Anyone NOT had an NT scan? What happened?

[TobyLerone]

I missed my NT scan appointment yesterday. It was my own fault. I got the time wrong.

Anyway, long story short, the hospital now aren't sure whether or not they can fit me in before the 14-week deadline. It needs to be done in the next week, and I won't know until Tuesday at the earliest whether or not they can do it.

I have spoken to my midwife and she said that if the worst comes to the worst, they'll scan me anyway (they wanted to check my fibroids at the same time) but just not be able to measure NT. Then they'll give me '2nd trimester blood tests' to check for DS etc.

I'm quite concerned about not having the scan done. There's nowhere local which does them privately. Anyone else been as stupid as me been in this situation?

[CookMySocks]

I haven't been in your situation, but I did decline the NT scan for DD. She's absolutely fine. Would you terminate if there was a high risk of Downs? If so and you're absolutely certain, then explain this and push for a scan within the time limit so you can get it done as early as possible. But if not, just don't worry! Not having the scan won't make problems any more likely. And don't be pushed into invasive tests later on if you don't want them, they carry their own risks.

[TobyLerone]

I think we probably would terminate if DS was actually diagnosed, so I really need the combined test results in order to make the decision to have the invasive tests.

I have explained to the hospital the fact that there is a deadline, but there is apparently nothing they can do to help due to their bookings system being down until next week

Thanks, though. I will definitely push for one next week, even if I have to go to another hospital.

[valiumredhead]

I didn't want one so I never had it -sorry unhelpful post!

[DIYandEatCake]

When I had dd in 2011 our hospital didn't do nt scans (they do now, was offered one for dd), just offered the 2nd trimester blood tests your midwife mentioned. So if it comes to it they're tests used til very recently.

[HaPPy8]

I think you are unlikely to be fitted in to be honest if you missed the first appointment, the nhs isn't very forgiving where missed appointments are concerned. If you really want it I would look in to having it privately and accept that you will have to travel for it. You only have a short time to find an appointment so I wouldn't rely on the NHS.

[galwaygirl]

Hi, your title is a bit confusing - not sure you're looking for answers like mine...
Didn't have scan or bloods with either DC, had anomaly scans in case of any issues babies would need help with at birth. Both babies perfectly healthy so far.
Sounds like you will need to go privately if you really want the scan.

[littleducks]

I was offered another check (bloods combined or something) which I declined so can't offer much info on it. Could be done up to about 15 weeks

[weakestlink]

I was too late for it so didn't have it for this pregnancy. I had the blood tests and they looked for soft markers and odds were very good so said I need not worry. Having said that I would not terminate so irrelevant really...
I think if you really want to know then you're going to have to book a private one before its too late.

[littlemonkey2013]

where i live they dont offer a NT so they do triple blood testing instead. some areas do triple and some do quadruple tests. it still gives you odds for the baby having downs so you can choose whether or not to have further testing.

so i would say dont worry too much and have the other tests

[TobyLerone]

That's basically what I was after, I think. Info on what the alternative is. Triple/quadruple tests sounds like it.

Thank you :)

[Excited85]

It's just a normal blood test that they use to check for Downs etc. I had to have that as baby was wrong way around for scan and wouldn't move so they couldn't do nuchal measurements etc. So I wouldn't worry, a lot of people are in the same situation for various reasons, just like a previous poster suggested this can be normal protocol in some areas.

[TripleRock]

I missed out on NT. First scan appointment proved too early for it to be taken and then they couldn't fit me in until it was after the window.

I had the quadruple blood test instead which gave me a 'low risk' result.

I paid for a private NT scan and bloods with my first pregnancy. It was done at the same NHS hospital just the scan was done by a consultant ob/gyn not a sonographer and it took place in the evening. Cost about £150 3 years ago.

Wasn't bothered this time as we'd already decided we would decline any intrusive diagnostic tests so no point.

[TobyLerone]

Their new computer system will not be live until Tuesday and there is apparently nothing they can tell me until then. Even my MW said they can't tell her either.

They definitely do the blood tests, because my MW said that's what they'll do if they can't do the scan. I just didn't know what it was called, and whether it's a diagnostic test or a screening test.

