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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Appointment letter for scan

11 replies

sophiad · 20/08/2012 09:19

Hi girls !

Was wondering if you could help, was a bit confused at weekend. I'm nearly 8 weeks, I have my first Midwife appt on Friday. I got a letter from the hospital at the weekend regarding a scan, it starts off with 'you have consented to first trimester Downs Syndrome screening' , then goes on to talk about having a full bladder and being able to buy a picture of the baby etc etc. Was slightly confused with the heading of the letter, is this appointment for my usual 12 week scan etc? I will be just over 11 weeks on the date they've gave me. Sorry if a silly question, we haven't told anyone yet so can't ask any femail friends/family!

Thank you x

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SlightlySuperiorPeasant · 20/08/2012 09:43

Yes, this is the normal 12 week scan. The Downs Syndrome bit is talking about the nuchal translucency part of the scan where the sonographer measures the liquid behind the baby's neck (?), which can indicate an increased risk of Downs Syndrome. If there is an increased risk then you will be offered further, more invasive, testing to make a 100% diagnosis.

FluffyJawsOfDoom · 20/08/2012 10:04

What peasant said. 11+ weeks for the "12 week scan" is fine :)

Lola06 · 20/08/2012 10:15

Could someone also help with my query at all?

I got a letter with date to meet midwife for booking in. It says appointment should last around an hour or so. There was another letter with an appointment date for two days later, again at the hospital. It didn't say it was for the scan but do you think it is or why the second appointment so close?

I'll be 9+6 on the date of the second appointment but as I live in northern Ireland this would fall in the guidelines for the 12 week scan as I've heard they don't do the NT scan.

Will try and call them later when I'm free but If any of you ladies could help before then I'd really appreciate it.

NeedlesCuties · 20/08/2012 10:26

Lola I'm also in Northern Ireland :) Have had two babies at the Mater - whereabouts in NI are you? You can PM me if you'd rather not say on the main thread.

The booking in will be at the hospital, yes. Lasts about an hour or so because they ask so many questions about your health and family history.... or in my cases they last soooo long because there are soooo many people waiting

I'm not sure why they gave you another appt for 2 days later - both times I've had scans at my booking in appt. I do think ringing your hospital might help clarify that.

When I had my son (almost 3 years ago) they didn't offer me anything regarding NT as I was in mid-20s and had no family history of disability. This pregnancy (my booking in appt was start of 2012) they did offer it to me and said it was because of changes within the Belfast Trust and their policies.

I'd imagine if you had any risk factors they would offer it to you irrespective of what Trust you're in.... but that is something you can ask your MW, and you're still in early pregnancy anyway.

Sorry for slight thread hijack, and for this being so long

Kafri · 20/08/2012 10:43

I had my booking in appt at my local hospital and at that appt the midwife gave me the number to ok my 12 week scan and also the choice whether I wanted a basic scan or the Downs test?

SOPHIAD-if you've not had your booking in, the who did you give your consent for Downs testing to? I was told to go away and think about whether I wanted to scan for downs and if I was on high risk category if I wanted to go on for Amnio. Incidentally, I opted against it and just had normal scan but that was my personal choice.

Kat x

Lola06 · 20/08/2012 11:00

Thanks needles will have to call later to check what is going on. I'll be going to the Ulster as it's closest.

First dc so everything is new and confusing! lol

ahopskipandafurryone · 20/08/2012 11:50

Hi Lola06, I'm also in NI and booked at the Ulster for DC2. I actually wondered if you were at the Ulster from your first post as I was equally baffled by the same letters

The first appointment was booking (although mine was in the community) and the second was for the scan at the hospital. My letter with the scan appointment was ridiculously ambiguous didn't mention that it was for the scan, I think I just confirmed with the midwife at the first appointment. It does get better from here though as they will book your 20 week scan and your full term appointment during one of these two appointments, and then if they need you at the hospital for anything else they will also book these with you in person.

Regarding the NT scan I wasn't offered with DS in 2010 or this baby in Feb 2012, but the Ulster isn't the in the Belfast Trust so probably doesn't have the same policy as the Mater. If you are concerned about it and/ or high risk factors you should speak to the midwife. I wasn't bothered about being tested so don't know what happens if you request it.

Overall I've been really happy with the Ulster both times, so hope you get the same good care. Do take a good book for the appointments though as they are pretty busy.

Original poster

sophiad · 20/08/2012 12:06

Hey Kafri - That's what confused me, I haven't consented to anything! All I've seen is my GP, and that lasted 5 minutes. I'll ask my Midwife on Friday I guess, I assumed that she'd book the appt for 12 week scan for me. Maybe they're 1 step ahead already though! This is my first time so everything is very new, and also very worrying! Thank you

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Kafri · 20/08/2012 12:26

SOPHIAD-I'm in the same boat. First time for me after a lot of effort and finally IVF so I know I'm very very lucky. Once discharged from IVF clinic I had to book an appt at my docs to tell him I was pregnant. I had to wait for a week and half for an appt and when I finally went in he literally wrote my name on a scrap of paper and said he'd refer me to midwife. Got a mw appt really quickly and then had to wait for 12 wk scan. Like I said I chose the basic scan as not in a high risk category for downs. Straight after my 12wk I had to go to the ante natal dept to see mw with results.
After that I had to book an appt for my 20 wk scan which I had on 6th aug at 20+3 and have just this week booked my 25 wk mw appt for a few weeks time. Bubs is due at Xmas and I'll be honest, I'm so anxious that it all goes well as I know I've been lucky for the IVF to work.

Original poster

sophiad · 20/08/2012 12:36

Thank you for reply Kafri. Congratulations on your first, sounds like you've been through a lot to be here. You sound like you're getting along great so try not to worry, what a lovely Christmas present for you. Good luck in your pregnancy and I'll let you all know how appoitments go! x

OP posts:

Lola06 · 20/08/2012 20:11

ahopskipandafurryone I called them earlier and it's exactly what you say. The first is a booking in appointment (not actually at the hospital) and the second appointment is the scan. Having the word scan on the letter somewhere would have helped but the lady on the phone was very helpful.

Sorry for hijacking the thread but I hadn't got a clue what was going on.

Thanks for the help

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