Nuchal Scan Results
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=15933
Printed Date: 24 August 2025 at 12:52am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Nuchal Scan Results
Posted By: AandB
Subject: Nuchal Scan Results
Date Posted: 02 April 2008 at 3:34pm
Hi there - I am 30 years old, and I had my Nuchal Scan yesterday, where the neck fold was measured at 3.4mm, so my estimated risk of the baby having downs has gone to 1:28. They are advising bloods and an amnio - which I understand can lead to miscarriage. Is anyone else out there in the same boat??  ------------- http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: catie
Date Posted: 02 April 2008 at 3:52pm
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Hi
The NT test depends a bit on the skill level of the person doing it. You could ask to have a CVS, which actually has a higher miscarriage risk (1;50 - 1;100; 1:100 for amnio) but you can have it done a bit earlier - 11 - 13 weeks, as opposed to 16-18 weeks for amnio, if that's a concern. These are both diagnostic tests - they tell you whether it really is a problem, rather than giving you a risk ratio. The blood tests just give you a risk ratio, and there's a possibility of false positives with them, so even if you get a bad result from that, it doesn't necessarily mean your baby has DS. Fingers crossed. |
Posted By: KiwiL
Date Posted: 02 April 2008 at 4:39pm
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My boss had an amnio at 13 weeks, just the other day?
The miscarriage rate for the amnio is less than 1%. I guess the question that you have to ask is what you would do if you found out if were positive? That can help make the decision on whether or not you even want the procedure. On the plus side, odds of 1:28 still give you a 96% chance that your baby is going to be completely healthy. Good luck with what you decide!! |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 02 April 2008 at 4:56pm
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Like Kiwilaurie said, would you actually terminate the pregnancy if the test came back positive for downs? If not and you're worrying about amnio causing miscarriage, then I guess you could just not have it?
A lady at work had a scan and the bones for the little fingers weren't visible which is also a sign of downs, but has decided against amnio as they want the baby whether or not its downs and are just preparing for it to be and will deal with it if its not. |
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 02 April 2008 at 8:41pm
| Can you get a maternal serum test or something like that. I think thats just a blood test which gives you another ratio |
Posted By: JD
Date Posted: 02 April 2008 at 10:11pm
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I am 29 and got a 1:18 chance of a downs baby. My measurements were pretty similar to yours and at first I was quite upset about it. I forgot to ask more questions when the MW first told me...so I didn't know what to compare the measurement to. The next time I saw her I did ask and she said that at 7 - 9 mm she would be concerend.
I discussed it with DH and both decided that even if it did have downs we would still keep it and love it the same so there was no point in more testing as we didn't want to be pressured into terminating if the results were positive. Most downs babies have heart defects as well and tend to be smaller, so the 20 week scan would have picked that up and given us time to come to terms with what we were in for. I guess it depends on what you will do with the information once you get it from more testing. My SIL is 20 and also got a fairly high result from the NT. I had a healthy baby boy 8 weeks ago and she had a healthy baby girl a day later. Neither of us had further testing. Try not to worry...I did for a couple of weeks, then it slowly left my mind until I had him. If you are stressing about it, then it will be bad on the baby. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 03 April 2008 at 1:05pm
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I'd probably say have the serum screening (blood test) done first and then if the results are still high, consider whether you want to have the CVS or the amnio. I had serum screening with this bub as it happened to be routine at the place where I had my NT scan done, and it adjusted my odds from 1:900 to 1:14,000 so a huge difference.
If you look under Antenatal Testing in the Pregnancy section of the main OHbaby! site there is an article written by our consultant OB on the different types of tests and their accuracy/risks. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: Orca1
Date Posted: 03 April 2008 at 2:32pm
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I am 36 and I had the NT scan and blood test and I was given a ratio of 1:23 so we decided to have the amnio done.
Its a personal decision and you have to do what feels right for you. My DH and I changed our minds on a daily basis in the week running up to the procedure being done. We had decided that we wouldn't terminate if there was something wrong but we felt we wanted to be as prepared as we could be before our baby's arrival and luckily our tests came back to say everything was fine. If you have any questions about the procedure feel free to PM me. |
Posted By: Rowena
Date Posted: 03 April 2008 at 4:59pm
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I am 38 and had a 1:7 chance. We went ahead and had the amnio its scary but I thing its best to know. The risk of miscarriage is 1:300 and I have been told if you make sure you rest afterwards there is even less chance.
Our results were fine and we are now expecting a healthy boy. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: AmmaS
Date Posted: 15 July 2008 at 10:42am
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It is true that the scan is dependent on the skill level of the person donig the ultrasound examination.
Check that the person scanning has got the required accreditation to do the test and that the radiology practice is operating within the guidelines set by the Nuchal screening body (London Fetal medicine foundation) and that of the NZ government (ministry of health requirements). Each sonographer undergoes a 6 monthly audit to keep their accreditation. Legally no one other than these people should be analysing your Nuchal screening results. Nor should they be calculated by a secondary unit. I guess with any prenatal testing gather all the information, be well informed and prepared for the result you get. Ask for proof of licence to practice. Keeps us all safe and keeps the test real. 
