Nuchal Fold Scan
A nuchal fold scan is the first of the 2 scans you as a pregnant woman are offered in the public health system. It is also called the 12-week scan or 1st trimester scan.
The two elements of the examination: Blood test and nuchal fold scan
The examination actually consists of 2 elements: A blood test, which you have taken by your own doctor after week 8 of pregnancy and before the scan itself - often in connection with the creation of pregnancy records. The result of the blood test must be compared with the scan result. The nuchal fold scan itself takes place between weeks 11+2 and 13+6 of pregnancy, calculated from the first day of your last menstruation.
What is checked during a nuchal fold scan?
During the nuchal fold scan, it is checked whether the baby's heart is beating, how many babies there are in your womb and the risk or likelihood that the baby has Down syndrome. The likelihood that the baby has Down syndrome depends, among other things, on your age. The older the pregnant woman is, the greater the likelihood. By measuring the baby's nuchal fold and comparing it with the blood test result, your age and how far along you are in the pregnancy, the sonographer or midwife calculates a likelihood, which you are given the answer to immediately. If it is very low, no further action is taken. If it is high, you will be recommended an amniocentesis. It is important to remember that the nuchal fold scan is a risk calculation. This means that it says something about the risk and not about whether your child has Down syndrome.
The likelihood of Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities
If the calculation shows an increased likelihood of Down syndrome, there is also an increased risk of other chromosomal abnormalities. These can also be confirmed or ruled out by an amniocentesis.
Expectations and experiences during the nuchal fold scan
Many pregnant women and their partners believe that the nuchal fold scan is about going in and hearing the baby's heartbeat. Which is absolutely also a big part of the scan – especially for you.
At the same time, this means that many are surprised and a little nervous when the sonographer – the one who scans - begins to talk about risk assessment and the like. It is therefore good to remind yourself and each other that it is a risk assessment scan offered by the public health system – therefore that is also the professional angle on the scan.
That being said, the sonographers are good at supporting the wonderful experience it is to hear the baby's heartbeat -perhaps for the first time. It is also great to see the baby on the scan image. Often you will be able to see the baby moving around. Perhaps the baby is sucking on its thumb, kicking or has pee in the bladder. It is completely normal to be moved, shed a tear, become completely still, perhaps shocked, for example if there are unexpectedly 2 or more babies. And it is often at the nuchal fold scan that the partner first really realizes that there is a real baby on the way. As a partner, the many physical, hormonal and emotional changes are not felt directly. And the baby is still too small for you as a partner to feel the kicks through the abdominal skin.
The emotional significance of a nuchal fold scan
In other words, the nuchal fold scan is a big experience for many. And for some, a difficult and hard experience. Some will be told that their baby's heart is not beating, others will be told that there is an increased risk of chromosomal errors. If this happens to you, reach out. Talk to family, friends and professionals. Ask your questions, share your thoughts and feelings. Make room for the reactions - no emotions are wrong. And remember that if there is a chromosomal error, it does not necessarily mean that you have to have an abortion. It is your child. You choose. And yes, the choice can be difficult. Talk to the doctors, talk to a private midwife like me, contact the association for Down https://down.dk/ and possibly talk to parents of children and grandchildren with Down syndrome.
What if the scan gives bad news?
And should the terrible happen that your child is dead, there is also a process to go through. First an abortion-birth, then a wide range of emotions and a number of practicalities. Here it is also very important to reach out for support. And especially important not to try to put away what happened, the emotions or the traces that losing a child inevitably leaves -even if it is early in the pregnancy. You went in for the scan with the expectation of seeing a living child. With you, you had a long series of dreams, expectations and feelings, because parenthood does not start when the baby lands in your arms. It starts -especially for women- the day there is a positive pregnancy test. Already then, many women and some men feel like parents.
So dear you, the nuchal fold scan is a big event and is much more than just hearing the baby's heartbeat. With that said, I wish you all the best.
Author Siff Stephenson HjerteJordemoderen