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Original poster

Scan at 11 weeks - can it show anything useful?

26 replies

sillyonehetpes · 18/05/2023 17:46

Firstly I'm anxious. I had my NIPT test privately because I'm 38 and worry.

I was 10+5 according to my last period and measured at 11+2 on the scan.

The scan said everything was fine on the scan. Was the scan done too early? Is it a good sign there is nothing out of the ordinary on the scan - can I be say 90% confident?

Scan at 11 weeks - can it show anything useful?
OP posts:
BunnySneezes · 18/05/2023 17:58

I had my scan at 11+3 - the baby wasn't big enough (by 0.2mm) to do the nuchal measurements so I came back a couple of weeks later and had the full screening then. At the 11 weeks scan they just let me have a nice look at the baby but I was in and out quite quickly compared to the next scan.

Original poster
sillyonehetpes · 18/05/2023 18:04

BunnySneezes · 18/05/2023 17:58

I had my scan at 11+3 - the baby wasn't big enough (by 0.2mm) to do the nuchal measurements so I came back a couple of weeks later and had the full screening then. At the 11 weeks scan they just let me have a nice look at the baby but I was in and out quite quickly compared to the next scan.

How big does it have to be?

Mine was paid for :(

OP posts:
Original poster
sillyonehetpes · 18/05/2023 18:06

So apparently it needs to be 45 millimeters and 84 millimeters so why does the clinic offer the bloods and scans from 10 weeks :/

Hopefully she didn't lie about the side of it.

OP posts:
bibbingo · 18/05/2023 18:07

My "12 week" scan was at 11+2, all absolutely fine getting measurements for screening etc.

bibbingo · 18/05/2023 18:08

(I should've added that DS is 18 months old now Grin)

Theduchy · 18/05/2023 18:21

You've had a different type of test OP. The NIPT is totally different to the NHS screening tests and more accurate as I understand it. So the fact that the baby wasn't the right size for the NHS screening doesn't necessarily affect the NIPT results. When PPs say the baby wasn't big enough, that will be for the NHS tests I expect. Might be worth having a read up online about the difference between the two.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy 😊

Original poster
sillyonehetpes · 18/05/2023 18:44

Theduchy · 18/05/2023 18:21

You've had a different type of test OP. The NIPT is totally different to the NHS screening tests and more accurate as I understand it. So the fact that the baby wasn't the right size for the NHS screening doesn't necessarily affect the NIPT results. When PPs say the baby wasn't big enough, that will be for the NHS tests I expect. Might be worth having a read up online about the difference between the two.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy 😊

Not sure what I don't understand.

I was given results of the back of the neck and nose from the scan.

The blood test is separate and I'm not questioning that result.

OP posts:
Original poster
sillyonehetpes · 18/05/2023 18:50

bibbingo · 18/05/2023 18:07

My "12 week" scan was at 11+2, all absolutely fine getting measurements for screening etc.

Thanks.

OP posts:
Theduchy · 18/05/2023 22:03

The NHS take the measurements at a specific time in pregnancy and combine them with other factors such as your blood test results, age etc and give you a risk factor for certain conditions i.e. 1 in 7000, 1 in 10,000

https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/your-pregnancy-care/screening-tests/

The NIPT test is more accurate and only offered on the NHS if people have got a high risk result on the first screening i.e. 1 in 250. The NIPT can be done from 10 weeks. So you don't need to worry about the baby being smaller when you've had that test.

nhs.uk

Screening tests in pregnancy

Find out about screening tests in pregnancy. These include ultrasound scans and blood tests to try to find any health conditions that could affect you or your baby.

https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/your-pregnancy-care/screening-tests

Hugasauras · 18/05/2023 22:08

My NT scan with DD1 was at 11+3 I think (NHS one) and they were happy. If you're getting the NIPT test that will be far more accurate anyway if you're worried about Down's Syndrome/Edwards/Patau.

Original poster
sillyonehetpes · 18/05/2023 22:28

Hugasauras · 18/05/2023 22:08

My NT scan with DD1 was at 11+3 I think (NHS one) and they were happy. If you're getting the NIPT test that will be far more accurate anyway if you're worried about Down's Syndrome/Edwards/Patau.

Apparently the NIPT isn't that accurate - look in the abnormality section

OP posts:
Hugasauras · 18/05/2023 22:43

Sorry, I don't understand. The 'abnormality' section? The NIPT is far more reliable than the combined screening (the bloods and nuchal test). Nothing is 100% accurate, however. They are not diagnostic tests either of them.

Original poster
sillyonehetpes · 18/05/2023 23:08

Check out the "False Postive NIPT test"

OP posts:
Original poster
sillyonehetpes · 18/05/2023 23:09

Hugasauras · 18/05/2023 22:43

Sorry, I don't understand. The 'abnormality' section? The NIPT is far more reliable than the combined screening (the bloods and nuchal test). Nothing is 100% accurate, however. They are not diagnostic tests either of them.

Sorry it's in this section - look for other threads.

OP posts:
Hugasauras · 18/05/2023 23:12

Oh I see. Well they are both screening tests, they will never be 100% accurate. Someone has to be the 1 in 10,000 chance, etc. NIPT is far more accurate in general; that doesn't mean it's infallible.

For absolute accuracy you need one of the diagnostic tests, which are invasive and only carried out when a high risk reading is received from one of the screening tests.

