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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

no result from nuchal scan?

12 replies

ILovePonyo · 14/08/2010 16:12

Hi everyone,

I had my nuchal scan recently and the baby wasn't in the right place for them to be able to assess fluid at the back of the neck.

Was advised to wait until next midwife appt (beginning of Sept) and she can take some blood which can be checked for Downs etc I think.

Just wondered of anyone else has had experience of this - is it common? Can they get the same results from the blood tests that they would do from the scan?

Sorry if this has already been covered, the Feb babies thread moves way too fast for me and I've done a quick search but not seen anything.

Thanks in advance :)

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CocoPopsAddict · 14/08/2010 17:29

They had trouble getting mine into the right position but managed in the end. It did take a while though!

I had the nuchal scan and blood tests, and they used the results of both to calculate the risk. I know all hospitals are different but ideally you'd have both nuchal fold checked and blood tests.

Is there no possibility of having another scan?

missedith01 · 14/08/2010 17:33

As far as I know, the nuchal test is scan plus bloods combined. It doesn't make sense to speak of one w/o the other.

How many weeks are you?

Original poster

ILovePonyo · 14/08/2010 19:55

Thanks for the replies, cocopops they didn't mention another scan, not until my 20 wk one at end Sept. Don;t think they'll be able to do the nuchal scan part again then?

missedith I was 12+3 when I had the scan done. I was a bit confused too, I thought you needed bloods and scan. It actually makes me feel a bit better that you said it doesn't make sense to have one without the other, I thought I was missing something!

Think I might give the midwife a ring on monday to see what she says.

OP posts:

bootus · 14/08/2010 20:33

Hiya, I think I'm right in saying that if the nuchal scan isnt possible or not done within the right time frame (11 - 13+6 wks) then the other alternative is the triple test which is a blood test performed at around 15 weeks. In my first pregnanacy my hospital didnt offer the nuchal so I was given the triple test at 15, its still accuarte but not as much as the nuchal. One of my close family memebers is a midwife hence the info!

Original poster

ILovePonyo · 14/08/2010 20:47

Ooh thanks bootus that sounds like it might be what will happen at my next midwife appt then?!

Can I ask you how long you had to wait for the results of the triple blood test?

Thanks to you and your family member for the help!

OP posts:

bootus · 14/08/2010 21:16

Glad to be of service! I think the results were sent to me by post....IF i'm remembering correctly they told me if I was considered 'high risk' they would be in contact fairly quickly so in my case was definitely no news being good news.

bootus · 14/08/2010 21:19

Oh my goodness, I've just looked at all my spelling mistakes in my first post...apologies!!! Also, meant to say that you do also get a blood test in conjunction with the scan for the nuchal but the triple test is just a blood test. Not sure though whether its more comprehensive....

ReshapeWhileDamp · 14/08/2010 21:26

The triple test sounds like what they're offering you, but it's no longer the gold standard of screening tests for Downs, etc, and I'm really surprised they couldn't offer you another scan for the nuchal thickness (which you have alongsided a blood test). Can you get back to them and ask them if there's really no way they can squeeze you in? It seems really unfair to offer this and then say 'oops, baby not in the right place' and offer you a less sensitive test that has to be done a bit later.

CocoPopsAddict · 14/08/2010 21:32

Agree with RWD.

E.g. if, on your 20 week scan, they cannot see all of your baby's organs due to position, you are asked to come back for a re-scan.

It therefore makes sense that if they cannot take the nuchal measurement at 12 week scan due to position, you should be able to ask for a re-scan. Which, as someone else has mentioned, you would need to do a.s.a.p. if that is what you want.

Anyway, best of luck whatever you decide - hope all goes well!

splatt · 15/08/2010 04:16

Many NHS trusts still only offer the triple test as standard and if you want the nuchal thickness have to pay privately. SO for many the blood test is the only risk assessment they get. If you are desperate for the nuchal thickness and still less than 13+6 you could look at having it done privately but I'd only do that personally if I knew I was high risk anyway

Original poster

ILovePonyo · 15/08/2010 16:22

Thanks all.

bootus I didn't notice any bad spelling!

RWD, cocopops and splatt I'm now 14+4 (without checking my diary!) so can't have another nuchal scan. I'm 30 so not very high risk.

I didn't realise not all NHS trusts offer nuchal scan, if the triple blood test is all some mums are offered then I'm happy with that.

Tbh I was referred for nuchal scan after having weekly scans after recurrant mc, just assumed it was standard.

Thanks again for all your help :)

OP posts:

VickstaS · 15/08/2010 17:17

My baby wasn't in the right positon to measure either, though the midwife told me the fold looked small. I had the Triple Test, which predicted 1 in 10000 for me so I was happy enough with that and didn't pursue another Nuchal.

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