Nuchal- private v's nhs

[sailorgirl1]

Are any of you considering a private nuchal scan despite getting it free on the nhs?? Am I crazy for considering it? The main appeal for me is you get the blood results there and then. What do u think is it the same? Is the equipment the exact same? Xx

 

[sailorgirl1]

Any thoughts anyone? xx

 

[poasa]

With my first I went private as it wasn't available at my hospital but it is now so trying nhs. My scan is Friday so will update xx

 

[katiekittykat]

I'm getting one on the NHS, but I would have thought the same method would be used ie. scan and blood test

 

[discoclare]

The equipment is essentially a regular ultrasound. They just freeze frame when baby is in the right position and measure the nuchal fold. I would be surprised that you get the blood tests there and then since they would be likely going to an NHS lab (but you would be paying a higher rate).

Are you sure that both your NHS trust and the private centre you are looking at are offerning the same test as there are lots of different tests available and not all NHS trusts offer the most reliable screening service. If they are offering the same (Nuchal measurement + PAPP-A + beta-HCG is supposed to be the best) I would save your money and do NHS. At my Trust they said they would phone me within 48 hours if I was high risk, and if not high I would receive results by post within a week.

 

[pcake]

I had it on nhs, and it was great. Was a magical first scan, they did the combined screening, so they took the nt measurement there and then and told us it on the spot that it was super low (0.8mm). Then they took the bloods and then we had a talk with the mw, who said that the measurement is normally the most accurate (As blood test gives quite alot of false positives, then u have to decide if u want amio,etc), but that if the bloods did come back as high risk we'd be phoned within 48 hrs. No phone call came, and got letter within about 3 weeks saying we were low risk, at 1 in 100,000!! As pp said, i would be surprised if u got blood test results there and then, i know my bloods were sent to a specialist place in birmingham, and they said thats where the majority of combined screening bloods are done, but may be different privately??

From what iv heard, the private ones are maybe a bit less rushed than nhs, ul be in a nicer room and they will spend a bit more time pointing everything out. But thats just from what iv heard. I was really happy with our scan and dont see how it could have been any better (apart from the scanner lady was a bit scary and miserable!!). What will u do, do u reckon??

 

[sailorgirl1]

Thanks ladies.....I am not sure, I am a bit torn....The bloods are def back the same day - they have their own lab which for me is worth the money because I worry so much but like you say, if the NHS is the same......it's hard!!! I think I need to ask MW and find out exactly what tests they do do on the NHS, if the private check more things I will go with them I think....Tough call though eh! Thanks for your thoughts, Poasa good luck with yours xxxx

 

[poasa]

Thanks hun x

 

[Mel1986]

Hi, I had a private scan at 5 weeks as I was so scared of having another MMC and I must say I loved the experience. I didn't have my blood tests taken just the scan but the service provided was great (Appointment was at 8 45am and I was in and out with all my info and scan photo's by 9 10am) and it was a lovely hospital. I went for my 12 week scan via NHS on Monday and was in there so long, I wasn't told the girl was training and had to wait an hour during being scanned to know everything was ok. I eventually left the hospital at 11 48am after being asked to arrive at 9 30am for blood tests before my 10 30am scan.I generally find the NHS a pain in the backside and would go private any day xxxxxxxxxx