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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Anyone been to Fetal Medicine Centre for nuchal fold test?

32 replies

TuttiFrutti · 17/07/2006 13:09

I've just booked to have the nuchal fold test at 12 weeks. They said that if I get a bad result and want CVS, they can do this then and there, but it might mean waiting around a lot. They also said that because I've booked on a Wednesday (the only day they can do same-day CVS), I will probably have a lot of waiting around even if I don't go for CVS.

Has anyone else been to the Fetal Medicine Centre for this procedure? What was your experience like?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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robinia · 17/07/2006 13:18

Didn't have CVS but had nuchal fold scan. The procedure itself is just like a normal scan. I had it done at King's and the waiting time sometimes was terrible - 3hrs+. Don't take children with you!!!!

JMM2006 · 17/07/2006 13:33

I had my nuchal fold test at 11 and a half weeks at the Fetal Medicine Centre and was very impressed. They don't always run exactly to time, but it's a lovely waiting room with lots of tea/coffee/water, so just try to relax and make the most of it. I had a blood test first and then the scan, which lasted around half an hour. The doctor was fantastic and explained everything he was doing and what he could see, and was incredibly positive, giving my husband and I time to enjoy seeing our baby. We also left with five or six really clear photographs. I'm not sure about CVS as it wasn't an option for my husband or I, but I'm sure they will be able to answer any questions you may have. Good luck!

Nappyhead · 17/07/2006 14:39

I had a nuchal fold scan at the FMC and they were fantastic. I had already had one at my local hospital but felt like things weren't explained to me very well and I had loads of questions that I hadn't asked either. At the FMC I had a scan then a blood test and they called me that evening at home to talk through everything in detail. I had a reassurance scan there too at about 18/19 weeks because I was such a neurotic pregnant woman and again, they were great. They were able to see that we were having a little boy and we popped over to John Lewis to buy our first little blue outfit. All in all, nice memories of being at the FMC.

Blu · 17/07/2006 14:54

Which feotal medecine centre do you mean, TuttiFrutti?

Twiglett · 17/07/2006 14:55

do you mean the one at kings? .. its world-renowned .. but I've never had a CVS

Twiglett · 17/07/2006 14:55

(had 2 scans and took part in a research programme there though)

oops · 17/07/2006 15:08

Message withdrawn

twocatsonthebed · 17/07/2006 15:31

I went there for my nuchal fold scan, and they were fantastic. There was some waiting around, but as everyone's said, there are worse places to wait.

But when we did get seen, they simply took as much time as they needed to for the scan, were very patient about explaining everything and the sonographer was lovely. I would go back there without a hesitation were I to get pregnant again.

Is there any reason why you think a CVS might be likely? I was also prepared to have a CVS straight away, if the results were below 1 in 100 - I'm 40 so this was fairly likely - but in fact they were very good, so it never came to that. But part of the reason I went to them, is also because they are probably the most experienced people at doing it in Britain.

pinkranger · 17/07/2006 15:45

I went to Kings to have CVS performed 4 years ago , i was 11 weeks pregnanat and only 22 but due to research they were doing they picked up on the fact that because they could see no nasal bone at 12 weeks there was 10% chance of my babby having downs, they offered me the CVS on a friday after waiting for hours for scans and i went back on the wednesday ( i think ) for the CVS - you do wait a long time but Me and my DH managed 1 hour of eye spy

I had the Professor ( cant spell his name!) hold my hand the whole way through the CVS being performed , he was great ,was having a laugh with me and putting my mind to rest!!! They were great there and i really felt like i was being cared about!! My son was born 7 months later happy and healthy with a small button nose

Hint - Take lots of money for car parking meters!!!!!!!

Blu · 17/07/2006 15:59

I had several scans, counselling and amnio at King's.
I found them quite 'efficient and workaday' - until there was a potential problem, and at that point, nothing was too much trouble. They arranged for pretty swift counsellling (on the post) and then a short wait for amnio.
I think waits can be lenghty because they respond to emergencies in order of priority.

The sonographer we had was quite blunt and not a v sympathetic character - but the midwives were brilliant, and called me as soon as the results were in rather than waiting for me to go in later that day for the appointment because they knew how anxious I was.

Blu · 17/07/2006 16:00

On the spot, not post.

Tutter · 17/07/2006 16:01

if you're talking about the FMC in harley street then yes, i went there for the nuchal fold and anomaly scans - fab place. runs like clockwork and you get lots of time to gaze at your baby.

Original poster

TuttiFrutti · 17/07/2006 18:05

Wow, I can't believe I've got so many replies! Thanks everyone.

Yes, it's the Fetal Medicine Centre in Harley Street. It's reassuring to hear that most of you had good experiences - my dh can't come with me so I will be going on my own which makes it all a bit more scary.

The only reason I'm thinking of CVS is because of my age - 39 - which obviously makes a poor nuchal test result more likely, although if I get a good result I will bypass CVS.

