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

Taking 17mo DS to first scan

10 replies

Icoulddoitbetter · 21/03/2011 14:16

I've got my 12 week scan apt at 8am in the morning. I had to change the date so I could have it on one of my days off (as I'm part time it's expected all med apts are on non-work days) and so early so DH can come then go to work. Only prob is, we'll need to take DS with us. We don't have family living close enough to get here that early. And we have to get to the hospital by 7.45 am, so leave home at 7.15am, so it's waaaaaaaay to early to ask any friends to do it.

The apt letter says "if at all possible we as you do not bring children".

I'm hoping we can get him to sit in his pushchair when the acatual scan is happening. If he starts creating, then DH can take him out of the room. The alternative is DH not coming at all. Or, booking DS in for an extra day at nursery which is £40 even if I just opt for half a day.

So, as the letter says "if at all possible", do you think it's ok to take him......???

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Wigeon · 21/03/2011 14:20

My letter said exactly the same and we still brought DD. They didn't mention it when we turned up with her. I think it meant that they are unable to look after your DC for you. I'm sure it would be fine. Can't your DH hold him rather than expecting him to sit all quiet in his pushchair for 20 mins?

BTW my NHS trust is West Herts.

Original poster

Icoulddoitbetter · 21/03/2011 14:24

Oh that's good to hear Wigeon. I think we'll decide at the apt the best way to look after DS when we're in the room. He's not very good at sitting on knees, he's a very active little boy and a real wriggler! If we take toys and books with us I'm hoping he'll sit in his pram for some of the scan happily!

I'm a London trust. I'm sure we won't be the only people to take children with us!

OP posts:

pirateparty · 21/03/2011 14:25

I think if you explain why it should be fine. I think the issue is an excited older sibling being there and there being bad news.

You could always phone beforehand.

FWIW if a friend phoned and asked if she could drop off her child for an hour or so at that time I wouldn't mind, so you might be surprised if you did ask a friend. If they've got children they'll probably be up after all!

CuppaTeaJanice · 21/03/2011 14:29

I think you'll be ok with a child that age as he won't really understand what is going on. There is no way I would take a 2, 3 or 4 year old just in case you get bad news, but in the unlikely event that happens, you'll be better off with DH and DS than being by yourself.

iskra · 21/03/2011 14:30

There were several kids when I went to my scan recently (at King's). I agree with pirateparty though, I'm up at 6.30 anyway, perfectly happy to look after another kid for an hour or two then!

Original poster

Icoulddoitbetter · 21/03/2011 14:31

TBH I don't want to phone before in case they insist on a no, if we turn up they can't really turn us away, can they?!

OP posts:

Sparklies · 21/03/2011 16:23

We took both of ours for the 12 week scan at QEH for exactly the same reasons (2 and 4) - no childcare. Even nursery wouldn't take them, and I wanted DH there. However I knew things were likely to be fine as I'd already had three scans including one at 10 weeks where they said the NT was likely to be fine.

Nobody said a thing. I asked the sonographer if it was okay and he just laughed and said not a problem, and even chatted to our oldest.

It all went perfectly.. until we were sitting outside in the waiting room waiting for a report when our two year old completely randomly threw up all over my dry-clean only coat I managed to catch it all and not a drop went on the floor, but honestly, you couldn't make it up!! No idea where it came from as she was fine again afterwards too.

Obviously not suggesting for a moment that will happen with you but I just wanted to share my nightmare!

I was at Kings for an amnio and scan last week and they even said they didn't mind the children in then - hopefully they just meant for the scan, but who knows? - which shocked me. Fortunately this time we had a good friend who was with us this time and could watch them for us in the waiting room; no way did I want them around for an amnio!

MandaHugNKiss · 21/03/2011 16:34

So it seems I had bad luck. We had an 8.30am appointment and actually do not have anyone to leave DS2 with in the day - he was 11months when I went for my 12 week scan.

We were told he'd have to wait outside with DP even though he was sitting quietly on his lap. She said 'if he falls asleep then feel free to come in' - DP and I met eyes and KNEW that would NEVER happen so he resignedly stayed seated and I went in alone.

I'm guessing it's because it is a diagnostic scan and the sonographer doesn't need any distractions. But it would have been nice if she'd have said 'If he gets fractious he'll have to leave'.

Eh, it just means we've paid out to have another, private, scan next week as DP isn't feeling very connected to the pregnancy and I'm sure it's down to me not showing and him not seeing it bouncing about on the screen - there was a definite 'wow this is REAL!' realisation with DS2 at the 12 week scan.

Chynah · 21/03/2011 18:17

I took DS to my 12 week scan when he was about 9 months old. No one minded although he didn't want to stay in the pushchair and ended up being 'entertained' by a trainee sonoghrapher whilst all the measurements were hurredly taken!

Firawla · 21/03/2011 18:49

I took both of mine to my 12 weeks scan and every other person waiting there seemed to be bringing toddlers in with them too, so I think it should be fine. As you have your dh with you to supervise then it's okay, if it's just you then it can be more tricky as you are occupied on the scanning area so can not be hopping down to soothe crying babies or prevent toddlers from rummaging with everything in the room, that's probably what they object to more.
I think 12 weeks scans are more ok to take spare children to than 20 weeks ones because it tends to be quicker and the 20 weeks bit longer and they need to focus on checking everything and toddler will get more bored? but then if you didn't have childcare for that i think you could just bring him again and hope for the best?

Flip