OSCAR Test

The OSCAR (One Stop Clinic for the Assessment of Risk) is a test comprising of a nuchal translucency scan and a blood test taken at the same time. This is done between 11-14 weeks. It measures levels of hCG (a pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadatrophin) and PAPP-A (Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein) in your blood.

Pregnancies affected by Down's syndrome tend to have higher hormones and lower proteins than normal. NT scans alone can pick up 75 per cent of Down's babies, but by combining with the blood test, the detection rate is 90 per cent (Spencer et al 2003). If the predicted risk is greater than 1 in 300, it is termed as positive indicating an increased risk for Down syndrome and warrants further testing by invasive methods like CVS / Amniocentesis. This will finally determine whether the baby is affected or not. If the predicted risk is less than 1 in 300, it is termed as negative. This means the chances of having Down syndrome is low, but does not definitely exclude it. In case of screen negative result , no further testing is offered.Tests are available at various hospitals around the country and your Midwife and your local surgery will be able to advise you, but you can phone the Fetal Medicine Centre in London on 020 7486 0476 for a list of accredited centres.

12 week scan

Yep, anyone who had kids a year or so ago will say "a 12week scan? I never had one of those!". Well, they do now. Its great though. It's THE first opportunity for you and your partner to see and hear what's going on and a chance for the health professionals to check on the Fetus, Heart, Movement, Pelvis, Amniotic Fluid.

The appointment is quick. In and out, but they do provide you with scans...don't do what we did though and laminate the scans so you can give copies to the grandparents to be. As they're negatives, the heat from the laminater instantly blacked out the whole scan!

As we decided to have an additional 'OSCAR' Test & Scan through BUPA, we were able to get replacement scans which were even better quality than the NHS hospital. We had to pay for this and our Private Health care doesn't cover us for maternity-related requests, but for our peace of mind, it was worth it and cost us about £200. It's usually advised to have this test as the mother's age increases, the risk goes up.

See my 'OSCAR' posting for more information on the OSCAR test.