Fluid around fetus head and thickened NT at 10+2 week scan

[BeeLou0113]

Hello,

I went for what was meant to be a reassurance scan today at 10+2 weeks scan (I’ve had a scan at 6,8, 9 due to previous miscarriages and minor bleeding). What I was hoping would be a fun experience for my partner and I turned into us leaving sick with worry. The sonographer said the NT was thickened and there was a very large amount of fluid around the fetus’s head (4.7mm).

I’m preparing for the worst at my 12 week scan and test. I just wondered if anyone has had this level of fluid at 10weeks and it had cleared by the 12 week scan?

Yes I was told same thing with my first child at the 12 week scan had a 1 in 3 chance of down syndrome due to nt thickness and lack of nasal bone, had to wait till the 20 week for next scan (this was over 20 year ago) and he turned out fine.

Was the person that did the scan properly qualified? A lot of the reassurance scan places use poorly trained staff, that can misinterpret what they're seeing and unfortunately give rise to unnecessary heartache or indeed false reassurance.

Would you consider getting a NIPT test? I found that very reassuring.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m so glad everything turned out fine with your son

Hello!

That’s what I’m really hoping - that the sonographer wasn’t experience. It was a private booking just for a dating scan so I don’t believe she would have been experienced in the NT scan.

I really want to do the NIPT test, I’m going to call tomorrow and share the results from this scan and request it. I’m hoping they will say yes

Yes I was told the same and pretty much the same measurements as you. Drove myself absolutely crazy with it googling all sorts. I was booked in for a CVS test and when they scanned me all was fine again so they obviously wouldn’t test and told me to wait until 20 weeks. At 20 weeks all was great and I had her 38+5 where she was perfect. I firmly believe if my scan date was one week later originally we never would have seen anything and been none the wiser. Hopefully when you have your nhs scan you will get far more reassurance and at least have a consultant assigned, should the figures change. I have my fingers crossed for you.

I think there's a reason why the nuchal translucency can only be measured within that very specific timeframe so I wouldn't worry yet about this measurement, it's too early.
NIPT is a good idea for everyone.

Thank you @pixiesaresmall, I’m so glad everything worked out for you and your baby girl 😊. The worry is just awful isn’t it!? I don’t recall ever feeling this stressed or worried. Literally sick to my stomach! If you don’t mind me asking, did you also get told there was fluid around the head? The sonographer was so concerned about that and said it was far too much, especially at 10 weeks.

Thank you @APatternGrammar I’m really trying to not worry but it’s so hard 😭

I'm sorry you are going through this worry OP. This info is just as a comparison and in no way means your baby will have issues. I'm not sure what having the scan at 10 weeks has because the norm for an accurate NT measurement is from x

I'd paid for the NIPT at 11weeks. The bloods showed patau syndrome, trisomy 13. They called me back the next day for a more detailed scan. The NT was 6.5mm and there were obvious issues seen- cleft face, umbilical hernia, shadowing in the brain etc. No fluid on the brain though.

Did the clinic that did the scan, refer you to EPU or gynae at the hospital for more detailed scans? If not, I'd be calling and asking them to do so.

If you pay for the NIPT, I'd be asking these questions:
-Where is the sample tested? Originally, all samples were sent to the USA, which takes longer to get results. More and more places offer UK testing now but best to ask
-If the first blood test doesn't show a result, will they charge for a 2nd one? Having a higher BMI or being tested very early can sometimes cause the 1st one to fail.
-IF something came back concerning, how do you let you know and what referrals are in place? I've heard of someone being told bad news via a text and for then seek further help themselves! Absolutely disgusting IMO.

Wishing you all the best OP and happy answer any questions xxx

Hi @JDM625 thank you for messaging. I’m so sorry to hear your NIPT results showed Patau syndrome. I can’t even imagine how difficult that must have been.

She didn’t refer me, as I have already had quite a few appointments with the EPU and gynae as I’m a high risk pregnancy but she did tell me to call them asap. I’ve got my 12 week scan on the 6th Jan and I already have CVS testing scheduled to look for a genetic condition I have on the 7th Jan. So I suspect they’ll tell me to just wait for then as they’ll likely test for chromosomal issues then. But, I am really hoping they can do a NIPT test.

Thanks so much for sharing the questions to ask, as I was thinking if they say no when I call them tomorrow I might just go ahead and book the NIPT privately myself this week.

Given that your 12 week scan and CVS are just over a week away, I'd be inclined to save your money on the NIPT. Even IF you could have the testing done say tomorrow, you might not get the results till after the scan and CVS are done. Just my thoughts.

I really can’t remember now (15 years ago) but as I was racking my brains I realised it’s called cystic hygroma. I was sick to my stomach too. Literally thought of nothing else and if I’m honest didn’t believe them when they said all was fine at my next two scans because I kept thinking how could it be. But it was and I firmly believe that the scan is a snapshot of that day. Things change and in the nicest way, are the sonographers at the private place really experienced or are they literally looking at sexing and the rest is picked up knowledge? Go to your nhs appointment armed with all your questions and please look after yourself during the waiting time x

@JDM625 Yeah that’s very true! Thank you xxx

@pixiesaresmall Ah yes, I’ve literally been reading up on cystic hygroma all evening! I’d be exactly the same as you if they told me everything was fine, it would still put doubt in my head. It’s such an anxious time and you feel as if so much could go wrong.

thanks so much for getting back to me. I’m holding onto a little bit of hope, but also expecting the worst. I guess to try and protect my mental health! Just going to keep busy as much as I can xx

So sorry you’re dealing with this. At my 12 week scan we were told 5mm NT, and hit with only 50% chance of having a healthy baby, I was also faced with this following miscarriages so I truly sympathise. We had CVS, as it was explained as diagnostic so was our preferred over NIPT. It was a long scary pregnancy with a lot of scans, but so thankful to say CVS, full microarray, all scans were fine and we’ve just celebrated Christmas with our beautiful little girl.
This will be an extremely hard period for you so take good care of yourself, wishing you so much luck, keep reading the positive stories, there’s lots out there xx

@OneDayHope That’s so lovely to hear you’ve celebrated Christmas with your baby girl ❤️. I’m so glad everything worked out for you and her. I totally understand how challenging your pregnancy must of been. Thank you so much for reaching out! While I am expecting the worst to protect myself, when I read stories like yours it does make me hold onto hope that my little one is ok. Xxx