Haven’t been able to have screening, now worried to death about absense of nasal bone on 13 week scan.

[Namechangerextrodinaire93]

I’m 25, currently 19 weeks pregnant and have been unable to have the combined screening test due to retroverted uterus and then baby in wrong position.

The sonographer managed to get the NT measurement at 14 weeks exactly which measures at 2.1 mm. I was worried about this but I’ve since read that the NT fold grows with baby so would’ve likely been less had they been able to measure at 12 and 13 weeks.

I had to go for an emergency scan at 12+6 weeks after a bleed. Baby was positioned perfectly for that but unfortunately the EPU couldn’t do the screening.

I’ve just been reading up about the lack of a nasal bone being indicative of chromosomal problems. The only scan photo I have where it would be possible to see the nasal bone is at 12+6, nothing was mentioned about the lack of nasal bone but it was literally a sneak peek at baby just to reassure me that all was ok so not sure the sonographer would even have noticed it herself.

OH thinks he can see it - admittedly the scan photo isn’t the best. I’m just worrying, hopefully about nothing but really regretting not having the MSS testing now.

I can see the nasal bone in that photo. It's a low quality image but it's there.

Is it just the lack of screening that is making you so anxious? Or do you have any other risk factors to warrant it? It's overwhelmingly more likely that everything is fine than not. Try to relax and if you feel you need to, bring up your concerns with the midwife at your next appointment.

@Spooples thank you so much! I just needed to know that someone else could see it. I’ve had 2 consequtive MC’s before this pregnancy. Also incredibly lucky to have a healthy DD (5) but had a MC before she was born too. I think the MC’s are playing heavily on my mind. My most recent was a MMC at 11 weeks back in July so that’s quite raw.

I’ve got a high BMI but that’s the only other high risk factor throughout the whole pregnancy.

I had exactly the same worry as I didn't think you could see the nasal bone on scan pictures with my first! Please don't worry though, your picture looks just like mine did and baby just had his face at an angle, so it's not a perfect side-on profile picture and the nose doesn't stick out like you'd expect. I reckon I can see it on yours though, and I'm 99.999% sure they'd have mentioned if it was absent. They definitely look out for that sort of thing.

Fwiw my first is now 3.5, seems entirely NT, and does have a very tiny nose

Could you afford an NIPT test? That would give you answers and put your mind at rest.

Thank you @RatRolyPoly. I keep thinking surely they’d have mentioned it had it been absent!

@Endofrelationship we could just about afford it. It’s something that I’ve been looking into and I’m thinking it would probably be worth it for reassurance alone.

Ive had 1 prev mmc at 12 weeks 18 mth ago, lots of anxiety this pregnancy, I had the nt screening, nt measured 3.5, didn't even cross my mind there may be a prob with my screening I was just glad to see a heartbeat but this snowballed into my dp and I being ushered into a private room, lots of scary info thrown at me by the mw and some pressure to get further testing i.e. cvs or amnio - I decided against both. Combined with my bloods my results came back 1:5000 For edwards and pateau and 1:95 For downs. I queried about the nasal bone at an extra scan booked at 16 weeks and was told that they don't even look for that now. By 16 weeks the 3.5mm nt fluid had gone, no abnormalities seen. Then I had my 20 week scan last week - again no fluid and no abnormalities.

To me your nt measurement doesn't seem too concerning, 3.5mm is the top end cut off for concern/risk. I know it's difficult but try not to worry. Did you get the blood part done too?

Do you have your anomaly scan coming up soon since you're nearly 20 weeks? I wouldn't worry about what you can and can't see on early scans, it's only the detailed one that matters because they measure everything.

If you really wanted to screening and can afford it, I would recommend a NIPT test (Harmony). My screening put me through hell when they called me and said I was high risk for downs. Had the harmony test and came back as 1 in 10,000 chance (as low a risk as they can give you). This was vs 1 in 85 chance with the NHS screening. NIPT is 99% accurate, combined nhs screening is something like 85% accurate.

My nuchal measurement was 2.9mm. 2.1 is totally fine. Anything less than 3.5mm is normal.

I can see the nasal bone.

You know the best £400 I spent was on a NIPT and I had it after my 20 week scan even though the scan was fine.

I would go for it you will be much more relaxed in the rest of your pregnancy

Thank you ladies for your very helpful advice. I think I’ll probably go for the Harmony test.

My anomaly scan is next Tuesday so not long. I think I’ll be glad when it’s over with although I’m really trying to look forward to it. It’s just difficult when you have bad memories associated with the scanning room.