Nuchal Translucency / First Trimester Screening / Dating Ultrasound Scans from 11-14 weeks of pregnancy

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Nuchal Translucency Scan Online

The 12 week Nuchal Translucency ultrasound Scan can be performed to assess the probability of Down's, Edward’s, Patau’s syndrome and to diagnose certain major structural conditions. This pregnancy ultrasound scan confirms that baby’s heart is beating, and the number of babies such as twins or triplets. Your baby’s head, brain, face, heart, stomach, bladder, hands and feet can be seen. We will also look at the placenta, amniotic fluid and umbilical cord.

Which Pregnancy Scans are currently offered by the NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme (FASP)?

Pregnant women are offered two routine ultrasound scans during pregnancy, this is called the Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme. 

The Nuchal Translucency scan is offered from 11+3  to 13+6 weeks of pregnancy to screen for the most common chromosomal conditions including Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ Syndrome and Patau’s syndrome.

The other routine pregnancy scan offered by the NHS is around 20 weeks of pregnancy called the Anomaly scan. The purpose of this ultrasound scan is to assess your baby’s physical development and to look for 11 rare conditions, including head/brain and heart conditions.

As the 12 week Nuchal Translucency Scan can only be performed when your baby measures between 45mm to 84mm from head to bottom (Crown to Rump Length CRL) which is 11+3 – 13+6 weeks of pregnancy, we often find that women book the Nuchal Translucency Scan with us as a result of the following:

• The NHS Sonographer was unable to complete the Nuchal Translucency Scan due to the position of baby
• The NHS were not able to schedule the Nuchal Translucency Scan appointment at a convenient time for the Parents to be
• The NHS were unable to offer an appointment for the correct pregnancy dates
• You did not receive a clear understanding of the Nuchal Translucency Scan and would like a more detailed explanation
• The NHS Sonographer reported findings during the Nuchal Translucency Scan and you wish for a second opinion
• You prefer a more comprehensive, detailed ultrasound scan to be performed in a calming and relaxing environment
• You would like some extra reassurance by our Specialist Sonographer in your pregnancy

What can the Nuchal Translucency Scan detect?

Parents to be will be given an individual chance of baby having a chromosomal condition present. The three chromosomal conditions which the Nuchal Translucency Scan screens for are Down’s Syndrome, Edwards’ Syndrome and Patau’s Syndrome. The Nuchal Translucency scan has a sensitivity of 85% for detecting Down's Syndrome. This is calculated by inputting certain maternal and fetal factors including:-

• The age of the mother/egg donor at the stage of conception/egg collection
• The Nuchal Translucency measurement- this is the measurement from ultrasound scan of the fluid present behind baby’s neck at this stage of embryological development. The measurement is very small, it is taken in millimetres.
• The Nuchal Translucency usually measures between 1-3mm. The presence of a larger measurement may increase the chance of a chromosomal or physical condition being present.
• The Presence or absence of baby’s nasal bone. The absence of the nasal bone may increase the chance of a chromosomal condition.
• Level of two hormones (free ß-hCG and PAPP-A) in the mother's blood known as the hormone biochemistry. A high free ß-hCG combined with a low PAPP-A can increase the chance of the presence of Down’s Syndrome. A low free ß-hCG and low PAPP-A can increase the chance of the presence of Edwards’ and Patau’s Syndromes.
• The Fetal Heart Rate measurement- the number of times your baby’s heart beats per minute. This varies throughout the day, and throughout the weeks of pregnancy. This measurement is included when calculating the chance of Edwards’ and Patau’s Syndromes.
• Our Specialist Sonographers will perform a comprehensive, detailed early fetal scan. This includes assessing baby’s head, brain, face, heart, stomach, abdominal wall, bladder, hands and feet. This is more extensive than what is routinely offered by the NHS. This determines the presence of any physical conditions which can be determined at this stage of pregnancy.

What other information can I expect from the Nuchal Translucency Scan?

• See your baby’s heartbeat and first movements before you can feel them
• Confirm the number of babies e.g. twins or more
• Find your Estimated Due Date EDD)- you will know exactly how many weeks pregnant you are
• Peace of mind and early reassurance
• Determine cause of any concerning symptoms, such as bleeding if present

Is there someone I can talk to about the outcome of my Nuchal Translucency Scan?

Our Specialist Sonographers are highly skilled and accredited with the Fetal Medicine Foundation for the performance of the Nuchal Translucency Scan. They will be able to talk to you if you have additional questions, concerns or if you receive a high probability Nuchal Translucency Scan result. More information about further tests including the Non-Invasive Prenatal Test NIPT (Harmony, Panorama, SAFE) or invasive tests such as a CVS or Amniocentesis is available.

