To be irritated by what this sonographer said?

[maja00]

I recently had my 12 week dating scan. I declined the nuchal translucency scan, so was just going for the standard dating/measuring.

As soon as we got into the room the sonographer confirmed that I had declined the NT scan. The scan went as expected, baby looks fine etc.

At the end of the scan the sonographer said "I know you declined the NT scan, but I had a quick look at the baby's neck and it all looks normal. I would tell you if there was an obvious abnormality there".

Now, is it just me or is this not really in the spirit of us declining that test? If the sonographer had said it looked abnormal, then we would have been in exactly the position we wanted to avoid

I understand that the sonographer was trying to be helpful, but AIBU to be a little annoyed by this?

Thanks for that post SneakyBiscuitEater.

So based on what hen and worley have said, the guidance on prenatal screening tests needs to be clearer about what is checked during the "dating" scan and there needs to be some information about how the checks are done (ie. edwards', patau's, heart defect: nuchal fold, anencephaly: brain and skull etc.)
The sonographer did nothing wrong, but her communication was poor and it compounded the OP's misunderstanding of the procedure she'd already had.

This happened to us with DS. We declined the test but the sonographer measured it anyway as it looked large. Apparently they're obliged to do so if there is any doubt. It led to us having odds of 1:18 but I refused an amnio and DS is absolutely fine 2 years on. A crap experience but they're trying to do their job, I guess.

Did you have extra heart scans startwig, or did they just give you a DS risk?

Great idea to flag this up with the relevant authpority hen it would be nice if they can,me and replied with some clarification and changed the leaflet so that women are properly informed.

I will update thread if I get a response. I have e-mailed them a link to the thread. I suspect any response will be a generic 'we'll look into this' or fob off. Sorry NSC. Perhaps it could be reviewed as part of next tabled review of FASPs?

Give her a break. She was only trying to be helpful and supportive.

I've had a response:

Thank you very much for taking the time to send this link which has proved to be very interesting and informative. The standards regarding screening for Down's syndrome are currently under review and the issue of providing clearer information for women and health professionals relating to the purpose of the early pregnancy scan in relation to both screening and to on-going pregnancy care is being considered as part of this review

Haven't read whole thread and I can see why it might have annoyed you, but the purpose of the 12 week scan is to confirm viability and look for any major abnormalities. Therefore even if you decline downs screening the sonographer will still look at the nuchal fold to see if it looks grossly normal. If it looked very large they would measure it regardless of your decision on downs screening, as an enlarged nuchal fold can indicate other things such as heart defects. Tbh I think she was just doing her job and her comment was meant to mean that the nuchal fold is not abnormal. Without your blood results this gives little indication as to likelihood of downs.
Congratulations on your pregnancy and just take it that luckily baby looked completely normal

335 messages debating this and that information may have been covered

Some people receive devastating news at the scan. All is well with your baby and yet you choose to complain?

Well, I've read through. In answer to the op, yes I think you are being unreasonable BUT I think that was due to being naive or uninformed as to what the 'dating' scan was for.

I think that this is normal, I think the majority of pregnant women, especially first pregnancy are unaware of what the scan is actually for. I certainly was. I think the majority of pregnant women are excited about seeing their baby for the first time and don't really think about the negatives.

I'm not sure how the HCPs should approach this problem as making us face cold hard reality is a bit of a slap round the face with a wet fish. Hand on heart, how many of us with our very first pregnancy, without experiencjng miscarriages, abnormal scans or any of the myriad of other horrible things that can go wrong, would have let a doom and gloom HCP bring us down?

The 'dating' scan for our dc4 woke us up but that is another story and not especially relevant to this thread. I now dread it when I hear if friends going for scans but (hopefully) keep it hidden as generally they are so excited, naive and innocent, who am I to take that away?

Over thinking it.
If you don't want to know any information why have a scan at all? Other abnormalities could have easily shown up on the scan...would you have refused to be told if there had been some?

I don't think she should have commented because that has left her open to your very U complaint.... IMO obvs

I'm sorry have I misunderstood? OP was told baby was fine and she wants to complain about that? OP even though you didn't ask for this news are you not delighted with it? So there is your answer. This thread is an insult to all those women who go for their scans to be told there is a problem, or that they need to consider whether to terminate or for some women to be told their baby is no longer alive. What a self-indulgent woman the op must be that she wants to flounce around being tactical about receiving the best news in the world. Count your blessings and shut up and donate some money to a related cause.

I'll second that, appletarts

Be thankful op. Let's the stress pass

Op listen to appletarts and be thankful

The scan isn't just for dating and measuring its to confirm a
live baby and broad screening for abnormalities ... Be grateful all was well.

Amen to that apple tarts

You are being very petty, get over it.

I agree with you MrsDv

Sorry I haven't read it all however I chose to have every test going, I was low risk so no further testing needed. DS was born with Down syndrome and a serious heart condition all of which should of been picked up by scans etc but wasn't.