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Original poster

Nuchal measurement 3mm at 10 weeks - too early?

45 replies

NoCatsHere · 04/05/2018 11:10

Hello, I went for a private scan at 10 weeks due to two previous miscarriages and everything was ok with the baby. 4 limbs, and a heartbeat but towards the end she said, "I feel i ought to mention that the NT fluid is a little on the high side at 3mm". She said its still within normal range, but maybe too high for 10 weeks.

I'm now freaking out about it and have read a mixture of stuff on the internet. Like some saying its too early to measure and that's why they do it from 11-13 weeks, and other reports saying the fluid increases as baby grows, in which case it might be a lot bigger by the time i get to my 12 week scan. Does anyone have any experience of this, have i any hope? I'm 39 and this will be my 3rd baby,
Thank you.

OP posts:
TinyTerror1 · 04/05/2018 11:58

I think you should wait and see how it is at the NHS scan. I'm pretty sure the 11-13 week window is there for a reason. Try not to panic too much if it is high when that comes; there are quite a few stories on here recently (including mine) where a high NT hasn't meant an issue anyway.

Did you get a Harmony test with your private scan? If you can afford it it's more accurate than the NHS screening.

Original poster
NoCatsHere · 05/05/2018 07:55

Thanks tiny I’ve been reading lots of reasssuring stories on here. The scan was only that, harmony is quite expensive. I will wait for my proper scan and see and then go from there. If I get bad results I’ll consider harmony maybe or the other NHS tests like amino. I’ll update when I know.

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AggyB26 · 10/05/2018 13:41

Hello am 26 and pregnant with my second baby 👶🏼 I went for my first 12 weeks scan last Thursday but they told us NT was 4mm was a big shock for us ☹️ They send us to another hospital for another scan , so yesterday NT was 2.9 mm but we still waiting on my blood results
So confused 😐 is baby okey our not
I feel like doctors just want me to go through with CVS but am so scared 😟
What if blood comes back with low risk , do I still have to do CVS test
Help ☹️

TinyTerror1 · 10/05/2018 20:25

You don't have to have the CVS at all. If your hospital offers it or you can afford it, you can opt for the NIPT or Harmony test which is non-invasive and a lot more accurate than the NHS combined screening, or you can wait for your 20 week anomaly scan where they will usually be able to see if baby is developing properly. It is up to you if you want a diagnostic test like the CVS now. Personally I couldn't bear to wait and worry but everyone is different. Hope your bloods come back good xx

Original poster
NoCatsHere · 11/05/2018 13:48

Aggy the CVS is optional, and like tiny said you can use other non invasive options depending on what you can afford/what your hospital offers. But if your blood result comes back as a good result, that might be the reassurance you need that all is ok.

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AggyB26 · 11/05/2018 14:03

Thank you for your response, now I do know that I have other options, coz this is all new to me and doctors only mentioned CVS
Waiting for my blood results 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Original poster
NoCatsHere · 13/05/2018 09:55

aggy let us know how you get on. My scan is on Tuesday when hopefully I’ll know more too.

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AggyB26 · 13/05/2018 10:32

I will thank you 😊 wish you all the best for you , hope your scan goes good 😇

ShinyBadger · 13/05/2018 19:20

Hi - the Sonographer should not have looked at the NT as legally it is only to be measured if the baby CRL measures between 45mm - 84 mm.
When you go for your dating the scan if you opt for the screening then as long as your baby measures over 45 mm (11weeks 2days) they will measure the NT and you will have your bloods done.
If the NT is over 3.5 mm the Sonographer should refer you to see the screening midwife where they will do your bloods and discuss possibilities the raised NT could be. If the NT is raised it doesn’t mean that there is always something wrong but possiblities can include Down syndrome, Edwards or pataus it can be heart abnormalities also and other chromosomal defects and sometimes turns out to be absolutely nothing and all is fine.

Now in the NHS they can offer a range of test, CVS, Amnios and NIPT/Harmony testing of you came back with a risk of under 1:150. There are many options and the screening midwives are very supportive.

