Late Nuchal Fold

[MissLolita]

Hi ladies, I need some help please. I?m currently 11+6 weeks pregnant and have been waiting for my first NHS scan date. I had my booking appointment at 9 weeks but as I?ve just moved house (well I moved 4 months ago and registered with the doctors 10weeks ago!) I was told that my records weren?t yet appearing and that I needed to come back for a second booking appointment on Jan 4th when I would hopefully be appearing on the system. The midwife assured me this wouldn?t be a problem for my scan and we discussed the nuchal fold and I opted for one and signed the paperwork.

In the meantime I have paid to have a private viability scan as my dh and I wanted to be able to tell people over Christmas and everything was ok but I finally got my NHS date for my first scan on Saturday morning and it is booked for 20 January! There is a bit of confusion over my dates but at the most I could be 16+4 weeks and the least 16 weeks by then.

I don?t know how to write this without sounding cold but I opted for the nuchal test as I believe that I may opt for a termination if my baby turns out to have Downs if the test had shown this. I know there are different reasons for people having the test but deep down this was mine. What tests are available at 16 weeks? I know I can?t be the first to have a late test... I?m 31 about to turn 32 for the statistics people.

I am going to try and get hold of my mw tmrw am to ask where this leaves me but I wondered if anyone had any advice in the meantime? I think realistically I am already mentally committed to paying for a private test if the NHS can?t/wont help. Ladies, all help and advice very much appreciated.

Nuchal fold test can only be done up to 13 weeks and 6 days pg. I think you can have blood tests done at 16 weeks - at least that is what they used to do years ago before the NF test was invented.

There is a maternal serum screening test which can be done at 16 weeks, if you miss the nuchal fold (which you will at that stage). But it isn't as accurate as the nuchal fold. I wouldn't bother calling the midwife, call the clinic where you have a scan appointment. If you explain, I'm sure they'll try and fit you in earlier.

A slightly different point, but you do know that the nuchal fold test doesn't tell you whether your baby has downs syndrome don't you? You probably do, but you refer to the test 'showing' Downs.

It gives you a statistical risk. If you feel that you need a definite answer, then missing the scan isn't necessarily such a big thing, because you'd need an amnio anyway.

Thanks for your messages. Ribena I do know that it shows a statistical risk rather than a definate result - I would rather be in a position to make decisions based on evidence if needed further down the road. I tried to get hold of my mw with no success this morning but followed MainlyMaynie's advice and called the clinic direct who told me that my mw had put the wrong date on the forms - she had put my LMP in October not September. They were very nice and have managed to fit me in over a lunchtime between Christmas and New Year which is a big relief!

Glad to hear it's sorted. Hope it all goes well for you.

As another poster said nuchal fold only gives you a risk factor. I have several friends recently who have paid for amnio/CVS privately without bothering with nuchal scan as they wanted to know for sure, although they are older than you. Glad the scan date is sorted though.