1st Scan - can't be done til 14 weeks...

[EwokStorageUnit]

I want to have the nuchal transulancy test, they've taken all the bloods, but can't get me in for my first scan until I'm (according to MW's calculations) about 14 weeks.

Following appointment letter, I've called the unit to ask if they can bring it forward at all and they have just said that they can't do it.

I know that the cut off is 14 weeks and 1 day, but it seems like such a long time away. Am I stressing unnecessarily? Any reassurance gratefully received.

Our info about the scan said 13+6 was the latest for the NT, and this is backed up on the relevant nhs pages. If your dates out you past that then it's not reasonable.
Personally I would try asking your midwife to hassle them, and then if unsuccessful ask to speak to the manager of the scan dept and ask them to justify why they are unable to offer you NT scanning within the requirements. If that fails I'd speak to the PALS service in your hospital. Failing that I'd book a private scan.
It's very stressful waiting for this scan. Hope it all works out ok for you.

The person that I spoke to told me that their cut off was 14 + 1 (which is what's in the documentation that they sent with booking letter), but I'm sooo worried about this.

Seriously considering just booking something in London - this is first pregnancy, I'm high risk cos of my age and I just feel in limbo. It's awful.

and now I'm crying again.

and I don't even know if beanie is really there and alive and kicking and I'm beginning to think that I've made it all up in my head and a wait until 6th Feb just feels too far away today.

If you are thinking of having a private scan in London I can highly recommend the Fetal Medicine Centre. They scan in incredible detail and look for a lot more markers than your standard NHS scan so you get much more accurate odds. It's not cheap, but it's the very best place in the world to have a Nuchal scan. But, you should definitely push at your hospital for an earlier scan. Especially if you are in your late 30s or older. It's really out of order for them to make you wait until so late.

Sorry - was having a moment. Have started to breath again.

Looking in to a private scan now.

I just spoke to the midwife her comments were;

a) well if you've called them and they can't change it they can't change it. I can't do anything.
b) I can't advise you about having a private scan that's your own choice.
c) if you aren't in time for NT, then we'll just do second trimester testing. Not as accurate and more false positives, but if that's the way it is, that's the way it is.
d) well as you're older you're going to be higher risk anyway and that will be taken into account

Just spoken to DP who is upset because I'm upset and told me to do the research on private scan - even if only a dating one, just so that we can be clear on dates.

You sound so upset, I remember the stress of this time and you could do without this. I think you're right to research private options but I'd still ring the scan dept manager and ask them to explain why they can't offer you a scan within the required time limits. I had a tearful phone conversation with the scan dept when my scan with DS was booked for 13+4, explained reasons for upset and they sorted it all out. The receptionist will only have access to routine appts, the manager/supervisor will be able to slot you in to an urgent appt. it's worth a phone call to try.

PALS really can be v helpful too.

Most hospitals will do private scans and the cost can vary but also the service. There are places that will do the scan and bloods and give you all the results that day. If you want to post roughly where you are I. The country I'm sure lots of people could give advice as to where is best.

Sorry you're going through this.

How many weeks exactly will you be at your scan appt OP?

By calculations I will be exactly 14 weeks.

Reason for confusion on dates is I can't give a definite date of last period - had implant removed following constant bleeding and hadn't got back into any kind of "pattern" . MW has therefore worked out best guestimates.

I would have thought that given there is some uncertainty about the date then that is even more reason to do the scan a bit sooner rather than waiting until the last possible day which in itself is later than NICE guidelines suggest.

I would definitely take the others advice on here and ring up the manager - I can see it could be a daunting thing to do but take a big breath and be big and brave and you will be able to do it (that's what I tell myself when I have things I don't want to do like that).

I would also not be afraid of showing your emotions when talking to him/her. Show how much it is stressing you and maybe she will realise that this is a big deal to you (unlike you mw who doesn't sound very caring). I would also ask if they are making all pg women wait until they are 14 weeks for their scan or if it is just you that has drawn the short straw, and if so, why? And if there are any women who will be say 12 weeks having their scan when you are 13 weeks in which case why could they not swap your appointment with theirs?

Ok so they probably wouldn't do that but no harm in asking as it shows that they are effectively giving other people preferrential treatment over you - which again gives you the opportunity to ask why me? Again. And if you don't get anywhere with them, ask them to give you the telephone number for PALS and the chief exec of the hospital - make them realise you are serious.

