Private nuchal or wait for NHS?

[Octaviapink]

I'm 11 weeks with dc2, and coming up for 40. I know that realistically my risk for a Downs baby is increasing all the time so I'm anxious to have a nuchal scan as soon as possible. In our area you can now have a nuchal on the NHS, but I've just had my appointment leaflet through and they're not scheduling it until I'm nearly 15 weeks. If there's going to be trauma and amnio etc then I'd rather sooner than later. I think if I go private they'll fit me in quicker, but it's £180. Right now I feel it's a small price to pay for either peace of mind or certainty about any issues. Anyone got any experience with this? or what would you do?

i think it depends partly on what you would do with your results.

if you got a high risk result would you want to go on to have an amnio? would you want to terminate for anything they picked up on or not?
if you feel that you NEED to know for whatever reason, then I would either ring them and point out your age, how pg you';ll be when you get the scan and ask if there is any chance they can fit you in earlier. remember you can choose whatever hospital you like to go to, so ask if you can be seen somewhere else sooner?
if that fails then i'd have no hesitation in paying privately.

BUT, if you feel that you wouldn't want to terminate, or maybe not even have an amnio, then tbh i would just wait!

Agree with last poster. Be clear about the implications for the results. However nuchals give you a clearer risk assessment so I think they help focus you on whether you want an amnio or not - I think that's the bigger decision.

I paid and it was the best £150 I could have spent, mainly because the sonographer really took her time, explained everything, I had the bloods in advance so got the full result on the scan day.

The sonographer was trained at the Fetal Medicine Foundation and I just felt she really knew what she was talking about.

Not being disrespectful of the NHS but sometimes feel it's worth paying for somethings. Though am sure their level of training in nuchal screening is as good - though would love this confirmed.

Anyway good luck, whatever you decide!

BTW thought 14 wks was the optimal time for an accurate nuchal screen? Worth checking that out.

Nuchal scan is normally performed between 11 weeks and 13 weeks 6 days. Be very careful that you are not too late.

Nothing wrong with having the test, then seeing how you feel after if the results come back high risk.

Hope all goes well x

I would phone them Monday and ask if you can have a 12 week scan and nuchal. If they won't, then I would go private. If you are worried enough to post about it, then you won't relax until you have one. That's how I'd be anyway! And Congrats on your pregnancy.

Just a warning - Be careful with the timing. We are offered one on the NHS here - mine was scheduled for 13+6 and when I got there I was told that it was too late to do it as baby was too big (CRL) and that I could have the blood tests instead. Luckily for me I had already had a private one (£150 and well worth it).

Where are you in the country and will the sonographer be specially trained ?
I know here in Winchester they are all specifically trained to carry out the Nuchal measurement so the qulaity was the same as if we had paid. A positive fro the NHS - my measurement came back high, I had the scan on the friday the bloods straight after and got the results on the Monday. This was quicker than my friend who went private and I could not fault them at all.

Personally I would have a private scan. I had a nuchal scan on the nhs with dd2, and it took about 15 minutes, and left me feeling a bit crap. I have had private scans with dd1 and this pregnancy (my 3rd) and they were much more thorough, I had them combined with blood tests, and the scanner went through each detail and measurement, explaining the implications.

I am 40, and assumed that my risks would be higher this time round, but they were much lower than with dd2.

Good luck.

You definitely need to get them to reschedule the nhs one - that's far too late, best time is around 12 weeks from what I've read. Just give them a call Monday first thing and see if they have something sooner.
Mine was scheduled for when i was only 8 weeks (obviously I rescheduled), so it's probably just a similar clerical error and they should have something in the next week or so hopefully. If not go private.

I had an NHS one at around 12 wks with DS and was then referred because they were doing some dubious research. I ended up having CVS ( which you can have a few weeks earlier than amnio ) and all was fine. I am still angry about the worry, 6 years on though.

With DD, we lived in a different area, so paid for nuchal ( I was 38 )privately at again around 12 weeks. A much better experience, combined with bloods, a lot more information and explanation given and all fine.

From my experience, I would def pay if you can afford it.

Sorry OP but just to echo what others have said - your NHS scan seems to be booked in too late at nearly 15 weeks.

This link might be useful - the latest it can be done is 13 weeks and 6 days. www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/antenatalhealth/scans/nuchalscan/#4

You would need to establish there had been a mistake and get re-booked within the right 'window' of time for testing, if you decided to go down the NHS route.

That's brilliant - thank you all so much for posting. I can't believe I didn't know that that would be too late for a nuchal scan! There definitely seems to have been some error, so I'll call them on Monday. With overnight mulling I've also come to the conclusion that if they can't book it sooner I'll do the private one anyway. I'm about to go back to work from first maternity leave, so money won't be quite as much of an issue as it has been. Thank you all again for your advice!