3 mm Nuchal fold. WORRIED!!!

[LittleDonkin]

Hi all I have had my first scan today at 13+5. I have been told my baby has a nuchal fold of 3mm which is larger than normal. It is not an issue to me or DH if my baby may have downs syndrome but I am worrying about serious heart defects. I do not want an amnio. Does the quadruple test bring up heart defects? I was so excited to have my scan but now I just feel numb. I am 26 and this is my first pregnancy.

Hi I had a nuchal of 4.6 at my 12 week scan with preg 4 and was massively shocked. I was told that anything 3 and under was within normal limits. The quad test wont show heart defects but neither would an amnio or cvs unless it was chromosonal.
Were you offered a detailed heart scan at 20 weeks ? We left the hospital feeling devastated as as far as we were concerned there would either be downs, a heart defect or chromosonal disorder to deal with.
We had the blood test and got a risk of 1:140 which considering Im 28 was a massive jump from 1:1800. We decided to have a CVS but the placenta wasnt in a good position so we waited and had an amnio at 15 weeks.
That came back all clear and the heart scan was fine the only thing that showed was more fore waters have broken early and the unbilical cord on has 1 artery but this wouldnt affect the nuchal measurement.
Sorry this is soo long but I wanted to reassure you it is just a indication which can mean nothing as when I was panicking and Googling I couldnt find any positive stories. Hope it all works out - let me know xx

Opps also if your 13+5 I didnt think the Nuchal measurement was accurate.

Nuchal is accurate between 12-14 weeks, as I recall. I think 3 is classified as normal though - what other information did they give you at the scan? Did they recommend an amnio?

My dd1 had a measurement of 3.6mm. We opted for the combined test (i.e. a combination of the nuchal measurement and blood tests) and the overall result came back as exceptionally low. Happily dd1 is a fine, normal 3 year old, born perfectly healthy.

I was confused and worried so pushed to talk to the consultant who really put my mind at rest.

Perhaps you could ask for additional tests. We did pay privately for it (around £100) or talk to your consultant.

Are you having the combined test? The results of such can tell you more. If you wanted to the tests and choices threads are helpful and the ladies there supported me greatly. Hope all is ok. I know it is a horrible period when it meant to be a happy time.

Its just I was really excited about my scan and this ws a bit of a shock. I was expecting to go in see the baby get my pictures and to be told that every thing is fine! The sonographer said that 3mm is the point were they have to explain that the nuchal fold is larger than normal and what that may mean. She was very comforting when she said that it may mean there is nothing at all wrong with the baby. I have spoke to my DH and we are both agreed that we will have no tests and just have the detailed scan by the specialisy sonographer at 20 weeks.

Just wanted to add you could try asking for a detailed heart scan from as early as 18 weeks as long as it's by a specialist in this field.
I know it's only a couple of weeks earlier but those 2 weeks made all the difference to me. HTH and good luck with your pregnancy.

This is the difficulty when they only give you the scan results. On it's own the nuchal pad thickness is not that accurate an indicator of much from what I've read. It needs to be combined with your blood results to give you a proper risk assessment. it's not clear whether they have done this or not. Private scans do this but not sure if they do on NHS.

You could pay for a private nuchal screen but not sure if you are out of time on this now. Or a marker scan. This looks in detail at any indicators of genetic or other abnormalities and is more detailed than the NHS 20 wk scan. Or you could just wait for your 20 wk scan - anything really major will show up there.

If you wouldn't terminate for an abnormality anyway then it may not be worth worrying about. Easy to say I know. Lots of people have things show on scans and in the end it means very little and they have a perfectly healthy baby.

Try looking on the antenatal tests part of the board - there are lots of similar stories to read about. I found it very useful.

Riven - it's not my word! But I know what you mean.

im sure things will be fine ! just relax an enjoy your pregnancy!