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Original poster

How much does a private nuchal fold scan cost?

31 replies

Caz10 · 02/05/2007 19:36

title says it all really! We don't get one on the NHS in our area, and I think I would like to get one done, so it would have to be private. Would anyone who's done this mind telling me how much they paid? And if they felt it was a good thing to do? Thank you!

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Whoooosh · 02/05/2007 19:38

About £145 and I would highly recommend the Fetal MEdical Centre in London-they are absolutely fantastic!

Whoooosh · 02/05/2007 19:39

here

Whoooosh · 02/05/2007 19:41

Sorry-better \link{http://www.fetalmedicine.com/f-fmc.htm}here

Hopeitwontbebig · 02/05/2007 19:41

Hi, we paid £140. HTH

Whoooosh · 02/05/2007 19:41

Opppps-try this

SofiaAmes · 02/05/2007 19:55

I think the triple blood test is probably a better assessment of risk. If you are going to pay for something privately, have you considered that instead. When I researched the Nuchal Fold test, I came to the conclusion that it wasn't a terribly good predictor for downs syndrome (in my case, because of my age, that was my main concern) and a much better predictor for spina bifida (not such a concern for me because it doesn't run in my family and I took my folic acid pills).

superloopy · 02/05/2007 20:13

I booked my 12 week scan today at The Fetal Medical Centre.
It was recommended to me by a friend who said it was fab.
The scan is £150 but there is a price list on the website as you have probably already seen.

incy · 02/05/2007 20:53

Would also highly recommend the fetal medicine centre - had a NF scan, CVS and 20 week scan there - all were fantastic.

NF - about £150 (with CVS 450 I think)

Lemmiwinks · 02/05/2007 23:22

I also highly recommend the Fetal Medicine Centre, they were fab and they have a fantastic reputation, they are world reknowned. Costs are indeed £150. It's worth mentioning that you need to pay in cash or with a debit card, otherwise they charge a 10% fee to use a credit card. The £150 also includes blood work they combine with the scan results by the way. They spend lots of time with you doing the scan, they don't rush anything and you'll get lots of lovely scan pics to take home.

BetsyBoop · 03/05/2007 13:12

can highly recommend the Leeds screening centre if you are "up North", went there for both my pregnancies & they were fab.

We had NT + bloods both times & had the second pregnancy scanned a few weeks ago & it was £195 (I think NT on it's own is about £100)

JodieG1 · 03/05/2007 13:15

I had one done here and it was amazing. He shows you a 4d image too and also will sex the baby if you wish. We had our 2 boys sex told to us by him at 12 weeks. His scanning machines are really excellent and he is the man that pioneered the 4d scan in this country, really knows his stuff. I've also been to the fetal medicine centre and preferred the create health one. I had private anomaly scans with him as well and the images were wonderful.

JodieG1 · 03/05/2007 13:16

Also the professor at create health looks for extra markers at the scan that most places don't.

Heathcliffscathy · 03/05/2007 13:17

prof. nikoleides (sp?) runs fetal medicine centre as a charity and invented the nuchal scan. says it all really.

JodieG1 · 03/05/2007 13:21

I still wasn't overly impressed with the fmc, would always go back to create health. He also checks for PE risks later on too, he really is wonderful.

Beanstermummy · 03/05/2007 14:32

Caz10 - Hi from the Dec thread. We're booked in with the Nuffield Hospital in Glasgow for a CUB test - basically it's a NF scan plus the combined blood test. Have a look at www.fetalimaging.co.uk, but I think it only links to the Glasgow set up. My MW (not that i've met her yet) recommended her. I agree with the comments abou thte NF scan on it's own not being as good as the combination of Scan and blood test though - hoping we then don't have to go any further www.healthcarenow.co.uk also does this which a lot of peiople have recommended for us - it's in Edinburgh but I think they have clinics in other places too.

let me know what you decide to go with - our;s is on 23rd May so will keep you posted

Original poster

Caz10 · 03/05/2007 16:07

Thanks very much everyone! Beanstermummy we are Scotland too, SW, so the Nuffield would be my first choice. I was just looking at the 3d pics how amazing are they?! I would REALLY appreciate it if you could keep me posted with how you get on, either here or on the Dec thread. I will only just be 12 weeks at the end of May, so would be looking for an appointment a couple of weeks after you.

