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Original poster

Anyone else been told you won’t get the nuchal scan/combined test?

53 replies

Luckyme30 · 10/04/2020 09:26

I’ve been told by my midwife that I won’t be able to have the combined test/Nuchal scan at my dating scan due to COVID.

I’m in Oxfordshire - here’s the note form the OUH trust website, before I query this with them on Tuesday has anyone anywhere else in the U.K. been told they won’t get this screening?

I thought this was a basic thing that every pregnant woman is entitled to?

Anyone else been told you won’t get the nuchal scan/combined test?
OP posts:
Original poster
Luckyme30 · 10/04/2020 17:03

@FilthyforFirth pleased to see that your trust are still doing all the checks from what I can gather of everyone else it seems like Oxford are the only ones so far!!

I called the other trusts midwife team today and they said that if the GP couldn’t do it I need to contact my midwife and they will do it. I feel bad as don’t want my actual midwife to feel it’s anything against her as she was very kind at my booking in appointment, I’ve wimped out of calling them today but Monday morning I’ll try them as assume they will be working as usual :)

I also checked the other trust and there is no self referral form :(

OP posts:
FirstTimeBumps · 10/04/2020 17:11

@Luckyme30 just explain your reasoning to your MW. I swapped to One to One at 16 weeks last time and felt awful on my MW but honestly I don't think they're take t personally x

FilthyforFirth · 10/04/2020 17:18

@Luckyme30 I understand why you feel that way but I don't think the midwife will take it personally. They will want the best for you. Like I said, I changed and my initial midwife was really kind about it.

Definitely call on Monday, you'll feel better once you do!

Original poster
Luckyme30 · 10/04/2020 20:34

You’re both right, I will be a big girl and give them a call on Monday!

To be fair the parking is much easier at the new hospital and although it’s further (by a few miles) due to traffic it takes less time to get to so can see it being a bit less stressful all round :)

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FirstTimeBumps · 11/04/2020 18:54

@Luckyme30 let us know how you get on x

Original poster
Luckyme30 · 11/04/2020 20:21

@FirstTimeBumps I will do :-) have also emailed PALS at the other trust (in oxford) so will see if they can give me info as to why they are possibly not doing the combined testing too) x

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toomuchteaandcake · 11/04/2020 20:32

They don't do it in my area. I had the quad test on request

Original poster
Luckyme30 · 12/04/2020 08:11

@toomuchteaandcake where are you based? Is this since Covid-19 or a regular thing? I thought this testing was standard unless you declined it?!

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toomuchteaandcake · 12/04/2020 09:37

@Luckyme30 I'm in Northern Ireland it is not offered here, so its quad or paying for harmony. I went for quad and got low odds so was content with that.

Original poster
Luckyme30 · 12/04/2020 09:41

@toomuchteaandcake oh wow I hadn’t realised, I think most of the U.K. it’s a standard thing to have.

It’s on Friday so will see what happens on the scan!

OP posts:
toomuchteaandcake · 12/04/2020 10:04

@Luckyme30 good luck! I was a bit concerned at first when I found out but the odds are really on your side and there are other options

Shelley54 · 12/04/2020 10:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Luckyme30 · 12/04/2020 13:55

@toomuchteaandcake thank you :) there are other options so will hold out to see what happens on Friday and if I need to think I’ll book a private scan in :)

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FirstTimeBumps · 14/04/2020 07:11

How did you get on @Luckyme30

Original poster
Luckyme30 · 14/04/2020 11:26

@FirstTimeBumps I haven’t been able to get hold of the midwives office yet - guessing they are busy!!

However as a result of me contacting PALS the ultrasound department called me this morning to say that currently they are still doing the nuchal scans but assessing it on a day by day basis - it’s to do with staffing - if they have enough staff on the day of the scan they WILL still do the full screening. However, if unfortunately they are short staffed they just will not be able to do the full scan.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed they will be doing the full scans on Friday when I’m due mine but she did say Friday was a full clinic.

It’s looking a bit more hopeful :) so for now going to hold off switching trusts until after my scan I think.

OP posts:
Wanderer1 · 14/04/2020 11:38

I was wondering whether the reasoning is that the trust couldn't do the blood labs because of CV testing hence the offer of the quad (done at a lab in London's I believe). But the ultrasound limit sounds like it's the problem.
I had my 12 week scan and they were really good and tried several times to get the nuchal measurement but couldn't because baby was in the wrong place. So I had to have the quad test instead. I was annoyed at first because prenatal testing is important to me and I wanted the correct one, but in the end the quad test was fine and the condition they can't test for (can't remember if it's Edwards or Patau's) they can see at the 20 week scan from physical abnormalities so I was satisfied.
Basically - if apart from this you are happy with your maternity care, it might not be worth switching.

