Babybond Nuchal Translucency Screening Service: 11 to 13 weeks and 6 days
Combined private ultrasound NT scan (sometimes called nuchal scan) involves an ultrasound scan as well as blood tests.
Your blood needs to be taken within a day of your scan either by us at Babybond at the time of your appointment or privately by your midwife or GP. When you book online, depending on the location, you may be contacted to arrange the most convenient way for you to have this done..
Your ultrasound scan involves a measurement to accurately ascertain your baby’s gestational age. Your baby’s well-being and its environment will also be examined to eliminate any potential abnormalities and a specific measurement taken of the fluid filled space situated at the back of the baby’s neck (the nuchal fold).
Your blood test results, nuchal fold measurement and other information collected during your appointment are then used to determine your individual risk factor. Although this result is not a definitive result, it allows you to make informed choices in managing your pregnancy. Note that an “increased-risk” screening result does not indicate with certainty that there is an abnormality and that most women with these results will still have normal healthy babies.
We recommend that you present your screening results to your usual healthcare professional whose contact details we take at the time of booking. Our NT scans are performed by Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) or DQASS accredited Sonographers.
Babybond NT Scan & Bloods Analysis, 90%-95% accurate.
Purpose of the service: risk assessment for Down’s Syndrome between 11 – 13 weeks and 6 days gestation, no sexing. Includes full report and supporting images and 4DFREEVIEW™: £189 (Includes £30 deposit)
What Screening tests are available to me?
There are various screening tests being used around the UK, with various degrees of accuracy. These tests can have detection rates ranging from 60 to 95%. To find out more about which tests are offered in your area, please consult your midwife, who should be able to fill you in on what tests are available and at what stage of pregnancy these can be performed.
The gold standard recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the National Screening Committee is that all pregnant ladies, irrespective of their age, should be offered an 11-13 weeks and 6 days Nuchal Translucency scan, coupled with a blood test. This test results in a 90–95% detection rate of pregnancies that may be at an increased risk of carrying a genetic problem such as Downs Syndrome. This accuracy is only achieved if the Practitioner performing the scan and the Laboratory performing the blood analysis are fully accredited and has gone through the appropriate training. This applies to all Sonographers, Midwives and Consultant Obstetricians.
It is important to remember that you do not have to have any screening performed if you do not wish to. It is also important that you let your health care professional know this as soon as possible.
Which test does Babybond Offer?
Babybond offers the highest accuracy service; 11-13 weeks and 6 days Nuchal Translucency scan combined with a blood test.
Can I come to Babybond to have my test done if my local NHS does not supply the test I am looking for?
Yes. We do recommend that you let your Midwife or GP know your intentions, but you can make an appointment by phone or online at any of our locations. We would request that you keep your health care provider fully informed with regards to your results so that your health care management is seamless for everyone involved in looking after you and your family.
What happens if my dates are wrong and I am too early to have the NT scan?
If you have already had your dates confirmed at an earlier scan, then we can book you in at the most appropriate time for your NT scan. If, however, you are unsure of your dates and a dating scan will not be performed in time, we will book you in at the stage we feel is most likely to be correct for you. If we find that you are too early we will book you in for another appointment at a later date at NO extra charge.
What happens if my dates are wrong and I am too late to have the NT scan?
A full explanation of your options will be given to you by the health care professional performing the scan. That way you can feel comfortable with alternative pathways, so you can still choose to gather information about the health and wellbeing of your baby. One alternative that may be offered to you is a 14 week Anomaly Scan, subject to the following fees: 14 weeks anomaly scan: £120
Why should I come to Babybond?
This is an important question and should be asked of any private provider of medical services as the accuracy of the service you receive is only as good as the people providing it.
We are internally and externally audited on a regular basis to ensure maintenance of a high quality service at all times. Babybond was the first clinical diagnostic ultrasound provider to be awarded ISO 9001 accreditation in 2007. Babybond has been CQC accredited since 2010.
At Babybond we have a highly trained team at every one of our locations. Not just the Advanced Practitioners in Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound performing the scans but our reception staff, our Midwives and right through to the Laboratory team and our Fetal Medicine Consultants.
These safety nets allow the full accuracy of the tests to be achieved at every one of our locations.
How will you receive your results?
Your results will be communicated within 2 working days of the Laboratory receiving the blood sample. Your results will be sent to the E-mail address supplied when you booked your scan. The E-mail will be accompanied by some guidance as to what to do with the results. A dedicated telephone number will also be given should you have any queries relating to your results. In a small number of cases it may be necessary to contact you directly to discuss further information or to explain your NT scan results further. On these occasions the telephone contact information collected when you booked your scan will be used.
- If you have any questions about our services, you may be interested in our FAQs