[TobyLerone]

Thanks all, by the way :)

[Theas18]

You still get the bloods I assume?

Just remember that many of us old timers had our babies years before NT came in. Your age related risk I assume isn't high? ( about 1in 66 at age 40 less below, but I believe that's conceptions, many of which will miscarry early).

If you are older , or very paranoid pay for a scan given you would terminate . Sorry you missed your appointment , but you can't really expect the nhs to effectively pay again for your slot and try to over fill already full clinics ....or am I just being harsh?

[PoppyAmex]

I didn't miss mine, but due to the baby's position it wasn't possible to measure the nuchal fold; they offered blood tests.

I just booked a private scan for the next day.

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

toby - I fell of our antenatal thread as was on hols ad feeling grim. humpty kindly pmed me to check I was ok and mentioned re your scan. . I was actually just going to post on the antenatal thread but will do so here.

My NHS scan with DS was very late and he was in an awkward position. The sonographer wasn't very nice and we didn't realise we could ask to get up and walk around etc and have another go. She just said we would need the blood test.

I spoke to DH's aunty who is a GP and she recommended getting it done privately due to the risk of a false positive with the bloods.

So, we went to babybond and they were fab. Not sure where you are - but they're all over the country. It is expensive but I would strongly recommend booking in with them now. If you get any joy with the hospital, you can cancel. But at least you have an appointment. That should hopefully make dealing with the hospital slightly less stressful.

Separately, do you have a good GP? Mine is excellent and a very good advocate. It could be if you go to the GP, they'll fight your corner too. When I was at babybond, they thought they could see a fibroid. I went to my GP and she referred me for a scan the next day - it can be done! All was fine and it was just up to babybond being very cautious.

If you still want to take things further, then you can try and claim back the cost of the scan from the NHS. I'm sure you've done this but make sure you get the receptionist woman's full name. I would also ask to speak to her manager now too.

[MissStrawberry]

Claim back the cost of the private scan? On what grounds? The OP missed her slot.

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

It's not unreasonable to give her another. I totally agree that it can't be at a time of toby's choosing but she could easily sit up in the hospital and wait for a cancellation or a no show.

I think the prejudice to toby of not getting another scan outweighs the inconvenience to the NHS so to not try fit her in is pretty unreasonable. This isn't an verucca removal she's missed. Further, I assume Toby isn't a serial non-attendee. We all make mistakes - the NHS certainly makes plenty.

[zimmyzammyzoom]

I didn't have it in either pregnancy (1 DS followed by twin DS's) all 3 are perfectly healthy thankfully. We didn't have it because we wouldn't have terminated do couldn't see the point.

Met an acquaintance last week who had it with her 2nd pregnancy. Was deemed low risk. Her 10wk old DS has Downs :-(

[TobyLerone]

Hi, Gobbo :o Come back to us! We miss you!
Thanks for that. It's a good idea to book a private NT scan just in case the NHS can't fit me in. I'll probably lose a deposit if I have to cancel, but so be it.

That's very sad, zimmy. Also quite scary :(

I am fully aware that it's my fault. I haven't gone into the ins and outs, but I will be complaining to the hospital. It will absolutely not be about their inability to give me another appointment right now -- I understand that their computer system isn't working and that they literally can't. The complaint will be about the receptionist, to whom I have spoken twice and who has been incredibly rude to me both times, to the point of calling me a liar today because I said that she hadn't told me yesterday about the computer issue.

I think what I really wanted to know was how accurate the blood test without the scan is. Thanks for helping me to clarify.

[TobyLerone]

And no, I'm not a serial appointment-misser!

I actually had an appointment last week, at 3.30, which the hospital cancelled and rescheduled. Yesterday's was at 3pm. I was convinced it was at 3.30, and just as I was leaving (at 3pm!) I checked the letter again. I called immediately, very apologetic, but they wouldn't see me if I'd arrived 10 minutes late.

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

I'm coming Toby!

That is completely the kind of thing I've done with appointments. I just get it in to my head - no doubt at all re the time. And it's always half an hour out within that hour timeframe

[TobyLerone]

It was still my fault, but my brain couldn't cope with 2 different appointment times for the same appointment