I saw the midwife yesterday (I am 8 weeks pregnant) and she explained about the Triple Test for Downs Syndrome and Spina Bifida (free on NHS). But it seems that there is also the Nuchal scan for Downs which costs £180 but is much more accurate.

Has anyone had this scan? What do people feel about it? I am a bit undecided. I just worry that if I get a high-risk result in the Triple Test, I will then then be faced with the dilemma of having an invasive test (at a 1% chance of causing miscarriage) with very little to go on. Whereas at least with the Nuchal scan there would be more info so I could make more of an informed decision. Apparently the Triple test is 60-70% accurate but the Nuchal scan, when combined with a blood test, is 90% accurate. I am confused :-(

Hi There

First of all congratulations!
I am 28 weeks and had the nuchal scan at 11 weeks. We decided to have the scan as I had a few problems in the early weeks and I just wanted to make sure everything was as it should be.
We also worried about whether it was the right thinkg to do but I have to say now that I am definitly glad that we did. Also another factor that made us decide was the time involved waiting for results from the bloodtest then amnio results should they be required - we were told it I would be 21 weeks and then facing a decision is tests showed abnormal. I felt that this was too far into the pregnancy to receive results like that so the early scan was definitly right for us plus gave us the extra chance to see our baby (an added bonus)!!
I would say that I would make sure if you have the nuchal scan try to make it after your earlydating scan (12 week)- I didn't and hence the nuchal scan was done a little bit early and made it difficult to see babys spine properly.

Hope this helps a little, let me know if you have any other questions.

Take Care xx

Hi Julia, I am 38 (today!) and decided to have the nuchal scan. It was very reassuring to know early on that everything was as it should be and I was given odds of 1 in 2177 as opposed to 1 in 110 based on my age alone. I agree with applesmum, weighing up having to wait for the triple test, which I have heard is quite misleading and can give people inaccurate high risk results, then to have to decide whether to risk invasive testing and then wait for all the results must be very harrowing. It was a small price to pay for me to have the nuchal scan and blood test at 12 weeks, it really put my mind at rest and let me start to enjoy my pregnancy more. good luck whatever you decide.

Ladies
Just want to thankyou for dscussing this I was in a dilema about it. I have my 12 wks scan on the 30th. Should I just ask for the nuchal scan then? I am 37 and this is my first pregnancy.
Tracey x

Hi Tracey,

We had to pre book our nuchal scan and go to a different hospital for it as it is not available in our area. I would check with your midwife or even call the hospital where you are due to go for your dating scan to see how you go about booking as it does take longer than the normal scan.

Take Care xx

I agree, some areas offer it on the NHS but i had to pay and go private. I too got the contact details of places in my area from the midwife and then booked independently. I would look into it now as the scan has to be done between 11 and 13 weeks I believe, so you don't want to wait until you go for your 12 week scan to ask about it or you will be very short of time! I had my 20 week scan today and found out we're having a boy, which is very exciting, glad to be able to call 'it' 'he' now! Good luck with the scans!

Hi Julia

I have opted to have the NT scan on the 7th Feb.This is my second pregnancy and I did not have one with my first.I am very nervous about having this done as well but it is very accurate and safe.I have booked via baby bond to have mine done.

Thanks

Nicola