The nuchal translucency scan is 1 of 2 free scans offered to pregnant women in Denmark. Both scans take place in the hospital and are performed by a sonographer who is either a nurse or a midwife with special training in scanning pregnant women.

When and why is nuchal translucency scanning recommended?

The nuchal translucency scan takes place between weeks 11+3 and 13+6 of pregnancy.

The nuchal translucency scan - also known as the 12-week scan - checks to see if your child may have certain chromosomal defects, including Down syndrome.

The name, Nuchal Translucency Scan, comes from the fact that, among other things, the size of the baby's nuchal translucency is measured during the scan.

Many pregnant women and couples go for the nuchal translucency scan with the expectation of seeing their baby for the first time and hearing its heartbeat, which in itself is a great and often touching experience! However, many are surprised that the real purpose of the scan is more serious - and with even more things on the agenda.

The purpose of the nuchal translucency scan is, among other things:

• Checking if the baby's heart is beating
• Determining how many fetuses there are
• Set the due date
• Check for Patau syndrome (trisomy 13)
• Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18)
• Down syndrome (trisomy 21)
• Neural tube defect
• Abdominal wall defect
• And a number of other malformations

In other words, your child will be checked thoroughly!

At the same time, it is important to remember that no scan is 100% accurate. Therefore, the scan result is compared with both the age of the pregnant woman and the blood test you had taken by your doctor early in the pregnancy. The nuchal translucency scan is therefore actually a combined calculation and test.

And yes, it is possible to take a few scan images home. Images that in themselves support bonding with the baby and the understanding that you are going to be parents.

Answers about the nuchal translucency scan

You will receive an answer immediately after the scan. The answer is a risk number, which will either mean low or high risk. For example, if the number is 1:300 in relation to Down syndrome, it means that 1 child out of 300 will have Down syndrome.

Further course in case of high risk

If the result is high risk, you will be offered further tests that can determine with certainty whether the baby has chromosomal abnormalities. One of 2 different tests can be performed:

Placental biopsy , which is a test where a sample of the placenta is taken through your abdominal skin. The test will be able to determine a definitive yes or no to, for example, Down syndrome. Placental biopsy can be performed from week 10 of pregnancy and is also used, for example, when necessary to test for hereditary diseases.

Amniocentesis where a sample of the amniotic fluid is taken through your belly skin. This test will also be able to give a yes or no for, for example, Down syndrome. The amniotic fluid test can only be performed from week 16 of pregnancy. It can be an inhumanely long time to wait until week 16, which is why a placental biopsy is often done to get a concrete answer if a high risk has been found during the nuchal translucency scan.

After 1-2 weeks you will receive the results of the test - including the baby's gender, if desired. The vast majority of people who have a placental biopsy or amniocentesis will receive a result that is normal. At the same time, it is important to acknowledge the emotional pressure of going through a testing process and coming out on the other side - even if the result is positive. Please talk to your midwife, doctor, friends and/or family about it. And know that many others besides you have gone through one of the 2 tests. You are not alone!

If the answer is not normal, you will be offered a conversation. Here, information about the findings is reviewed and advice and information is given, including the possibility of choosing an abortion. If it turns out that the baby has a chromosomal abnormality, it is very normal to want to talk to parents of children with the same chromosomal abnormality, as part of the process of getting clarification. Such a conversation can be easily arranged.

There may be many thoughts and feelings involved in the process of getting clarity. It may also be that one of you is clear and the other is in doubt. And that may change over the coming days. I would like to encourage you to pay attention, talk thoroughly together several times and also talk to, for example, a midwife or other relevant people. The final decision is yours, which in itself can feel like a burden.

Whatever you choose, I send you loving hugs and thoughts! Please know that you are welcome to contact me during the process.

If you would like to read more, the Danish Health Authority has made this folder

With the wish of all the best!

Siff Stephenson, HeartMidwife