Nuchal measurement

[BAIL08]

Hi - I’ve actually posted this on the pregnancy board, but realised that it’s probably better here - so if you see it twice it’s because I don’t know how to move the other one!

I went for my 12 week dating scan today and was measuring 12 weeks and 5 days (2 days ahead of what I thought I was). Everything looked fine from what I could tell and the sonographer didn’t say there was any issues.

However I had a look at the NT measurement which was 3.0. The midwife said if it’s below 3.5 it’s ok. However from reading online it does look like the higher end of normal. I then spoke to the doctor who did say it was higher then average but they would wait to see what my blood tests came back with.

This has made me incredibly anxious as this pregnancy comes after 2 back to back miscarriages and it’s an IVF pregnancy. I’m also 36 years old. I appreciate that there are higher NT measurements on this thread, but with my history I feel like there’s always a bit of a curve ball.

Does anyone have positive experiences similar to mine? Thanks very much

I don’t have a positive story (mine was one of those much, much higher ones!) but just wanted to say don’t worry as the results will be incorporated into your risk measurements and you will hear back quite quickly if they think there is a problem. I understand from experience how stressful it is to feel like time is slipping away but your measurement is within the normal range as the nurse said and the odds are overwhelmingly in your favour. Sending lots of positive thoughts ❤️

Thanks @Spyke really appreciate your message. Hope you’re ok.

There healthy babies with higher NT, and unhealthy babies with lower NT.

Try not to work yourself up. I would only worry if doctors tell you there is something to worry about.

Hi @BAIL08 I was in a very similar situation to you last Feb when I had my 12 week scan. My NT was measured as 2.9 and whilst within normal range, they said it was still >95th centile and referred me to Fetal Medicine for my 20 week scan. My screening results also came back high risk and I had a failed NIPT twice so you can imagine, a lot of anxiety. Ended up having an Amnio and was clear and my healthy baby is now 5 months old. I know it’s worrying and I couldn’t think anything but the worst outcome at the time, but there are plenty of stories with positive outcomes. Also, the NT is so tiny that measurements can be off. I had a private scan following the NHS one that measured 2.1, 2.3 and 2.6 in 3 separate attempts (I watched them do it). Hope this helps with some of the worry x

Hi @KTF367 thanks very much for your message. What an ordeal you have been through! Very happy to hear your baby is healthy.

The midwife called today and said my blood tests came back with a very low risk for edwards and Patau syndrome but for downs it came back 1:130, so they want me to come in tomorrow to discuss next steps.

To be honest I’m absolutely exhausted by this all as it’s been such a long windy road to even get to this pregnancy.

Not sure why my risk for downs is so much higher . She didn’t give me my blood results, so not sure if it was something in that and my NT measurement. It’s all very stressful.

My risk was 1 in 14 for downs and it was due to my Papp a hormone being low and the NT measurement. Try not to panic, the next step is usually a blood test called the NIPT and it’s highly accurate. Sending you strength xx

Hi there, I was in a very similar position to you after my 12 week scan late last year. My NT was 3.1, so only slightly higher than yours, and I'm also 36. I was given a 1/20 risk for downs and around the 1/150 mark for Edwards and patau.

From what I understand with how the risk score is calculated, your age automatically increases it a fair bit without actually even taking into account bloods/NT. I never asked for my blood results as I didn't want to end up in a Google hole, but had the NIPT which came back as lower risk, which is a minimum of less than 1/10,000. I assume though that because my NT was on the slightly higher side (but still normal) and I'm over 35 that the formula they use indicated I was high risk. I know how scary it is but I'd really try not to let the NHS test worry you too much (I'm sure you will anyway, but I hope I've reassured you a bit!).

Best of luck and I hope you get your results back quickly if you go down the NIPT route (mine took a week).

Thanks both, I really appreciate your messages!

We’ll discuss the options tomorrow, but we would definitely go down the NIPT route first and see.

I do think that a combination of my age and NT measurement would have added to it and possibly the IVF, the midwife said something about chemicals in blood - TBH I was in such shock I didn’t take it all in. I’ll be a bit more focussed tomorrow.

I’m trying to calm down and stress less but it is so hard when it feels like so many woman breeze through getting pregnant and being pregnant. Not that I’m not very happy for those woman, but it’s just been so stressful up and until this point already.

Thanks again.

Hi OP, as someone who has also experienced complicated and worrying pregnancies I can relate to the feeling of exhaustion and one thing after another. I know it’s easy to say but try to take each step at a time rather than letting your mind race ahead to worry about all the different scenarios. If you think about it in percentage terms your risk is less than 1% so still more than 99% odds that baby is unaffected. They just have to draw the line for higher risk somewhere. More than likely this will just be another bump in the stressful road of pregnancy (and if your anything like me in a few weeks you will be on to worrying about something else!). Good luck with the appointment tomorrow, I hope it’s informative and reassuring x