20 week scan

[jasmin6082016]

Hi, this is my first post so not sure if it's in the right place! But this is my first pregnancy and I'm a young girl (17) I'm also 17 and a half weeks pregnant, I'm starting to really worry about my 20 week scan, I'm hearing a lot of horror stories of people who have had bad news at the 20 week scan, I guess I'm here for reassurance, or to hear anyone's story's of their 20 week scan! I'm also having awful period like cramps but no bleeding at all, so that has me worried!
Any responses would be helpful :)
So thankyou

[MyBreadIsEggy]

There will always be people's horror stories out there, but I'm sure you'll be fine
The risk of chromosomal disorders are very slim for someone pregnant at your age (the probability of having a baby with a chromosomal disorder rises with age, and rises significantly after the age of 40), and the risks of physiological anomalies in the baby are also very slight as they are in the majority of pregnancies
I know it's worrying though! Even though the chances of something being wrong are very small, you still worry about that tiny percentage of chance!
With my DD, I refused all the screening tests for Down's syndrome etc, purely because I didn't feel the need to know if there was something wrong with her. I did have the 20 week anomaly scan though and it was fine Got to see all her little bones, and organs, counted her ribs, and could see her little fingers and toes! We found out she was a girl too, although that's not always possible if baby is lying in an awkward position or won't sit still!!
I'm pregnant with baby number 2 at the moment, all though I'm only 7 weeks along, I'm excited for my scans!!

[jasmin6082016]

I know the chances are low! But still very worried, I had the Down syndrome screening and that was low risk so that's good, I suppose I will always worry until I know I have the scan in 18 days so it feels like ages! :( congratulations on your pregnancy!! I'm hoping they can see the gender :D

[MyBreadIsEggy]

It feels like a lifetime waiting doesn't it? With my first it felt like forever between appointments with the MW and waiting for scans, will be even worse this time round as I'll have less antenatal appointments!
Just try to remember, if you're calm and not stressing, then your baby will be calm too I'm sure you'll go in, and see two arms, two legs, 10 fingers and toes, perfect little bone and organs and you'll feel amazing that you are growing a whole human in your belly
We were lucky to find out the sex last time because she wouldn't sit still! Took ages to get all her measurements right too because she just wiggled all over the place

[MetalMidget]

I know it's terrifying - I'm due mine next week, and I get worried. Unfortunately sometimes the scans do reveal problems, but we just have to remember that it's very rare - and sometimes soft markers get flagged that end up going away leading to a 100% unaffected child. Age is on your side though, your chances of having a child with any chromosomal abnormalities is even lower!

Period type pains are fairly normal as you go into the 2nd trimester due to stuff expanding and stretching, and increased blood flow. I know this as a couple of weeks back I was up worrying about the twinges and ended up googling them at 4am!

[5hell]

jasmin the 20w scan is amazing!...it's unbelievable how much they change from the 12w scan, and it's a real little person in there now :)

naturally there is a small risk they will spot something - it's proper name is the anomaly scan, so it's purpose is to check everything's ok. but in the unlikely case they do see something amiss, they will be able to talk you through it, do more tests to confirm and plan any extra care etc

it's natural to worry (apparently from bfp and forevermore!), but try not to let it consume you and ruin your pregnancy. cramps are normal too, esp at the beginning as your body adapts to the growing foetus & uterus.

i'm 36w and would LOVE to see my chubs again!
good luck :)

[jasmin6082016]

Yeah it does feel like a lifetime! I have been worrying ever since I found out I was pregnant, but yes this has really helped me in stopping my worrying! I'm also not showing yet as I'm a bigger girl and I can't feel the baby move yet so I feel as if it's not real, I'm excited to see how much it's changed since 12 weeks :D thanks for all your advice girls!

[brookeberry]

jasmin everyone worries about the 20 week scan. It's almost like we all know too much now. My mum didn't have any scans - that generation just assumed all was well, and 99% of the time it was. Try not listen to the horror stories, they are very much in the minority.

I was nervous too and once I heard a few reassuring sounds from the sonographer, I loved every minute of it. It is amazing to see all the little organs and you just can't believe that what you are seeing on the screen is in your tummy I wasn't going to find out the sex, but I got so excited I wanted to know everything, so they told us.

Age is seriously on your side - I'm 42, but all is well. The waiting for the scan is the hard part - just keep yourself busy and let us know how you get on

[MyBreadIsEggy]

It's a great experience
And don't worry about not feeling the baby move yet! I didn't feel my first baby move until about 21 weeks! Before that I felt bubbles in my tummy wish I thought was a trapped fart but turns out that was probably baby moving, but I didn't realise

[VivaHate]

I am exactly the same, 16+5 and can't stop worrying. It's good (in a way!) to know I am not alone, I know a couple of acquaintances who are pregnant and they are just expressing excitement and joy. I can't even allow myself a moment of excitement/joy "just in case"...x

[whifflesqueak]

I think it's healthy to have some jitters in the run up to the scan. after all, it might be lovely to see the baby but it's purpose and design is to pick up abnormalities.

in all likelihood you'll be told the baby is fine, and in the unlikely event that you are given bad news you will be given information and support there and then.

the periody cramping you describe is totally normal, it's just everything stretching as baby grows.

good luck with the scan and the rest of your pregnancy!

[LastOneDancing]

I know how you feel OP - I don't like scans at all.

But i try to remember that there's so many sad stories because people rarely post ordinary ones. The vast majority of scans, thousands and thousands of them, are absolutely fine and many of the problems detected can be fixed.

Good luck and try to enjoy your pregnancy!

[jasmin6082016]

Thank you all! Really has put my mind at rest! Just wish these period pains would go away. good luck on you're pregnancy! Will post again after I have had my scan and we shall see the outcome :D

[KittyandTeal]

Please keep in mind it is very unusual to be given bad news at your anomoly scan. It is there to rule out possible problems but the majority of people's main worry is shall they find out the sex.

It period type cramps are most likely your round ligaments stretching. Especially if this is your first (I am assuming it is). Just keep an eye on the pain level and if it gets worse when you're in the action of sitting down or standing up chat to your mw. That was the start of pelvic girdle pain for me which was greatly helped with early physio.

[jasmin6082016]

Thankyou! Yeah it's my first pregnancy so I don't know what's right and what's not normal, it just worries me, as im expecting to come on! But no bleeding, so I'm just trying not to worry

[Carla42]

Hi Jasmin, just wanted to say you're not alone in your worries. I'm having my scan a week earlier than expected (only booked other day) and now I can't stop worrying about it!

[TheDisillusionedAnarchist]

As one of the people who did get 'bad' news at the anomaly scan, I can say the signs were there before (slightly odd bloods at the 12 week scan, small baby, some early bleeding)

I know also that for me as someone who was very anxious in pregnancy that "everything will be fine" or "most people are fine" wasn't reassuring so I won't say it . I will say that if there is something wrong with your baby, you can't change it, you didn't cause it and it has already happened. That although it may be devastating, terrible and hard to cope with, you will cope, you will get through it and you will manage the circumstances you find yourself in.

I can also say that for me 'bad news' was an instant cure for anxiety!

[jasmin6082016]

I'm really sorry for your news! Yeah I still can't stop worrying! At my 10 week scan baby was measuring above average then at my 12 week scan baby was perfect, no bleeding, and my blood works were okay, my haemoglobin and everything linked to that was low but they haven't discussed it since! So I assume all will be well! And yeah Carla mines the 18th of March! Feels like years away yet!