nuchal fold

[snooks]

Ok, so I'm not sure what I'm trying to achieve with this thread - a bit of reassurance I think.

I am 34 weeks with dc3. I declined all tests (apart from routine scans) with all 3 pregnancies. When we had the 20 week scan with this baby, all was well. I didn't scrutinise the results that the sonographer printed out because the measurements didn't mean a lot to me, I was just happy that all seemed as well as could be at the time.

So, since then, I've read a lot of pregnancy threads, including nuchal fold results etc. I wish I hadn't, but for some reason I was reading my pg notes this morning and noticed that at the 20 week scan the nuchal fold thickness was measured - 4.8mm. I'm no expert but this seems high and now I'm worried.

I know I can't (and wouldn't) change anything, but I didn't even realise that they were going to measure it at all. I suppose now I've seen it I just can't pretend I haven't. I would rather have remained ignorant. Has anyone had a similar result at 20 weeks? Is is in the realms of normality? Just want a bit of reassurance as I said, I know no-one can ever say "yes your baby is fine".

Sorry if I'm waffling.

I don't have any idea about whether that is normal at 20 weeks but I think the nuchal measurement only means anything between about 10 and 13 weeks I think because then the fluid changes and probably increases anyway.

4.8mm would be quite high at about 12 weeks but probably means that the 12 week measurement was very low IYSWIM so I wouldn't worry although I know it is easy to say!

did they not ask before doing the test? i think they're supposed to. i wouldn't worry about the result..if it was a problem they would tell you.

The nuchal test isn't a reliable measure after 13 weeks and even then it results in a statistical probability based on maternal age and other factors which can then be combined with blood tests. So I don't think you can base too much on the measurement alone at 20 weeks. If there had been any "soft" markers they would have probably said something at the time.

annemarie the result was just within a list of measurements on a printed sheet - femur length, abdominal circumference, that sort of thing. I don't even remember the sonographer mentioning anything... I do recall the mw at my antenatal appt sometime after the scan briefly glancing over the results and saying something like "all ok" but she only glanced.

I know I'm just being a worry wort and common sense tells me that they would have said something....

Thanks for your replies all.

snooks, I was told the nuchal fold scan could only be done between 11 and 13 weeks as after that the results are meaningless. I do think if there were anything amiss, something would have been said to you.

Thanks chipmonkey. I spoke to my mw this afternoon about something else and mentioned the nuchal results. Whilst she didn't know what the "normal range" at 20 weeks is (if there is such a thing) she did say that if anything "untoward" is noticed at a scan, they do have to tell you or flag it up.

So I'll try and forget it for now

At 20 weeks the 50th centile measurement is 3.5mm & is considered abnormal if over 6mmm so 4.8 is absolutely fine

minster that's good to hear, that's the sort of definite numerical answer I was angling for! Thank you

No problem!

minster - would you be worried at 5.9mm 20 weeks?

I think it is only over 6MM PTIYPASI!
I'm sure Minster will confirm.

Also at this stage there would be other signs such as in a high rate of DS babies they find the baby has no nasal bone.