Consultant or Specialist Sonographer?

This scan is best performed by our Specialist Fetal Medicine Foundation accredited sonographers. Further Consultant advice available.

Is it easy to make a Nuchal Translucency Scan appointment?

We offer morning, afternoon and evening availability during the week, as well as weekend appointments. A surcharge will be applied for evening and weekend appointments. We have a wide range of availability therefore same day appointments can be easily arranged. Our Specialist Sonographers are here to reassure even at short notice.

What you will receive:

• Comprehensive Early Fetal Ultrasound scan, including Nuchal Translucency measurement and nasal bone assessment and maternal hormone biochemistry blood test
• Fetal Medicine Foundation Accredited Chance Assessment for chromosomal conditions
• Same day Results within 4-12 hours
• Detailed ultrasound report to file with your maternity notes.
• Comprehensive ultrasound scan results including gestation age and estimated due date (EDD).
• YourBabyScan Images and Videos direct to mobile and email
• Baby Ultrasound Keep Sake Images to take home
• Longer appointment times as routine
• A calm and relaxing environment
• High quality professional care from our Specialist Sonographers who are committed to advances in pregnancy care

How is the scan electronically sent to you?

The Birth Company is the first clinic in UK to offer this service allowing you to share your pregnancy ultrasound with friends and family wherever they are in the world. This optional recording can be shared via Email, Facebook and Twitter. We will offer this to you routinely at the end of the scan. The transmission is instantaneous. Please note on this system currently there is no sound, only video. It is a national policy not to permit patient or partner's phone recording in a room. Simply tell your sonographer that you would like an electronic transmission of your scan. It will appear on your phone immediately.

How to Prepare for your scan

• A moderately full bladder will improve the visibility of the scan performed transabdominally (over the tummy).

What if my Nuchal Translucency Scan results suggest an increased chance of the presence of a chromosomal condition?

The Nuchal Translucency Scan is a screening test only. It cannot confirm the presence or absence of a chromosomal condition, it offers a likelihood of a condition being present.

If your test result demonstrates an increased chance, we may recommend further screening using Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), referral to your local Fetal Medicine Unit for further ultrasound scans or invasive testing such as a CVS or amniocentesis.

A Non Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) can be performed from 10 weeks onwards of pregnancy. We offer the following tests: Harmony NIPT, Panorama NIPT and SAFE NIPT. This test is non-invasive involving an ultrasound scan then a simple and safe maternal blood test. NIPT has a high sensitivity for the detection of Down’s syndrome, with an increased positive predictive value (PPV) compared to the Nuchal Translucency Scan.

The only way to know for certain during pregnancy if a baby has a chromosomal condition is to have an invasive test such as chorion villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis. These tests carry a risk of miscarriage of less than 1%.
 

More information:

More information about Downs Syndrome can be found here:

Downs Syndrome Association

More information about Edwards' syndrome and Patau's syndrome can be found here:

SOFT UK

More information about screening tests offered in pregnancy can be found here:

Screening tests for you and your baby
Screening tests for you and your baby translated versions

For more guidance with prenatal screening please contact Antenatal Results and Choices:
 

What is the next scan following a Nuchal Translucency scan?

If you receive a low probability result, your next scan will be a Reassurance scan, Sexing scan or the 20 week Anomaly scan.

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Patient Information

Some early pregnancy ultrasound scans are performed using a transvaginal probe technique. This technique is used to view the pelvic anatomy optimally, as the ultrasound probe can transmit safe ultrasound waves more directly to the pelvic area. In later stages of pregnancy, it may be advised to perform a transvaginal ultrasound scan to have a closer look at a baby’s anatomy, or to assess the maternal cervix.

There is no clinical risk associated with performing a transvaginal ultrasound scan. Transvaginal ultrasound scans can safely be performed during episodes of vaginal bleeding. 

It is important that you understand the procedure that is associated with this examination.

The ultrasound transducer will be placed in the vagina (the probe is prepared using high grade medical disinfectant)
The transducer will be introduced with a latex / non latex type covering and sterile ultrasound gel.
It will be necessary to move the transducer from side to side, up and down and may be swivelled to obtain ultrasound images of your pelvic anatomy.
If you prefer, you may insert the transducer yourself, otherwise the person conducting the examination will do this.
A third person may be present during the examination acting as a chaperone, if required by the sonographer or yourself.
You may request the examination to be stopped at any time during the procedure.   

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Nuchal Translucency Scan Online