Nuchal scan on NHS - what do I need to know?

[Rhia30]

I'm having my nuchal scan on NHS in a couple of days time, I'll be 11+2 then (which is prob quite early...). The local hospital have only been offering them for a couple of weeks so not fully convinced by their expertise on this. What do I need to know to ask from them? What would help to know in advance? They take the bloods after which I find very odd. Apparently they will just post you the results in a week. Sounds rubbish.

Thanks! xx

Ask them for the measurements of both the nuchal fold and the CRL (crown to rump length)A long/big baby will naturally measure bigger on the nuchal fold and some NHS sonographers do not take this into account when assessing risks especially when it's a new area for them.

Disclaimer This info was given to me by a member of staff at the Leeds Screening Service and they really do know what they are talking about.

Try not to be unduly worried by the results and remember that the hospital will adjust the risk according to your age so if you're an older mum, your risk will automatically come out higher before the nuchal measurement is factored in.

If you want a more accurate result, contact the LSS and the will send you a vial for your MW to take blood. (think it costs £30) They then look at the blood results and you phone them up with the hospital measurements and they'll give you a more accurate result based on the combined risk.

Good luck.

disclaimer no2

I do not work for the LSS!

It's just that for me, they were brilliant both pratically and advice wise. When they looked at my blood and measurements (both NF and CRL) they adjusted my risk from 1:200 to 1:2500 I was very grateful for the peace of mind and their professionalism.

Be prepared for whatever! I had mine in October and was totally unprepared for the news they gave me. I was given a 1:28 risk of downs (I'm 38 BTW). DH and I had given no thought as to what we would do in the event of a high risk being given. I have a history of mc and think that I was just delighted to get to 12 weeks and went into the nuchal without thinking it through.

In the end I opted for a CVS test and was given the all clear. But do know what you are getting into and have an idea of what you would do in the event of a high risk. If you think that the results won't have any bearing on what you would do, consider not having the screening done as you are only given odds and not a definate answer. Once you start on the screening route, its often difficult to then stop, as I found out.

Good luck.

Yes, I agree with LH that you should consider how you will feel if the result throws up that something may be wrong.

For me, I knew we would keep the baby regardless though I would absolutely have had a CVS because I'd rather know and prepare than have the shock at the birth. But everyone is different and if there's any indication of a problem then they will hopefully provide you with the necessary support and information.

Thanks guys!!
That's very useful to know that about the size of the baby vs. nuchal fold, thanks lots
myredcardigan. Do they also give you other measurements for different body parts etc? Can they look at heart yet at this stage?
Unfortunately it's only done by a sonographer, not a doctor and all they did to reassure me on the phone was to say that "oh they've all been on the course" ...
I'm the type of person who's always prepared for the worst (although you can probably never be fully prepared) so I always expect the bad news. We've thought this all through and would definitely NOT terminate because of Down's, which I feel very strongly about. But it's good to know because of implications / extra attention for labour etc.

I'm more interested at this point in the questions / knowledge I need to go there with to try and get the best out of the scan? As I say, I don't trust them to do that for us.... I'd hate to come out and think wish I'd asked this or that.

As far as I know, for NHS nuchals they only look for the nuchal fold measurement, and won't look for other soft markers like heart and nasal bone measurements. Its probably good that they are doing bloods aswell as this will be factored in with the nuchal measurement and your age. Where I am they only do the scan and do the odds on that. A friend of a friend is a GP who knows her stuff says that the other things they look for at this stage (heart/nasal bone etc) is only done privately and she recommended the Fetal Medical Centre in London for this.

Thanks again - v useful to know.
I also thought they'd be able to tell at this stage where / how placenta is positioned in the womb?
I've got conflicting information about whether I need to have full bladder for nuchal scan? At clinic they said no whereas most websites say yes.
Help?