Do they still measure NT if you opt out & inform you if abnormal?

[EllieJade95]

Hi everyone,

I had my 12 week scan a couple of weeks ago and decided to opt out of the combined test. I chose to as I did quite a lot of research and given I would never do either of the testing due to the risk of miscarriage I thought it was pointless and didn’t want to possibly put myself through 26 weeks of anxiety when I already suffer a lot from anxiety & especially after my MMC. The sonographer double checked before finishing it I didn’t want it and when I said no, she said “everything is looking normal and how it should, like a healthy baby”. I kind of took this as a reassurance but wasn’t 100% sure.

I did have a bit of a moment when I wondered if I made the right decision and read a couple of comments on here where people have said even if you opt out, whilst they don’t formally measure the NT they will tell you if it’s abnormal because it could indicate other issues (e.g heart defects etc). I decided to speak to the antenatal dating scan team and the person I spoke to me said they won’t measure but as they are used to seeing it everyday they would say if it’s abnormal. I think my anxiety is getting the better of me and I was wondering if for sure that means they would tell me e.g are they are told they have to tell you if there is a higher NT or if this just down to the sonographer at the time’s decision?

I can’t change the outcome now, as I am now 14 weeks 3 days but I was just intrigued to know so it would maybe settle my mind. I can’t really see the NT on my scan pictures but I did have a video taken at 10 weeks 5 days and it looks very minimal (I know they say 11 weeks on but only two days out).

Thank you.

Why would there be a risk of miscarriage? Isn't the combined screening a combination of the nuchal fold measurement on your 12 week scan and a blood test?

@TTCJJB The risk of miscarriage is from the further testing from if you had an abnormal/higher result. There’s two which are called a CVS and an Amniocentesis. The combined screening is the NT & blood test but if you had abnormal results from that the only way to really know is do either the CVS or Amniocentesis and they have a risk of miscarriage

At my trust we would tell you if the NT appeared enlarged as it it can also be related to other conditions- we would tell you this before scanning though.

it is possible to have a normal NT that’s comes back as high risk after bloods though so it is not the same as screening.

if you think you would like screening there are alternatives you can be offered it is only the NT you are too late for.

I hope you have a good pregnancy

You could of had the NT and refused the more invasive tests if something was up.

I’ve always declined the combined screening but would expect the sonographer to say if anything looked abnormal.

The 20 week scan will show up anything visible by ultrasound anyway.

@HaPPy8 This is handy to know, thank you. I read a few stories of women who opted out and were only told when they then had an enlarged NT (but weren’t warned they may be told that before) so that’s why I was unsure. When I called them the other day she said “they see this everyday so would be able to spot if it’s abnormal to tell you” but didn’t 100% confirm they would tell me if that makes sense.

I think I probably did make the right choice as I do think it would make my anxiety unbearable. Plus, if that would be for the private testing I saw it’s over £500 now and definitely couldn’t have that!

@OnAir Thats exactly why I didn’t. What would be the point of doing the combined screening to then not do the further testing, it would make my anxiety horrendous and I’d definitely not enjoy my pregnancy, so I wanted to avoid that. I feel it’s a really hard decision to make and wish there was a little more guidance but can understand they don’t want to enforce their opinions on you.

@VegMam Lots more people declined it than I thought so it’s good to hear. I have read numerous people say that they have to tell you if something looks abnormal but just not sure how true that is and wonder if it depends on the sonographer!

I wouldn’t necessarily do the advanced screening either but the fact I was told it was all low risk via the blood tests made me relax. Otherwise I’d wonder until birth! If I was told it was high risk, then I would prepare for a baby with that and get all advice I can for support.

Anyway it sounds like you’re fine

@Lelophants I think everyone is different and I knew that if I had been told I had a higher risk (especially when I’ve read plenty of stories when it’s not been accurate) I would of spent my whole pregnancy constantly worried and thinking of it 24/7 and I just didn’t think that was the right option for me. Either way, I can’t go back as I’m now 14 weeks & can’t afford private testing but I was just wondering if it was a thing that sonographers will tell you anyway.