Worried about Nuchal scan results

[Girassol]

Hi, I just got my results from the combined nuchal and blood test and the probability was 1 in 638 of having something wrong. The measurement of the nuchal fold was 1.8mm. I am a bit worried as 2 years ago with my first child the probability was 1 in 10,000 so a huge drop since then. Not sure if it has to do with my age (now 36). I am wondering if I should go for more invasive and risky testing such as CVS. Any advice is much appreciated! Thanks.

That is really still a tiny risk. I'm not sure if the hospital would recommend you have CVS for that risk either because the risk of miscarriage after CVS/amnio is around 1 in 100. Something to think about, but do speak to your midwife about it all.

Nope, that still counts as VERY low risk - if you think about it even a 1:2 risk means there's only a 50% chance of there being something wrong. 1:638 is absolutely fine! My first dc was 1:239, and current one for some reason is 1:1700, even though as far as I can see their nuchal measurements etc are exactly the same. You really don't need to worry with a risk level like that - absolutely not worth the far greater risk of an invasive test.

As Mrs Gangly says, that is a small risk, and you are only counted as a positive result if you are 1:150 or under. If you are worried you can discuss it further with a midwife or GP but I really wouldnt worry.

You really shouldn't worry about such a low risk.

Just think of it as TWO low risk results and try not to compare the numbers.

Getting a few years older increases the risk.

That nuchal fold measurement is still small. When i had mine done the sonographer said anything under 2mm was good.

I had a 1 in 55 risk for nuchal fold and opted for amnio. The year before with ds I was 1 in 4500! As Octavia's went the other way it much be normal for it to change dramatically both ways. I would speak to the people who did your scan to reassure your self.

Just to echo what everyone else has said. Thats quite a low risk and really best not to compare your previous one (remember you are older too). At 36, if I'd had those odds, I would have been pleased. At 38 I had 1 in 29 with DS2, opted for CVS and all was ok.

If you do decide to do CVS, as long as your consultant is experienced in it, the odds of a mc are hugely reduced.Its an uncomfortable procedure,but over quickly and not painful at all. I've just had a double CVS with my current twin pg and it was fine. We couldn't have the combined test ( which our consultant said was much more reliable test than the NT scan on its own so your results in the light of that are pretty good really!) so opted for CVS.

That's really low risk; I wouldn't get any further tests personally as invasive testing would carry higher probability of problems.

Good luck. Only you (and family) can make the decision.

Your age risk at 36 is about 1 in 260 I think. So your odds are even better than that.

You are low risk. ( I am always harping on about why they actually give the whole result out and not just high or low risk. For low risk, I think that's all you need to know as it always really scares people to see the actual fiqure.)

CVS and Amnio have about 1 in 100 risk of m/c and although it may be lower than this depending on who does it - there is still the risk of losing a healthy child. IMO you would be well advised to accept your very good odds. I doubt the consultant would be keen to do a cvs/amnio with those odds anyway.

I was 36 at the time so your odds looked good to me .

Hi just to add Im 29 and my combined came back a lot higer risk and we went ahead with extra tests etc the waiting was awful and everything came back clear.
I think in the cold light of day 1:263 is low risk but I like you focused a lot on how much the risk had increased since last pregnancy. If they put it as a % instead I dont think we'd get as worried.
BTW the hospital Im under wont do further tests unless you are 1:150 or higher risk.
Good luck with any decision you make I remember how awful I felt at the time.

Thank you all! It really helps to put things in perspective. agree, should try not to focus too much on the number and comparing the 2 results.

I was given odds of 1/600 with DS1 when I was 34 and was immediately happy and put any thoughts of there being problems out of my head straight away.

It's all relative though, isn't it? This was my first nuchal scan, so as far as I was concerned that was low risk (I mean, it's a 0.16 chance of Downs - minute, really). I think your response is probably clouded by your previous pregnancy and results and so while the difference in the 2 sets of odds is noticeable, it doesn't detract from the fact that 1/600 is very low risk.

My measurement was 2.7mm but after blood test result was 1:9100 which apparently is also fine. With anything under 2mm I would not worry at all.