Pregnant women are offered two routine ultrasound scans during pregnancy, this is called the Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme. 

The Nuchal Translucency scan is offered from 11+3  to 13+6 weeks of pregnancy to screen for the most common chromosomal conditions including Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ Syndrome and Patau’s syndrome.

The other routine pregnancy scan offered by the NHS is around 20 weeks of pregnancy called the Anatomy scan. The purpose of this ultrasound scan is to assess your baby’s physical development and to look for 11 rare conditions, including head/brain and heart conditions.

As the 12 week Nuchal Translucency Scan can only be performed when your baby measures between 45mm to 84mm from head to bottom (Crown to Rump Length CRL) which is 11+3 – 13+6 weeks of pregnancy, we often find that women book the Nuchal Translucency Scan with us as a result of the following:

• The NHS Sonographer was unable to complete the Nuchal Translucency Scan due to the position of baby
• The NHS were not able to schedule the Nuchal Translucency Scan appointment at a convenient time for the Parents to be
• The NHS were unable to offer an appointment for the correct pregnancy dates
• You did not receive a clear understanding of the Nuchal Translucency Scan and would like a more detailed explanation
• The NHS Sonographer reported findings during the Nuchal Translucency Scan and you wish for a second opinion
• You prefer a more comprehensive, detailed ultrasound scan to be performed in a calming and relaxing environment
• You would like some extra reassurance by our Specialist Sonographer in your pregnancy

Parents to be will be given an individual chance of baby having a chromosomal condition present. The three chromosomal conditions which the Nuchal Translucency Scan screens for are Down’s Syndrome, Edwards’ Syndrome and Patau’s Syndrome. The Nuchal Translucency scan has a sensitivity of 85% for detecting Down's Syndrome. This is calculated by inputting certain maternal and fetal factors including:-

• The age of the mother/egg donor at the stage of conception/egg collection
• The Nuchal Translucency measurement- this is the measurement from ultrasound scan of the fluid present behind baby’s neck at this stage of embryological development. The measurement is very small, it is taken in millimetres.
• The Nuchal Translucency usually measures between 1-3mm. The presence of a larger measurement may increase the chance of a chromosomal or physical condition being present.
• The Presence or absence of baby’s nasal bone. The absence of the nasal bone may increase the chance of a chromosomal condition.
• Level of two hormones (free ß-hCG and PAPP-A) in the mother's blood known as the hormone biochemistry. A high free ß-hCG combined with a low PAPP-A can increase the chance of the presence of Down’s Syndrome. A low free ß-hCG and low PAPP-A can increase the chance of the presence of Edwards’ and Patau’s Syndromes.
• The Fetal Heart Rate measurement- the number of times your baby’s heart beats per minute. This varies throughout the day, and throughout the weeks of pregnancy. This measurement is included when calculating the chance of Edwards’ and Patau’s Syndromes.
• Our Specialist Sonographers will perform a comprehensive, detailed early fetal scan. This includes assessing baby’s head, brain, face, heart, stomach, abdominal wall, bladder, hands and feet. This is more extensive than what is routinely offered by the NHS. This determines the presence of any physical conditions which can be determined at this stage of pregnancy.

• See your baby’s heartbeat and first movements before you can feel them
• Confirm the number of babies e.g. twins or more
• Find your Estimated Due Date EDD)- you will know exactly how many weeks pregnant you are
• Peace of mind and early reassurance
• Determine cause of any concerning symptoms, such as bleeding if present

Our Specialist Sonographers are highly skilled and accredited with the Fetal Medicine Foundation for the performance of the Nuchal Translucency Scan. They will be able to talk to you if you have additional questions, concerns or if you receive a high probability Nuchal Translucency Scan result. More information about further tests including the Non-Invasive Prenatal Test NIPT (TDL VeriSeq v2 by Illumina, Panorama, SAFE) or invasive tests such as a CVS or Amniocentesis is available.

• In the majority of pregnancies a Nuchal Translucency Scan can be performed by one of our experienced sonographers. All of our sonographers are fully qualified and accredited, so you are in safe, expert hands.
• If however, you are experiencing complications with your pregnancy or need a second opinion, a Nuchal Translucency ultrasound scan with our Consultant Obstetrician is recommended.

We offer morning, afternoon and evening availability during the week, as well as weekend appointments. A surcharge will be applied for evening and weekend appointments. We have a wide range of availability therefore same day appointments can be easily arranged. Our Specialist Sonographers are here to reassure even at short notice.

The Birth Company is the first clinic in UK to offer this service allowing you to share your pregnancy ultrasound with friends and family wherever they are in the world. This optional recording can be shared via Email, Facebook and  X formerly known as Twitter. We will offer this to you routinely at the end of the scan. The transmission is instantaneous. Please note on this system currently there is no sound, only video. It is a national policy not to permit patient or partner's phone recording in a room. Simply tell your sonographer that you would like an electronic transmission of your scan. It will appear on your phone immediately.

A moderately full bladder will improve the visibility of the scan performed transabdominally (over the tummy).

The Nuchal Translucency Scan is a screening test only. It cannot confirm the presence or absence of a chromosomal condition, it offers a likelihood of a condition being present.

If your test result demonstrates an increased chance, we may recommend further screening using Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), referral to your local Fetal Medicine Unit for further ultrasound scans or invasive testing such as a CVS or amniocentesis.

A Non Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) can be performed from 9 weeks onwards of pregnancy. We offer the following tests: TDL VeriSeq v2 by Illumina NIPT, Panorama NIPT and SAFE NIPT. This test is non-invasive involving an ultrasound scan then a simple and safe maternal blood test. NIPT has a high sensitivity for the detection of Down’s syndrome, with an increased positive predictive value (PPV) compared to the Nuchal Translucency Scan.

The only way to know for certain during pregnancy if a baby has a chromosomal condition is to have an invasive test such as chorion villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis. These tests carry a risk of miscarriage of less than 1%.

More information about Downs Syndrome can be found here:

Downs Syndrome Association

More information about Edwards' syndrome and Patau's syndrome can be found here:

SOFT UK

More information about screening tests offered in pregnancy can be found here:

Screening tests for you and your baby

Screening tests for you and your baby translated versions

For more guidance with prenatal screening please contact

Antenatal Results and Choices:

If you receive a low probability result, your next scan will be a Reassurance scan, Sexing scan or the 20 week Anatomy scan.