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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Not offered a 12 week scan?

34 replies

nina79 · 10/05/2011 19:36

Hi - can anyone shed any light? 6weeks pregnant and normal symptoms and I am very happy.

Went to my doctor today, first time, and he said he was contacting the midwide and would write to me with an appointment.

I asked about the first scan and he said it would be 18-20 weeks. I asked him about the 12 week scan and he said they don't do them anymore.

Is this true? He said its because they only use this scan to do dating and have not found it particularly useful or helpful. I have searched on the interent and I can't see anything about the NHS changing its procedures. Should I demand to have my 12 week scan? I am disappointed at not being able to have one.

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catsareevil · 10/05/2011 19:39

Are you in the UK? I think that 12 week scans are standard in most places. If you had to you could get a private dating scan?

LoopyLoopsBettyBoops · 10/05/2011 19:40

Different areas have different procedures.

This can be a problem though, for example of you are having twins you can't have an amnio so they give you a nuchal scan instead, which has to be done at around 11-13 weeks I believe.

candr · 10/05/2011 19:40

Whre are you based? every one I know had a 12 week even if it was not bang on 12 week, if yr not happy you can try another Dr as that is a long time to wait and you will miss the opp for nuchl scan if you wanted it. Huge congrats on being UTD though, hope everything is fine x

Original poster

nina79 · 10/05/2011 19:41

Hi - thanks for your quick response - yes I am in the Uk in the manchester area.

I think I know the dates but I would just like to see the little thing - it's my first so I am very excited and disappointed that I won't get to see or hear anything for so long

OP posts:

nunnie · 10/05/2011 19:42

Your midwife is the best one to ask really. IME 12 and 20 week scans are standard anything over and above that is done if medically necessary. However I can only speak from my local area.

Original poster

nina79 · 10/05/2011 19:47

Thank you for all the advice - this is my first time on mumsnet and I am so impressed with how helpful people are so quickly!

Based on what you have said I will wait a week or 2 to see if I get a midwife allocated to me and get an appointment and then speak to her directly to request a scan and if I don't hear anything at all I will go back to my doctor and specifically request one and see what happens. Fingers crossed - thanks again!

OP posts:

LoopyLoopsBettyBoops · 10/05/2011 19:56

Another thing that could be a possibility... you are able to choose your lead hospital. Is there another nearby that you might be happy to give birth in? If so, try to find out their procedure for allocating scans if it really matters to you. It would probably be easier to pay (around £90 I think) for a private scan than going to a hospital miles away.

sheenlane · 10/05/2011 20:02

Can I add one more thing - don't be put off if you're told to "go private."

Remember that you have a clinical right, i.e. you're entitled, to your 12week scan on the NHS. Good luck and don't get off the phone until your scan is booked!

Leo4 · 10/05/2011 20:06

12 week scan is for a nuchal scan..which checks for chromosomal abnormalities...so its pretty important !

goodegg · 10/05/2011 20:07

Interesting, I've not been offered one either, my first scan will be around the 20wk mark too. I'm having the nuchal scan done however, but it's optional and I have to trek into London for it.

Leo4 · 10/05/2011 20:08

in my area its not optional..........

goodegg · 10/05/2011 20:08

I think the nuchal scan is the only one you're 'entitled' to around the 12wk mark.

goodegg · 10/05/2011 20:10

Leo I was given a booklet about NHS scans and it said throughout that all scans are optional, as all healthcare generally is, noone can force you to have care you don't want.

nunnie · 10/05/2011 20:14

I will say here that I was given the option to have a dating scan or a nuchal scan. I opted for the dating scan through choice.
The nuchal scan is a new option this is my 3rd baby my 2nd only being 7 months old, and the nuchal scan has only just started being offered.

This is waffle sorry, just wanted to say. Different areas work differently.

Hope you get some answers off your midwife soon.

Leo4 · 10/05/2011 20:28

I meant you get that scan on the NHS...they always book you the appointment..but you can decline it if you want

Rootatoot · 10/05/2011 20:54

I could be totally wrong, but it doesn't sound right to me that you wouldn't be offered a 12 week scan at all. But you have plenty of time yet. I didn't see doc until I think 7 or 8 weeks at least and then I think mw wouldn't take appointment until 10weeks but my scan came through very quick after that I seem to remember.

I'm being a busy body on your behalf but I did a google search for manchester and found this link about all the midwifery services being changed there. Apparently you can call MW direct in your area so I'd do that if I were you just to double check :)
www.makingitbetter.nhs.uk/services---Direct-to-midwife.php

jamama · 10/05/2011 21:32

GPs don't always have the most up-to-date or correct knowledge of these things, as their role is to pass you straight to the community mw services. Mine told me my first scan would be at 8-10 weeks, I was disabused of this at my pre-booking appt with the CMW, with the typical 10-13+6 NT + dating scan being offered. This involves screening for Down syndrome by ultrasound & bloods, so is pretty important, although there are other screens if this one is not offered in Manchester (but I'd be pretty surprised if it wasn't).

sleepybump · 10/05/2011 21:32

I could be wrong but I thought the other reason for 12 week scan (other than the nuchal scan) is also to check for multiples so you can get the information you need and your growth chart set up?

I'm sure your MW will know best :)

ToriaPumpkin · 10/05/2011 21:39

I wasn't offered a nuchal scan, the book that NHS Scotland gives you doesn't even mention them! I was offered a dating scan though, but have heard that the local authority is planning to drop a scan, which I'd assume to be the 12 week one as the anomaly scan at 20 weeks is obviously important.

Icoulddoitbetter · 10/05/2011 21:48

In my area the 12 week scan is given as standard, but I don't think it's offered everywhere unfortunately. The NICE guidelines cites it as good practice.

Ask them about screening tests as the nuchal scan is pretty key in identifying a risk for Downs and that is done at 12 weeks.

catsareevil · 10/05/2011 21:52

My area doesnt do a nuchal. A 12 week dating scan is offered, but the screening is done with 16 week bloods rather than a nuchal.

CrystalQueen · 10/05/2011 21:54

well in some areas of Scotland they have just introduced the 20 week scan (and I never heard of the nuchal fold scan) so there is a lot of variation!

lolajane2009 · 10/05/2011 21:55

i thought the 12 week scan was a dating scan... its offered to all here

apricotears · 10/05/2011 22:02

I am in Oz and the first scan we have is at 18 weeks. Here, you only receive a 12 week scan if you are over a certain age. Infact at my last appointment, I was told that unless problems appear, I won't be scanned again

On the bright side, I was ridiculously excited about seeing my LO for the first time as I had waited so long... as I am sure you will be too

MayDayChild · 10/05/2011 22:03

Nuchal detects abnormalities. It has to be done between 11 and 14 weeks.
It is does in conjunction with a blood test.
You are not obliged to take this scan if you did not want to know that your baby has a higher chance of abnormalities.
However, last I heard, nuchal fold was available to all regardless of postcode.
A dating scan is purely that to date. Usually the two measures are performed during the same session.

So you are entitled to a nuchal fold plus blood test. Plus probably a dating scan at the same time.

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