This is bad news isn’t it? (Scan photos included)

[Green234]

I had a reassurance scan and NIPT test yesterday, prior to my twelve week scan next week.

I specifically asked about the nuchal translucency. The sonographer said everything looked great, and in the provided photos (such as the first photo), it does look fine. She also said she could see the nasal bone.

We got sent a video of the scan and at one point, baby moves up. I took a screenshot of the point at which (in my opinion), the amnion and the skin at the back of the neck are clearly separated. The nuchal translucency looks abnormal.

I can understand why the sonographer missed this, as for much of the scan the baby was quite still and so it could easily be assumed that (what I think is) the nuchal translucency was just part of the amniotic fluid.

But this is bad news, isn’t it? NIPT results due later this week so I’m just trying to steel myself.

This is what I think has happened.

I would say don't worry about things that may be fine and you can do nothing about anyway. I wouldn't be trying to second guess the sonographer, these pictures always look incomprehensible to me.

I don't see how you can possibly try and deduce anything from this. Please try and not worry until you have your 12 week scan.

I take it you have some medical training and that is why you are able to interpret the scan results? In which case you will know better than most people on here. I wouldn't have a clue what I was looking at TBH, and I don't think Google can tell you either way. If you are not medically trained then I think there is no point at all second guessing what the scan shows, you'd be better to trust the trained professionals who do this all the time, and know a lot more than Google about what they are looking at. I hope all is OK and you get some reassurance soon.

@MojoJojo71 I have noticed on another thread you have been able to give good advice, I would appreciate your thoughts if possible, thank you.

/@Green234 is there a reason you're looking for there to be a problem? have you experienced this is the past or are you usually so anxious about health concerns?

Unless you’re specifically trained you can’t possibly know more than the sonographer. Stop worrying

Are you trained in this field?

No medical training no, but I do research health things as in the past I have tried to tell GPs (for example) that something is wrong, told it’s fine, and it turns out I have later been correct and there is a problem.

This is a bit of a miracle/unexpected baby after infertility. If this pregnancy doesn’t work it may never happen again so yes I am worried about things. Also I am over 40 so I know the odds of trisomies are much increased.

I also have a PhD (non-related field), so I do know my way around a research paper/statistics etc.

I'd be inclined to call the clinic and ask for another sonographer to take a look at the images.
I totally get the need to research given you've been so proactive with your fertility journey- I am exactly the same.
Even if someone on here has the medical training to give you some advice you are probably going to need to discuss it with the clinic anyway.

This looks perfectly normal? I've seen this at all my scans before 12 weeks, the earlier scans and never had a child with any health issues.

@Green234 oh dear, it doesn't seem your reassurance scan has done you much good. I'm sorry you are so anxious but I really feel this is one of those 'don't borrow trouble' moments. The bottom line is, I don't think any of us can tell you anything now that will reassure you at this point as you have already done your research and convinced yourself of the worst. The only thing to do is try to wait patiently for your official scan/NIPT results and a chance to talk through your concerns with your care team. The blunt truth is that, if there IS raised NT, no amount of worrying and overthinking is going to change that now. And I'm not saying that to be cruel but it just is.

I had a MMC diagnosed at 11+4 last April and found out at a scan that baby had no heartbeat and had stopped developing at 7+5 so I know what it's like to have devastating news from a scan. So far, you've not officially been told anything concerning and even if NT is raised, that doesn't always result in problems. So try to not panic. There is a baby with a heartbeat growing inside you. Try to hold onto that. Deal with anything else if and when it is officially presented to you.

Also, fwiw, I also have a PhD (psychology) and I certainly don't feel confident it would enable me to make perfect sense of all medical research findings - particularly on a topic that is emotive and in which I was personally invested/possibly biased. So whilst it's great you can use your skills to interpret information, remember this isn't your specialist field and there may be considerations and controversies etc in the field that you aren't aware of.

There is a lot out of our control in pregnancy. Sometimes it's best to try and be in the moment and focus on the positives/things we can actually do something about. Sending you all the best for the remainder of your pregnancy. 💗

Are you looking for there to be a problem so if you are right you can say you were right and if not then it's good news?

It's a common approach amongst highly anxious people to just expect the worst and anything else is great news.

Please remember that you are looking at a 2D image of a 3D baby and uterus. It can be very confusing following a scan. The image is a cross section and structures can duplicate on one image.
Also if this was a reassurance scan they would not have been looking specifically at the nucal structures or positioning the probe accurately to measure the space or fold.
Wait for your results and scan.

I was 40 with a miracle pregnancy and it was a massive worry. DH and I talked about it and he was very positive that if there was a problem then we would continue with the pregnancy. The results came back normal but I went on to have far more complications with my own health during the pregnancy than the baby had. He was born at 36wks and is now 6’3”, a bright, very sporty 19 yr old who is on a yr out before starting uni.

I remember every detail of the nucal scan I had, 20yrs ago they were only done privately. The consultant was lovely and very pleased with the blood results before he even scanned me.

I hope everything goes well and that your little miracle gives you as much joy ( and trouble) as mine has.

Please do yourself a favour and stop Googling. it's a blurry image of something that's tiny. Just wait for your NHS scan. I didn't even have a clue what to look for at my scans.

You have a PhD in a completely separate field, so it's irrelevant op. Leave the analysing of scans to the medical professionals and stay off Google, you're not going to help yourself by diagnosing things that you're unqualified to do.

I think without medical training you need to trust the sonographer, who looks at these and interprets these all day every day.
you could ask them if it’s possible this was missed and send them the screen shot, but they were looking at a live image, which you are not, and specifically checking for this issue which they are trained to do and you are not. I think it would be ok to be nervous, but you seem to have resigned yourself to it being bad news, based on quite little, and I’d worry about your anxiety and stress throughout the pregnancy. I hope it’s good news for you op.

As you’ve had your scam done privately, I’d contact them and ask if you could have a chat.
Then show them the pictures you’ve put on here.

If the company you’ve used is any good, the sonographer is properly trained (not all of those companies used them) and will be able to explain.

THIS!!!!!!!!

Thank you so much.

Phone them because you're not going to be able to rest until your scan at 12 weeks.
If they have properly trained personnel I don't they'd have missed anything, it'll
Be something you've convinced yourself is wrong but it's very very likely to be nothing
So just phone them and make yourself feel better
Good luck

Hey OP. I’m not sure why some people are being rude and unhelpful. Im currently pregnant with my first baby at 39 and I’m so anxious and worrying about every little thing so I know exactly how you feel. I went through NIPT and further scans as was unable to do NT on my first visit. NIPT is a painful wait and I was going out of my mind for a week waiting for the results to the point I made myself ill. The only advice I can give is that the more you stress and worry, the more it’ll effect your little bubba. I’ve seen NT scans higher than yours and been ok, it wasn’t too long ago I saw someone post one on here. Try to keep focused on the positives and keep yourself busy until the NIPT comes back. Praying for a positive outcome for you x

So you know why the person trained and working in this area missed it, but you’ve immediately seen it, because you have an unrelated PhD?

As Radiogeapher (some obs USS training) I see what you mean. BUT I wouldn't jump the gun I would ask for a second opinion and to see another sonographer. Your scan is at 12 weeks so I would wait until then. Unless the reaults will impact your decision to carry on the pregnancy there is no rush.