NIPT and reassurance scans in Edinburgh

[Bbencore]

Hi all Edinburgh-based parents,

currently seven weeks pregnant with my second baby. As an older mother and someone who really struggled with anxiety in the first trimester of my first pregnancy (though I was fine after that ), I am considering getting an early reassurance scan, as well as the NIPT/ harmony test around week nine.
At the moment a couple of things are stopping me: firstly, I would like to find a scan centre that is reputable, which can provide reliable and sensitive reports in case the news isn’t good. So maybe not one of the ‘here’s a picture of your foetus on a keyring’ type places (though I may go to one of those later on!) Does anyone have any recommendations? Because I’m new to Scotland I don’t have a sense of places to go to and places to avoid.
Secondly, I have seen that Scotland actually offers NIPT on the nhs these days, but I can’t work out if that’s in all cases or just if the first scans flag up areas of concern. Does anyone have any recent experience of this?
As a newcomer to the area I would be very grateful for any thoughts anyone might have!

I had an NIPT test in Edinburgh with Utrasound Direct (North St. Davis St.) and it seemed fairly straightforward. There was no bad news so don't know how well they would have handled that.

My knowledge is from 2018, so not super recent, but when I spoke to the NHS you would only get the test on NHS in special circumstances. Think it was if your nuchal test was worrying. From what I remember you could do NIPT instead of amino. But you better check that since it's so long ago and I might remember incorrectly.

Forgot to say earlier. That when I booked in for the NIPT test they did a scan before they took blood to check the size of the baby. So if you're anxious you might want to bring someone with you. The NIPT results were then communicated via a phone call a week or so later. And I think I also got a separate e-mail with results after that. I would say it was all quite professional, but in a nice way.

Hi @Bbencore ,
did you end up finding a reliable clinic? I am looking for a reassurance scan after a worrying 12 week NHS scan and I’m finding hard to find a clinic that’s not trying to “sell it” to you in the way you are describing it.

thanks

@Stressed2024 It might not be for everyone but I had some issues during my pregnancy in Edinburgh and I went to London for a private scan and advice. Lots of the big hospitals in London have private wings. I booked in with a consultant, spoke to her via a quick zoom in advance to explain my concerns, and then got the train up and down in the one day. It was a long day but im so glad i did it.

Thanks for your reply @Sunshinesamba21

Would you mind sharing the clinic/hospital you’ve used?
I come from a different country and I’ve been thinking traveling there to get another opinion privately but London is much closer.

@Stressed2024 iv sent you a message with a link to the consultant. She works out of a number of hospitals, maybe they all have the scanner you need and you can choose but if not, she will tell you which will be most suitable.

Sorry for my late reply - I’m afraid I never did find anywhere. Just waited until 12 weeks in the end. Good luck!

We went to the same place for reassurance scans. Good experience but as pp said, it was good news.

Had NIPT on NHS as came back with low Papp A.

Adding in case useful to anyone who comes across this thread - went to ABC4D, it wasn’t good news (no heartbeat) and their approach was to try sell another scan a week later in case my dates were wrong (they weren’t). Wouldn’t recommend for early reassurance scans.

I’m sorry @Firstbaby2024 💐

@Firstbaby2024 i am so sorry.

I haven’t heard good reviews about any of the private places in Edinburgh or Glasgow. I have been advised that one of the best places to go for a scan or amniocentesis is the Fetal medicine center in London. There are other options in London but nothing in Scotland (as far as my research showed). I’m just writing this here in case someone reads the post in the future and finds it useful.

Oh no @Firstbaby2024 I've just booked my viability scan with them 😟

Hopefully all goes well for you @onethingonly! If you do have any concerns afterwards then get straight onto the EPU at the Royal - they were excellent, I found I didn’t often get through first time on the phone but they always got back to voicemails quickly

@theotherfossilsister how long did you have to wait for nipt results at Edinburgh if you don't mind me asking? Been over a week and I'm going crazy 😢 (low Papp-a and hcg - high chance of Edwards/ Pataus)

I had an NHS amniocentesis at 16 weeks at ERI and they were wonderful. Doesn't always have to be private