OP posts:

muppet3 · 19/07/2006 09:24

tbh I wouldn't recommend them. Had nuchal/dating scan there before Christmas where they faffed around for two weeks diagnosing a missed miscarriage, muddled up my information and dates, and were pretty physically rough with the scans too leaving me in some discomfort. All a bit conveyor-belt like.

Round the corner in Devonshire St is a wonderful consultant/sonographer team who picked up the pieces for me last time, and who I have been back to this time for the nuchal scan. A world apart - kind, friendly, interested, all the time in the world to watch baby move and ask questions. Similar prices to FMC too - he's called Mr Craig Leitch, and they have a website at www.babyinc.co.uk

They are wonderful people. Highly recommended,

fatfox · 11/08/2006 20:26

Tuttifrutti, how did your scan go at the FMC. I am going here on 21 August for the NT/Bloodsintegrated test. Am terrified as I'm 43!! How was it and was everything OK with your scan?

WideWebWitch · 11/08/2006 20:27

My experience was fab but it was just bog standard nuchal. Take a video, they'll tape it for you if you want (wouldn't have known had someone here not told me). They got the sex wrong though, said 80% was a boy and she's now nearly 3!

Original poster

TuttiFrutti · 12/08/2006 10:40

I had the scan last week and it went really well. Got a fantastically clear view of the baby swimming around, and was given a very low risk of Down's so didn't go ahead with CVS.

I like the FMC on the whole, but we did have to wait for a long time - one hour between blood test and scan. To be fair, they did warn me that I might have a long wait, as did several people on this thread! Take a good book!

OP posts:

fatfox · 12/08/2006 20:37

Wicked - thanks for the tip about the video, do we just take a normal blank VHS?

Tutti - congrats on your scan, you can enjoy he rest of your pregnancy now - I hope to be in the same position as you Tuesday after next (scan is Monday ).

Has anyone taken siblings to the FMC? I'd rather not take mine but will probably have to - do hey have toys and stuff to keep children occupied while you wait?

WideWebWitch · 12/08/2006 20:41

Yes normal blank tape but ring, maybe they've moved onto recordable dvds these days!

fatfox · 14/08/2006 08:07

WWW

Cheers M'Dear, will call them today and enquire

CurrantBun · 14/08/2006 12:10

I'm booked in for my nucahl scan and bloods at the FMC in Harley Street on Friday. I'm excited but also nervous. I'm prepared to have the CVS if the scan and bloods give a high risk of Down's, but if the results are good we will probably bypass the CVS.

Good to hear so many positives about the FMC. Although I'm entitled to a nuchal on the NHS, I'm now 12 weeks and they still haven't managed to send me an appointment through. In view of the fairly narrow time margin for having the nuchal (and also the CVS if needed) we opted to book privately. We also didn't want to be rushed through a 10-minute NHS appointment for the first scan, which is obviously an important one and the first chance we have to see our baby!

I will take a book though!

lummox · 14/08/2006 12:24

fatfox - lots of people do bring other children, but i don't recall seeing any toys there. there are newspapers and magazines, but i think i would take plenty of distractions with me, particularly as so many people say they have had to wait.

that said, i have been to the FMC for all my scans in my first pregnancy and two scans so far in this pregnancy and never had to wait more than about 20 minutes. guess i've just been lucky. after reading this thread i've booked the 9 am appointment for my 20 week scan.

Carameli · 14/08/2006 12:38

I had my nuchal fold test done at the FMC and was really impressed with them. The waiting room is fine with tea/coffee/water if you want. There were no toys for little ones though so I would bring a few things to keep them occupied.

The scan was great. The sonographer took so much time explaining everything to us and my dh who was a little sceptical about going up there before, thought they were amazing.
We had a little wait for the blood test results but not too long.
would certainly tell others to go there.

castlesintheair · 14/08/2006 13:29

The long waits usually only happen on Wednesday at the FMC when Professor Nicolaides comes in and does any procedures (CVS/amnio etc). They tell you to ring an hour before your appointment to check the waiting time. If you are only going for a Nuchal Test or scan try and make sure it is on another day of the week.
There are no toys for children though they are welcome of course. Regents Park is just over the road so you can nip over there if you have a long wait and Marylebone High St just round the corner.
I think they are great - I have been there for all 3 of my pregnancies. All high risk for downs so CVS with all 3 and also had anomaly scan for DS1.

fatfox · 15/08/2006 10:38

Lummox, castlesintheair, carameli - thanks for the tips, I'll take some colouring books for the little monsters. If there's a water machine, that usually keeps them occupied as well. My appointments on Monday, so hopefully I won't have to wait to long and DH will be there as well.

currantbun - let us know how your apointment on Friday goes! Did you see Wickedwaterwitched's tip about taking a blank video? I have my NHS nuchal on Friday, so will have something to think aout before FMC on Monday. When is your baby due? Mine is 3 March.

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