Anomaly scan date confusion

[CityDweller]

I'm planning to be overseas (States) for a month btw weeks 19 and 23, right when I should be having my anomaly scan. I mentioned this today to the mw at my 1st apt (I'm 8 wks) and asked whether I could have it before I went. She said no, the earliest the hospital would do it is 20 weeks, but I could have it when I came back, at 23 + weeks. Isn't this too late? What happens, anyway, if something bad comes up at that scan? Do you have a limited time to do something about it??

She said I'd get booked in for this scan at my 12 wk scan next month, but I need to book flights before then... I could shift the dates of my trip slightly, but not by much (e.g. I could go at 20 wks, or come back at 22 + 3).

What is it about the timescale that worries you? If you are meaning to have a termination the 24 week limit doesnt apply in the case of severe physical or mental problems.

Yes, I understood there was a time limitation to have this scan, and I presumed that was because you have limited time to deal with any issues that come up. Is that not the case? Everything I've read about the scan online (inc. NHS site) gives 20 + 6 as the last date for this scan.

My "20 week" scan was booked for 21+3 and I was perfectly flexible with dates (easy for me- I work at the hospital). I think that there must be some leeway. I understand why not before though, there might be things they can't see any earlier than 20 weeks.

hi citydweller,
the NHS national screening programme actually recommends the anomaly scan can be done between 18 weeks and 20 weeks and 6 days. it can't be done earlier as the fetus is not big enough and developed enough to see everything. it can be done at any gestation after that (women who book late in pregnancy can still have an anomaly scan). it just recommended that it is done at this time, in case there are any complications. i know someone has said you can have a termination at any time if there are problems with the baby, and this is true, however the longer the pregnancy has been happening, the more traumatic it can be for the mother (i'm not saying it isn't traumatic at any other time).

could you speak to the unit and ask if they can do it at 18+ weeks? otherwise there is no reason you can't have it when you get back.

good luck!
Emma - midwife

Thanks Emma, I think I'm clearer on it all now. The mw said this morning that the earliest my hospital does the anomaly scan is 20 weeks. As I actually think about it, I guess it would be better anyway to have it once I'm back from that trip. Could imagine it would be awful to find out something was wrong a day or two before I have to leave country for a month...

I had an early scan with Ds at 7 weeks due to bleeding and wasn't allowed a 12 week scan as well. They worked out my 20 week scan date from the date of last AF so was called in 3 weeks too early (instead of dates worked out at scan). Cue panicked looking sonographer when she thought DSs spine hadn't fused before realising it was too early. I wouldn't worry about it being later.

I went away for a week at just over 20 weeks, I desperatley wanted the scan before I went (19 weeks) but they refused because they said that they cannot see clearly enough before 20 weeks, so I had it at 21 weeks.

My local hospital only offers it at 21-23wks now, I think due to sheer numbers needing scans rather than a clinical need. Clearly, for 'options' it would be better having it earlier but it doesn't seem to matter as long as its after 18wks.

With DS I had my anomaly scan at 18 weeks - not by choice, that was just the date I was given by the hospital so can't see why they can't do it before you go.

Ours is 21+ , I'm also not having a 12 week one as they did a dating scan at my consultant appt at 9 weeks.