Downs Syndrome Screening in NI?

[Dogmom92]

Hi all,

Im struggling to find any information online and haven't yet had my booking app/scan.
Can anyone tell me if you get the downs syndrome and other abnormalities screening on the NHS in Northern Ireland? I was provided a blood screening tests leaflet with my appointment letter but it wasnt included in this.

www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/testing-abnormalities

Thanks i did see that. To clarify - i cant seem to find any information on it for the belfast trust but some other trusts in ni have info on their site. There doesnt seem to be any information on the conditions that may be required to get these tests. The words “may be offered” is unclear and im trying to figure out if i will be able to access these tests.

Hi OP, I've had two babies in the Ulster in the past couple of years. They offer the quadruple blood test but not nuchal fold screening to mothers over 35. I was over 35 the second time and I had to request it though. I also requested it the first time at 34 and while it was clearly an unusual request I had no problems getting the test.

The other option is to do NIPT privately. We elected to just do the NHS options and take it from there.

The info was hidden in one of the books I was given, I'd look through what you have and then ask your midwife.

@MindyStClaire thank you! I have seen the option to do NIPT privately and my husband is against doing that because its a big cost. So we agreed that we would wait for the booking appointment and discuss with the midwife (its on 14th jan). So i was hoping to get some insight on what kind of answer im likely to get. Its offered in the rest of the UK on nhs for screening so annoying that NI is being unclear - i just want to get some reassurance sooner than later because I'm the type to worry about every possible outcome, so some reassurance would allow me to enjoy my pregnancy!

I hope that the services dont vary by trust (we are belfast trust).

I’m not sure it is offered in the rest of the UK. I’m in Scotland and was of the view you had to ask but it would only be free if you were assessed as higher risk either due to mothers age or evidence from scans/bloods.

NIPT isn't offered as standard in most of the UK, but I'm pretty sure the measurements at the 12 week scan are standard everywhere bar NI (a consequence of our abortion laws).

We took the view that the blood test and the 20 week scan were enough for us, and if they showed anything we'd take it from there. But obviously a very personal call.

I had asked on another thread and some had said it was to them but maybe they fell under some age category etc.

It's not really checked here unless you pay (also Belfast) but with ds now 2.5 the consultant doing our scan did look at it in so much as "nuchal measurements all look good too" we hadn't asked for it to be done as it wasn't going to make a difference to us with regards the pregnancy but they did mention it themselves

@Smurf123 do you mean pay privately or pay for it to be done in nhs? Did they mention the nuchal measurements at the 12 week scan or the 20 week scan?

For myself its more about knowing what is ahead of me - i like to be prepared for everything so the sooner i know things the better (though i know most of these screenings are a likelihood not a diagnosis).

Sorry i have so many questions but this is my first pregnancy and it really helps hearing the experiences of others in my region to know what to expect!

@MindyStClaire yea i meant the initial screenings - not the NIPT.

I guess we will see how our booking appointment goes and then make a decision from there about potentially paying for NIPT

My 12 week scans were very much "one baby, right place, heart rate as expected, crown rump length gives gestation of X". No further detail.

I gave birth in the Ulster in November and they asked if I wanted the standard quad blood tests for downs etc. at my 12 week booking appointment. I'm over 35 and had the harmony test done privately at 10 weeks, so I declined.

It was our 12 week scan it was mentioned at. We were asked if we wanted the blood tests etc too but we said no (I was under rmc consultant care through so that may have made a difference)