Nuchal scan..

[becks5109]

has anyone had one done really early i.e 11+3? I want to book one on a date when I will only be 11+3 and some clinice say yes this is ok and other say its too early and better later. I wanted to book this particular date as we have a family party the day after and it would mean I could announce it to everyone! I am sure of my dates as had early scan which confirmed by dates are correct. Also i'm very impatient and want to see bubba on the screen again! :)

I think it's best to have your nuchal fold scan close to the recommended dates: otherwise, I'd worry you'd get a false positive, and suffer unnecessary alarm about your baby. The measurement they're trying to check is one that is only valid in a pretty narrow window.

If you really want to know everything is ok at that point, why not try to get a viability scan?

I had one done early, I think about 10/11 weeks, don't know as didn't have a period between babies! It was terrible as part of the bowel wasn't formed, we didn't know if it was because we'd had it done too early or because there was a problem. We had to wait for two weeks and go back. Fortunately when we went back it was all fine, but I so could have done without the worry for two weeks.

Had nuchal scan at bang on 11wks at a BUPA hospital. Consultant had no problems

I have to go to Kings College Hosp for one. I had a scan yesterday and not sure whether it's cos' they found a soft marker or just because I am 37. Stupidly I didn't ask.

What was really encouraging was that the non invasive tests are now 97% accurate. They were only 75% when I had my first one.

HTH nuchal scan

When I had my nuchal scan at the Fetal Medicine Centre (Seb1's link above) they won't see you before you are 12 weeks, even if you are sure of your dates (as even if your dates are accurate, there is still a 3-5 day range in which they can vary). If the nuchal scan is done too early, the results will not be accurate at all so I do think it's really best to hold off.

HTH
Tinasan

The Nuchal Scan has a 90% detection rate for Down Syndrome whereas the Triple Test is about 70%. The Fetal Medicine Foundation have a register of accredited centres and some are also listed in the BUMPS network. For more information about the Nuchal Scan click on this link.