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Antenatal tests

What are the advantages of having the nuchal scan?

9 replies

Bumpsadaisie · 02/03/2011 18:41

Hello everyone, DH and I are just debating whether to pay for a nuchal scan and wondering if anyone can give us a definitive summary of what the benefits of doing this is?

As I understand it, the key benefit is that if there is a problem, you are earlier in the pregnancy, meaning that if you do decide that ending the pregnancy is what is right for your family, then this can be done surgically. However if you wait till the 16 week bloods, then by the time they come back and then you have a diagnostic test, if you decide on a termination, you will actually have to give birth to the baby and it can not be done surgically.

Can anyone confirm definitely that this is the case? What is the cut off for being able to have a a termination surgically under general anaesthetic? My midwife was not much help here.

Many thanks in advance and sorry that this is a sensitive question.

Bumps & DH xx

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manitz · 02/03/2011 19:50

hi, i have unfortunately had to have two terminations. I didn't have a nuchal for the first one but at my (late) anomoly scan a major heart defect was picked up. I ended up having to terminate at 25/26 weeks. Heart defects also often show as a big nuchal, not just chromosone problems. I had felt the baby kick for some time and had to have an injection through my stomach to kill the baby. Labour took 10 hours. It was very traumatic.

In my last pregnancy my baby measured with a large nuchal and hydrops. At CVS I found out the baby had T21. I had a termination at 13 weeks, the hospital told me I couldn't have a surgical post 12 weeks and I had another birth. I didn't ever feel the baby kick so was less bonded, also labour only took 1.5 hours as my cervix didn't have to open so much. obviously it was sad because I wasn't able to have my baby but it was a much less traumatic experience.

I think you might be jumping the gun wondering what sort of termination you might need but I would definitely recommend having a nuchal if you consider there may be issues you might terminate for. Hope you don't need to worry about it when you get your results.

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Bumpsadaisie · 02/03/2011 20:58

Manitz, thanks ever so much for sharing that. You poor thing - it sounds dreadful.

Wishing you all the best.

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flower11 · 02/03/2011 22:24

The cut off for surgical termination is generally 13 weeks, my 12 week scan at 12+4 showed that my baby had deformities that were incompatible with life, I was offered surgical termination the next day, which I had or it would have been medical if I had waited to decide later.
Try not to worry too much, if you are however hopefuly the nuchal will be able to put your mind at rest.

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Yaya70 · 02/03/2011 22:28

Bumps, my understanding is that the cut off for a D&C is 16 weeks, and after this time you will have to give birth. I think different hospitals may have different policies though (as manitz's experience shows).

If you think you might terminate if there was a problem, then I would say it's definitely worth paying to have the nuchal if it's not offered routinely where you are. If you would continue with the pregnancy no matter what, then don't bother with the nuchal.

I also think that the accuracy of the nuchal plus bloods is better than the 16 week bloods alone.

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ghislaine · 02/03/2011 22:49

I had a surgical termination for abnormalities at 14+1. But this was in a major teaching hospital and it was performed by the head of the FMU. So I don't think that would be routine to do it surgically much later. In fact I think the midwife said that this was the outer limit for them (we delayed so the termination wouldn't coincide with my husband's birthday).

I really hope you don't have to face this sort of decision.

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manitz · 02/03/2011 22:55

yes I agree that it depends on the hospital. I was considered high risk for surgical as I'd had two previous csections and the scar tissue is more vulnerable in surgery. Not that its an issue here but at the time I argued for surgical. If it ever happens again I'd go for natural every time. Personally I felt emotionally in touch with what was happening and that has helped me recover.

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BlueCat83 · 05/03/2011 17:37

My baby had a diaphragmatic hernia and in short we were advised to terminate. I had a high NT reading but couldn't see position of organs till 17 weeks and was then advised to terminate. I had to give birth, the cut off at my hospital was 13 weeks.....But you can pay private to be put to sleep after 13 weeks.xx

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AngieM2 · 09/03/2011 14:55

Hi Bums - My own view is that the earlier you know about a potential problem the sooner you can manage it, hence why having a nuchal could be advantagous. Obviously you could also jump straight to having a CVS either NHS if indicated or pay to have it done private (about £500). Having recently had a TOP for Downs the cutoff at my NHS hospital for surgical was 12+6 (I was 13+0) so I was referred to the nearest 'abortion' clinic for a surgical. To say it was a dreadful experience is an understatement. I think private clinics will do surgicals quite late but you could check their websites. If I had to do it again I would definately have it done at the NHS hospital whether they did it surgical or medical I wouldn't care. All I can say is beware of where you would have to have it done

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NatzCNL · 16/04/2011 10:24

bump

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