Hi Ladies, I have been reading about Nuchal Screenings and trying to make sense of why I would put myself through this.
My question to you is .....AM I MISSING SOMETHING??


This is what I have learned most importantly;

Normal screening result (screen negative) isn't a guarantee that your baby has normal chromosomes, but it does suggest that a problem is unlikely. Screening tests don't detect all cases of Down syndrome, so they may identify you as being at low risk when your baby really does have Down syndromeThe NT scan alone will detect about 70 to 80 percent of babies with Down syndrome. Hmmm, OK so a negative result is not a sure thing?

Likewise, an abnormal screening result (screen positive) doesn't mean that your baby has a chromosomal problem — just that he's more likely to have one. A false-positive result is one that suggests there may be a problem when, in fact, there is no problem. Based on this false-positive result, their mothers may go ahead with invasive diagnostic testing that they otherwise might not have. (And they'll probably worry more, too, until they know for sure that the baby is fine.)
Ok, so a positive result is not a sure thing either ? I will just spend my entire pregnancy sad, nervous and worried ?

Nuchal scanning alone detects 62% of all Down's Syndrome with a false positive rate of 5.0%, which is considered a high percentage

So I ask my self this one important question?
Q : If screening shows that there MAYBE a possibility that your baby will be born with down syndrome or another chromosomal problem would you abort?
My answer: NO WAY

What have you ladies decided, am I missing something?

When my MW told me about all the scans available to me, she presented the NT one in such a way that it was standard for someone of my age (!) to have. To be honest I didn't really know what she was on about and I heard myself agreeing to it without being in possession of more facts. I was just pleased that it was non-invasive and I was going to use the results to help me prepare as I personally wouldn't terminate due to disability.

It was only after looking into it more fully and upon further reflection that I have come to a similar conclusion to you - how much will it help me given that the results are still a bit woolly? I'm not so sure now...

Obviously it's one of those very personal decisions that only you as a mother (or couple) can make but my God what a decision!

Ofcourse its a personal decision but i'm wit you woohoo!! Bloody stupid tests - my son has DS and had no indicators- i was pushed and pushed by the hosp to be tested during my current pregnancy yet because i already hav one child wit DS ofcourse my results are gonna come back showing raised risk before they even start the test so y wud i bother?!

I think these tests have their place and I'm fascinated that someone somewhere saw the link between the collection of fluid under the baby's neck at exactly this point in pregnancy and the possibility of Down's.

My MW told me that when she was new to midwifery and pregnant herself 19 years ago they had only just commissioned the research in UK and they were looking for older pregnant women in this area to go to London to be scanned. By the time she had her second child the scan was only available in private hospitals. By the time she had her third child it was becoming more available but you'd have to pay for it. Today you can get a scan on the NHS at hospitals with the correct equipment. Some would call that progress.

Who knows, at some point it could be a routine scan for absolutely everyone the same way we get all the other scans. Just think, none of our mothers had any kind of scan never mind NT ones when we were born!

We made the decision to get the less evasive screening done (i.e. Scan measurements and blood work)- but honestly, I just felt there was no issue... and it was confirmed, which only helped.

But yes, there is that chance of getting a "false positive" which can only be confirmed by Amnio (which there was no way I was putting myself or baby through that). So we knew, if there was a risk, we'd have to wait and see. But for us, it would have given us the chance to prepare for that possibility. But I can totally see how unnecessary worry is not good.

It's a very personal decision... I would just do what feels right for you hun.

Best of luck!

Okay, maybe I am missing something here. Is someone saying that they only offer the NT test for "at risk" and/or older mothers in the UK? I admit, I already thought it was crazy that the UK only does glucose screens for high risk/high BMI patients but being low BMI doesn't guarantee that you can't get gestational diabetes, hence the reason all pregnant women have the GTT and are also offered the NT screen.

If I misunderstood, feel free to ignore this post.

Yes that is what I have been led to believe about the NT scan here in UK.

And you're spot on about GTT. I have been offered one purely because I am deemed high risk: a higher than preferred BMI, my ethnic background and also my mum has tablet controlled Type 2.

i've been doing nothing but research on this

the thing is screening tests are just that, screening. they will give you a probability but not a certainty. and on top of that, there are false high risks and also false low risks!

i think the bottom line is 'do you (for any reason) need to know?'
if you don't need to know, i would not have them done.
if you do need to know, i'd go for a disgnostic (not screening) test.

very personal decision, of course.

I understood the NT test was given to every woman now, regardless of age?
I just said yes with my last baby but the measurement was really high and we had to go back 2 weeks later. Longest 2 weeks of my life! Then they decided the measurement was fine so nothing to worry about. But of course the worry was always there that they had got it wrong the second time but it was fine.
I had the NT test this time and it was really low so although I haven't got results back I'm pretty sure it'll be low risk.
I did have a private scan before though and they did the NT test but also used other measurements. Additionally they offered an in-depth screening which gave a really high percentage of accuracy compared to the NHS one. It was £190 which includes the scans and blood tests but I didn't feel the need to pursue it. I would have if I had got another worrying result off the NHS though.
I think if you know a positive result for Downs would not stop you continuing the pregnancy then it's a pointless test and needless worry. But then I suppose it's whether forewarned helps you to be more prepared if there are complications.

I hadn't heard of the test until I had my LO 1 year ago - I wonder if the birth rate for children with Downs Syndrome has changed much?

Thank you thank you thank you