I'd also not be happy with the way the mw was so dismissive of your concerns and so unwilling to do a thing to help. Tricky to complain if she is the only mw you can see but if there are others, I'd be tempted to ask to be transferred and complain about her.

Good luck - hope the scan goes well, in time and you have a gorgeous healthy baby in a few months time!

So sorry you're stressed Ewok - this appears to be the reality of the stress on the NHS Mat services.

If they're following policy I'm not sure PALs or exec can do anything suggesting your mw hassle them is surely just wasting her time

Hope you can get something sorted though - is it worth letting them know you could go in at short notice if they get a cancelation?

If you'll be exactly 14 weeks by the MW calculation and they say they scan til 14 +1 then you'll have trouble getting the appt moved I'd have thought. Still worth a try and explain the stress and doubt over dates.

I completely understand your worries and in your place if you can afford it I'd get a private scan booked in, you'll be out of pocket but hopefully feel much better.

Give the supervisor a try.

I self referred to UCLH and they fitted my scan in easily. You can just phone and book yourself in. Last pregnancy I was with them under a shared care scheme. I was seen locally for most of my midwife appointments, and they saw me for the scans.

The scans are great - very detailed, with a good level of accuracy. They look at a lot of markers as well as bloods (combined test) and give you the results the same day.

The details to refer yourself are here:

www.uclh.nhs.uk/OurServices/ServiceA-Z/WH/MAT/IAS/Pages/refer.aspx

Hi Ewok. I was in exactly the same position as you. I was given separate dates for booking in and first scan and I'd have been over 14 weeks on that date. I tried to get the date changed but had no luck. In fact i couldn't do the date they gave me and the next slot was at nearly 16 weeks. They just told me there was no appointments available. I've ended up going private. Was just under £200 but was worth it just to remove the stress I was feeling. Ironically at my booking in appointment on the same day as the private scan the MW I saw stamped her feet and got me a scan at 13.6 weeks. But I didn't want to risk it so kept my private appointment. I am 42 and had 2 MC since having DD, but it made no difference when dealing with the appointments staff.

Good luck with whatever you decide, but I can recommend going private, even though it goes against the grain.

Thank you so much everyone.

I went for a walk and got some fresh air (had booked the day off for some me time... which probably hasn't helped because I've had time to sit and stew).

Just waiting for DP to get home so that we can talk it through and work out what to do.

I will however give head of dept a ring (being big and brave of course)

In fairness the MW that did my booking was fab and that wasn't who I spoke to today. Hopefully I won't come across that particular person again.

Will keep you posted and thank you again for your input/support.

xx

Ewok - same happened to me and I am 100% sure on conception date as ivf! My appointment was scheduled for 5th feb. I rang the appointments line at the hospital and they changed it instantly to yesterday. As said up thread, if no joy then contact the PALS - they act fast on you behalf. And sympathy too because when I was told the original date I got a big lump in my throat! It's a very emotional time.

Do you have a phone number for the midwife who you booked in with? My midwife gave me contact numbers from the offset and told her to text her any time I had any concerns and she would call as soon as she could. Might be worth contacting her if you can. They should be more sympathetic than an appointments line, who probably spend half their day getting demands to bring forward appointments and don't really understand the implications of having scans later than the guidelines state.

OP if you can afford it I also second the Fetal Medicine Centre, I went there for a viability scan and found them brilliant. I am so fed up of the stress pregnant women are going through because of funding cuts.

I have mine when I'm 13+2

I went fir my dating and nuchal scan when I was 13+4. As it happens, on the day they moved my dates to 14+1 and there was absolutely no problem with them getting accurate measurements.

Thanks for input everyone - I decided to go for a private dating scan over the weekend a) to put my mind at rest that there really was a beanie there and b) to check my dates.

Happy to say, beanie is there, with a heart beat but rather worryingly looks a little like a dog!

Dated at 11 +4 yesterday, which means that I'll be in good time for NT when I have my first NHS scan.

I can't tell you what a relief it was - especially after stressing myself out so much on Friday. Thank you so much for holidng my hand and giving me support.

Worrying thing was that lady doing the scan told me that I was the third person she'd seen that day who was in tears because of over stretched maternity services....