panorama. .born asleep.

[worstdayever]

This is v. Shocking and depressing why is our stillbirth rate so, so high?

[wingcommandergallic]

I think the word leviathan was used!

Is that doppler scan invasive? I can't tell.

[efeslight]

My failing placenta was identified by doppler, which seems to be very similar to ultra sound, at 21 weeks here in Germany. The Dr, who was not my usual, didn't mention it, but wrote it on my notes, to be followed up by my regular Gyni. She checked again at 27 weeks, and I was sent straight to hospital. I was admitted and a week later my little boy was born at 1 lb 11oz. the blood flow was so bad, by then it was flowing away from him.
If we had been in the uk, things probably would have turned out very differently.

[misstiredbuthappy]

So sad, couldn't help but cry when Anne Diamond was talking.

[Tutti]

I missed this .. Meant to watch .. Will it be on I player?

[Futurebird]

Dopplers are not very invasive, depends on the equipment. Some midwives do them in certain areas with special equipment (which is kind of like a big sonicaid). In other areas they're done by doctors with scanners.

They're only really done of there is an indication for them.

[wingcommandergallic]

It just looked like the big needle that was used on my cvs so wasn't sure how it worked.

I think the doctor was suggesting 3 routine doppler scans to pick up any issues.

[BaffledSomeMore]

The needle was for the treatment where the twins were growing differently.
The Doppler is just like an ordinary scan but also shows how the blood is flowing through the placenta.

[wingcommandergallic]

Oh I see.

if I watched properly instead of mumsnetting at the same time, I'd know that.

[BaffledSomeMore]

I was in tears but I've had Doppler scans so I know no needles were involved

[worstdayever]

I didnt fully understand the procedure either

[plentyofshoes]

I had the scan after I had a huge bleed at 30 weeks. It took two days to get it as they had nobody on at the weekend....
All was well but any probs would have been identified.

[plentyofshoes]

It was just like a normal scan.

[rvms]

You can go to The Fetal Medicine Centre which is run by Professor Nicolaides who was interviewed on the programme. It's private and based in Harley Street, London. They will do one, I think it's the well being scan but contact them and ask them for a doppler scan. You can look them up easily on the internet. The down side is that it's about £200 a scan. I had scans done there though after my hospital messed up my 12 week scan. They were amazing, the equipment far more advanced than in my local hospital and the staff incredibly well trained. I spoke to Professor Nicolaides myself. At 13 weeks they picked up that I had a single umbilical Artery cord and recommended I have regular growth scans to ensure that the development of the baby continued as normal. At 13 weeks they also correctly determined the sex of my baby. I just gave birth to a healthy baby girl who was 71bs 15 oz!

[rvms]

Above message for perfectserenity :-)

[todayiamfat]

I had a doppler scan done as part of a routine private 3d scan. I was having reguarly 2 weekly growth scans with nhs anyway (due to baby's small size). The doppler sxan showed placental insufficiency. She was delivered that week at 29 weeks.

ALL pregnancies should have a 3rd trimester scan. I am very thankful that one of the only positives if my preexisting medical condition is that i get so many scans.

[meditrina]

Doppler scans have been available on NHS for some time (at least in bigger hospitals and under consultant care) but only if you fall to a high rsk group.

[lisaloulou84]

I found it really interesting mostly because I'd had no idea why I had scans at kings college at 22 weeks and 33 weeks and not just 12 and 20 like most places, but as the head of fetal medicine explained that's what he feels is necessary and their still birth rate has dropped by 50%! I had a normal pregnancy but feel really lucky to have had my baby at kings because despite the 3 day wait to be induced, this guy clearly knows how to run a maternity dept. and their special care unit was amazing, I've no doubt they save thousands of sick babies who would die elsewhere.

[petalsandstars]

I couldn't watch it as someone I know is featured and it's just so sad

[mausmaus]

the needle was used for a different procedure all together.

the doppler is not invasive at all, just a different imaging option (showing blood flow to/from placenta and through the cord). it would add a minute or so to each ultrasound scan appointment.
the doppler a midwife uses only amplyfies the babies heartbeat so you can hear it.

[Labtest7]

I lost my first baby at 42 weeks. It was horrendous as you can imagine. My pregnancy was classed as low risk which means sod all as far as I can tell. I got three scans and that was it. During my second pregnancy I was much more closely monitored as was considered high risk due to obstetric history. I had umbilical artery Doppler scans, growth scans, and the routine scans. I was also given a c section at 37 weeks due to placenta previa. I was amazed at the care that is actually available to pregnant women and angry that it is not used routinely. The only way they can truly identify these high risk pregnancies is by routine use of Doppler scans. They are not invasive, just a scan that shows blood flow through the placenta. I lost my daughter over 9 years ago and am still bitter.

[Christelle2207]

I am PG and this programme really worried me. I am happy to pay for private dopller scan in 3rd trimester-Antone know any providers in/near Manchester that would do this?

[Beemer30]

I lost my first daughter in 2010. This didn't make easy watching. I think I had Doppler scans in my subsequent pregnancies. Are they were you can see the blood flow going through the placenta? My first rainbow antenatal and delivery I had privately and I have a v v good and regarded obstetrician. I know he did this placenta blood flow scan.

[morethanacondiment]

Just saw this thread - lisaloulou, that is an amazing statistic. One scan reduces the still birth rate by 50%? That is gob-smacking. I cannot believe it isn't being used routinely

[plentyofshoes]

So sorry for those who have been through this.
Yes its to measure blood flow. I bled massively at 30 weeks and they thought it was due to my placenta moving slightly, hence the blood.
They found it was working fine, I gave birth before I had any other scans though.
I had them in my second pregnancy after bleeding started at 26 weeks.