Combined screening for Down's syndrome - too late?

[jette]

Hello all -
I had the nuchal scan and first Down's syndrome blood test three weeks ago. My question is - is it now too late to go for the second blood test? I'll be into my 16th week now and I think I may have left it too long.. I'd really appreciate any advice on this - I'm really scared of blood tests which is why I a) 'missed' the second one and b) don't want to have to it if its now too late..

hi jette, i think it is now too late. what was the result of the nuchal? you might not need a second blood test?

It shouldn't be. Hospital was too late in arranging nuchal scan for me, so I just had the blood test, which I had at 16 weeks.

Good luck!

nuchal scan outweighs bloods doesn't it? pointless i thought?

here bloods are 16 weeks max

I'm not sure what the result of the nuchal was - I'm so crap at being pregnant!
I've got the bit of paper here and it says 'summary of ultrasound findings: normal 10-14 week scan' and under nuchal translucency its 1.8 mm - but is this something that you're supposed to 'discuss' with a doctor? Oh I suppose I'll just go down to the hospital and ask them! Thanks for your replies - and nice to see another Jet!

I think if there was anything they wanted to discuss with you they would have done. I had a growth scan quite late on and was taken to a small room to discuss the findings staightaway and organise further tests.

being a fellow jet, I had to respond!

Depends totally on your age but 1.8mm is pretty low/average for a nuchal if you are 20s/early 30s. They should have given you an age-adjusted risk factor after taking the measurement else it is pointless- but suspect you were low risk else they would have followed up?

Hi, I had a triple test at 18+5, i think i was fairly close to the limit, but i'm afraid i can't remember what the limit was.

in my area they aim for 16 weeks but i had to wait until i had 2 bleed-free weeks before i could have the test.

Well I just dragged myself to the hospital in the end and they did it.. I didn't cry, but I bought myself a caramel hot chocolate - and then i started to worry about gestational diabetes and all the tests they'll have to do for that..