scan at 13 week late for screenings?

[ai38]

I have my first midwife appointment next week when I am 9+3 but my first scan is only booked for when I am 13 week.

I am 38 and bit worried about chromosome abnormalities. I would like to have all the screenings on offer on NHS and even possibly pay for a private NIPT for more reassurance.

Now the question is with the first scan booked so late, will there be enough time for me to carry out all these screening tests in time or should I call the hospital and try to bring the scan the appointment forward?

After the first scan, how long will it take to get the result of the combined test?Is it something they tell you right after the scan?

And is there timeframe for NIPT if I opt in to do it privately?

So you can do NIPT any time from 10 weeks privately. The results take 7 to 10 working days to come back I'm currently waiting for mine now.

All the tests can be done on the NHS at the scan before 14 weeks. I can't remember how long they took to come back on my first DC sorry. If they see anything on the scan they tell you on the day I believe but the bloods obviously take longer x

The cut off for the NT screening is gestational age of 13+6. When abouts in the 13th week is your scan? Would you still come under 13+6 if your due date was brought forward by a couple of days? If so, then I would consider asking for the scan to be brought forward, but there will be a distinct possibility that the appointment you've got was the earliest available anyway.

If you're high risk, they let you know within 3 days. If the sonographer picks up anything concerning (i.e. a high NT diameter), they will tell you immediately. If you are low risk ~2 weeks.

AFAIK, there isn't a cut off for the NIPT.

You have until 14 weeks to have the nhs screening so you’ll be fine

@Tryingtoconceivenumber2 Thank you so much for replying. May I ask if you are doing your NIPT privately? I read somewhere that if we do it privately we should look for a clinic that is linked with NHS so the results can be followed up. Is there such a thing?

@Dyra I will be right 13 week on the date. This is 13 weeks from my LMP which was also confirmed last week when I did an early pregnancy scan.

When I had my NIPT at 10 weeks my MW asked me to share my results as soon as I got them. I guess had it been bad news, she could have sorted further testing for me.

My scan was 13+2 in the end and it was great because everything was so clear, very easy for them to get the measurements they needed and they even told us what sex they think (although obviously too early to be 100% certain).
Results came a few days later (all fine)

@YouBoggleMyMind so you had your private NIPT before the combined NHS screening? This is something I am also contemplating. May I ask what made you make the decision?

Yes, I had the NIPT at 10 weeks, as early as I could. Partly due to being older than my first pregnancy and my DS was born with a condition which we didn't know about until he nearly died at 3 weeks old and there was a possibility having another boy would mean the same may happen again so we also needed to know the sex (which you can also find out with a NIPT) in order to have consultant led care and extra monitoring. We had a girl so no extra care was needed and my results were low. The NIPT is more accurate than the NHS screening.

Yea doing the NIPT privately they only offer it on the NHS if you have a high risk combined screening result (as far as I am aware).

Also decided to have it as was older on this pregnancy. 32 when I got pregnant first time, 36 this time. Not sure if they share the results with the NHS, I assume they would. I had mine done with ultrasound direct as they do a scan at the same time. Others I looked at only did the blood draw x

12 to 14 w is great for screening also great for nub theory

I had my scan at 13+5 (technically it was 13+3 since I measured ovulation but they put me forward two days). Initially they did a measurement and said the cutoff, but then measured again and the baby’s measurements was just within the 14 week limit.

@Tryingtoconceivenumber2 I'd like to do the NIPT mainly because of my age. I am 38. All I am wondering is if it is worth waiting till week 13+ to do the NHS combined test first and then go for NIPT or if I should do it after week 10.

May I ask if you did your NIPT after the NHS screening test or before?

@ai38 I did it before. My thoughts are if there is something wrong I would rather know about it earlier.

I should get my NIPT results next week when I'm just 12 weeks. By the time I have my NHS scan and the results are back I will be at least 15 weeks x

@ai38 I think a lot of it depends what exactly you want to know and what you would do with the result (not asking you to share this - just for you to think through. If you're not going to consider taking action then the advantage of NIPT test is so you can be prepared but then there's no need to find out super early.

If you are considering ending the pregnancy then, for me, it was better to do it as soon as possible.

The private clinics won't share with anyone but you and there are no linked clinics to the NHS as far as I know but the NHS will accept your result from the private clinic. You just share it yourself. But as the screening is optional anyway the NHS don't need to see it unless you want them to take some action.

I did Harmony the first time and Panorama the second, There are a few out there x

@Janefx40 Thank you for making it more clear for me. I will be taking action based on the result of test. If NIPT show some medium to high risk, I would go for Amnio to know for sure. So, as you say it makes sense to start the whole process early so if it comes to further testing/termination, it is not too late.

If I do a NIPT privately and it shows I have medium/high risk, would it be possible to do the Amnio through NHS afterwards? Or once you have a screening in private sector, any follow-ups needs to be done privately too?