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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Is my 12 week scan too early?

22 replies

SeriousStuff · 03/03/2013 17:33

Just wanted to ask advice/experiences of others. I received my midwife pack yesterday and my midwife appointment and 12 week scan are both booked in for 19th March. Great, because we won't have to wait long now but, from my calculations, I'll only be around 10+5 weeks at that point. Surely it's too early for a 12 week scan? Is it likely they'll need to ask me back in again afterwards?

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highlandbird · 03/03/2013 17:39

Every region does this differently, mostly the dating scan is at 12 weeks but where I live (west scotland) the dating scan is at 9 or 10 weeks, which is when I had mine both times.
They probably won't ask you back for another scan at 12 weeks unless they don't get accurate measurements at this one.
Congratulations by the way!

Original poster

SeriousStuff · 03/03/2013 17:41

Thank you! - I'm in Wales so it could indeed be a geographical thing. Very excited as it means we'll have the pics ready to tell people over easter!

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WhirlingOut · 03/03/2013 17:51

In my last pregnancy, I had three scans as my first one was too early. They reckoned I was 10 weeks and then at my second scan they said I was almost 14 weeks.... So I was totally confused by it all. I wasn't 100% certain about my dates so it didn't matter too much for me and in the end it was nice to have 3 scan pics :)

WhirlingOut · 03/03/2013 17:52

I'm in the Central Belt of Scotland near Edinburgh btw.

SourSweets · 03/03/2013 20:42

I had my 12 week at 10+6. Had to go back as baby was too small to get certain measurements but that was great because we got to see him again! Congratulations!

HaveIThoughtThisThrough · 04/03/2013 11:08

I'm having my dating scan today and I make myself 9 + 6. They are doing my dating and screening scans separately as the mw wasn't sure about my dates and thinks I can be anything up to 11 + 2 so they want the date so they know whether to put a rush on my screening scan appointment or whether we have time to just wait for it to come through. I'm with SourSweets, I'm just happy I get to see the baby twice :-)

PinkApple86 · 04/03/2013 11:53

when I had mine I was only 10+3 so they gave me another appointment in 2 weeks. I had irregular periods so they just had me in for dating purposes the first time really.

ZuleikaD · 04/03/2013 11:55

It's too early for the Downs/nuchal screening, so if you want that you need to phone them and ask for a later date.

elliejjtiny · 04/03/2013 11:57

I had my dating scans at 12+0, 9+1 (due to bleeding but they dated me as well and cancelled my original dating scan), 10 weeks (due to my previous missed miscarriage and general paranoia), 17 weeks (DC1 and DC2 had chicken pox one after the other so couldn't leave the house for a month and all my early appointments were late), 13+2 and 11+0. Was offered nuchal with the last 2 but declined. 10+5 sounds fine but you might have to go back for the nuchal fold measurement if you want that doing.

Original poster

SeriousStuff · 04/03/2013 12:12

Thank you all for your insight!

I've opted not to have the nuchal screening so maybe this scan will be fine unless the baby hasn't grown enough (but seriously, the way I feel at the moment with non-stop nausea, it better be having massive growth spurts on the hour every hour!)

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Original poster

SeriousStuff · 12/03/2013 13:53

One last question - if they are able to measure etc. at 10+5 weeks and don't require another appointment, do you think it would then be safe for us to tell people? Or would you still wait to reach 12 weeks??

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weeblueberry · 12/03/2013 14:00

I would wait til 12 weeks personally. I had my scan and didn't tell people til about 14 weeks because obviously things could still have gone wrong. I'd hate to tell people at 10 weeks when there's still a potential 2 'danger' weeks afterwards. I know it's not an exact science though...

Original poster

SeriousStuff · 12/03/2013 14:00

Thanks weeblueberry

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SchroSawMargeryDaw · 12/03/2013 14:02

My first scan this time round (because we didn't know dates) was at like 10+3, they had to book me in for another one 2 weeks later so they could take proper measurements as they couldn't get a good enough view.

Saundy · 12/03/2013 14:36

Midwife pack?! Sorry to go slightly off topic but I think I might be missing something. I had a 5 second Dr's appt - he didn't even confirm the pregnancy, I was just told to leave a sample on my way out. When I left my sample they made me an appt to see the midwife when I'll be just over 8 weeks along. No mention of any midwife pack, or even of what kind of appt it would be. Other than the total lack of information does that sound about right/similar to you?

Original poster

SeriousStuff · 12/03/2013 14:48

I saw my Dr as soon as I got my BFP (around 3 weeks) and all he asked was whether I was taking Folic Acid and if I was a smoker. That was it.

My midwife pack, which includes booklets on the different scans and tests and a lengthy form to fill in about medical history etc. came last week at nearly 9 weeks. I always thought I would see my midwife first, get the pack from her, then arrange another date for the scan. But the letter states that it's a pregnancy booking appointment and a scan, so I'm getting both on the same date.

Everything in the pack is produced by wither NHS Wales, Antenatal Screening Wales or the Welsh Government so I wonder if every country, and possibly county, is different?

I have heard different experiences from different people on MN, but your Dr appointment certainly sounds like the norm!

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Original poster

SeriousStuff · 12/03/2013 14:49

*either

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Saundy · 12/03/2013 14:55

Haha fair enough! Thanks for the info it makes sense to send the forms to be filled out beforehand so I guess I'll just have to wait and see if I get anything in the post. I can't imagine they'd scan me that early so I'll presume my appt will be back at my dr's clinic. Good look with yours, I hope it goes well - you'll have to report back on what to expect once you've been

ShowOfHands · 12/03/2013 14:59

I had my dating scan at 10+4 first time round. If you've opted for no NT scan then you should be fine. I told people after the scan too as if you've had a straightforward scan at that point then your chances of having any kinds of problems is drastically reduced.

Saundy, in a lot of areas you don't need to see a GP at all. You just go straight to the midwife at 8/9 weeks. There's nothing for a GP to do unless you have specific questions or concerns. They don't need to do a pregnancy test either as you'll have done 1 or 10 at home already. Your first appointment will probably be fairly long. You'll get your notes then. You'll give a full history for you and your dp (make sure you know things like history of diabetes and other conditions), you'll be weighed and probably have some blood tests to establish blood group, immunity, general health etc. You'll be given a lot of leaflets and given the opportunity to ask any questions, plus they'll explain the care you can expect to receive.

Saundy · 12/03/2013 15:05

Cheers SOH I know it's no biggie for the Dr but its a bit 'is that it?' I expected some sort of official stamp of pregnant haha. It's all a bit of a magical mystery tour really (but less fun!).

ShowOfHands · 12/03/2013 20:40

Oh I know what you mean Saundy. It's hit and miss. My v old GP loves to see pregnant women as he said it's one of the only really lovely things he could count on to brighten his day sometimes. Other docs just treat it as a quick referral on and then out.

Don't let it detract from the wonderful, brilliant thing you're embarking on. Your first midwife appt will be much more involved! Congratulations!

Original poster

SeriousStuff · 18/03/2013 10:24

Well, scan is tomorrow - I'll let you know how I get on. Hope you're all doing well!

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