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Rebex 
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Joined: 08 May 2009
Location: Auckland City
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 Topic: Nuchal Scan - the Combined Test
Posted: 08 May 2009 at 2:43pm |
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Hi - My fist forum question ever.
I am 7 weeks pregnant and have booked in with NWH & have made a booking to see a Domino midwife. I have been told they will call me within 2 weeks time.
This is all new to me as 1st bebe born in Aust with private ob & hospital - midwives do not play a big part in Oz as they do in NZ.
My question is:
1. Has anyone had the First Trimester Combined Nuchal Scan done in NZ (Auckland) as yet? It’s a test where you have the blood test for PappA & hCG at 11 weeks approx & nuchal scan at 13 weeks approx & they send the results to Australia to be diagnosed. (its different to the MSS test which is at 15 weeks approx.
2. Who did your nuchal scan (I’m trying to find someone/place that does the tests all the time - accredited etc.
Kind Regards, Bec
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Aquarius
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Joined: 05 January 2009
Location: Christchurch
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Posted: 08 May 2009 at 5:42pm |
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hi Bec...
i will take a stab at answering your question...i hope i'm on the right track for you...
any radiologist/scan clinic will be qualified to do the nuchal scan at around 11 weeks...from there if your risk factor is high/or if you want to, you then get follow up bloods done that are back to you with results within 10 days...if risk is still relatively high then it is an option to have amnio done.
this was new to me as my youngest is 8 and they never did this screening then
your first port of call will be to get a LMC who will refer you to get the scan done..good luck and welcome to the site.
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mum to mr 16 & mr 10
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Natalie_G
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Posted: 08 May 2009 at 8:04pm |
Hi Bec,
Once you get a Midwife, they can recomend the best place to get the scan done.
If I remember correctly I go my scan done at 12 or 13 weeks at Insight. My LMC highly recomened them in Takapuna (Auck).
Good luck with your pregnancy. 
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WestiesGirl
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Posted: 08 May 2009 at 10:37pm |
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Welcome to OB Bec. Im in Aus (originally from NZ) and noticed how different things were from NZ, so kinda know how you feel just on the other side of the Tasman.
In regards to the Combined testing, as far as I am aware, they dont do the blood test for PappA & hCG as a standard protocol. They usually just go off your scan results plus age etc. I guess if you request it, your MW should give you a referral to have the blood test done though.
As for the scan, anywhere you go should be accredited to perform the scan in NZ, same as Aus.
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Our Angel July 08  Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived
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AmmaS
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Posted: 11 May 2009 at 10:19am |
Hi there
yes, the combined test is available in wellington.
You cansend your blood to Dr Meher-Homji at Waikato Radiology via Aotea Pathology. Download Combined screening form on www.waikatoradiology.co.nz - have blood take between 9 and 11 weeks- Theysend it off. Next Have your Nuchal scan at Pacific radiology (because they are all NT and nasal bone accreditied). The sonographers at Pacific radiology add the blood test results to your Nuch scan results to give a combined risk assement.
Fantastic news for us wellington gals.
In fact anyone in NZ can send bloods to Waikato radiology - just ensure the people doing the combination Nuchal test are accredited to combine results.
Good luck gals. 
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Nikki
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Posted: 11 May 2009 at 2:11pm |
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Hey - my doc told me it is "standard practice" to offer the blood test as well as scan now ... but from what I hear it doesn't seem to be (maybe she told me that cos my first bub was born with a heart defect and I'm heading towards mid-thirties?!?) .... but anyway, I had both, your LMC will advise on scan places depending on what area you are in, and the bloods are done at any diagnostic lab. Horizon scanning is free if you have one in your area ... but I think most of the other places charge for scans.
FYI - my risk went from 1 in 1550 with the scan only to 1 in 20,000 with both! Very reassuring, not that I was worried with the 1 in 1550 (but it was alot higher than when I had my first bub a couple of years ago due to my age increasing).
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DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs)
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Peanut
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Posted: 11 May 2009 at 3:16pm |
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The bloods are standard procedure now but think they are done around 14-15 weeks instead of at the time of the scan - I think you can opt out of having them if you are happy/comfortable with your scan results.