Tinyant · 18/05/2023 23:16

You seem really defensive, everything everyone has said here is correct. What answer are you looking for, for people to say the private clinic has done the test too early?

combined screening needs to be done between 11-14 weeks

nipt can be done earlier

nipt is far more accurate than combined but not 100%

the measurements they have taken look fine

in my local trust you’d also be offered a dating scan on nhs so you’ll be able to see baby again then. Some abnormalities can be picked up at 12 week scan but very rare in isolation, normally with a raised NT that would then be referred on for extra testing. Nothing so far looks like there is any cause to worry.

Original poster
sillyonehetpes · 18/05/2023 23:21

Tinyant · 18/05/2023 23:16

You seem really defensive, everything everyone has said here is correct. What answer are you looking for, for people to say the private clinic has done the test too early?

combined screening needs to be done between 11-14 weeks

nipt can be done earlier

nipt is far more accurate than combined but not 100%

the measurements they have taken look fine

in my local trust you’d also be offered a dating scan on nhs so you’ll be able to see baby again then. Some abnormalities can be picked up at 12 week scan but very rare in isolation, normally with a raised NT that would then be referred on for extra testing. Nothing so far looks like there is any cause to worry.

I'm just anxious sorry. Part of that is thinking I've been told wrong stuff by the professionals.

If the NIPT test is more accurate why are oriole getting a high first reading and the NIPT giving a low risk? That's happened to others on that thread.

OP posts:
Hugasauras · 18/05/2023 23:25

Because people post on here when things go wrong. People don't post every time they get a low risk result on their NT or NIPT and have a healthy baby. They post when something out of the ordinary or unusual has happened. Sometimes the screening tests will be wrong. There's nothing to be done about it.

Speak to your midwife about the anxiety because it will only get worse and it's good to try to get a handle on things now.

CC4712 · 18/05/2023 23:26

Yes OP- a scan at 11 weeks can show a lot of detail!
My 1st pregnancy (after 4yr TTC) was also at 38 and I paid for the NIPT. The results showed patau syndrome (trisomy 13). They'd booked me in the following day for a more detailed scan. I was 11+3 on that day.

NT was 6.5mm
They could see a cleft face (not just lip) which even I could make out on the screen when they pointed it out
A hernia around the umbilical cord and many other issues. The ultrasounds then get reviewed by a radiographer for the actual report- which also showed shadowing in the brain, a single umbilical vein amongst other findings.

Your results look normal. I would suggest speaking to your midwife of GP about your health anxiety though. Best of luck x

Original poster
sillyonehetpes · 18/05/2023 23:45

CC4712 · 18/05/2023 23:26

Yes OP- a scan at 11 weeks can show a lot of detail!
My 1st pregnancy (after 4yr TTC) was also at 38 and I paid for the NIPT. The results showed patau syndrome (trisomy 13). They'd booked me in the following day for a more detailed scan. I was 11+3 on that day.

NT was 6.5mm
They could see a cleft face (not just lip) which even I could make out on the screen when they pointed it out
A hernia around the umbilical cord and many other issues. The ultrasounds then get reviewed by a radiographer for the actual report- which also showed shadowing in the brain, a single umbilical vein amongst other findings.

Your results look normal. I would suggest speaking to your midwife of GP about your health anxiety though. Best of luck x

Thanks for sharing your story and I'm sorry x

I don't think anyone can help me with the anxiety though. Because it's just a waiting game and what can they tell me to make it better?

I've got my 13/14 week scan with the NHS and should be seeing the mental health team at the same time.

OP posts:
Original poster
sillyonehetpes · 18/05/2023 23:46

Hugasauras · 18/05/2023 23:25

Because people post on here when things go wrong. People don't post every time they get a low risk result on their NT or NIPT and have a healthy baby. They post when something out of the ordinary or unusual has happened. Sometimes the screening tests will be wrong. There's nothing to be done about it.

Speak to your midwife about the anxiety because it will only get worse and it's good to try to get a handle on things now.

What can professionals do about the health anxiety? I always think the worst.

OP posts:
Hugasauras · 18/05/2023 23:54

There's loads of potential help for anxiety that is affecting your day to day life, some clinical/medication, some in the form of CBT etc. But the real issue is that anxiety can often get a lot worse in the postnatal period, so it's important your midwife knows about it.

CC4712 · 18/05/2023 23:56

What can professionals do about the health anxiety? I always think the worst.

What support/treatment have you had so far? Has this always been there, or just since the pregnancy? Among many other things, they can provide coping mechanisms to help you put things in perspective.

Original poster
sillyonehetpes · 19/05/2023 00:25

Hugasauras · 18/05/2023 23:54

There's loads of potential help for anxiety that is affecting your day to day life, some clinical/medication, some in the form of CBT etc. But the real issue is that anxiety can often get a lot worse in the postnatal period, so it's important your midwife knows about it.

The midwives only see you 28 days after the baby is born?

OP posts:
Original poster
sillyonehetpes · 19/05/2023 00:25

CC4712 · 18/05/2023 23:56

What can professionals do about the health anxiety? I always think the worst.

What support/treatment have you had so far? Has this always been there, or just since the pregnancy? Among many other things, they can provide coping mechanisms to help you put things in perspective.

After fighting for many years I got offered some therapy.

Literally fighting and tried to go to the ombudsman as I wasn't given any treatment.

I shouldn't tell them because everyone thinks I should abort and that I can't cope with life.

OP posts: