to be pissed off that my "12 week scan" will not be done till i am at least 16 weeks!

[MoodyDidIt]

in fact i could be more like 20 weeks

(long story to do with not being sure of my dates)

but anyway, got the letter today with my scan date and based on the LATEST possible time i conceived, i will be at least 16 weeks

i think its appalling. i rang and explained the situation but they will not cannot give me an earlier one

gutted. we have no money for a private one otherwise i would book one immediately

[OHforDUCKScake]

What exactly was the point of your post then digerd?

Apart from scaring the shit out of an already concerned OP?

[SpanishFly]

Never ever fake bleeding and never ever go to the EPU if you just want an earlier scan. EPUs are for emergencies and it's disgusting that anyone thinks it's ok to fake your way in.

But on the other hand, the OP says she'll be at least 16w at the first scan which - in her health board area - should be 12w, so yes she should be seen sooner than that.

[HorryIsUpduffed]

YY lljkk - if it was known that being unsure about your dates got you an early scan, nobody would say she was sure.

[MrTumblesTreasureMap]

You shouldn't fake bleeding to get a scan. You should put on your big girl panties and push for the routine one. Women who go to the EPU can be waiting hours as it is so to have them wait even longer to find out if their bleeding is because they are losing their baby or not because of women who lie about bleeding is awful and wrong.

[lljkk]

I dunno, if every woman presented herself with unknown dates due to a maybe period maybe not a period (which is Moody's problem with knowing her dates), then how many unnecessary scans would be required? Doesn't NHS have a policy on this situation, lots of women are fuzzy about their dates. It's not unusual.

[digerd]

I remember being at A&E about 10 years ago, and a young couple were sitting next to me. The young girl looked in shock, dazed and stunned, so asked her what she was here for.
I was horrified to hear she had come for her first baby scan, looking forward to the photo, and they told her it was dead .
Even worse, they had no bed for her so sent her to sit in A&E to wait for a bed being available, and then she would have to induced to have her dead baby born naturally.

I know it was very early, so was probably 11 weeks, but couldn't remember as was so shocked for her situation

She had no symptoms.

[fryingpantoface]

Can your midwife not call?

[Maxium12]

Bleeding in early pregnancy can be an indication of a threatened miscarriage or a possible ectopic. Lying about something so serious is unacceptable and I am surprised it is being suggested.

The OP says she could be either 11 or 16 weeks, so she can either have the combined test for Downs from 11+ 2 to 14+ 2 or the quadruple test from 14+ 3 to 20 weeks.

She hasn't said how recently she was referred but I assume the hospital has given her the earliest appointment they could on receiving the referral.

[MummyDuckAndDuckling]

I was 15w4days when I had my first nhs scan. I felt it was far to long to have to wait so I paid for my own private one at 9w3days. I wouldn't have bothered but I was going a long distance flight and wanting to tell family I was visiting so wanted to be sure there was something there! Did mean that my nhs scan was much clearer as baby was a lot bigger than at a 12 wk one

[Anomaly]

A friend of mine thought she was about to miscarry and midwife told her the only way to get her scanned was to say she was bleeding. So she did and was scanned, sadly she was right. But if midwives are advising lying to get scans it really must be necessary at times. I know its not nice I've sat in EPU twice with bleeding fortunately all was OK. But if I was desperate I'd lie.

[5madthings]

I have had a 12 wk scan for all of mine as routine and then with the last three we paid for a nuchal scan extra privately as the age cut off in norfolk was 35 so i am too young. Theu have now changed tgat and the nuchal scan is offered to everyone at the 12 wk scan. If you dont want the nuchal scan they still scan at 12 wks to check for viable pregnancy, check dates, check if its a multiple pregnancy etc etc.

Nice guidlines are a scan from 11-13 wks. You can decline any scan but imo the 12 wk scan is important and can.pick up on issues that need to be moniterex or need further tests and of course it checks for a missed miscarriage.

[Fakebook]

Ashoething, there is NEVER an only option which involves lying about bleeding. Am I the only person who sees how morally wrong that is? I think the OP has said she wouldn't do this and I really hope she doesn't take the stupid advice about lying being given on here. I hope she continues to phone up or get her midwife to call up for an earlier scan. My experience of the NHS is that you won't get what you want until you repeatedly ask for it.

[valiumredhead]

5mad when I had ds 12 years ago it was done routinely have they just changed it now then?

I do remember second babies not being scanned until 20 weeks though if the first had been healthy and trouble free.

[Ashoething]

fakebook-I am sorry for your losses-I too have had many msc including very late ones. But the op is entitled to want a scan-for all we know she could have suffered a missed msc-happened to me and I had no clue until scan at 12 weeks. Scans can pick up other problems as I mentioned in my previous post.

Obviously in an ideal world the op should not have to lie but if it is her only option to get the scan she deserves then I for one have no problem with it.

[HorryIsUpduffed]

I registered with GP at 4w but they didn't send referral through until 10w but I still got booking appt within a week and scan within the recommended window, if later than I'd have preferred.

I think ringing to see if there are any cancellations is a good idea. Lying about bleeding is unacceptable.

[BraveLilBear]

YANBU presuming you explained the date confusion to GP/MW.

Ultrasound units factor in time for emergency scans and other things, so there is usually some leeway. You should ring MWs (if you have been booked in) or GP straightaway.

As for referring late to GP, I self-referred to MWs at what I thought was 6 plus weeks, had booking in at 9 weeks, and had scan booked then for two weeks later. The scan dated me a week further ahead.

Good luck

[ChaoticTranquility]

I had scans at 12 and 19/20 weeks for both of my DC and they're 18 and 20.

OP speak to your GP and/or PALS, they may be able to help you.

[foreverondiet]

If you want 12 week scan on nhs need to go to gp at 5-6 weeks. With ds1 gp lost referral form and no appointments left - and that was 2005 ie before nhs cuts.

[Fakebook]

What you need to do is lie. Pretend something is wrong, bad cramps blabla spotting an they will give you a scan to check baby and you will know your dates

WTAF?! Are bad cramps and "blala spotting" a joke to you? Because I've been in that position FOUR FUCKING TIMES waiting for hours on end for an emergency scan waiting to find out my babies had died. You think it's a joke to just stroll in and LIE about bleeding?

If anyone even THINKS that this is the only way to get a scan and be seen, then think for one second about the actual women who are experiencing that hell and if you have an ounce of decency you'd hold back and let THEM be seen.

The OP is not in any danger and doesn't even know how far along she is. She might not even be 16 weeks when she has the scan. She should either be more assertive and ask for an earlier date or just wait.

[digerd]

Being too old to have had scans in my day, how many weeks is the first scan usually?

[lljkk]

oops, need an edit button, I mean I am now on the fence (oh, the shame....!)

[lljkk]

Okay, I creeped off to look at OP's thread when she announced her pg on MN, so I understand better why so unsure about dates.

I dunno, I will not adjust my arse to the fence. It is pants they aren't more interested in problems of missing best window, but Like some have said, not so long ago 12 week scans weren't even offered. I wonder if it's another one of those Austerity Britain stories.

[lljkk]

The "walked in today" was a bit rhetorical.
OP is saying she'll get scanned at 16 weeks but then gives a 5 week window for her present dates, so maybe she'll get scanned at 12 weeks after all.

She hasn't said how soon the scan is and how many days forward she would like it.

It sounds like she could have presented to MW in last 2 weeks, said she was completely fuzzy about dates, and expected a scan within 2 weeks to help her determine the date (to 95% accuracy if it really was between 11 & 13 weeks).

She hasn't mentioned wanting the nuchal fold (may not be offered, anyway), just wants accurate dating (I think).

Anyway, I'm confused, and OP asked "AIBU to be pissed off" and really I don't know unless she can clarify a lot.

[TolliverGroat]

Given that OP got a letter through today with her scan date, lljkk, it seems rather unlikely that she "just walked in today & is demanding an immediate scan" -- unless the Royal Mail is chuffing amazing where she is.