Nuchal Fold Scan

[CarolineF]

Being a mother2B of slightly advanced years (37) I am having a Nuchal Fold Scan in a couple of weeks. I have been told that this will cost around $250. I was just wondering if anyone had had it done, what they thought of it, how long they had to wait for the results, how accurate it turned out to be etc?:detective:

Also, would I get any of the cost back from medicare cos I am paying out loads at the mo on one specialist after another and I am wondering when I am going to get a respite from the constant charging?:no:

Thanks to all:smiliedance:

Caroline

[littlepickle]

Hi there!

Congratulations on your pregnancy!
I had the NT scan at 13 1/2 weeks. It cost about $210 and I got over $100 back from medicare .. so not quite so bad.
I was really nervous the night before the scan as I had no idea what to expect, but once I was there - I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was great as the sonograpgher spent ages ooking at every part of bub, it was fascinating and reassuring at the same time.
When that was all done, we went back to the waiing room for about 10 minutes, then we were called into a kind of interview room where the senior sonographer gave her report and explained everything to us. She walked in with a big smile saying that it was all good news and that bub was a good looking fetus:D She explained what all the markers were and what they were looking for and then gace us the score which was really good.. So yeah - it was all quite quick, we didnt have to wait long at all for the results and loved the way that the sonograper took the time to explain everything to us

[SilverStarfish]

I had the Nuchal scan done too, I don't remember it costing that much. After getting the money back from Medicare I think we were only out of pocket about $80.

It was well worth it though. Those first glimpses of our baby really made the pregnancy seem a lot more "real" - as well as reassuring us both that there were no health problems etc that they could see.

[CarolineF]

Littlepickle - was that with this pregnancy?

I had the triple test with my first pregnancy (I was 31) and the result came back with a risk of 1:28. I was devastated. I had a amnio after having counselling (always given in the UK) and after 3 agonising weeks found out all was OK.

Statistics are scary things. They can say to you you have a risk of 1:1000 but someone has to be the ONE and ,knowing that, I would probably still opt for the amnio as well.

But thanks for that. I am looking forward to meeting my little bub via blurry black and white TV for the first time. I'm trying to concentrate on that more than the reason for the scan.

[draught]

Caroline
I had my blood test today for my nuchal lucency (I am 37) and will have the scan next Monday at 12 1/2 weeks. It is my third pregnancy and my third scan. With the last two, performed in two different states, they provided me with a report within about 10 minutes of the scan finishing, that combined the measurements of the scan with the results of the blood test and came up with a 1: 1500 (for example) number for me. With DD2 my figures had fallen dramatically, or the odds had increased dramatically despite only twenty months having passed but they still said that it was in the safe range and on the basis of all the info I decided not to have an amnio.

I spoke to my doctor about this on Friday and he said that if the scan shows anything of concern and I decide, after counselling with the genetic counsellors and him, that I need an amnio (which I would prefer to avoid if possible) then that can't be done until 15 or 16 weeks. I think that the results of that can take a few days to come through.

Hope that helps to answer your questions.

[littlepickle]

Hi Caroline,

Yes, the NT scan was with this pregnancy. I didnt hae the blood tests with my scan as my ob doesnt believe in them - he said that they bring up too many false bad results. So I just had the ultrasound but the odd were really good, and I was put in the "safe" category.
It wasnt just the NT fld measurements they looked at but also the baby's head, ears and nasal bone. Apparently it is a really good sign if there is a good nasal bone formed.

Funnily enough the sonographer also agreed that there are a lot of false bad results when using the blood test, but I guess it is up to the individual and also the ob. The Scan itself has been around for such a long time and they are getting better and better at looking for markers.

[CarolineF]

Thanks guys,

I have done the triple test then amnio route in the UK. The amnio was not as bad as I was led to believe and I think i will almost certainly have one again if the odds come back anything like they did with my first pregnancy ( and that was 6 1/2 years ago!!!)

what would I do if the result was i was carrying a DS child? I would cross that bridge when i came to it. Even if I decided not to terminate, at least I would be emotionally prepared. Having seen little Emily in the Designer Babies thread, its hard not to feel that that decision would be tremendously hard. She is just beautiful and the way Emysmum talks about her it is clear that it is not her DS that defines who she is but all her other loving and joyous attributes.

It really made me think.

[maybe1more]

Hi Caroline, i was only $80 out of pocket for the nuchal fold scan, i had to have a blood test 2 days before my u/s. I got the tests back a week and a half later, it didnt say much other then i have a low risk pregnancy.

[RachWA]

I am surprised to hear that a few of you have got rebates from medicare for the nuchal transluceny scan. The medicare criteria to get a rebate for this scan is quite strict (unless in WA we are just getting ripped off and it is not quite so stingent else where?)

Was the $250 cost for the U/S and blood test and was the rebate given on both or just the blood test.

The radiology company I work for charges about $150 fot the u/s and the blood test is billed seperate from the pathology company.

The medicare criteria for rebates include things like mothers age (over 35) and previous high risk (ie: previous downs syndrome birth or high risk result).

[shed]

I just put my forms in to Medicare today actually. The nuchal translucency test cost me $245 and I had another test for $51 because I went for the nuchal too early (keen) and I got $143 back from both.

[CarolineF]

I hope I do get some from of a rebate - being 37 (38 in Sept) and having a previous triple test result of 1:28 in my previous pregnancy - I would hope they would financially assist.:fingerscrossed:

Its quite expensive being pregnant here, even with private health cover!!!!

[Lunar]

CarolineF- Thank you very much! You should be proud of yourself! I am glad that I have made a difference in some way.
A child who has DS is like any other! Yes they are a little extra work but the rewards far out weigh that! My little girl gives me so much joy! Every little thing she does makes me like this...:D

[com com]

Hi, There is a place at Wickham Tce called Diagnostic Imaging for Women. Here you have your NSF scan. Normally you have bloods taken at QML 3 days prior and your scan results are faxed to Obstetrician by next morning. If you let them know you have an appointment the next day, they normally fax asap. Phone your OB for scan results if u can't wait.

If u require an amnio, the fluid is sent to QML and tested as fast as normal blood tests (ie 24hours). These amnio results can be downloaded by ur OB the next day. The original blood tests are used to determine chance of Down Syndrome. If u want further info, ring a scanning company and ask them to fax info about the NSF to you to read :)