facts and figures about ante natal tests needed for mumsnet book

[Carriel]

Hi there

Anyone have any ideas where I could get some interesting stats on ante natal tests eg how many women choose to have CVs/amnio every year in the UK - average waiting time for antenatal appointments - frivolous or serious either would do. Also any top tips on surviving all the pregnancy tests and scans/antenatal visits.Indeed any short tips on any aspect of pregnancy would be welcome - we're pulling the mumsnet pregnancy book together and like to punctuate all your advice with mumsnet facts and tips, but we're a bit short of both - so any words of wisdom or pointers as to where we might find some good juicy attributable facts would be great!
Thanks as ever
Carrie

[aloha]

AIMS might help and the Department of Health and the Office of National Statistics. There is an organisation to help women through these choices too, but can't remember the name... will try to find book with voluntary organisations for you.

[aloha]

Nuchal fold testing is a big issue - very patchy provision and a lot of women are going private. it's non invasive but increasingly accurate.

[willow2]

Royal College of Midwives might have some info.

[miranda2]

Tips:
Don't forget to take a bottle of water with you for your scan. Then you don't have to drink it at home and be desparate for the loo if they are behind, and you don't get there and find you have to wait ages because you forgot to drink anything....

There's the obvious point that if you wouldn't have an abortion it may well not be sensible to ahve tests (eg amnio) that have a miscarriage risk. On the other hand, don't necessarily assume that if you wouldn't abort, there's no point having the tests: it might be very helpful to know in advance if something is up, giving you time to get used to the idea and research it etc.

When going to hospital or a doctors appointment ALWAYS take a novel and something to eat,and don't arrange business meetings etc for immediately afterwards - then you won't be too stressed if they are hours behind, you can just enjoy it as guilt-free me-time.

[suedonim]

The National Childbirth Trust may have facts and figures. 0870 444 8707

[LucieB]

...always remember that the nuchal scan (and the subsequent 20 week scan) are not foolproof. They also give you a risk factor based on various statistics. They give peace of mind but are not a definitive answer.
I have been lucky enough to be offered a nuchal scan and a 20 week scan for both my pregnancies (Chelsea & Westminster). However, many private hospitals are now offering private scanning services if your health authority doesn't offer them as a matter of course.
With testing, I would advise asking as many questions as you can and getting as much information that you can before going ahead with the more invasive procedures like amnios.
Have 'the chat' with your dp or dh BEFORE you go for your scans and further tests, so that you can make a unanimous and informed decision about how to proceed if the results aren't as expected.

[aloha]

Hi, the ONS does have stats - I looked it up on the net but it crashed it for me. If you call them they will send you the relevant info or direct you to where to find it.

[janinlondon]

This may sound ridiculous, but think about the tests and your decision making process before you get pregnant if your pregnancy is planned. That way you and your partner can have a clear plan of action for any eventuality and avoid any highly charged hormonal decisions or arguments. We did this and it worked for us really well. We both felt involved in the decisions we made and could give simple yes or no answers on the spot when offered each test.

[Mo2]

In recent years, HIV testing has started to become routinely tested as part of the myriad of ante-natal screening, however you should be asked in advance if you are happy to have this test, and be 'pre-counselled' about the implications of a positive result, so check with your healthcare provider.

Test tips: If you are having blood tests, but the nurse always struggles to get a blood sample (took 14 attempts for one of mine.... ) make sure you keep warm beforehand - if it's winter, keep jumpers/ glove on until the last minute...

[fio2]

Mo2 I was tested for HIV when I had my ds and received no counselling at all, not even asked if I wanted it.

[Harrysmum]

HIV tests are now a standard part of booking bloods here (Grampian) and done at 16 weeks rather than at first midwife appointment. Don't know about counselling though; I don't think it's optional as it's seen as a part of the post natal baby care and not just about the mother.

Tips: don't take siblings to scans because you just don't know what might be found at a scan and it may be hard enough for you to deal with let alone try to explain to other children.

[boyandgirl]

ARC - Antenatal Results and Choice (I think) is the organisation that can give guidance on tests.

My tip is to remember that most of these tests give you a result about statistics - how probable or improbable such-and-such an outcome is, or how the average mother or the average baby will respond. Remember that there are very few cut-and-dried absolute results and you have to be prepared for the unexpected. Also that you're NOT the average mother, you're YOU and may feel that whatever it is is being advised may not be what you feel is right for yourself, your baby or your family.

Another thing to consider is whether you want to have any particular test at all. Do you choose to know, or if knowing will make no difference to you, why undergo the test?

[SueW]

ARC for antenatal testing info.

NHS Maternity Statistics, England: 2001-02 has info re episiotomy rates, c-sections, induced labour, epidural, etc. Almost everything you could want to know (although sadly not always broken down to distinguish between first births and subsequent births which would be useful IMO)

HTH!

[codswallop]

Also dont take siblings to scans because they invariably poo their nappy in a small dark room..GRRRRRRRRR

[Boe]

I know 6 people who have been given bad results in nuchal scan and not one of them (including myself) got a bad result - 4 of us had CVS and the other 2 refused and their babies were fine. Glad they are also testing for nose bone but I have been told that it only applies to Down's so statistics on accuracy would probably set people's minds at rest.

[princesspeahead]

I was told by my community midwife that I was EXTREMELY high risk for Aids and should have a test - on the basis that my dh had been to africa on business! I said "I don't THINK he was sleeping with prostitutes when he was there" and she leant forward and said to me earnestly "you never know, dear, you never know"....!

not quite on point, sorry

[anais]

My tip would be to take someone with you to the scan if at all possible. I didn't as I didn't expect there to be problems (well, you don't, do you?) and was all on my own when I was told that my son had a cleft and it would potentially mean there were other problems and did I want an abortion?

A lot to take in at 17 and all on my own

I would also say don't be afraid to ask questions. Some sonographers are wonderful and talk you through everything, others act like you aren't actually there (I had lots of scans), so don't be afraid to ask.

[Carriel]

Thanks for that

Helpful as ever

Keep all the tips coming in if you think of any more

Carrie

[Boe]

If any members of the medical profession are going to read this book things that I found particularly distasteful after having an abnormal scan were -

Having to walk through a room of joyful pregnant women after being told that something may be wrong with DD.

Being taken to a bereavement Counselling room - I was not bereaved!!

Having the sonographer call in a doctor with me in complete shock lying on the bed with my tummy out - they seem to not see the whole thing as the miracle that it is when there is nothing wrong and found the sonographer I had to be devoid of any feelings what so ever after she told me there was a problem I lie ther for 5 minutes and she did not utter a word!!

[Lil]

LOL princesspea and sobernow..I actually asked for a HIV test when I was pg with my first, as it wasn't compulsory then, and its always nice to know - but my MW said that I 'didn't really need one as there's no AIDS cases in Surrey dear !!!'...it reminded me of those signposts you used to get in the 1970's which said 'this town is a nuclear free zone'

[princesspeahead]

hee hee Lil -
Manchester was still a nuclear free zone in 1990 when I left university! Always made me chuckle

[bossykate]

pph, a fellow manchester alumna (only did latin to o level - so that might not be the correct term!), i graduated in 89, didn't know anyone from the law school though...

[JJ]

Please include all of the group B strep recommendations from the Group B Strep Support group .

Preferably in a little box and as "something you really need to do".

[JanZ]

Absolutely take someone with you to the scan. My dh went with me for my CVS (which was also my first scan) - so was with me when we were told that, effectively, I was in the process of miscarrying. His hand on my shoulder when we realised something was wrong was so special.