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Posted By: Roksana
Date Posted: 15 July 2008 at 11:36am
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I havent had one but of of the Due in Dec mum had an amnio and her showed that she had a healthy baby and also found out that it was a boy!! She said it wasnt painful and quick and easy!!
Good luck with the pregnancy!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Natalie_G
Date Posted: 15 July 2008 at 1:39pm
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AandB sorry to hear about your delima, I hope eveything works out for you and bubs.
I have no advice im afraid I had low risk results. But my thoughts are with you. Keep us updated.  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: SarahP08
Date Posted: 15 July 2008 at 1:58pm
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I'm 32, didn't have a nuchal fold test or any other test, wasn't told about them or given the option. Although if I had been I probably wouldn't have had one anyway.
So for me its wait and see  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 15 July 2008 at 2:04pm
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sarah? you weren't offered it at the 12 week scan? or did you not have one?most people just have an NT scan out of wanting to see the baby:) and of course out of wanting to know aobut the NT. ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: SarahP08
Date Posted: 15 July 2008 at 3:16pm
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I wasn't offered a 12 week scan... ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: kiwigal
Date Posted: 15 July 2008 at 3:37pm
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I just turned 37 with this baby and my odds were 1:917 and my specialist said because the odds are good but because of my age she wanted me to have the blood test done and it came back at 1:6500 so I was very happy with that. |
Posted By: kezplanet
Date Posted: 15 July 2008 at 4:10pm
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I will be having a NT scan also, I am almost 39 so would like to know what is going on in there, if only to be informed. Good luck with your decision ------------- Kerryn, Mum to Ashlyn(29/3/04), Anastasia(1/11/05) & Abigail (24/02/09) |
Posted By: AnnC
Date Posted: 15 July 2008 at 7:36pm
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I was 33 when pregnant with Rhyley and didn't get offered a NT scan ------------- Ann 
Also Mum to Josh (15) and Brooke (10) |
Posted By: AliaDawn
Date Posted: 15 July 2008 at 7:39pm
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I'm 19 and I was offered a nuchal scan... wasn't offered one with Seb though at 17. I guess it really does depend on your LMC... (or doc?) -------------  
 
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Posted By: Jay_R
Date Posted: 16 July 2008 at 9:27am
| What??? You weren't offered a 12 week scan??? What kind of pre-natal care are you receiving? Did you have the anatomy scan at 18-20 weeks? |
Posted By: AmmaS
Date Posted: 16 July 2008 at 9:33am
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Wow
Can't believe some docs/ midwives not referring for Nuchal screening scan. I guess they feel younger mums are at less of a risk so why bother. In fact the scan looks for the babies at risk, regardless of mums age. You should be told the details and offered the choice. This test is and has been routine in other countries for many years. In London where the test started, It picked up my niece's heart defect which was operated on at 2 days after delivery. She is now 11 years old.
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Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 16 July 2008 at 9:35am
that is very bizarre...I've never heard of a mw who didn't offer one....:( sorry didn't read joshierocks answer....yeah no offense but i would be seriously worried about care that didn't offer a 12 week scan:( ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
SarahP08 wrote:Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 16 July 2008 at 12:09pm
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I think it's up to the midwife, whether they think they need to recommend the scan to you or not.
I had a dating scan at 9 weeks but didn't get a 12 week scan (wasn't offered but I would have asked for it if I wanted). I had the anatomy scan though, of course. And ended up having 6 or 7 scans after that because I had a little fall. But my midwife was awesome, she's been doing it for around 14 years now and I really loved her, I had a difficult pregnancy and birth, and she was amazing. I'm going to use her again this time around. So don't worry about the quality of your care if you didn't get offered a 12 week scan. If you do want one though, then be sure to ask your MW and if they know that you are concerned and want it done, then they should order it up for you. ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: SarahP08
Date Posted: 16 July 2008 at 12:17pm
I was getting my antenatal care done by my doctor at the time. I had a scan at 20 weeks and another at 25 (to check Baby's growth). I'm not concerned about the quality of care I've been getting. Would you be shocked if I told you I have my first midwife appointment this week  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Bel
Date Posted: 16 July 2008 at 12:23pm
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I was told by my mw that I did not need to have the NT scan, as I was young and had a low risk... I actually ended up having a scan at 12 weeks, but the NT measurements were not taken... ------------- Mum to two beautiful kids
Luke (09.11.2007) Amy (01.04.2009) |
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 16 July 2008 at 3:18pm
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I'm sorry that read a little..harsh..i just mean that for things like missed mc's and stuff to me it's important to get a 12 week scan and also to see whether bubs is developing well..though as you say 20 week scan shows these things....hard to wait that long.....:) ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 16 July 2008 at 3:31pm
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I never had 12 week scans either. But I had to have scans at 6, 7 and 9 weeks with my boys as dating and twin scans (big family history). A MW at 12 can find the HB so no need for a scan, however if the MW was having difficulties picking up the HB then you would think you would be sent away for a scan.. At all of my scans I was never offered a NT measurements as I was young at both pregnancies and had low risk. I had MC in 2001 and it didn't even cross my mind when I got pregnant with Andrew, it wasn't until I started bleeding at 7 weeks that I went to have a scan to see if I was MCing. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 16 July 2008 at 3:47pm
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I didn't have a 12 week scan either. I had a dating scan (and to see if it was twins) at like 8 weeks but a 12 week one was never offered. I could have asked for it but didnt. It wasn't necessary therefore I didn't have it.