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NZCupcake
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Posted: 11 May 2009 at 3:20pm |
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The combined screening is a different test to the bloods that can be routinely taken after the Nuchal Scan.
It is a relatively new blood test in NZ, and costs $120.00, and is done between 9 and 11 weeks - then the results of that are combined with your nuchal scan results.
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Jane25
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Posted: 12 May 2009 at 9:37am |
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I'm confused because I'm getting a blood test that will be combined with NT result to give a new more accurate result but it's done at 15 weeks and is free??
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Peanut
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Posted: 12 May 2009 at 10:58am |
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Am hearing you on the confusion as thats what is now standard procedure!
Would love to know what the difference is?
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NZCupcake
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Posted: 12 May 2009 at 11:55am |
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I'm not sure either tbh, I was just given the option of having a 'new maternal serum blood test' done between 9 and 11 weeks through Waikato Radiology, which cost $120, and was combined with my NT Scan results for a more accurate picture. That was only 2-3 months ago...
I don't remember, or wasn't told (not sure cos of preggy-brain) about being able to do any blood test at 15 weeks...
Maybe now the Govt has agreed to fund it? But then that doesn't explain the different 'times' to get it done either.
Sorry to add confusion - I was just posting the test option I was given. I will try to find the weblink to the site that I found out more info from...
Which gave our twins a 1:2 and 1:7 chance of a trisomy problem when combined with our NT scan results. Which then led to a CVS, and then because they were girls led to an Amnio just recently - both of which have come up 'clear' for any trisomy problems.
So who knows about these 'more accurate' results?!?
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Rebex
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Posted: 12 May 2009 at 11:59am |
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Hi,
From what I can gather so far
STANDARD (Publically funded) testing in NZ at the moment is:
1. Nuchal scan
2. 15 week MSS (Blood Test) – called 2nd Trimester screening
You can have the above done separately & interpret results or have them combined & interpret the results (called combined tests)
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PRIVATE TESTING:
1. 9 week blood testing for PappA & hCG (hormones in indicating Downs) - this is called 1st Trimester screening
2. Nuchal scan at approx 13 weeks.
I think this is only new to NZ it is apparently more accurate than either test on its own (the nuchal scan or the 15 week blood test), and the combined one with the scan & the 2nd trimester MSS screening.
At Present it is not publicly funded & costs $120 or $205.
Two places (that I have found - may be others) do it in NZ - LabPlus in Auckland you have to get a special antenatal screen NTC form they collect your blood & you send your nuchal scan to them & they send it to Australia for checking. The second place is: Waikato Radiology I think there is another place as listed above (Amma S comments) in Wellington you would have to call them.
I have some information I have scanned and if anyone is interested I can email you the stuff I have found from LabPlus & Waikato if you would like the information my email is rebcousmia@yahoo.com.au just put nuchal scan in the subject heading.
The reason I have looked into it was in Australia for my 1st bebe it is a standard test & I was worried that it was not standard in NZ. Hopefully the MOH ministry of health will make this testing available publically funded :)
Please check this out yourself in case I have misinterpreted anything.
Hope this helps,
Kind Regards
WAIKATO information:
http://www.trggroup.co.nz/pdf/trg_newsletter_wr_first_trimester_screening.pdf
Edited by Rebex
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LJsmum
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Posted: 30 May 2009 at 6:05pm |
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All his info is really helpful i had the 12 week scan my risk came back at
1 in 261 which suprised me as i'm 29.
Wasn't going to have the blood test but thinking it might be useful now
Has anyone had a risk such as this?
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WestiesGirl
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Posted: 30 May 2009 at 8:32pm |
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Milo my risk wasnt like yours but so you get an idea of a result from the combined test mine are as follows:
Results based on US and Maternal age(25):
Trisomy 21 (Downs Syn) 1 in 948
Trisomy 13+18 (Edwards Syn) 1 in 1776
Results based on Adjusted risk (includes blood test taken at 13 weeks):
Trisomy 21 - 1 in 17741
Trisomy 13+18 - 1 in 35492
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Our Angel July 08 Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived
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Nuchal Scan - the Combined Test
Cameron 10 ~ Sophie 9 ~ Nov08 Angel 
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