11 weeks to 13 weeks 6 days - £200 (£215 for Twins)

This scan is only available at this gestation.

This will give you a risk factor for the baby having a chromosomal abnormality such as Downs Syndrome or possibly indicating a heart abnormality.

It involves measuring the small amount of fluid at the back of the baby's neck in a specific region on the ultrasound.

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All Sonographers performing the NT scan are fully accredited.

The risk factor calculation requires a blood sample to be taken from the mother on the day of the scan and the analysis of this is combined with the maternal age and the NT measurement of the baby. It will give you a 1 in x chance of there being a problem.

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It is however not an absolute diagnostic test only an indicator. It is 85% accurate.

The blood test is included in the price and is taken by a private midwife usually at the Scan Studio.

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Afterwards you will receive a report of the scan and any relevant images to discuss further with your GP, Midwife or Consultant.

The result from the laboratory comes in 24 to 48 hours (from when the sample is received in the London laboratory)

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The appointment is for 30 minutes and includes up to 6 Black and white glossy prints.

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NICE recommendations

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) have recommended nuchal scanning combined with blood test during the first trimester of pregnancy to be the most effective non-invasive screening test. (Prior to the advent of Harmony NIPT)

In the future NICE would like all women to be offered first trimester screening for Down's syndrome so that mums-to-be do not have to go through with unnecessary invasive tests.  Often nuchal screening is not widely available at most NHS antenatal clinics.