triple test AND nhs nuchal scan?

[fireflyz]

I've decided to go for the triple test, as I'm nearly 35, but am also booked in for the nhs scan. Is it worth going ahead with the nhs scan as well as the triple test?

Thanks Riven! It feels a bit odd to do both scans as they're essentially the same thing but I suppose it isn't going to do the baby or me any harm.

I dont know what the triple test is - is taht the same as the combined test? Where I am at 12 weeks they do the combined test on NHS = nuchal scan and blood test. They messed up my appointment and booked it for when it would be too late. So I booked a private nuchal scan plus bloods (combined) plus the extra markers that the private clinic use. Then the hosptal phoned me with a cancellation on the same morning! So I ended up having both nuchal scans plus bloods at 13 weeks on the same day which was a bit unecessary but doubly reassuring anyway.

Hi Fabhead
Good to hear you got there in the end despite being messed about with cancellations etc.

The triple test is a 3-stage test done towards the end of the 1st trimester & beginning of the 2nd, it's generally done by women who think they might be at risk of having a baby with Downs Syndrome, usually due to age. There's one blood test for something called PAPP-A and then you have the scan about a week later, and then between 14-20 weeks (but the closer together the better, the MW told me) you have another blood test. Combining together the results of the scan and blood tests is supposed to give approx 90%+ accurate statistic of your risk of having a DS baby.

Here's some information from the NHS:
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Downs-syndrome/Pages/Prevention.aspx

The NHS may offer a nuchal scan and blood testing, or they may just offer a nuchal scan, depending on where you live. The nuchal scan on its own is about 80% accurate.

Hope that's helpful!

Are you more than 13+6? If not why not have the nuchal and bloods (combined test) in one go which also has a detection rate of 80-95% at some clinics. Just wondering why you are waiting for this test. The bloods done with nuchla at the combined tests also look at papp-a and another one (if offered in your area or private) see www.fetalmedicine.com/fmc/ultrasound/11-13-weeks-scan/

I believe that the Nucal scan and blood tests done at the same time (the combined test) are the most accurate indicator of Downs. When the scan takes into account additional markers, like the nasal bone (I think there are others) then the reliability of the test goes to 95%, as fabhead said. From what I understand, the nuchal scan ALONE an the bloods ALONE don't combine to be as reliable as the combined test. So if you can, I'd try and get that. The scan itself takes about 45mins - 1 hour. If you get it done at the fetal medicine centre you will probably get your results there and then because that is what they do at Kings (it takes 2 hours to get the blood results) - which is where the Professor who runs the fetal medicine unit is based.

sorry to dredge up an old thread but i'm waiting for a cvs next week and i'm going mad.

I'm 34 nearly 35, with a 3.7 nuchal measurement. this gave me a 1/10 chance of ds. i had bloods taken on the same day and apparently they are very good which takes my risk up to 1/35 (still not good imo)

Can i get my hopes up because the bloods were good and a nasal bone was present? maybe the nuchal measurement is just one of those things?

Hi Nan
I just wanted to post so that your message wasn't ignored.
You are not clutching at straws.
I, unfortuantely was given a 1 in 25, and I was that 1. But there are so many people of here who have had higher risks, a few I believe were like 1 in 3, and they went on to get the all clear with the CVS.
It is, of course a very worrying time, but please try to stay calm until next week, listen to music, see some films anything to take your mind of the CVS and the results.
There is every chance that all will be fine.

thankyou waffydaffy and sorry to hear about your experience.

we have a few films downloaded to watch over the weekend to try and forget about it all for a few hours!