Raised NT 3.5mm or more on scan

What happens next?

You can discuss the scan findings with the Fetal Medicine or appropriately trained midwife.

You will be referred to be seen in the Fetal Medicine Clinic normally at around 15 –16 weeks of pregnancy where you will be able to have a further scan to check baby's development and growth and discuss plan of care.

You can await the Combined test result which should be available in 5-7 days and will be contacted by the midwife.

If the combined test shows a higher chance result, then you have different options: -

• You can do nothing and await an appointment in fetal medicine clinic.
• You will be offered a NIPT (Non-invasive Prenatal Test) which is a simple blood test to determine your chance of Downs, Edwards and Patau syndrome only–this is a screening test but is more accurate than the combined test. (read Antenatal Screening Wales website for more information)
• You will be offered further tests such as Chorionic Villus Sample or Amniocentesis (Further information regarding these procedures found on the Antenatal Screening Wales Website). These are invasive diagnostic tests performed to check for chromosomal abnormalities. The first result will take approximately 3-5 working days.

An anomaly scan will be performed at 19 weeks pregnant by a senior sonographer.

An extra scan of baby's heart will be performed at 22 weeks pregnant too.

Pregnancy

You will be seen in Fetal Medicine Clinic at around 15/16 weeks of pregnancy (sometimes earlier) to scan baby for growth and normal development.

This page is to give you basic information and may not be able to answers all your questions but when you are seen in clinic any concerns can be discussed in more detail.