me NT results even though they were giving me harmony results at the same time. This was a few weeks ago. I guess it must depend on the sonographer.

Yes, it could well be personal policy. After all the sonographers are not just sonographers, they're published researchers in their own right. So they no doubt have a LOT of experience dealing with patients and what works best, and are probably used to having a bit of autonomy too.

I did both FMC and NHS scans because my husband couldn't make the FMC appointments but managed to come to the NHS12...

I am 41 so wanted the Harmony done and doing it at 10w got me an extra scan