late 20w scan

[chickenspots]

I've just phoned to reschedule my 20w scan as I'll be away on holiday on the date that was sent through the post. I told her when I was available and the receptionist started ranting saying that 'did I realise that that would be outwith the Antenatal guidelines?'. I've googled and the guidelines say 18w - 20w+6 for the anomoly scan....
I've had an early scan at 8 weeks, I paid for a private NT Scan at 12w. I had my NHS 12w scan at 15 weeks and everything has been fine so far. It's DC#3 and I'm just not stressed about it. I'll be 22w for the 20w scan. I'm not sure why she made such a fuss? They couldn't offer me anything earlier as they are all booked up.
Can anyone tell me why it's so important to have the 20w scan before 20w+6?

I don't know, but my 20wk scan is this Monday coming and I'll be 21+4 - so I'm interested in this too...

Mine is scheduled for 21+3. I have seen lots of books/websites which refer to it happening between 18 and 22 weeks.

AFAIK I don't think there are any tests/examinations they can do before 20+6 that can't be done later (unlike the NT scan). In fact the later it is the more they can see.

The downside of a later scan is that if there was something shown that might lead you to consider termination it gives you that much less time to consider it before you hit the 24 week deadline (though termination is still possible after that but harder).

I am going away too, and was told I couldn't do it past 20+6. So I'm going to have to do it abroad? Is a bit of a faff really? i understand not being able to do it earlier but wasnt sure why not later. There must be a reason. The receptionist refused to book me in at 22weeks

I presume it's because they are measuring the baby for "normal" growth and development. The latter you leave it, the bigger the baby and then it is more difficult to assess against their stats/measure any abnormalities. Plus minipie's point about termination I guess but I can't imagine that they would refuse to give you a scan on that basis.

This is to do with termination choices and not leaving it too late to decide. I've spoken to a midwife about it before. Crazy as it might seem....

okay thanks for the replies. I don't see my MW again until 25 weeks this time so couldn't run it past her. At least the receptionist didn't refuse to book me in, just a rant! Can't believe they are making you have yours abroad ATale :S

You can always ring your midwife between appointments if you want to ask anything - I have quite a bit

I had to go back for my 20-week appointment because baby boy wouldn't get in the right position at the first one (which was done at 19+4).

The sonographer told me that the 20-week scan can be carried out any time up to 23 weeks, and told me to make an appointment before then. The receptionist then booked me in for my "second" scan at 22+5.
There can't be any medical reason for it, if they were happy doing mine at 22+5 - all the measurements were taken then, just as they would have been two weeks earlier.

As others have said, it must be something to do with termination choices.

My appt schedule from the MW indicates that the anomaly scan is performed from 21-23wks by my local hospital/health authority. I would say, therefore, that it can't be that important, as others have said.

I had mine at 21+1 this time, 20+something with DD (both at the same hospital, 2.5yrs apart - goes to show how the birth rate has increased!!!)

But surely if you are happy to do it later if it cant be helped, then regardless of the termination choice issue, it's better you have it than not? The receptionist was more like take it or leave it? He was very inflexible I could potentially do It on week 22 as that's when I'm back. I'd much rather do it at my regular hospital.

If I was you I would call back Atale and see if you get someone else and make it 22w!

I think I will. I'm seeing the midwife in a few days so I'll moan to her and see what she can do. I don't think it should be the receptionist's decision to not scan me. They didn't know I had the option of doing it abroad. So it was just no scan!!
Thanks for clarification
Good luck with yours chickenspots

The reason is for termination choices as has been said. After 21+6 the process for termination is significantly different. Look into it and then decide if you are happy to wait. Obviously it really unlikely you are likely to be faced with any of these choices, but that's why the upper limit is there.

My 20 week scan is booked for when I am 21+4.

I go on holiday on the day I turn 20 weeks, and our hospital said they wouldn't do it before 20 weeks. They said there was no problem with doing it late.

Seems like there are different policies in different areas.

With DD. had my dates wrong so at my 12 weeks scan I turned out to be 16+3. So when I went to the desk to arrange my anomaly scan I said as much but she just kept saying it didn't matter and to book for 6 weeks' time. So I was 23+4 for my 20w scan. The sonographer was shocked at what had happened and was really annoyed as she said that if they had found anything that may mean needing to make a decision about a termination I would only have 2 days to consider it. She didn't give any other reasons for it being bad that it was so late.

I have never had a 20 week scan earlier than 22+4, they are just the dates I was given at the 12 week scans, I say 12 weeks but I've never had one earlier than 13+2 there either.