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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

opting in for screening

10 replies

bumpsoon · 13/05/2009 11:29

just been to see the midwife today for my first booking in session . Apparently my trust has a opting in policy for downs screening ,they also pushed the nuccal screening at a cost of £200. I am 37 and tbh dont really want to screen as i wouldnt terminate if turns out i am carrying a downs baby . Just wondered about others thoughts on this

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l39 · 13/05/2009 12:52

The midwives told me that in my area I would have to pay £190 for a nuchal translucency scan. I declined but have taken the 16-week blood tests. I was 39 when I conceived, I'm 40 now. Tomorrow will be 2 weeks since she took my blood, so I could get the results any time now.I am hoping for a better than 1 in 100 result, as that is what I have just for my age. The hospital will call me in if it is 1 in 200 or worse. Perhaps I should not have gone for the test, as I would not terminate either, but I hope for reassurance... even 1 in 105 would be good news for me, as being a slight improvement over the untested assumed risk.

alittleteapot · 13/05/2009 17:05

If you know you wouldn't terminate it's still worth going for the 20 week scan as it can show up problems that can be treated either in the womb or dealt with as soon as the baby arrives (some heart problems for example.)

Just mentioning that as some people decide to opt out of screening altogether but it would be awful to miss a problem that could easily be treated.

Also, if you do decide to fork out at 12 weeks then go to the fetal medicine centre in harley street. for £150 they'll do bloods and a very detailed scan looking at several markers - not just nuchal fold. I had the nuchal scan and bloods at my hosp and got a risk of 1 in 86. nuchal was fine but one of my hormones was low. I;m 38 so already have base risk of 1 in 100. I had the fmc scan and risk fell to 1 in 1619...

DawnAS · 13/05/2009 19:53

IME, if you wouldn't terminate, I wouldn't put yourself through the trauma.

We had a nuchal scan (free at our hospital) which was combined with bloods and my result was 1:59 risk of Downs. We were devestated and went through a CVS, which didn't work and then had to wait until an Amnio that we had in between Xmas and New Year. Turns out my Papp-A was low and from the scan alone, the risk was only 1:700.

Got the all-clear on New Years Eve but the waiting from 12 weeks to 18 weeks was awful.

Not sure we'd do it again...

sarah293 · 13/05/2009 19:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

thisisyesterday · 13/05/2009 19:57

no way I would pay for it. but then, like you, I wouldn't terminate so there would be no need.

the only reason I would maybe like to find out if there was something the matter with my baby is if there is anything they could do about it in utero, or asap when it's born.
or just to get my head round it.

crokky · 13/05/2009 20:01

I would not have terminated my pgs for Downs so I didn't have a nuchal scan last time (they are not free in my trust, but were free in the trust I was in with my 1st pg). I didn't have the bloods taken either. However, I do think the 20 week scan (presumably free in your trust, I thought it was everywhere?) is a good idea as it can pick up things that can either be treated in utero or it can help be prepared for any precautions needed at birth.

l39 · 15/05/2009 11:47

I'm returning to this thread to say I have just got my blood test results and they are, indeed, reassuring.

'downs risk = 1 : 1471
Your risk is low, no further action is required.'

I'm 40.
I am now very glad I took the test.

Nekabu · 15/05/2009 12:15

That's great news!

beanieb · 19/05/2009 19:39

may I ask a question? When they do a nuchal scan test thing do they also factor in your age, thus making the chances of a child with downs syndrome higher based purely upon age?

I'm just thinking that If I pay £180 (Which is what it costs here in Cardiff) for the Nuchal scan, is there really any point if the result is likely to be high and they would send me for an Amnio anyway?

HariboGuzzler · 19/05/2009 20:36

Congrats l39.

I'm 10+5 weeks and I'm torn between paying £190 for the CUBS test or just opting out altogether. In my area, it's only the double test that's available on NHS, and I'm not keen on that because of the fact it only detects 2/3 Downs babies and has a high false positive rate. I really don't want to have to go through an amnio, given the risk - especially if the baby was healthy.

I'm 34 so the age related risk is neither great nor that bad.

I don't know whether I'd terminate if the baby was Downs.

It's a real stresser. Any advice?

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