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Antenatal tests

Scans by fetal medicine

4 replies

twirlywho · 28/05/2018 11:43

I have been referred to fetal medicine for my scans (due to an issue in my previous pregnancy which was not detected on scans) can anyone tell me the difference between these and the standard scan please?

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TinyTerror1 · 28/05/2018 15:33

I've had a few scans in fetal medicine at my hospital (Birmingham Women's) and the main difference is the machines are a bit more sensitive/modern than the ones the community midwives use I think. You are still scanned by a lovely, friendly healthcare professional.

They may take a bit more time to check over certain things in detail - my baby has had two detailed heart scans. Your partner can still come with you and in my case there is space next to the bed so he can hold your hand - at my 12-week scan in the local children's centre he was sat at the foot of the bed which wasn't so good, especially when the midwife detected an abnormal NT measurement. Don't worry about it too much :)

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ANewHope18 · 28/05/2018 15:45

I'm currently 17 weeks pregnant and I am being looked after by fetal medicine due to a chromosomal abnormality picked up at my dating scan in my last pregnancy.

3 out of 4 of my scans have been with FMU, only my dating scan was in main ultrasound dept and by then I'd had 2 with FMU. I also had a 16 week scan with fetal medicine and my 20 week scan will take place there too.

The difference for me has been that it's the same (lovely) doctor in fetal medicine at all bar the dating scan. I think it's that they're more qualified to tell when/if there's something wrong. In my last pregnancy the sonographer referred me to fetal medicine to confirm what she had seen. I don't enjoy my scans much due to my last pregnancy but I do very much appreciate being seen by fetal medicine.

My dating scan this time was worrying and brought back bad memories but it's part of my trust's procedures and my (also lovely) midwife told me that the main ultrasound dept are better at dating.

I don't ask questions during my scans and didn't always look! My husband does though and it's nice to have extra photos and opportunities to see the baby. I'm not sure if that's helped any but I'm sure you'll be looked after well. I hope everything goes smoothly.

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Nichola2310 · 28/05/2018 16:03

I have also been referred to fetal medicine and while in my case the machine looks exactly the same, it is the doctor scanning you that makes the difference. In my case the doctor is a specialist at fetal diagnosis.

The app is exactly the same in that your partner can come in with you, sit with you etc. Hope it all goes well for you.

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twirlywho · 28/05/2018 16:19

Thank you this is what I suspected.

I feel my 20 week scan in my last pregnancy was a bit rushed. This sounds more thorough which is what we need.