Quad test instead of NT

[KimKurl]

Has anyone else had to have this test? Just back from my 12 week scan. Turns out I'm 13 weeks and baby wouldn't stop doing backflips so couldn't get a NT score. Very happy that everything else looks as it should! Midwife said that I'll have to come back when I'm 16 weeks to have the Quad Test. Really nervous about this as it takes two weeks to get the results back and I can't imagine having to make a tough decision that late on. Has anyone else had to have this test? How did you deal with your nerves in the mean time? Did you choose to tell everyone you were pregnant without knowing the results? (I'm starting to show and really don't want to hide it too much longer)

I'm a bag of nerves and as much as I was delighted to see my beautiful little baby, I was so hoping to have the NT results today!

I've just read that it also only screens for Down's syndrome and not anything else. Wish my baby would've just kept still the little tinker!

Hi I had to have a Quad test after baby wouldn't keep still at 12 week scan. I had already told mine and DH family as well as work so didn't really have to make a decision whether to tell anyone else. Although it probably wouldn't have stopped me.
I was told results would be 2 weeks but they came within 5 days which was great! It was always in the back of my mind but I found keeping occupied meant time just flew by!
Hope all is well

Hi @Hitsnooze - great they came through quickly! Can't wait to just know (for now) that everything is ok. It's a long old haul isn't it!

I had it with ds as he was doing handstands at my 12 scan. I was told the results would be back in 3 working days if it was below 1 in 150 and if not I'd get a letter in 2 weeks. Around 10 days later I got the letter.

I was nervous especially due to my age (37) but everything came back fine.

I'm only 27 so hopefully that'll go in my favour! I don't know why I'm so nervous about it. We wanted to tell DSD after the scan but are hesitant now. All brand new territory for me...

Can you afford to get the harmony blood test done privately? It screens for Edwards and Pataus as well as Downs. And if you want to find out it will tell you the sex too.

@TroubledLichen I've never heard of it but sounds fab. What's the cost (ish)?

I had it and it was around £400 but that was combined with an ultrasound with a private consultant. I think you’d be looking at around £300 for the test on its own. So not cheap, but if it’s do-able for you then it would offer piece of mind (it’s a lot more accurate than the combined test) plus then there’s no doubt about the sex if baby does a repeat gymnastics performance at the 20 week scan!

Mine was doing headstands like a PP's, going for my quad test tomorrow at 15+4 (I didn't get manage to get a EDD either!). We decided to tell everyone - we struggled not to tell at 13 weeks! I was just relieved to see baby waving away at me, and a flickering heartbeat. Since I've told my colleagues, they've been super excited and we get to talk about all the exciting baby stuff.

I'm 29, so I'm at lower risk for Down's (the standard risk is 1 in 800 for my age group). I'm choosing to not be too worried about that, but it'll be a relief to go for the test tomorrow.

I'm slightly worried that we can't test for Edward's or Patau's, but I try and remember all the healthy babies that I know! Apparently Edward's effects 3 in 10,000 births and Patau's 2 in 10,000, so it's pretty rare. They should pick it up at the 20 week scan (that's quite late, I know).

Documents on Edward's and Patau's:
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/674610/Trisomy_18_-Parents-FASP76_2.pdf
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/674609/Trisomy_13-Parents-_FASP76_2.pdf

Thanks everyone!

@elizastarbeth I had exactly the same problem. They could just about do the dating and turns out I'm a week further along than I thought but baby then wouldn't stop wriggling. I'm slightly concerned about not being able to test for Edwards and Patau's. I'm only 27 so probably in the same risk group as you. I don't know why it's such a big worry of mine but I just can't stop thinking about it. Pain in the bum!

You shouldn't have to wait until 16 weeks to have the quad test done, it can be done from 14 weeks.

@Bluebirdsky I think that's just when they've booked it for. It's meant to be done between 15 and 20 weeks according to the leaflet I've been given!

If you don't want to wait that long, which is completely understandable, I would be tempted to ring your midwife and ask if you can come in sooner.
The nhs choices website says between 14 and 20 weeks!
www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/screening-amniocentesis-downs-syndrome/

@Bluebirdsky I might just do that. I'm sure everything will probably be ok, but if I did have to make a tough decision I would rather do it earlier rather than later. I'm developing a tiny bump already and can't imagine having anything go wrong once I had felt flutters and kicks.

This is all so stressful. Naughty baby!

Completely understand where you are coming from op. Like you said the likelihood is that everything will be fine but the quicker you know that the quicker you can relax and stop worrying about it.