Original poster
Luckyme30 · 14/04/2020 11:43

She said it’s to do with staff, at the moment the department are well but she said If they are short staffed on the day they just won’t have the capacity to do the full scan.

She did reassure me by saying that if at the scan they saw something that could indicate an issue of course they will try to get the nuchal measurement. She also said that Pataus and Edwards can generally be seen on a scan whereas downs is much more reliant on the testing, although as she said they can not give a definitive answer by the screening.

She did put my mind at ease and I’m grateful that they called me back to confirm the position.

Like you @Wanderer1 testing is important to me but equally I understand the pressures they are under right now so keeping it all crossed for Friday as it would personally put my mind slightly more at ease if that testing could be done :)

OP posts:
FirstTimeBumps · 14/04/2020 14:10

Trigger warning below but I think it's a really important thing to consider, I'm really sorry.

Hate to be the one to raise this but I think the nuchal, if it can be done, is really important. If the unfortunate news was to be that a baby had one of the more serious trisomies and would not survive, if you were to make the heart wrenching decision to not continue with the pregnancy that would be much easier at around 14/15 weeks than finding out at the 20 week scan when baby is kicking away.

I read a heartbreaking story about someone in this exact position although they had had the 12 week nuchal and it didn't detect any issues, they were only picked up at the 20 week scan and it was absolutely heartbreaking Sad

Original poster
Luckyme30 · 14/04/2020 14:31

@ FirstTimeBumps see this is what worries me is exactly what you have said above.

I’m hopeful that my trust will be able to do this on Friday but do worry if they don’t do it.

Saying that, if they tell me on the day of my scan they can’t do it I will make a bit of a fuss in the hope that they can do it.

I did ask what would happen if they couldn’t do scans and wasn’t really given an answer so am assuming I wouldn’t be offered another scan date.

OP posts:
FirstTimeBumps · 17/04/2020 21:50

@Luckyme30 did you manage to get the Nuchal measurements?

eventhecathasapenis · 18/04/2020 08:19

I'm really digusted for you Angry The nuchal screenings are considered essential and still happening here in Manchester. I've chosen not to have it as I'm nearly 40 so I'm paying for NIPT instead but I was still offered it before and during my dating scan! Hope you can get this sorted, it's pretty awful how pregnant women have been pushed aside because of covid. The need for maternity care never goes away.

Original poster
Luckyme30 · 18/04/2020 10:00

@eventhecathasapenis I know I must admit I was really shocked about it, I asked them to call me to discuss it and the lady from the ultrasound department called to say so long as they were fully staffed they would still do the nuchal measurements..

@FirstTimeBumps i was offered the nuchal and signed all the forms etc but despite her best efforts the lady just couldn’t get the measurements (baby was very laid back) we tried to get baby to move but he/she literally moved back into sleeping position!!!

I’m now trying to decide whether to pay for NIPT.....

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FirstTimeBumps · 18/04/2020 10:12

@Luckyme30 we almost ended up in the same boat but because baby wouldn't stay still. Enquire with your trust if they offer it at least cheaper than going private. My trust run NIPT on the blood sample automatically if it comes back from the combined screening that you're high risk

Original poster
Luckyme30 · 18/04/2020 12:02

@FirstTimeBumps haha I said to the Sonographer baby is laidback just like it’s dad!!!

I will ask my midwife if that’s an option. There is a company locally that does it with a scan for £440 and the added bonus of finding out gender with the NIPT too but not sure if I can part with that money... I just keep thinking how useful it would come in later down the line...

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Annabel28 · 18/04/2020 19:37

Just seen this thread today. I'm also booked at the JR (baby #2) and had nuchal done just 10 days ago. My antenatal care hasn't changed much other than next midwife appointment will be by phone. I'm under obstetrics and their appointments are continuing face to face. To be honest I think they're doing their best in an unprecedented situation. A bit worried because I'm considering ELCS due to trauma and I know the JR don't have a great track record when it comes to ELCS, but in general they are an excellent hospital and the aftercare we had last time was incredible.

If you do end up wanting private tests a good local clinic is Beard Mill but she does get booked up.

Also the Oxfordshire midwives have a Facebook group they answer questions on every day - easier than trying to get through by phone.

Good luck - I know it's worrying times.