Results of my 16 week blood test

[janski31]

Can anyone help me as don't know what to think just got my bloods back 1 in 5 risk of downs. Had a nuchal fold reading of 4.6 at 12 weeks so went for a private nuchal fold scan the next day combined with my bloods came back 1 in 1184 she measured nuchal 1t 3.2 this sonographer is accredited by the fetal medical unit in London.

Am just really confused now and dont know what to think as so far no soft markers have shown up had a scan at 16 weeks by the nhs they couldn't find anything wrong.

Can anyone help?x

Sorry to hear about your results, and the confusion.

Its a bit odd that the nhs nuchal scan + bloods has given you such a hugely different result, when done only a day apart.

I think 3.2 is big, but 4.6 is very big so that would account for part od the difference, but you wouldn't have thought that it would change the odds by that amount - did you ask the NHS to check the 1:5 result? is it possible they made a mistake with the numbers?
If the 16 weeks scan showed no soft markers, that's good news.

Are they suggesting Amnio or do they think the 16 week scan has brought your risk factors down?

Sorry you are going through this.

Hello thanks for replying

The nhs in lancashire dont do the combined test so the 4.6 nuchal measurement was taken at 12+3 and the bloods taken at 16+2.

I havent told them I went for a private nuchal fold scan as they got really defensive when I suggested it.

Yes they still want me to have a amino but I dont want due to personal reasons.

I just cant understand how my bloods can be so different in less than 3 weeks. At my 16 week scan they were still reluctant to sound positive even though nothing was picked up.

x

Ah! It becomes clearer now, sorry thought you meant you had bloods done at the same time as the 12+3 nuchal measurement.

You can ONLY use the bloods in a combined way with the scan if they are done at the same time, otherwise they can't combine the 2 results in any meaningful way.

Can I just clarify? You had the fold measured, and based only on that measurement, your risk was 1:5

Then you had a private Nuchal scan/blood test done together which gave a result of 1:1184?

If that's the case, it's very good - bloods and fold size together is a much better indicator than just the fold size alone.

If the 16 week scan you had also showed no soft markers, I'd not be too worried, but I will say (not to worry you, but just incase they didn't bother telling you), large Nuchal fold size can indicate a problem with the heart (many of which can resolve themselves or are not too serious), but maybe they were looking at the heart during that scan? Very serious problems would have been apparent even at 16 weeks.

Tell them you had the Nuchal/bloods done, and the results - you have every right and it's bloody awful that you were denied the option of a blood test on the day you got the first Nuchal scan - all who want it, should get it IMO.

Sorry I was probably not very good at explaining myself!

The nhs gave me a risk of 1 in 14 based on the nuchal fold alone then now they have the bloods tehy are saying 1 in 5!

I think they were looking at the heart at the 16 week scan as they are now classing my pregancy as high risk and saying I cant give birth at my local hospital. But they couldnt find anything wrong and the nuchal fold is now within the normal range.

When I asked about the nhs doing a combined test she said they don't do them.

Thanks again for replying you have made me feel lots better have you had a similar experiance to me? by the way am 32 at the end of this month and this is my first baby due in dec. x

janski31 - i'm so sorry to hear you've had a 1:5 result back. I got 1:21 and know how hard it is to stay calm and not worry. Well, impossible really isn't it? I'm 31 yrs old, on my first pregnancy due in Nov.

FWIW, I had an amnio and my result came back clear.

My hospital also don't offer the nuchal fold, only the 16 week triple blood test and when I suggested I might have the nuchal fold done privately my midwife said there was no point in doing both so not to bother paying for the private scan, so I didn't.

Best of luck, whatever happens and whatever you decide re further testing
xxx

Thanks EMS23 am trying not to worry just want to get the 20 weeks scan out the way then hopefully can be left alone and enjoy my pregancy!

Hope you and your baby are well , good luck for November x

if the private Nuchal came in at 1:1184 then I think they are very good odds.

