Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

Original poster

how long does first scan appointment take?

25 replies

sunface · 21/03/2011 10:05

can anyone advise as to how long your first 12week scan appointment normally takes? i have mine this week but my DD has a very important hospital appointment the same morning. My appointment is at 9am and i have to be away by 11 - is that do-able??? Maybe if i explain to the staff beforehand? This is my 3rd so guessing they'll assume i know what i'm doing?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

CrapBag · 21/03/2011 10:11

The scan itself doens't take that long. About 15 minutes maybe, but it depends if you go in on time. I was 45 minutes late into mine.

I would have thought it would be enough time, but it can't be guaranteed due to hospitals crappy time keeping.

Original poster

sunface · 21/03/2011 10:14

hmm thats my worry but i was thinking if its first thing in the morning.... always amazes me though if you have a appoinment first thing, why they always run late!! Think i'll just say up front that i need to leave no later than 11. They've also said to bring a urine sample with me - what do i put that in then?!

OP posts:

CrapBag · 21/03/2011 10:15

One of mine was 9, first app, I was still half an hour late in!

melrose · 21/03/2011 10:20

Scan is quite quick but if you are having the blood tests as well (For Downs etc) you may have to wait around.

Melly19MummyToBe · 21/03/2011 10:22

Go to your GP surgery and ask the receptionist for a few bottles, just explain that you're pregnant and need to take urine samples to your appointments and don't have anything suitable to pee into :o. I did that and got about 10! Although I guess it depends on how generous the receptionist is :o

Original poster

sunface · 21/03/2011 10:25

ooo good idea Melly! Thanks! hmm see i will need the bloods for downs testing etc (i'm 37)... acht will just need to wait and see how busy they are i guess....

OP posts:

Melly19MummyToBe · 21/03/2011 10:29

I had bloods taken for Downs instead of the scan because I wasnt as far gone as I thought I was (10.5 weeks), booked another scan and it snowed and the sonographer couldn't get in so my real 12 week scan was cancelled. They don't take bloods for Downs till 16 weeks where I live by the way :)

lolajane2009 · 21/03/2011 10:57

I had to see midwife, consultant and scan on my apointment... took four hours in total. all had bloods down and weight checked.

My scan on its own took 25 minutes as baby wouldnt behave.

Melly19MummyToBe · 21/03/2011 11:04

4 hours?? I don't think I was even at the hospital an hour when I had my first scan!

Original poster

sunface · 21/03/2011 11:18

yikes 4 hours?!!! i'm really hoping it'll be 2 hours tops!

OP posts:

Melly19MummyToBe · 21/03/2011 11:25

I suppose it really depends on where you live. If you live in a big town or a busy city then it probably would take that long! But I live in a small-ish town and our hospital never runs more than about 15 minutes late!

Melly19MummyToBe · 21/03/2011 11:26

Although saying that, they don't have a maternity ward or anything like that, they just have an ultrasound room. When I actually go into labour I'm going to have to travel about 20 miles!

CountScoutula · 21/03/2011 11:31

I was there for nearly 4 hours, 8.45am - 12.30pm:

blood pressure checked, weighed and wee sample
scan
joint consultant and obstetrician chat (I'm epileptic)
blood tests

At my hospital this seems to be the norm for first appointments.

MandaHugNKiss · 21/03/2011 11:57

I was there about half an hour this time - luckily I was first scan of the day so straight in, scan was about 15 minutes, then I waited about 10 mins to have bloods. Didn't see a midwife (other than to have blood taken - no other antenatal checks) or consultant or anything like that

From memory, it was a similar sort of wait two years ago with my last one, even though I wasn't first scan of the day and baby was being awkward when it came to positioning.

Worst case senario, you could always return for the bloods? But I reckon you should be ok getting everything done unless they are running horribly behind.

Original poster

sunface · 21/03/2011 13:20

thanks guys here's hoping! maybe i could return from the bloods you're right Manda. Thanks all!

OP posts:

lolajane2009 · 21/03/2011 13:59

I am apparantently an interesting case. I had a long appointment with the midwife and consultant due to multiple risk factors.

nunnie · 21/03/2011 14:02

The scan took less than 10 minuted for me, it was the waiting to see the midwife after for a dating appointment (which was just that a midwife to tell me what date the scan showed even though the sonographer had told me) I waited over 2 hours to hear something I had already been told.

jazz412 · 21/03/2011 14:10

scan was about 10 mins. I got there early (unreliable buses!) and they called me in early I was finished before I was even due to go in! I would've liked it to last longer - could've watched it bouncing around for ages!

greenzebra · 21/03/2011 14:13

Mine took about 2 hours but thats because I didnt drink enough, so remember to drink loads!

apples82 · 21/03/2011 15:12

Do you have to drink lots before the scan then greenzebra? Off for mine in two weeks, what else do I need to know???

greenzebra · 21/03/2011 15:15

Yeah on your first scan need to drink loads so that you really need to go to the loo but youve got to hold it in, a full bladder lifts the uterus so they can see the baby better, otherwise they will really poke you hard! And it bloody hurts! It is so uncomfortable the first scan because you are dying for a wee but cant go.

nunnie · 21/03/2011 15:19

My scanning unit insist on full bladder for every scan, they recommed a pint of water at least an hour before and if possible a pint and a half.

I do know there are some hospitals that don't require this, I am not sure if it depends on policy or scanning equipment, but give them a ring and check, not that it is a great problem as they will just ask you to empty your bladder if it isn't required.

lolajane2009 · 21/03/2011 15:22

My hospital didnt ask me to drink before I went and when I went I had to go just before the appointment as I was way too full. I was then told to go to the toilet half way through the scan to try to get the baby moving and even after the second time they could still see the baby.

urbandaisy · 21/03/2011 15:24

I'm at an outer-London maternity unit and they were fantastic. Were within two minutes of being dead on time for my 13.45 appointment, and we were in and out (including bloods) within 35 minutes.

Just as well, as I'd slightly overdone the instruction to drink plenty of water. The sonographer was great and let me take a loo break as soon as she'd finished the scan but before she'd done everything else she needed to!

dribbleface · 21/03/2011 16:09

i drank too much last time and had to empty half my bladder , not an easy task when you busting! I was actually close to tears in the waiting room as i needed to go that bad, not looking forward to that bit again!

Flip