I don't think its any judgement on the quality of care. My GP is an ex ob and my MW was fantastic. |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 16 July 2008 at 3:55pm
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I totally agree MW was fantastic ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 16 July 2008 at 5:12pm
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It also depends what area you live in, some DHB's don't fund NT scans for women in low risk groups so they are not routinely offered. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: pikelets
Date Posted: 16 July 2008 at 5:40pm
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My ratio was 1:182 so not as low as yours but still well under for my age 33yrs.
We knew that if we had a downs baby we would keep it and love it regardless so decided not to have an amnio. I would have been devastated if I had it and lost the baby by having the amnio. But that is just me. I do know some people who had very low results, had the amnio and was really happy they did so they knew either way. It is your choice hun - don't feel pressured to have it by the docs either. You just have to go with your gut feeling on whether to have it or not. I know it is hard to not think about it. But you have 27 chances of it all being ok so all the best ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
3 Angels - Dec10 / Mar11 / Dec11
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Posted By: emachan
Date Posted: 16 July 2008 at 8:27pm
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A good friend of mine has 2 children (4 and 2) and both times she only got the 20 week scan, she probably could've had the 12week scan, but its optional, unlike the 20 week one where they need to check on everything.
I guess it just depends on your age and risks of having DS or any other genetic defect that you get tested at 12 weeks. I got a scan at 9 weeks and 12 weeks this time (due to a missed m/c last year - which was found at 12 weeks!!!) ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  DD#1 Sept 08 DD#2 Oct 09 |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 19 August 2008 at 6:06pm
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Bump for Kez ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: kriss
Date Posted: 19 August 2008 at 6:49pm
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i wasn't offered a 9wk and missed my 12wk scan by 2 days so had to wait til 20.. sorry to threadjack but we are hoping to have a 4d, any recommendations on best week for pictures? also want to be 100% sure of bubs sex ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
Little Angel, April 10
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Posted By: AnnC
Date Posted: 19 August 2008 at 7:44pm
with Josh they did one in the Uk at 12 weeks - but really just to show me the baby (as I was leaving for NZ) Never got offered a scan at 12 weeks for either Brooke nor Rhyley. I felt I got a very good antenatal care and was in the safest hands - although if Brooke 'HAD' died at 16 weeks gestation I would of been asking why (couldn't find heart beat - very skinny ....) so had a scan at 16 weeks with her. Only got one at 20 weeks with Rhyley (paid for one at 29 wks and another growth one at 36 weeks) ------------- Ann
Also Mum to Josh (15) and Brooke (10) |
Posted By: AnnC
Date Posted: 19 August 2008 at 7:49pm
For pictures and sex of baby we got told to go between 28 an 30 weeks (any more and it will be hard to see 'all' of baby) we went at 9 weeks and I would recommend it to all I loved it and if we were going to have another would pay to get it done again. (and we already knew he was a boy but definatley confirmed it - clear as a bell) ------------- Ann
Also Mum to Josh (15) and Brooke (10) |
Posted By: kriss
Date Posted: 19 August 2008 at 8:39pm
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excellent, better make a booking this week - can't wait! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
Little Angel, April 10
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Posted By: linda
Date Posted: 19 August 2008 at 8:49pm
| I'll be very interested to see how my NT comes out - 41 years and pregnant with twins. Will get it done in about three weeks so fingers crossed. |
Posted By: BugTeeny
Date Posted: 19 August 2008 at 9:22pm
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Wow, Linda! Twins! Congrats
------------- 
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Posted By: Rashika
Date Posted: 20 August 2008 at 4:21pm
Dont think I have posted on this thread but from one who has had both bad and now GOOD results, let me say that I would do it all again.
Yes to the NT scan/testing, and I think all ages should be offered or made aware of it at least. Quite a few younger people DO have chromazome issues with their babes, and it must be devastating to find out at the birth, or late in the pregnancy with no options but to continue. And I guess because there were younger they weren't offered it.
And I am not talking about Downs, which really is probably the most FAVOURABLE chromazome abnormality... most Downs babes live a pretty good life now and there is a lot of help available. There are much worse possibilities, most where the babes are stillborn or survive a few days, as my first would have been.
BUT now I have had a better NT result (1:350, instead of 3:1) and just been confirmed thru CVS testing that all is good with this babe. So at the ripe old age of 40, hopefully in feb I will have my boy.
And a big congrats Linda! Twins...woooooooo that will be fun!
 ------------- Jan 08 :angel: http://lilypie.com"> 
 
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Posted By: kezplanet
Date Posted: 02 February 2009 at 3:53pm
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bump ------------- Kerryn, Mum to Ashlyn(29/3/04), Anastasia(1/11/05) & Abigail (24/02/09) |