Private NT Scan

[Lolly W]

I have been booked to have the "triple" blood test done at between 16-18 weeks. This is the only Downs screening test available to me through the NHS apparently.

My midwife has told me I can have the NT scan done at 12-14 weeks but will have to pay to have this done privately. The cost is not an issue but I'm just wondering what the benefit of this is??

As far as I'm aware, if the test came back higher risk, you'd still have to wait until 24 ish weeks for an amnio?

The only thing I keep thinking is that you'll worry for longer if you get a high risk result.

What has everyone else done?

Thanks

 

[im_mi]

well, you could have the amnio at 16 weeks, as far as im aware.

We refused all downs syndrome screening. I wouldnt terminate for downs, and i wouldnt even consider having an amnio to confirm. there is a 1% risk of miscarriage with an amnio and 1-2% risk with a CVS (chorionic villus sampling). I couldnt imagine how much i would hate myself if the screening came back high risk, i had further tests, lost the baby and then discovered that my baby was perfectly healthy in the first place.

So for me, there was no question as to whether i would have any downs screening at all. A high risk result doesnt mean your baby will have downs, and i know several people who have had high risk results and had perfectly healthy babies, after months of worrying and wondering.

You need to ask yourself what you would do if your result came back high risk. Would you go for the risky diagnostic tests, or would you wait and see? if the answer is the latter, it may be wiser to skip any downs syndrome screening altogether.

 

[Lolly W]

Thanks im-mi, I think that's a really valid point. We also wouldn't terminate but our midwife was quite pushy and said being prepared is important. It's just all so confusing! I think I will have the blood test and cross the rest of the bridges if we come to them. I think the NT scan is out of the window though.

 

[hb1]

My friends bloods came back high risk but they didn't have the amnio - the scans can also indicate if all is ok and everything for my friend looked good - her little girl is perfect so agree with im_mi - doesn't always indicate downs

hx