I have been referred to KCH

[UCM]

because I am 37 and I guess the scan showed up something.

I have been told that the non-invasive testing is now 97%.....

Anyone else been there recently.

think it would depend on what the scan showed up as to how accurate it is... how many weeks are you... did they tell you what they are concerned about? Theres hundreds of reasons to be referred to a consultant... is Kings your local? or is it a specialist centre?

We went to the Harris Birhright Feotal medecine centre - they have state of the art scanning and v experinced team. But they do do the regular scanning for a huge area...is it your 20 week scan?
If you have been referred for any reason other than your usual scans / nuchal tests, they should have told you why!

Yes, I thought they would have pointed out soft markers, it was a 9 week dating scan (i thought I was 10 weeks but was incorrect).

I did ask why so early, and they said in case you need further scanning, age etc.

I did phone earlier in week to find out if I would have this and they said no because I wasn't 37 when conception occurred. I was 37 couple of weeks ago.

so are they saying theres a reason for your referral or are they being cuatious because of your age (although thought docs only got cautious with women over 40)?

They should have told you what they picked up at the scan and why they were referring you. WHen we were referred to Kings ( Harris Birthright Trust) it was because the 20 week scan picked up a heart defect BUT the local hospital equipment and sonographers were not able to tell anymore than that and had in fact told us something different to what it turned out to be.

I am surprised that they would refer you after a 9 week scan. Is there nothing in your notes?? Or are they being over cautious... having said that my GP wanted to refer me straight off 2nd time round due to dd1's heart defect and down syndrome.

I would call your midwife/hospital and ask them exactly why it is you have been referred.

At 20 weeks with dd1 they were able to get me a scan appt the next week so really if it is urgent or necessary later - there is always the ability to get an appt.

Sounds rather odd - seems like they are being over cautious if they have said in case you need some later down the track.

Staff very experienced. I had a fetal cardiologist do the cardiac scan and then a consultant ostetrician do the equivalent of a 20 week scan.

UCM - 'soft markers' are often things which occur very very often in babies which are developing 100% typically, and are thought to have a possible (though generally unquantified and/ or unproven) link with another condition. For example, IF the soft markers are echogenic focii (a common culprit) they are thought to be a soft marker for Downs, and therefore your age would be thought to be a factor. But echogenic focii are absolutely harmless and occur in a high proportion of babies.
Hope it all gets sorted, anyway.