Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

Original poster

Worth having private NT scan?

9 replies

Fuzzyduck21 · 05/03/2015 15:48

Nhs scan is booked for 13+5 and they are unable to bring it forward. I'm concerned that this is leaving it too late in case baby is bigger than 13+5 and they can't take the measurements. I've gone ahead and booked a private NT scan and blood test for when I will be 12+3 and they said they look at extra markers that the nhs don't look at routinely. My SIL has a heart defect from birth and was told that they will also look at heart in private scan.

My question is, what would you do? Would you have both scans? would you have private NT and then go to the nhs to see baby again and for them to date? is there any harm in having two scans close together?

Have any of you had both? which was the better experience?

I wouldn't opt for amnio/cvs but look to use the NT scan as an indicator so I can prepare myself if I didn't get the results I hoped for.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Cornberry · 05/03/2015 15:55

I was 13+3 when I had mine and it was fine. It probably will be for you too. However given that your dates are not 100% then I'd make a fuss. Call them and be difficult. Tell them you think you may be further along - and demand reassurance that if you turn out to be 14 or 15 weeks you can still have the scan. if nothing comes of it then I would formally complain and get the private scan.

weeblueberry · 05/03/2015 16:05

With my first pregnancy I had my scan at 13+4 and DD wasn't playing ball when it came to the measurements. They said normally they'd get me back in but there weren't any slots prior to the cutoff.

In the end I just went with the alternative blood test that was offered and I was happy with that. But if you have extra need for a detailed panel I think you're right going private.

Zahrah5 · 05/03/2015 18:48

Exactly same happened to me!

At NHS NT scan baby was too big as when they did dating by ultrasound I was actually 14+2. Last possible day to perform the test is 13+6. So too bad.

If you havent yet been dated by ultrasound, only by period dates, they will date you first at the appointment so there is good chance your dates moving.

They told me I had to go for quad boold tests after 15w. These are much more unrealiable than combined NT test. I got results when I was 17weeks, so crazy late! And the numbers were quite high. 1:340, not high risk according to quidelines but too high for me not to worry.

So depends on you , what you need for peace of mind.

We did private harmony test at 10w and private NT test at 12w, yes they looked at many more markers. But money ever spend.

MissTwister · 05/03/2015 19:36

I had my 12 week privately with NT and Harmony. There's no need to have the NHS one too - indeed the Fetal Medical Centre recommended against it in case of conflicting results. Although that's because Harmony is 99% accurate and NHS tests are far from that. Are you having Harmony?

Original poster

Fuzzyduck21 · 05/03/2015 21:34

Thanks for the advice everyone. Misstwister I won't be having the harmony one - I've just booked a standard combined NT (bloods and scan).

I think I will go ahead with the private scan and go to the nhs but refuse the NT there as I will have already had it and don't want to stress myself with 2 sets of results.

So many decisions! Doesn't help that I am indecisive and anxious at the best of times

OP posts:

MissTwister · 05/03/2015 21:37

Can I ask why you would want to go to the NHS one too? Just because I thought I should but heard differently from midwife and FMC who said don't bother!

Alwaysinahurrynow · 05/03/2015 21:38

I ended up having to book a private nt scan after hospital notes were different from what we were told verbally. Definitely worthwhile as I got given lots more information and had plenty of time to ask about what I was seeing.

Original poster

Fuzzyduck21 · 05/03/2015 21:45

Oh no sorry to hear that - it does sound like the private scans give a lot more info and time which I feel would benefit me as I am an anxious first timer!

Was planning to go to both only to see the little one again and midwife said it may be worth going to ensure I get booked in for my 20 week scan as they do it there and then. Also thought the more people looking at the baby the better I hope scans within a week of eachother won't do any harm to baby though....

OP posts:

MissTwister · 06/03/2015 15:12

I just phoned and booked the 20 week one it was no problem. two scans close together is fine, I had 11 and 13 weeks

Flip