14 week scan? Any advice gratefully received!

[toomuchribbon]

I've just found I'm 5 weeks pregnant with my first baby and in a quandary about the 12 week scan.

I am due to be away from preg. weeks 10-14 (honeymoon actually!) and we return on the day that, all going well, the pregnancy will be 14 weeks exactly by date of LMP.

My pretty reputable hospital (UCH) have told me that the NICE guidance is that the maximum for the 12 week scan is 14 weeks + 1 day. Assuming I am on target for dates and not measuring ahead, we are cutting it fine to have it done in time - particularly as we are heading to the Greek islands and flight delays etc not unlikely. Currently, we are booked in for the 12 week scan the day after we get back at 14 wks + 1.

Of course, without a dating scan I don't know if I am ahead of the dates or not but if a scan reveals I am ahead dates - not sure how usual this is? - then it means we could return from hols to find we had missed it altogether.

We are considering coming back from hols for one day for the scan - possible with fairly minor inconvenience/cost and obviously very reassuring. Does anyone think this a good idea/necessary?

Also, could anyone advise whether NHS give you your risk of Down's immediately following the scan and blood test at the 12 week appointment or whether there is a delay? Given that we would leave again the same day to go back on holiday am also wondering whether to have it done privately to get the instant results rather than wait for the post while away.

Apologies for the rookie questions and thanks v muchly in advance.

Sorry, fourth paragraph says 'dates' too much - should read "...if a scan reveals I am ahead - not sure how usual this is - then it means...".

Could you get an early scan privately? It would probably be cheaper than coming home from your holiday for one day plus you'll get an idea of dates.

I don't think you can get a Nuchal Fold measurement till 11+3 but at least you'd have an idea if your NHS scan at 14+1 would be 'on time'.

The down results are not instant, they are sent away and take a few days.
They were unable to get the measurements for the downs test from my baby as it wouldn't keep still so I had to have a repeat scan. Again they couldn't get the measurement they needed so I'm having the blood test at at 16 weeks. Its just as accurate.

You could always book a private dating scan before you go, then if you miss the 14 week scan date have the blood test at 16 weeks? Seems a bit ott to come back off honeymoon for.

[EMS23], thanks so much.

I could do, yes - only problem is that we go away at 10 weeks, so too early for the 11+3. Bad timing!

Coming back for a day seems like the best option, though there are few flights, agh. We are trying to figure our way around it! GP was very blasé but I believe (work in medical research) that the guidelines are pretty fixed - after NICE deadline of 14 + 1 accuracy declines dramatically and many private clinics won't do even after 13 weeks.

Thanks, snala, that's helpful.

I know, does seem a bit OTT but hospital adamant and s'pose would rather that than them being overly relaxed.

Didn't know I could have blood test separately - will look into that, cheers!

I had scans at 10 weeks (dates wrong so too early) and then at 12 weeks but they could not do the Nuchal test as baby was in the wrong position and would not move no matter what we did! You could end up coming home and still not be able to get a correct date or the Nuchal Test done if the baby's not in the correct position.

We ended up with another scan at 15 wks from which they did the dating and we had the Quad blood tests for Downs. Results came back within a week.

If you come home for the scan there isn't any guarantee they will be able to get the measurement and you will be too late for a repeat scan anyway so will have to have the later blood test.

Will my last 2 pregnancies they only offered a blood test at 16 weeks for downs, this new combined test is new.

I really wouldnt come back for the scan, enjoy your honeymoon

*with not will!
Obviously the new test is new lol

snala and speak2me, thank you.

snala, sorry if I am being terribly dumb but do you mean that with your last 2 pregnancies they offered just a blood test at 16 weeks to test for Downs risk, there was no nuchal scan too?

Yes, sorry I didn't explain very well. My youngest is 2.9 and they didn't do the combined test then. The scan was for dating, seeing how many babies etc. Then bloods at 16 weeks for downs.

If you're too late for the combined test (NT scan plus bloods) between 10w and 14+1, they can do the quadruple test up to 20w, which is just based on bloods.

As someone suggested though, you could try to get an early scan to confirm dates (either NHS or private), then at least you'd know if you're going to be too late when you get back from your honeymoon.

Hello, the results were available on the day for me at my hospital. It was about a 45 minute wait for them. They took the bloods first and then scanned. My hospital is Kings in London and I wonder whether UCH might be similar being a big teaching hospital? Can you phone and ask their policy?

Also, I second the idea of getting an early private scan perhaps the day or so before you go and then you would be able to see if your dates were 'right' and that would give you some idea of how things would be at the 14 week scan.

I wouldn't come home for a day- I would stick to the 14 week scan and if the baby did turn out to be too big at that scan then I would go for the 16 week blood tests.

The only bit that's time dependant is testing for the risk of DS and a couple of other genetic conditions afaik, and they can do blood tests instead. Tbh, unless you're adamant that you would terminate for anything like that, I don't think you need to worry so much :)

Dear all, thanks very much.

It seems the early scan to determine size and dating is a good idea.

Flickstar, that's really helpful, thanks - I'll ask and see, you'd think UCH would be similar.

PurplePidjinghamPalace, agree time-dependent is the thing. Obviously I'd like the most accurate picture possible but I hear mixed things. Working in healthcare (med research) seems to mean you hear the more time-aware perspectives, not sure whether this is always a good thing or not!

I would have an early scan to check everything is OK and then go to the scan on your return.
The chances are everything will be fine BUT If it's not flying home could be horrendous as you may not want to go back, you may have to go back for a repeat scan and it would ruin the end of your honeymoon. Better to check everything is in place before you go and then worry about any problems on your return
xx

It only gives you the what-if's, not an actual Yes or No. I work with people with LD's and know all about the stuff you can't screen for, therefore I was pretty laid back about having the Nuchal Fold and nearly opted out (mw convinced me it was easier not to!)

But that's a very very personal decision, and there are many people who would terminate for DS etc because they wouldn't feel equipped to cope. Neither POV is wrong.

It's not just about DS though. In some ways DS is the "best" bad result you can get as the baby can survive. The tests also flags up Edwards and Pateaus Syndrome, neither of which are compatible with life and therefore if your baby has one of those you kindof don't really have a choice.

Also there are associated issues with DS that can mean chances of survival are low, in our case we had a major heart defect, and a major intestine issue both meant that we were advised to terminate.

Hopefully it won't come to that though but I would def not come back from hol for a day.

xx

I didn't have a Nuchal fold measurement taken with my first either. It's not offered on my NHS trust and I only had it second time round because I paid privately.

So for my first I had the 16 week triple blood test.