How many weeks will you be on Tuesday? I wish you all the best and hope everything is ok for you. Try to stay off Dr Google and wait and see what happens and I am sorry that the person who scanned was not professional and spoke of something that they should not be looking yet. X

Original poster
NoCatsHere · 13/05/2018 20:00

@shinybadger thank you SO much for taking the time to reply. According to my LMP I’ll be exactly 12 weeks on Tuesday, but according to the two early scans I’ve had (one at EPU due to mc and this private one I spoke about) I might be 12+4 so hopefully nicely in the middle for measurements of the NT. I had read on line that it’s not looked at until between certain dates and I was only roughly 10 weeks. I was annoyed she even felt she could mention it as I could have been planning to opt out of the NT screening anyway at my NHS scan, plus I’d already said I was there because I was nervous as hell due to previous MMC and then instead of reassuring me it’s just worried me for two weeks. I wish I’d never gone. But I have read a lot that the single reading isn’t the only thing that bloods and other factors are taken into consideration. You’ve reassured me a bit, thankyou for that and I’ll see what Tuesday brings.

OP posts:
ShinyBadger · 13/05/2018 21:12

It’s frustrating as ultrasound is not a register profession and private clinics can employ anyone - oftern many have no formal qualification ☹️ Which then leads to situations like your in causing anxiety and extra stress when not required at the time.

Yes it’s combiened screening, so weight, age, ethnicity, if your a smoker, diabetic and then your bloods - I really hope all is ok on Tuesday for you x

Original poster
NoCatsHere · 14/05/2018 11:08

She said she worked up at the hospital sometimes as a midwife? I can’t remember, or maybe as a sonographer....
but anyway like you said it shouldn’t even be looked at before 11 weeks anyway. I didn’t ask for her to check it over, it never even crossed my mind. At least scan is tomorrow, really not long to wait now. Thanks. Will keep you posted.

OP posts:
TinyTerror1 · 14/05/2018 12:37

Good luck tomorrow OP xx

Snorebrown · 14/05/2018 18:46

I hope tomorrow goes well nocats

Original poster
NoCatsHere · 15/05/2018 13:46

Thank you all so much for your support it really has been invaluable to me. No one else quite gets the worry unless you’ve been in a similar position. My scan was today at 1pm, off to a good start, she didn’t seem worried about anything and my NT measurement was 2.6mm. Having my bloods done now and will hope for good results when they come back.

OP posts:
TinyTerror1 · 15/05/2018 17:12

Great! Glad the scan went well. Fingers crossed for your bloods :) xx

Original poster
NoCatsHere · 15/05/2018 19:20

Thanks tiny, will update, i know how important it was to see updates from posters when i was frantically searching for good news all the time. Hope all is going ok with you.

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Original poster
NoCatsHere · 15/05/2018 19:37

@AggyB26 hope you've had good news back from your bloods.

OP posts:
AggyB26 · 15/05/2018 19:39

Still waiting for my blood results 🙄 🤞🏻

TinyTerror1 · 15/05/2018 21:32

Thanks nocats. I have my anomaly scan and fetal echocardiogram tomorrow morning, the very last bit of reassurance after the high NT. I'm a bit nervous, can't relax about any scans after my first one I think! But it should be fine. Fingers crossed...

TinyTerror1 · 16/05/2018 10:36

Just had the scan and all fine, nothing at all wrong with baby Smile maybe I can finally relax and enjoy this now! Xx

Original poster
NoCatsHere · 16/05/2018 10:58

Oh tiny that is great news. Yes do try and relax and enjoy it now otherwise it’ll be over in a flash. And it would be a shame not to enjoy it now before you get bigger and more uncomfortable later on. Good luck with everything progressing as normal and I wish you a relaxing and boring rest of your pregnancy! X

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TinyTerror1 · 16/05/2018 11:17

Thanks nocats, the same to you! X

Original poster
NoCatsHere · 18/05/2018 19:53

Update: incase anyone needs reassurance and finds this thread. My bloods came back today, low risk for everything. Can relax a bit now and maybe even enjoy this pregnancy!

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AggyB26 · 18/05/2018 20:04

Happy for you , now you can enjoy your pregnancy 🤰🏼 😇How long did you waited for blood results?