Nuchal Scans, what exactly are they and does everyone get one?

[Linnet]

This is probably a silly question especially since I'm not even pregnant yet but I had to ask since I've seen them mentioned quite a few times.

What exactly is a Nuchal fold scan? Does everyone get one or do you have to ask for one?

When I was pregnant last time (6 years ago now)I had a scan at 12 weeks and another at 19 weeks. Would one of these have been a scan where they checked the Nuchal Fold or would it have been done seperately?

I don't remember it ever being mentioned and seeing as I'm a curious being I thought I would ask.

Can anyone enlighten me?

Linnet ... a nuchal fold scan is where they measure the thickness of the fluid at the baby's neck to detect any signs of chromosomal abnormality. Apparently a large amount of fluid indicates the possibility of Down's Syndrome. The test can only be done between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy (I think that before that the baby is too small and after that it is too big ... someone correct me if I am wrong).
It depends on where you live whether you get the test done ... when I was pg with DS (in East Surrey) it was a matter of course and I had the test with no questions asked and it was assumed I would have it. I have since learned that that is not the case in the whole of the UK .... some places offer it as a matter of course, some don't offer it at all. Here in NZ it is the same story .... one area of Auckland offers it as a matter of course, another doesn't unless you are over 35 and then they encourage you to have an amnio test anyway regardless of the result of the nuchal fold scan.
It is important to note that the result of the test is a risk factor only .... it is not a definitive result that tells you anything really. If I remember correctly if you are given a risk of less than 1 in 250 then they offer further tests like amnio and cvs to give you a definitive result ... my best friend recently had a 1 in 140 chance and so was offered further tests. She opted for a CVS at 13 weeks and it came back all clear.
I remember when I had the result from DS' scan I was told I had a risk of 1 in over 4000. The sonographer then told me that that didn't mean my baby wasn't the one ... talk about setting someone's mind at rest.
Like I say, I didn't question it when I was pg with DS but in this pregnancy (I am 14 weeks now) I asked for it, not because I was worried but because I wanted the same as with DS's pregnancy IYKWIM!!
To answer your other question .... they don't do a separate test (or at least they didn't for me... they do it at the 12 week scan (which I think is also often called the 'dating' scan).
HTH ... I am no expert but as I have only had my 12 week scan 2 weeks ago I am 'up on it' at the moment!!

Where I live you only get one scan - the anomaly scan at around 19wks. Despite being over 35 I was told that I would have to pay privately if I wanted a nuchal fold scan done, we decided against it, as we would have kept the baby whatever and wouldn't have had an amniocentesis done. Emily was born in April, on my 37th birthday, perfectly fine and healthy.

Linnet - I had a nuchal screening at 11 weeks - more info here: www.nuchal.com/

I have read that only 7% of women live in an area that offers the nuchal scan as standard. Everywhere else the Health Authority sets its own criteria.

I think it depends where you are - when I was expecting dd last year I wasn't offered one, neither was my friend with her ds even though she was deemed to be 'high risk' and ended up having an amnio. I had mixed Powys/Shropshire care, my friend just had Shropshire.

As usual not much use!

I live in Worcestershire and was not offered a Nuchal scan on the NHS, it isn't Trust policy. I was told that I could pay £100+ and get one done privately in Cheltenham, if I wanted. We didn't go ahead as I am young, with no family history and my Triple test bloods were v low risk, lower than my age-related risk.

This is a hot topic for me, Linnet. I was really keen to have a nuchal fold scan as the non invasive, no risk to baby factors along with more health info at the end of it seemed to make sense to me. I know that there are some issues with it - like not being 1oo% definitive but then so little is in life.

What really got me mad is the fact that it isn?t an equal service for all on the NHS. We would have had to go private - outside our financial budget and even if we could afford it, the BUPA hospital was so overbooked and got info so late from GP that it became impossible anyway. I know that these scans are not life saving and only diagnostic but why should some in parts of the country receive it free and others be penalised? As for the more usual ultra sound scans (like you had) - why do some get two scans as a matter of course and other areas only get offered a 20 wk scan? If one area thinks it is worth spending the money on this service, then why not another? Anyway, bit of a sidestep, sorry for rambling on! Hope the better written, more info based, less ranting posts from the others have helped answer your questions!!

I'm booked in at St Thomas' in London, and they offer a nuchal fold scan and the anomaly scan, but I'm sure my friend who went to a croydon hospital was offered three, dating, nuchal and anomaly.
I had it but to be honest I wasn't that worried, for me it was just a chance to wave at the baby!!! (however, it was nice to be told I had the risk factor of a 25 year old, its been a long time since I've had anything else that young)

I am not sure if they are still doing it but Kings College Hospital, Dulwich has for many years been leaders in nuchal scan techniques. I travelled from Essex to Dulwich for mine 3 years ago and all they asked was for a donation to further the research (any sum and no pressure). It might be worth asking your Gp or calling the research/gynae unit to see if they still offer this service if anybody cannot get one locally and is able to travel to Kings.

I actually asked my GP is I could have a Nuchal 'cos I read about it. I don't think she'd have volunteered unless I asked, even though I'm 36. She referred me to Kings and I had a Nuchal in April. They also look for a nasal bone which I think is something quite new.

I was given nuchal scan at Basildon Hospital in Essex as is everyone who goes there. Went on to have CVS because of bad reulst but everything was fine - also had 2 other scans at Kings.

You are right nose bone thing is new - they did not look for it when I had mine.

I will not be going to Basildon if I ever have another baby - Queen Mary's in Sidcup is my local now - I will definately request one after last time though.