To be terrified about 20 wk scan

[JoCF42]

So... first time pregnancy, I'm 26 and low risk aside from a higher BMI, generally fit and healthy. Had private scans at 7, 9 and 17 weeks and a NHS scan at 12 weeks. Everything absolutely fine with the baby - found out sex, heartbeat normal and saw all the arms and legs failing around! Feeling regular movements from baby.

I have the 20 week NHS scan booked for next Wednesday but am now absolutely terrified to go due to the Coronavirus. Husband and I are taking all precautions not to take any risks. The hospital we are due to go to has already had several deaths from Coronavirus and we are in a highly affected area of the country. I have previously suffered with asthma but been symptom free and off medication for 2 years. They were an hour late seeing me for the 12 week scan and the waiting room was small and extremely busy. No communications from hospital/midwife to say what precautions they are taking and a very unclear FAQ on their website.

I'm so torn and fearful about whether to attend or to cancel. Partner is happy to go with what I decide. What would you do if you were me?

You shouldn't cancel, this is the most important of your scans. Call and express your concerns and ask what precautions they are taking. Is there another hospital which hadn't had any cases you could go to? All you can do is take your own precautions. I'd also confirm if your partner can actually attend, as a lot of places aren't letting anyone other than the mother in.

You don’t have to go.

Some health trusts done enough offer 29 week scans anyway.

Please go - it’s an important scan and is offered at this gestation for a reason. Also, please check your partner can attend as many hospitals are only allowing one person (the pregnant woman) into the room.

Can you call your midwife for some reassurance beforehand?

20wk is really important and can detect things 12wks can’t. It’s vitally important to pick up some problems at 20wks. Give the hospital a ring and ask about safety.

Go, but I wouldn’t take your partner. It doubles the risk of infection for others in the unit. I would call ahead as I’m sure they have procedures.

I’d go, they are cancelling lots of precautionary scans (growth scans) so you will likely fly through the clinic. I had a 28 week scan and consultant appointment this week and was the only person in the clinic. In, scanned, saw the consultant in 25 mins 😊

Lots of hospitals will only see mums, no partners allowed. You’ll be fine though, just wash hands and use alcohol gels available

Feel the same as you - I have to go in to hospital twice next week - once for a growth scan, antenatal and obs team appointment and then a GTT test they next day. The GTT test involves a two hour wait between blood tests. Rang the midwife team to see if I could postpone but they are adamant I should keep all appointments if I have no CV symptoms. I have to attend in my own understandably (Barnet Hospital policy atm) but I’m allowed to sit on my car during the GTT wait. I’m going to wear gloves and mask up - I know this is a superficial protection but I think if I gave them on people will give me a wider berth and it will remind me not to touch my face. I’ll probably feel like having a bath in Dettol when I get back. I hope everything goes well for you and you don’t catch anything.

I dont know if it will reassure you at all but I had to go for a growth scan on Wednesday. The consultants were looking through appointments and cancelling any they felt they could postpone. They called me and asked me to keep my appointment. When I got there the car park was the quietest I've ever seen it, the ultrasound waiting area had some chairs removed and the rest were separated so people could sit well apart and there were very few people in anyway. I was also seen pretty much immediately so no lurking for ages. I know its scary but I honestly felt okay in there and I was very anxious beforehand.

@schafernaker thank you this is reassuring

@kemosabeimalone thank you - best of luck for your appointments too

@Roweeeeena thank you this is reassuring - it was so busy last time I think I just have this in my head along with usually having to wait a really long time for appointments

It's a vital anomaly scan. You and your baby need this scan.

Totally understandable, I was really concerned about potentially sitting in a busy waiting room for up to an hour as I usually do! It was completely different this time. Please do attend, I am so glad I went to mine as it turns out I need to be induced soon and that's after 3 totally healthy and uneventful pregnancies so I thought I was on the usual easy home stretch to my due date!

You should go. I had my 20 week scan this week and the hospital was a ghost town. Also lots of hand sanitiser was around and I wore a mask over my face just in case and took Uber instead of public transport. The other measure we took was to throw the clothes we wore to hospital in the wash as soon as we got back home.

The 20 week scan is very important.

I am 35 weeks now and had a scan a few days ago. They rang me the day before to confirm it was going ahead. Husband was not allowed in but could wait in the car park. The hospital was very clean and the staff had masks on etc...

They make you wash your hands before you enter and in the waiting room they had moved all the chairs apart. Was only 2 other woman in the ward. Things like the cafe all closed.

Forgot to mention that all my other appointments are now over the phone.

Absolutely you should go. Your private scans were a bit of fun to see your baby and have no diagnostic properties whatsoever. Your 20 week scan is an anomaly scan to check for abnormalities.

Yes, you should go.

WTAF, you've already had FOUR scans?!!!! What on earth for?

But anyway, yes, you should go.