SofiaAmes is the triple blood test an optional extra too? The midwife said I would get bloods taken at 16 weeks and if they showed me to be high risk they would offer me amnio if I wanted to go that way. Is that the same or a different test?

Thanks again so much x

OP posts:

Original poster

Caz10 · 03/05/2007 17:17

PS would also love to know, if you don't mind sharing, why you have decided to get one done? We have no history of downs in the family at all, and I am only early 30s, but I just think it would reassure me. Midwife didn't think it was necessary, and no-one I know has had it done. I am just paranoid?!

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Jbck · 03/05/2007 17:39

Beanstermummy I'm going to phone the Nuffield tomorrow, I've got all the info & saw a counsellor today at Princess Royal & have decided I'll have the CUBS procedure & then decide about an amnio. Can I ask were you able to get an appt that suited you or do they have specific days etc. I'm actually 12+4 so I'll need to get it done next week for the optimum results.

Original poster

Caz10 · 03/05/2007 18:53

Jbck - can i ask you the same question - do you have extra reason as it were, to be wanting a nuchal scan?
Will the associated bloods taken screen for other things, or is the entire thing soley for Downs?

Thanks, I am feeling v confused, and also know I'll start to worry about apt times soon too.

OP posts:

incy · 03/05/2007 20:15

I was told if you have the NF you would not be advised to have the bloods (triple test?) at 16 weeks as it would probably give a different risk and may be confusing. As the NF is much more accurate you would be advised to stick with the risk result from the NF test.

As for why people have the NF test it is normally to find out the risk/likelihood of a baby with DS - you could then go for a 'definite' test such as the anmio or CVS these would give a certain result either way. Some people may want to know to prepare themselves whilst others may want to know as they would not go ahead.

The reason people would not go for a CVS/anmio from the start is that there is a risk of miscarriage so the NF acts as a screen to say if such tests may be necessary.

incy · 03/05/2007 20:18

sorry should have sad that the bloods with a NF test screen soley for DS.

The 16 week bloods also check for spina bifida but if you have already had the NF they will prob npt suggest the 16 weeks bloods (although you could have done and disregard the DS risk result).

A 20 week scan will also check for spina bifida if this was a concern and you opted not to have the 26 week bloods.

Jbck · 03/05/2007 20:57

Caz I'm in a high risk group to start off with because I'm over the hill . With my DD I had a 1 in 160 risk of DS & we had a detailed scan which then put our risk into the low risk category (think they just double the figure if there are no markers). We decided to leave it at that & take our chances and she's fine. This time we've other considerations so I'm doing as much as I can before deciding on amnio or not. I think I may go for an amnio eventually but this may make up our minds for us without it. I phoned just after I'd posted the first time & I've an appt next week. I was told the hospital will take into account the results of the CUBS test anyway when calculating the risk from the AFP rather than solely basing the risk on that since the other information is available to them. It's actually one of the consultants from my own hospital who performs the tests at the Nuffield.

superloopy · 03/05/2007 22:27

I'm getting my scan privately as we are moving to Australia at the end of the month and I'm yet to have any contact with a MW.

I also had a MC last Oct so for peace of mind I want a scan before we leave to check everything is ok.

I still feel really detatched to this pregnancy and feel it would help make it feel real.

I'm 10wks today.

superloopy · 03/05/2007 22:31

PS. I did get my NHS scan appointment through today but it will be 3 days before we leave and we won't be in London then.

SofiaAmes · 04/05/2007 03:49

My understanding is that the triple blood test is a better risk assessor of DS than the NF test. It sounds like you are going to have the triple blood test (it would normally be given at around 16 weeks). If you are being given that, I'm not sure it's worth your while (especially being in your early 30's....I was in my late 30's) having the NF as well. In england...don't know about scotland, you can demand an amnio even if your blood test risks come out fine. I did that after my nf because I was not confident with the results.

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