Nuchal Fold Test

[*Belle*]

Hi Girls,

For those who had these tests (scan and blood test) how many weeks were you when you had them? I heard its only a scan and blood test unless it come back and indicates some issues. Is this true? If so what is normal and what is not normal?

I know some people dont have them done however I need to get mine done because of my previous m/c.

Thanks girls

Bel

[Fee]

I have my NT scan done at 13w6d which is the latest time you can have it done (apparently). They just measured the fold on the back of the baby's neck plus measured all the bones, checked out the brain formation etc etc.

The lady doing the scan told me the skin fold measurement (I think it was 0.10 cm) and said it looked good.

Then at my next OB general check up he ran through the results quickly and said all was fine. He told me my chances before the scan for DS (for my age group) were something like 1:1100 but after the scan it went up to 1:7900.

[mac29]

I had the Nuchal Translucency test done at 12w6d I was told it has to be done between 11w6d and 13w6d otherwise they cant get the correct reading. The sonographer and the doctor said everything was completely normal. The doc said that they count the folds in the back of the neck and check the density of bone. The test is optional unless you are told it needs to be done obviously. But i think its worth it, you dont have that constant worry hanging over your head the rest of your pg.
Have a great day
Mel

[Deejoy17]

I had my NT scan done at 12 weeks, 4 days into my pregnancy, like Fee my baby`s skin fold measurement was 0.10cms.

Before any tests were conducted my risk with my age group of 31 was 1:420 after the scan and BT, my risk went up to 1:9200.

I didn`t have the NT scan done with my 1st pregnancy but decided to with my 2nd.

[kyliealysha]

I was 12 w 5 d when I had mine done. The fold measurement was 0.6 mm which put it right in the middle of the range (they showed me a graph) They used that result combined with the blood test result to give me a risk factor. Mine went from 1:360 for my age to 1:4000 something, which is a good sign that the baby is fine.

My OB told me that the next step (amniocentesis?) has a miscarriage rate of 1:200, so it would only usually be done if your downs risk came up as less than 1:200 if that makes sense.

[~Flossie~]

our DR will do them at the earliest at 11w3days.. As i have mentioned in other posts here my reading after scan and blood test was 1:12 and i had a CVS to confirm details which were all fine!

I am booked for this bubs on the 3rd March so i shoulod be 11w4days however the DR has told me that if it is too early they may ned to do it again later ..

[mizzsocial]

I was 12 weeks, and my results came back 0.11cm and combine with my age risk group which was something like 1-1500 it came back with a result of 1-12000 .. so obvioulsy a great indication that all is ok..

The best time to go is around the 12 week mark for the ultrasound.. im not sure about the blood test.. i think they are around 16weeks from memory? Hopefully someone else can help you there !

[*Belle*]

Thanks for all the information girls, much appreciated now I have an indication of what to expect.

I have to have the test, so thats fine I saw my OB yesterday and she gave me the referal for the scan and BT. She told me to have the BT 7 days before the Scan and then the Dr at the Womens Ultrasound for Women's place can go through everything with me when I have the scan so I dont have to wait for weeks for the results like some do.

Thanks for your help!

Bel
xxx

[~Raven~]

Aparrently the blood test is best done at 10 weeks and the u/s between 12 and 13 weeks. It was a bit annoying going back twice in two weeks to the OB but worth it as I got to see bubby on the u/s twice.
I've been trying to find the leaflet around here to share the info with you but I can't find it :-k
My results came back as 1:25000 risk of downs syndrome. They will still check for other markers at the 19wk scan but those odds are very good that all is clear. The fluid measurement was 1mm.

[RacOOooOOoon]

I had my scan done around 13wks1d and my fold was 3.09cm which was over the normal scale range, so i had a blood test a few days later and after 3 weeks got my results and everything is normal..

Remember to ask the doctor about the BT before the scan because i was in between doctors so i missed out not having that information..

[Girlsundae]

I was told by two scanning places that they need the blood tests before you have the nuchal scan. They use both of the results.

So I got my blood test done 3 days before, but when at the scan discovered it was twins so the blood test was null and void then!

[*Ali*]

I had my Blood test and my NT scan done on the same day, we were told that is how they had to do it.

[Inanna]

Hi Bel,
I have had NT with all of my babies except Ruby my oldest daughter who is 10.

I go to a specialist ob a foetal medicine obstetrician. He is a bit of a legend up here and over the years I have used him for my nt and 2 amnios and he has done all of my morphology scans at 18-19 weeks.

This is what his practice state on nt ultrasounds:

The blood test is required 3 days prior to the ultrasound and is best done in the morning. The reason for this is that the test is measuring hormone levels and the most accurate readings are given in the morning. HCG levels are often high in women who have babies with a chromosomal disorder but not necessarily that is why the blood tests alone are not an accurate indicator of a problem.

The nuchal fold is a fluid filled sack at the back of your babies neck. All babies have this but they don't stay for long that is why the scan needs to be done roughly between 11 weeks and 5 days and 13 weeks and 5 days. This practice prefers to see women at 12 weeks and 3 days. After 13 and a half weeks the babies growth makes the measurement impossible. Babies with a chromosomal disorder often but not always have a larger than expected nuchal fold - again this is why the scan isn't as accurate done without the bloodwork.

The results of the nuchal measurement combined with the blood results are calculated and a risk factor is given. For example a woman may have a risk of say 1:200 of having a baby with a chromosomal disorder just calculated on age alone. After a favourable test the risk factor may come out at say 1:1500 which are very good odds that all is good.

This is a screening test and is by no means definitive. But, I believe that this test picks up a very high percentage of pregnancies with a problem.

Bel, personally I highly recommend the nt scan. It can really put your mind at ease. Each practice is different so I would just follow the instructions given by the practice you are going to.

I wish you lots of luck and I hope this has helped a bit.
Love Deb

[kyliealysha]

Thanks for all the information girls, much appreciated now I have an indication of what to expect.

I have to have the test, so thats fine I saw my OB yesterday and she gave me the referal for the scan and BT. She told me to have the BT 7 days before the Scan and then the Dr at the Womens Ultrasound for Women's place can go through everything with me when I have the scan so I dont have to wait for weeks for the results like some do.

Thanks for your help!

Bel
xxx

Do you mean Sydney Ultrasound for women? That is where I went (the one at Burwood) and they were fantastic. The doctor explained things really well. BTW if you take a blank video tape with you they will put it into the machine for you and record the ultrasound. If you forget to I think you can buy one from them.

[*Belle*]

Thanks for all your replies girls, you have been really helpful. I saw my OB last week and she gave me referals to get this done so I have now booked in for my NT Blood test on Monday and the scan at the Sydney Ultrasound for Women! thanks for the name Kylie, I couldnt remember what it was called!

Bel
xxx