Pregnancy Anxiety over screening test.

[Emmamaeee]

Hi, I’m 16 weeks pregnant with my second child. My 12 week scan went okay but in my eyes the NT measurement was 2.4mm and to me looks big. My screen results for edwards syndrome were 1:290. This is low risk however I can’t shake the feeling there’s something wrong. I paid for the Harmony test but it’s come back as not being able to get a result from low fetal DNA. I’ve been Googling and found that an inconclusive result can sometimes mean T13 or T18. I also have low pap-a and don’t know if that’s had an impact on my results. Any advice needed as I’m worried sick.

Hi @Emmamaeee, congratulations on the pregnancy. I am currently 8 weeks pregnant with my second and I have opted to have the NIPT test prior to nhs screening due to being high risk with my daughter which caused such anxiety and stress.

My NHS screening results were 1/45 for down syndrome. My papa was low 0.19 and NT was 1.9 (well within the normal range as is 2.4) How old are you because I was 34 and they said that contributed to my high risk.

Anyway, i was offered the harmony test and the consultant did a detailed scan prior to boood test and told me that he was quite confident that he would be able to identify Edwards or Pataus at that stage (I was 13.5 weeks) i would be tempted to book a private scan with a consultant if you are concerned? Even after my low risk from harmony, I was still anxious so I booked a private scan with a consultant and that reassured me a bit. Also I read that women who have a higher BMI can sometimes have low fetal DNA, I think the harmony requires 4% but the IONA only needs 2% and since having my daughter the hospital I go to have changed from harmony to Iona because of having so many inconclusive results.

Your screening result is still low risk and I am sure that it will all work out just fine but I know how consuming the worry can be because we just want our little ones to be ok.

I am sorry i couldn’t be anymore helpful but just thought i’d share my experience. xx

Hi, I’m 28 years old & I think my BMI is within normal range but towards the higher side rather than the lower. I’m just so worried and I’ve had scans with a clinic but not a consultant, where would I find them/are they called something different? I went to a clinic where they do 4D scans and things like that but I don’t think they’re qualified consultants. I don’t know if taking aspirin has something to do with my harmony result being inconclusive?

I know how you feel because I was so worried despite lots of reassurance. I am not sure about wether or not aspirin can effect the results. Did they not offer to get another blood sample? My local baby scanning private service had the option of booking with a consultant, we had to pay extra but was worth it for me.

Have you spoken to your midwife about your concerns? From what my consultant said I think most cases of Edwards are picked up on scans then confirmed with tests etc. Do you think you would be able to hold out until 20 week scan?

You still have good odds, I am not sure if my math is right but isn’t 1/290 something like a 0.003 chance of having Edwards and an overwhelming chance of baby being perfect. When you look at it that way does that help? xx

I had to go back to have my blood taken again with a harmony test as it was inconclusive the first time. Second time there was enough fetal DNA and the results all came back as low risk. Low amounts of fetal DNA can be caused by all sorts of things, and doesn't necessarily indicate that there's a problem. I can completely emphasise with your situation as I had also heard that inconclusive results could mean x y z and was very worried about this. For now I would re-book the blood test with your clinic and step away from Google. I also had a scan with the clinic both times they took my blood as this is their standard practice, and both times the sonographer was also able to point out "good" signs to me that the results of the blood test would likely be that my baby was low risk for any of the three trisomies (unclenched hands, nasal bone, etc.)