I know you are not going to have an Amnio but just to reassure you I had one and it was absolutely fine. My risk was 1:80 and my Amnio results came back clear.

Yes, similar but different - 23 weeks now, but baby had abnormal slow heartrate at 7 weeks (early scan due to previous m/c). Told to prepare for MC, but rescaned at 8wk, heartrate still slow but almost in normal range, growth normal over that week. Had CVS at 13 weeks, all was fine, scan at 14 weeks showed no "gross" heart problems, had scan at 21 weeks, with detailed check of heart - all apears fine.
Like a large Nuchal fold, a slow heart in early preg may indicate the heart is not
developing as it should.

They are totally wrong to try and combine the 12week scan results with the blood test they did weeks later - they REALLY can't be used like that! The Nhs DOES do the combined test, but it depends on the area where you live and other factors such as your age - but they can't do the Nuchal scan+ blood test after about 13weeks, 6 days, as it is not reliable later in pregnancy.

I think you SHOULD tell them about your private test and show them the result - on the basis of that, your pregnancy is not high risk - and you should be able to go to your local Hospital for the birth, if that is your choice. Don't feel bad about having the tests done by a private hospital, it's all just information to them, and they should be glad to have an update on your risks - Many, many people pay to have these tests done and if they try and make you feel bad about it - complain!

My Baby is due in October, ds4 at the age of 42!

Thank you DuelingFanjo for your kind words was your risk factor based on bloods alone?x

Congratulations oldmum42 wow baby no 4 do you know what your having?

So glad all your scans so far have showed its all ok roll on my 20 weeks scan!

Just rang the antenatal test and choices helpline and she said they get lots of women ringing who have had conflicting results she told me they are testing for different levels at 16 weeks so I could just have errractic hormone levels. Have been quite spotty recently which I only used to get when I was due on plus I had quite a bad bleed at 13 weeks from the top of my cervix which can I have heard can affect your bloods.

hi there Janski,

no my risk was from the nuchal test so the scan and bloods and my age - I am old so my starting risk was 1:77!

I think oldmum is right that they have combined tests which they shouldn't have.

Hi there, I had what's classed as high risk, which was only 1:183 I think it was, but I had a horrible couple of days, so I can't begin to imagine how you feel. I opted not to have the amnio either, after the scan showed no soft markers. When they told me the miscarriage risk (although very small) lasted for four weeks, that's when I made my decision. I couldn't spend 4 weeks terrified about mc, when I wouldn't hv terminated the pregnancy even if there was something wrong.

Fwiw, the consultant who scanned me said if no soft markers are found then he doesn't see a reason to recommend getting the amnio, altho that's all that can confirm the situation 100%. Best of luck x

JANSKI, It's boy no 4 for me! At least the upside of CVS was finding this out - told everyone, to avoid 6 months of "maybe you'll get a girl this time".

DUELING, I was SO OLD my starting risk was 1:40 (for the 4 most common trisomys). Scary but still 39 out of 40 are ok.

oldmum42, did you want a girl, or did everyone else assume thats what you'd want?

I would have loved to have a girl, but I've never said that to anyone (I love my boys!), but EVERYONE assumed last time (with DS3), that I'd be wanting a girl and I got so fed up with hearing "maybe you'll be lucky this time" - as if I'm not lucky to have 3DS.

People mean nothing by it, I know.

Ugh, I hate that attitude, tho! Every child is a total blessing! They're probably just wanting a girl cos it's more of a novelty than another boy, and expect you to feel the same too.
I dont know what I'm having this time (I have one DS), but people are already saying it would be good if I have a girl (DH has 8 nephews and one niece), as if theyll all be disappointed if it's another boy, grrr!

Ha ha! Oh yes, the weight of family expectations, Vmcd!

Mind you, DH family delighted - after 3 generations of 1 male child, family name about to "die out" (as if it matters), I come along and have 4 DS.

People think 2 of one sex is ok (but not as "perfect" as one of each sex), but if you have 3 or more - they do seem to think they have the right to comment on the fact!