Too late for nuchal test and worried

[PixieCake]

Had my 12 week scan today and was told that the baby is actually measuring 15 weeks. I honestly do not believe that this can be correct because I am sure about my dates (last period was definitely real, not spotting, and I even did an ovulation test - was was positive - to work out when to conceive).

So I am totally baffled.

Is it possible that my baby just grew quickly?

Anyway, the fact is they now say it is too late to measure the nuchal fold and all they can do is the blood test.

I'm also irritated because I tried to get my scan date brought forward but was told that they were very busy so I had to wait.

Does anyone know if the blood test is as accurate as the nuchal fold? I'm worried that I have now missed an opportunity to check for an abnormality.

Thank you.

They will have checked the nuchal fold at your scan though, so please don't be too concerned. The blood test is a screening test, and will simply give you your 'risk' of having a child with down's syndrome (in our trust 1:250 is deemed high and an amnio offered).
I expect more can be seen about baby's gestation at the 20 week scan where they will also check for any problems. Enjoy your pregnancy.

The blood tests are generally thought to be more clinically significant than the nuchal fold. Even if your nuchal fold had been properly measured at your dating scan, a high risk blood test result would still rate you as high risk for downes even if your nuchal fold measured normally. I wouldn't worry about it at all until you have your blood test which they usually do about 16 weeks. You might need to make an appointment with your midwife though, as if she thinks you are 12 weeks along she won't be expecting to see you for a month. If you are in fact 15 weeks along you should see her in the next couple of weeks. The blood tests will most likely show a low risk of any problems.

Hi - try not to worry too much, the bloods will give you a good idea even with out the nuchal fold. Did you know that ovulation tests also show positive if you're pregnant so it could be that your period was an implantation bleed and then the positive ovulation test was due to you being pregnant.

Hope you don't have to wait too long for the blood results and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy

I live in Ireland and they don't do those tests here at all. I had both my dc at 37 and 40 so was high risk, I just didn't think about it, it's best to stay calm. They can tell a lot from scans, I'm sure you know they measure the fluid at the back of the neck to check for Downs.

A lot of people from here travel to have tests out of the country. My friend was going to do so but her consultant explained how hard it is to weigh up the chances from the results. For example she told her of a couple that had been told there was a 1 in 800 chance of downs, and someone else with 1 in a very small number (sorry can't remember the no.) it was the least likely that resulted in a downs baby.

Pregnancy is hard enough, I think couples can be put through a tough time because of these tests which are not always accurate anyway.

The best of luck to you, it'll all be fine

The bloods alone give up to 70% accuracy, the nuchal fold test alone gives the same. Combined they can give around 80-90% accuracy.

However - is there any reason you would want a NT screen anyway? Do you think you are in a high risk group? Are they offered routinely in your PCT? I expect the blood test results (triple or quad test) at 16 weeks will be reassurance enough.

Dates can be different to what you expect - depends on when egg implanted amongst other things, so they can be out.

Don't worry - sure everything is fine.

I also missed out on my nuchal scan - went at first at 11+3 but they redated me at 10+3, then went back at 13+6 but the baby was too big. They told me to ask my midwife for the quad blood test at 16 weeks, but when I asked her about it she sighed and was rather unhelpful so I ended up not having it. TBH I'm only 29 so I felt the risk was likely to be pretty low, and I haven't worried about it since. They would spot lots of anomalies at the 20 week scan anyway.

Hmm, if I was you, OP, I probably would be glad at the end that you did not have nuchal test. I did have with my DC1 but that time was unaware what it means and never bothered to look at results (which apparently was normal). I had normal stressless pregnancy througout. I am now pregnant with my DC2 (currently 14+5). Went for 12 weeks scan at 13+5, gestational age estimated at 14+0 days, nuchal test measured at 2.7mm (at the higher end of normal limit), the nurse said everything is normal but I checked the measurements in internet for my stupidity... and have been worrying ever since! I know it is too late for nuchal scan but I am even considering private scan at Fetal Medicine Centre to look at the general wellbeing of the baby. Also anxiously waiting for my blood test!
I honestly say, don't worry, you will have scan for anomalies later. Down's syndrom is only one of many risks and usually has other symptoms later (like heart problems which can be noticed at anomaly scan). 99% that everything will be fine. Stay positive!

Thank you everyone. There is so much wisdom on this site!
I'm finding it all very stressful - first time nerves probably.
Hopefully I will get the blood results on friday.

Read somewhere that a lack of nasal bone can indicate Downs and I can't see it on my scan photos, but hopefully all will become clearer at 20 wks.

Have also made a MW appt since I am further along than I thought.

Now I'm starting to worry about the alcohol I drank before I knew I was preg! God this is a minefield of things to worry about!!!