12 sonographer hesitation

[Jajajagi]

I think I'm being overly anxious but I had my 12 week scan today (at 13weeks) and when the sonographer was checking the baby's neck width as part of the nipt she took a while and went quiet and hmm-ed a bit. She did go on to say everything was within the normal parameters but I just felt a bit unsure after the long pause. I am anxious about scans anyway having had a MMC at a 20 week and my husband said she was probably just concentrating. Do they have to tell you if they notice anything at the scan or do they wait for the blood test to come back? Never had a baby in this country so I'm not used to the system and generally a bit anxious!

I dont know if they can tell you if something is wrong or not but they definitely wouldn't say 'within the normal range' if that wasn't the case.

I agree with the above, they surely couldn't say that everything was normal if it wasn't. I imagine it's a very precise measurement as baby is so tiny at that stage that she'd have to concentrate very hard. I highly doubt she could lie to you. So sorry for your previous loss x

What is the NT measurement on the scan report? It should say on there and I agree with PP a sonographer wouldn't lie to you saying it's in normal range if it wasn't.
This is my third pregnancy and I've had sonographers who are really chatty and others who are more quiet and clearly concentrating, so I really wouldn't worry.

The NT measurement will be noted on your scan report - what is it? If it was over the threshold this would have been flagged up to you

The NT measurement is taken on a image with very specific requirements, honestly it takes a lot of decision making, some people show this in their face more.

I didn't realise they noted the measurements and just checked and it's 3.2mm at almost 14 weeks (tomorrow). Looked it up online and am now more anxious as some things say that's high risk. I'm 40 (just). I just hate the waiting

At my scan the sonographer also hmmed and paused and then she said to me that she was just fiddling around trying to get the measurement as accurate as possible, maybe that was it? It's so hard when they're so small to get the correct measurement! Hope your results come back soon and put your mind at ease

They are measuring something in millimetres via a scan of a foetus floating round so they have to be really careful. They also have to be accredited to do it as it’s very specialised. So yes, she would have had to concentrate.

Up to 3.5 is normal. I understand you worrying

My sonographer took lots of time getting the NT measurement. She explained that it’s really important to get a good “profile” shot that includes the outline of the nose and chin before measuring the part of the neck they need, apparently this is ensures the head is in as neutral as possible position and get the most accurate measurement. She “screenshot” the scan a few times and ummed and ahhed over a couple of the shots before she got the third one and and settled on that measurement. She said my baby kept putting his chin down making it more difficult.
As you’re aware it’s such a small measurement and the difference of millimetres can change the screening result so it’s no wonder they take time over the measurement.

I have also heard from lots of friend’s experiences where sonographers have spotted suspected abnormalities - they wouldn’t just say nothing. They don’t always explain exactly what they’ve seen/suspect but they will tell you they are referring you to fetal medicine/you’ll need another scan. So don’t worry, all is fine if they didn’t say anything at the time!

I have had a lot of scans with my two pregnancies. Every time I’ve thought the sonographer has been quite and worried about something, it’s turned out fine and just that they were trying to get the best measurements

If you're that worried and can afford it get a private NIPT blood test - very accurate

They were probably just focusing. I was told straight away at my scan that she could not get accurate enough measurements of the spine due to babies positioning. she said she felt that more than less likely everything was fine but just couldn't say with 100% certainty so I had to go back a week later for another scan. They were able to get accurate measurements then and everything was fine. I don't think they'd hide it if they weren't sure

When the sonographer did the measurements at my scan, she specifically said that she'd go quiet as it was a very precise measurement, so not to worry.

I hope you get the reassurance you need OP and good luck with the rest of your pregnancy .

Isn’t the NIPT a blood test? If you’re talking about the NT measurement she was probably just concentrating or did it twice to double check.

Ime they refer immediately if even the slightest doubt. I always found scans so stressful because naturally they DO go quiet to concentrate! Even when you pay for a private scan with the serene music and cuddly toys they do it! If nothing further came of it then try not to worry - I know it's easier said than done.

@User79853257976 yes NIPT is blood but give 99.9% accuracy on DS if that is what OP is worried about from the NT measurement

Just thought I would update this thread in case anyone is in the same situation and would like to know what happened. I paid for a private nipt test which came back less than 1:10000 risk but my NHS risk came back high at 1:50. I then did the NHS nipt which came back lower risk so wasn't offered any further tests. I was still anxious but the 20 week scan looked ok and baby has now arrived and is absolutely fine but with a particularly fat neck, so I'm wondering if that was what was showing up in the first screening perhaps.

Ahead of my 12 week scan the sonographer asked for me to please ignore her facial expressions as she pulls all sorts of faces when concentrating, which I'm glad I did as she frowns while concentrating 😆. But all was fine. They wouldn't give you false reassurance if they suspected anything was wrong.