Nuchal translucency scan couldn’t be done - what now?

[Greybutterfly]

I went for my 12 week scan on Friday. I was told the baby had a strong heartbeat but then went to sleep so they could not do the nuchal checks. Starjumps did not work so I was asked to go and drink some fizzy drinks and eat some chocolate and they would rescan in 30 mins. When I returned for the second attempt the baby was very lively (no doubt the sugar overdose) but would still not get into the right position to do the tests/scan.

I was told that I could not be rebooked as the pathway only allows one booking so no bloods were also taken. So now I don’t know if anything is actually wrong or what percentage I fall into.

I was told I could have a quads blood test at 14 weeks but this will only test for downs nothing else and is less accurate than the nuchal scan. Or I could go private (don’t really know where to start with this)

I have been getting increasing anxious over the weekend. Does anyone know if this is normal? Surely you should be allowed to rescan for this it’s not like it’s a gender reveal. Or should I just look at going private for the reassurance?

If anyone has any advice what to do next it would be greatly appreciated. Has anyone else been in a similar position what did you do?

Personally, I'd go private if you can afford it. You could ring the Consultant's Secretary and ask them if the Consultant does it privately. If you're not under a Consultant you could try looking up the ones at your local Hospital

Hi, yes, I had the same.
I had the quad test done at 15 weeks and it came back 1:690. I am 38 so it was mainly the age. I did nothing after and had my healthy boy a month ago.
How old are you? The quad test is actually more accurate the older you are.
I wouldn't stress it. The sonographer must have not seen anything worrying on the ultrasound as they didn't say anything, just couldn't take the actual measurement. That's what I was told anyway, that if they saw something worrying they would put that in the report.
With the other trisomies, you normally see some signs on the ultrasound at the big scan anyway.
Dont stress it, the chances are that the baby is just fine.

You could book for a harmony test. Will cost 4-500 including a scan and will give you peace of mind.

I was in a similar situation where they left it too late to scan me and I went past the screening deadline. They said I’d have to have the quad instead.
I was already anxious and upset they’d left it too late and the thought of waiting another month was too much for me and so we paid for a NIPT. It helped with my anxiety a lot, even just seeing the baby again really reassured me. So if it is an option for you, I’d definitely consider it.

Saying that, after the weeks of waiting for my quad results (which also does tell you your risk for T18), my results were good enough that if I’d had them sooner I wouldn’t have paid all that money for the private test. So if you can wait, I’d maybe make the decision after the quad test whether you feel you need more.

“I was told that I could not be rebooked as the pathway only allows one booking so no bloods were also taken.“

This is very poor. Is it definitely true? I’d be tempted to check against NICE guidelines or the trusts policies.

Happened to me with my first pregnancy. Baby was too active during the first attempt, and sound asleep in a bad position for the second (same scan). My trust have the same policy of one scan only at 12 weeks, so it was the Quad test, shell out hundreds for the NIPT, or nothing. As the sonographer said that while she couldn't measure it, everything looked normal, I had the Quad, which came back low risk. It was a bit rubbish at the time, but it is what it is. I had to have 3 attempts at the anomaly scan and growth scans on top of that. I'd sooner the department had time and capacity to do that, than have had a re-scan at 12 weeks.

If the sonographer had seen anything (large NT, cysts etc.) to suggest there might be an issue, they'd have got you to come back. Since they haven't, it's likely everything they saw was normal.

It's up to you what to do now. If it'll help your anxiety (and you can afford it) have the NIPT. If you will be ok without it, just have the Quad.

If it’s any help, if you have the quad blood test and it comes back with a higher risk the latest guidance says that you should then be offered NIPT (eg Harmony).

Ultrasound Direct do NT scans but they are around £230. For £400 you can get the NIPT.

It's really rubbish though, I can't believe they didn't try to get you back in! When this happened to a friend of mine, she was rescheduled for a week later. If you are just 12 weeks now then there are still 2 weeks before it's too late for the NT measurements. I'd be very annoyed in your position.

I was not expecting so many replies so thank you. It’s reassuring to know that it does seem to be more normal that I expected.

@Loki01 I’m 33 but my partner is 43 (if that makes a difference). This was what my logical head was saying surely if they had seen any concerns then they would have rebooked. So it’s reassuring they said similar to you. I didn’t really get any explanation.

@ItsSnowJokes - Thanks for sending this over. We will go with them if this is what we decide.

@Pizzaandsushi - you have pretty much sumed up how I’m feeling and what the dilemma is in my mind. Paying privately is definitely an option but it’s that feeling that although money isn’t an issue it’s still a lot to pay with maternity looming if you get the same results from the quad.

@Dyra - it’s seems like you were in the exact same position and the quad was fine which is good to know

@SylvanasWindrunner - I was literally 12 weeks and a day so there is time. I just kept getting told the same response it’s the pathway we don’t rebook. @SweetBabyCheeses99 - it’s is bloody annoying and if there is anything wrong it is going to be a much bigger drain on resources in the long run.

This has given us lots to think about. Thank you all so much it is so valuable having other experiences.