I had the same issue with my twins - neither would sit still and not given a second opportunity by the NHS. I paid privately to have the NIPT done - mainly because my twins are untested embryos after my previous embryos which I PGS tested were all “abnormal”
It’s not cheap. I think it was around £350-400 and included a scan to check gestation, randomly the blood sample gets sent to America (but I chose a very comprehensive test as having twins) so results can take up to 2 weeks.My first blood test came back no result so in a panic I also paid to have the Combined Test done (which is the one the NHS would have attempted at your 12 week scan) just make sure we would have some kind of result abs that was £170 - the good thing about going private is that they just keep going until they get the measurements they need - no time limit like the NHS
I used my local spire hospital. I am so glad that i chose that test because no way was I going to have an amniocentesis or anything that would increase the chance of miscarriage xx
The bloods should flag up if there is risk of downs or one of the two other common abnormalities. They can also usually tell from the face shape in the scan if baby has downs (the features are flat in comparison to a normal developing foetus). They use the scan and the bloods to calculate risk factor, however the bloods should also be enough. For example, my risk for downs based on my age alone was something like 1 in 50 but after the scan+bloods it was calculated at 1 in 4000 chance or something like that. It just means that maybe your risk factor might be higher because they only have one to go on. We paid £350 for an indepth scan at crp clinic in epsom, with a professor, so we felt really reassured afterwards. You could pay for a private one or ask for another one on NHS? Did they not suggest this? X
Thanks Zebedee, they didn’t offer another scan - just kept saying the 20 week one is a back up incase situations like this happen and I was a bit overwhelmed by it and didn’t think to ask for another scan 🤦🏻♀️. When I got home I realised that the test for all conditions has to by done by about 14 weeks (I’m 13 now), the 20 week only tests for Downs.
I’m sorry to jump in - do they do the screening bloods alongside the nhs 12 week scan? It keeps sounding to me like you only get a scan and you have to go elsewhere privately for blood tests. I don’t feel like I could trust a scan alone. It’s my surrogate not me so it feels quite removed for me x
Hey, if they could have checked the fluid in the baby’s neck at my nhs scan, then they would have done the blood tests too. They said blood tests alone would have not been of any use, as they need both details from the scan and bloods to provide the result/level of risk.
Ah ok. I don’t know why but I’m really nervous to make sure that we get every bit of screening we can. Our 12 week scan is next Thursday at which our surrogate will be 12 weeks and 1 day.
I would agree you should surely be able to get another try?X
When the midwife told me about all the screening options, I just thought why not, may as well know upfront. But the more I read, nothing is conclusive and its just about getting an estimation of the chance it could happen.
Yeh, I tried to call the antenatal dept this afternoon a few times but no answer. Will try again tmrw and if can’t get through will need to book privately. With private I just feel uneasy about finding the right place what appropriately qualified professionals.
I had the same, baby was standing on its head and wouldn’t move! The NHS booked in for a quad blood test at 15 weeks and an abnormality scan at 19 weeks xx
The same happened to us and we really wanted to have the test. Not because we would look to terminate but more so we could plan our future. The consultant tried to say they wouldn’t offer another scan however, I pushed and pushed (with lots of tears) as it had taken us so long to get to where we were and they finally gave in and offered us another 3 days later. The measurements were easy for them to tKe second time round and all worked out ok xx
Hi, I had the same thing they where unable to check the fluid as baby was in the wrong position and was wriggling around.They offered me a quads test at 16 weeks
Thanks everyone, don’t know what I would do without this network x
I got through to Antenatal this morning and they said they won’t do another scan on nhs but they could offer a private blood test called IONA (their version of the NIPT). It’s cheaper than the actual private companies I’ve come across due to the hospital giving it to their private arm at a reduced rate £350. The results are “usually” back working 5 working days.
I’m booked in for Monday, let’s see what happens.
Wishing you the best of luck with your journey’s xxxxx
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