extra scans

[strawberrybubblegum]

Without in any way denigrating the NHS care we're getting - which is wonderful - I'm aware that they have to manage their resources efficiently, which means that you get less monitoring and checks than if you went private.

I can't afford to go private - and I don't think it's at all necessary - but I'm happy to 'top up' by getting extra scans and checks done privately. For me, it feels worthwhile for a bit of extra peace of mind, and to find any problems early (when we might be able to do more) - even if it's not statistically likely enough that these problems will happen for the NHS to screen for them.

But I don't know what it's sensible to check! What scans and checks can be done? What would you consider getting checked?

We had the NF test done at the Fetal Medicine Centre, and that was great. They check for more physical soft markers than the NHS one, so it was really reassuring to get a low risk from them (much lower than our NHS one). Although at the NHS scan, they spotted a uterine polyp which they'll check again at my 20 week scan, so I'm very glad I had both - this also strengthened my belief that the more scans and checks you get the better!

I had fairly low Papp-A levels, so I'm keen to make sure the placenta is working properly. I know this can be checked around now (I'm 15 weeks) by checking the blood transfusion with a doppler, but I don't know where I can get that done. The Fetal Medicine Centre was fab - but NF tests seem to be their specialty. Does anyone know where I could get this checked?

Or am I just being ridiculous, and should just chill out?!?

Maybe you should chill just a teeny bit. Am nearly 60, was classed as elderly when had mine at age 36 and 39, so was offered amniocentisis for Downs check during 2nd trimestre. There was a slight risk with this, and as I would have kept baby anyway I opted not to have the test.

Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly.

Why are you so worried, any history of problems in the family?

How old are you?

the best question to ask yourself is what would I do if something showed up on a scan? (trisomy), If the answer is you would carry on anyway, why bother testing,

try to find something else to focus on, is this your first?

Unless your going to abort if the baby is disabled in any way then there really is no reason to have extra scans. There's not more they can do until the baby is born. The regular amount of scans can see any problems that can harm you/affect birth. But if a child is disabled it makes no difference if you scan it more.

FMC doesn't just do nuchal - they just pioneered it (and still do the best nuchal available as you had). But all their scans are done by doctors trained in fetal medicine and scanning under the Professor who founded it. A wellbeing scan sounds like what you are after (see www.fetalmedicine.com/fmc/ultrasound/wellbeing-scan/). I have had private care from a consultant OB and he prefers to do additional scans than offered by the NHS - nuchal/early anomaly/cardiac/ later wellbeing scan (this is at Women's Wellness Ctr in Fulham which may be another option).
I agree with you that it just means you have all the information you can and are prepared as much as you can be. It's not a case of "why bother unless you are going to abort"... you just want as much information as you can and the reassurance it gives you. I know lots of people who have had scans done privately but NHS care the for antenatal and delivery - it's one of the best way you can value add without spending too much IMO.

Thanks, piedaterre - the wellbeing scan is exactly what I'm looking for! It looks like that's usually a done bit later, so I'll hold on for now.

I know I can be a bit obsessive (!), and I don't have any specific reason to worry - in fact, I'm not worrying as much as my post might suggest: just trying to get informed.

It's not that I want extra scans to check for disabilities - I'm assuming that the nuchal and anomaly scans (and any extra checks indicated by those) give as much information as it's possible to see. I know that some problems just won't be visible.

It's more to check for anything which might not be progressing as well as it could be, especially if there's something that can be done about it. E.g. if problems with placental function are spotted, then there's loads they can do: aspirin or other blood thinning drugs, maybe checks for thyroid function - but if you don't spot it in time, then the damage has already been done (growth restriction, and risk of pre-term birth or even loss). I know the probability is low - that's why you get extra tests and monitoring if you've had a problem in a previous pregnancy, since then the probability is high enough for it to be worthwhile for them to do more tests. But the consequences can be high, and so if I can pay for those extra checks, then I'd like to have them.

yes, is my first quoteunquote. Is it very obvious?

if you have low papp-a then why is your nhs trust not carrying out growth scans at 28 and 34 weeks? Mine certainly does.

the reason the nhs doesn't routinely offer extra scans is, yes, becuase of the financial balancing act that goes on all the time, but also becuase scanning more than necessary can lead to extra unecessary intervention, with the additional risk to the woman, ie you. The NHS isn't fancy, but it does offer some of the best antenatal care in the world, so consider just pootling along with it and enjoying the lack of fuss it gives you.

I am a midwife and with my first baby took up the offer from a consultant where I work of 'extra tlc', with consultant scans etc. I found it a pain in the arse and anxiety-forming. With my second I acted and was treated like any other pregnant woman and just followed the guidelines, went for 2 scans like anyone else, and it was much, much better. Just my experience, it may not be the same for everyone.

The only thing I don't think the NHS offers that it should (but can't afford to) is dopplers and scans when you go overdue, to decide whether induction is appropriate. We just induce everyone at the same time, which is a pretty blunt instrument. So I might consider that if I were you. Again, that's just me.

The more scans you have the more chances they have to find Maybe Problems. That means the higher your risk of False Alarms & pointless, unnecessary investigations, and maybe even pointless interventions.

Sometimes less is more. Way more.

So, I am trying to say this kindly, I think you are nuts. Perhaps you can blame pregnancy hormones for it. Do not pay privately to put yourself thru extra stress. It's the last thing that will do your pregnancy any good.

I dread scans now, they always seem to pick something else up (positive for T21) definitely less scans as possible! It's true what someone else said on thread, it forms anxiety!

I had fortnightly scans done from 16 wks due to previous obstetric history. They were done on the NHS and I was under care of consultant in fetal medicine unit for duration of pregnancy. The checks they did for me were growth, blood flow to the placenta and other ones that I can't remember but there was a reason for doing them. I would have preferred standard normal care any day with the two scans that they offer in most places. Try not to worry too much.

I am having extra (NHS) scans for growth at 28 and 32 weeks and also to check whether my low-lying placenta has moved. I also had, at the same time as my 20 week scan, a foetal Doppler to check blood flow because I have had high blood pressure in this pregnancy. All this "extra" scanning is because of medical issues. If you have those issues, you'll be given extra scans to check, but if not, it's because the doctors don't think it's necessary and anything else that you want to arrange privately would be for your own well-being / peace of mind rather than because there's a medical need for extra checks or that those extra checks will tell you anything useful. As you haven't been referred for anything else, try to relax and count yourself lucky that there's nothing that needs further investigation, and bear in mind that additional scans do not always equal additional peace of mind as sometimes the more you know, the more there is to worry about that you can't do anything about until the baby is born anyway!. Also, even if you had a scan every week, they can't pick up absolutely everything anyway so can only be of limited reassurance, so at some point you'll need to relax and trust that things will be ok.