Could not have combined screening test. Shall I rely on quadruple?

[mum707]

I could not have combined screening test during my 12 week scan as the baby was not lying in the correct position to get the measurements. For combined screening test, they said they need the scan measurements along with blood test to perform the test, and now the option is Quadruple test, which only tests for down syndrome (not edwards and patau's syndrome) , and is considered little less accurate as compared to combined screening test.

Just wondering how important it is, and what other options do I have? I know once I cross 14+5 , wont have much options remaining.
Or shall I just wait for my quadruple test scheduled for 15 week?

There's the option of a blood test that tests the baby's dna. I had the harmony test and it's very accurate, much more so than the combined and quadruple tests. The only thing was that I had to pay for it privately. It was nearly £500. To me it was worth it because I'd got a high risk results on my combined screening and I'm an older mum.

I had the quadruple, however it was delayed until 20 weeks. I had bloods done at 16 weeks but they weren’t processed (told because of covid the procedure had changed?). So at my 19+3 scan I had bloods done again and they came back within a week as low. If I had known I was going to have to wait until 20 weeks I would have probably paid for the nipt, however I didn’t find out they weren’t processed until 18 weeks, so thought another week wouldn’t make any difference. In hindsight I wish I’d pushed to come back to repeat the combined test scan.
I’d get them to clarify when they will do the quad?

It’s only important if it’s important to you to know your “risk ratio”.
You could pay privately for a NIPT but this again is only a screening test not a diagnostic test, although it is more accurate than the NHS screening tests.

Thanks everyone for your inputs. I am 37 year old btw, don't know if this increases the chances.
Since my quadruple is already booked for 15 weeks, I guess I'll wait, and see how the results are and decide accordingly.

I had the quadruple test in my first pregnancy and it screened for downs, Edwards and Pataus- maybe things have changed since then though. It’s a bit less accurate than the combined screen but only marginally so. If you don’t want to pay for a private NIPT then it’s a good second option.

I think the quadruple test is more accurate the older you are? I’m 35. Came back 1 in 17k.

Just to say I had to have the quadruple because they couldn’t get the nuchal measurements when I had my 12 week scan.

I considered the NIPT testing but did a lot of research into it and it had mixed reviews so I just waited for quadruple at 16 weeks and got a really low risk result.

I also had a private scan at 16 weeks to check on baby and all seemed fine then. I’ve got my 20 week scan today.

I don’t know if they would pick up on the 16 week scan if anything looked untoward but they seemed to think all was ok at 16 weeks...

Hi, exactly the same happened to me at my 12 week scan. Baby in the wrong position. I am 15 weeks and having the quadruple blood test today I'm 38 (39 next month) so know the risk is likely to be a little higher. I'm going to wait for the results of this test and if I'm concerned then we will go for the NIPT test. Figure £500 is a lot of money if this test is reassuring, but worth it if I'm concerned

I'm in NI where the quadruple test is all we're offered. I was 34 and 36. Both times we decided to do the quadruple and then if it came back high risk to pay for the private test.

I did a bit of reading first time around and figured that between the quadruple test and the twenty week scan there was a decent chance of Edward's, Patsy or severe Downs being picked up (a while ago now so may be misremembering).

Basically, there's no right or wrong answer as it depends very much on your own preferences.

At 35+ I'd personally pay for the private NIPT test. It's between £400-500. We had this with my first as same thing happened at our 12 week scan. Although I was only 29 we wanted the piece of mind we have chosen to have have it this time round as feels the right thing to do.

If you have no intention to terminate a pregnancy if the 12 week scans had showed up an issue then you may as well wait till the 20 week anomaly scan which would most likely pick up a heart defect or any other issues linked to a baby with a genetic disorder. The 12 week testing simply allows you to know sooner so you can make decisions.

@Luckyme30 Hope your 20 week scan went well yesterday.

@confused107 Good luck for your quadruple test today. When will they let you know about the test results?

@Charis1503 true that NIPT testis although expensive, it provides some peace of mind and results are quick. My 12 week scan went well, just that the neck measurements could not be taken due to baby's awkward lying position.

After doing some reading, and going through everyone's inputs, I think I am going to wait for my quadruple test results and go with NIPT if risk comes as high. Test is scheduled in 2 weeks time.

@FoxtrotSkarloey didn't click my mind to inquire it at the day of scan. I'll ring them and ask.

They have taken the blood and told me to expect the results in the post within 14 days unless they need to speak to me urgently

We would not terminate the pregnancy should this baby have Down's syndrome, but I would like to be prepared if it were the case so should the risk be higher than expected I would go for the NIPT test. Fingers crossed 🤞