12 week scan - urgent advice needed!

[wondering7777]

I'm 12 weeks pregnant and paid for a NIPT blood test to be done recently. The package also included a 12 week nuchal scan, where they checked that all organs were present, measured the baby, took a nuchal measurement etc.

I'm due to have a 12 week scan and blood test at the NHS this afternoon and am wondering whether I still need to go to this appointment?

It sounds like a silly question but I'm just worrying that a) the NHS might spot something the private clinic didn't; and b) I want to make sure that I don't fall off their system as I want to have the baby at an NHS hospital.

I've been trying to call the hospital all morning to ask for advice but nobody's picking up the phone.

Should I go along anyway or is it a complete waste of time/NHS resources?

Any advice gratefully received!

Thanks everyone for the quick replies - really appreciate it!

I think you would have to have a particular reason to think you might be affected to get them to test.

I recently got a cat for the first time and was regularly cleaning out the litter tray before realising I was pregnant - I wasn't even aware that cat poo was a risk until a friend told me! I'd also been merrily eating red meat before finding out as well, so I'm a bit worried. I will ask when I go along this afternoon and see what they say.

Given you’ve not been able to cancel you might as well go along. I had my 12 week scan and NIPT privately and the NHS were perfectly happy to take my scan report and just wanted to know if I wanted 20 week scan or not.

I did the same: NHS still wanted to do their own scan, but the radiologist did take a copy of the private scan and notes to add to my notes, so if you have a copy take those with you and they can bundle with your notes.

I'd also been merrily eating red meat before finding out as well, so I'm a bit worried.
Why would you think you can’t eat red meat?

I specifically asked for a toxo test as I have 2 cats, 3 dogs and work at Battersea. The gp added it in with my bloods. Try not to worry too much about it but make sure you stop cleaning the litter tray for the duration of your pregnancy. Also make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after handling your cat, just to be on the safe side. I just kept a hand gel on my at all times when I was pregnant

I was advised by the NHS that private scan notes don't provide enough information for your pregnancy notes. When there was a problem they couldn't use the (wrong) information for comparison scans. Your NHS scan is necessary for your continuous care x

Why would you think you can’t eat red meat?

@MyDcAreMarvel The NHS site says not to eat raw/rare meat and to make sure it's cooked so there's no pink or blood.

Thanks @CinnamonMentos - do you think they could add it into my blood test this afternoon or am I too late? What was the result of your test?

Some misinformed replies here.
Your choice if you go or not.
You can still be in NHS care and refuse scans. Many people don’t have scans.
Since you have had a private scan already you can tell them that but they want the NHS scan for dating, they don’t like using private for dating. However, people refuse scans and then they are dated with LMP.
Furthermore. You can have the scan and refuse the blood test. Actually if you tell them that you have had a the other test, some hospitals will say no need to bother with theirs. Some do it.
I had both but in hindsight I would have just had the private one.

So I would go if I wanted my pregnancy dates by scan, and talk to them about the test.

but they want the NHS scan for dating, they don’t like using private for dating.

Thanks @Carparkticket - out of interest I wonder why that is? It just seems like a waste of their time to me, but...?

I don’t know truly OP, maybe hospital policy?
I had two completely different dates from private and NHS scan and I know the private ones are the right ones.
I tried everything so they would use the private but they won’t.
The head sonographer told me that she sees mistakes, even with IVF babies when they know the dates for sure but the policy is as such.

If I hadn’t had a NHS one they likely would have used the private or LMP date and for this reason I regret it but my case is very particular

I had a private scan done aswell at 12 weeks but I still had to go to the NHS one where they actually dated me.

Oh! And funnily enough my private scan was performed by the sonographer who did my NHS one last pregnancy, she works for both. So it is not a matter of them not trusting private sonographers, I guess it is policy.

But I will reiterate that you don’t have to have scans.
They can’t make you have a scan or any procedure.
It is mother’s choice.

OP is this the first cat you've ever had in your life? Apparently if you've been around cats at different stages of your life then being with one whilst pregnant lowers your toxo risk

OP is this the first cat you've ever had in your life?

@Chillisauceboss yes it is. I know there's also a chance of catching it from other things like raw meat, so I could have had it already. Having read up on it though it sounds like if you are unlucky enough to get it, it's really serious!

Just ask midwife for toxo test. If you’ve had NIPT there won’t be any need for bloods to be taken today.

It is incredibly rare in this country though so try not to worry too much! I'm sure the drs can reassure you further :)

I would go because for me it was a special moment in the journey. Lovely to see them stretching and stuff. But it's up to you if you have been checked and don't want to go then I guess it's ok.

Of course you should go, duh

Thanks @Carparkticket - out of interest I wonder why that is? It just seems like a waste of their time to me, but...?

There isn’t necessarily the same regulations in place for private clinics and their investigations might not provide all/some of the information provided.

Also, if anything went ‘wrong’ during the care in the pregnancy/birth, using the information from a private clinic (essentially hearsay) vs having done their own scan would not be considered best practice and would not look good in a court of law. Obviously this would be different if the NHS scan was declined, as opposed to never offered.

My midwife did toxo blood tests as part of the routines, I’d ask her.
I had a load of private scans and still went for my NHS ones. Obvs you don’t have to but they weren’t privy to my private scan results so I preferred to stay in their system and let them do what they needed to do. Plus I wanted to see my baby at every opportunity lol.

Two scans and screens are better than one.

The info I got about this test is that the nuchal measurement / trisomy test bit is optional. Just tell them that you don't want that. NIPT is more accurate than the combined test, so it isn't recommended once you've had NIPT.

Generally, I don't think you HAVE to do any of the scans etc. they offer - your body / baby, your choice. But telling them this late doesn't save them resources as they're unlikely to be able to book in someone else. Maybe discuss with your midwife at your next appointment, they should be able to help you make informed decisions about what you want to do (or not).

You seem worried about everything, questioning everything. Calm down..

Of course you should go, duh

Did you even read my OP? I already had a 12 week scan 3 days ago, so I don't think it's unreasonable be unsure whether I should go for another one

Thanks to everyone else for the helpful advice!