booking in appt not till 14 weeks, and after scan - is this ok?

[qumquat]

Hi,

I'd appreciate some advice from more knowledgeable people! I've been messed around royally by my doctors surgery and the local midwife clinic. Each thought the other should be organising my appointment. I left my details with both seperately in the hope that something would be done, and repeatedly called to chase them, but no, I've only just managed to make an appointment today after losing my patience and kicking off on the phone. My scan is going to be on the 24th June, but now my booking in appt won't be until 8th July. The letter from the hospital stated that I should have my pregnancy notes with me at the scan, but of course I now won't have any. Will this be a problem?

Also, I'm worried about the blood tests that need to be done and whether I'm putting my baby at risk by leaving it all so late.

Basically, I'd like your advice on whether I should kick off some more to try and get an earlier appointment, or whether I should just put up with it. This is my first baby so I really don't have a clue what is going on or what is an acceptable level of care.

Thank you!

I'd suggest doing 2 things - call the number on the scan letter and explain to them why you won't have notes yet and check they will still see you. I'd then call the midwives and kick up such a stink until they agree to change it to prior to the scan if you would be happier that way. Unless you or DH have any health concerns or on any medications the booking appt can be done at any point, however if its important to you and is caused by their error, they need to take steps to rectify their mistake!

I did this by design in both my last and current pregnancies as I wanted to make sure the pregnancy would be going ahead before being "put in the system" (in my first pregnancy, it was the other way round and I found it upsetting to have to unbook myself from the system after having a termination for fetal abnormalities).

This is very unlikely to happen to you, but it didn't cause any problems for me at all in terms of sequencing. The midwives were very relaxed about it. At the booking in appointment it is mostly paperwork, much of which is irrelevant to the screening scan, and then some blood tests (type, immunities, iron levels etc), which again, shouldn't have any impact on the scan or put your baby at risk, unless you think you have been exposed to rubella or are unknowingly HIV+ in which case action will need to be taken. Also they should check your blood pressure and urine for protein and infections. I had no notes at either scan and it wasn't an issue.

I had a very similar experience and unless you have any concerns going in the booking is very straightforward and won't influence your scan.

I had my scan at 12+6 and my booking appointment after my scan at 13+2. Didn't even occur to me to worry. The sonographer wasn't fussed that I didn't have notes yet, seems pretty normal round here (Southampton). Good luck with everything, no need to stress.

At my hospital then don't give you notes at your booking appointment as they need to put all your info into their system. You get your notes back after the scan. However, it might be different in different places.

If it's their mistake I would demand an earlier date though.

Good luck! :)

Mine's the same (though my fault as I left handing a form in a bit late then was away on holiday) - but this is my second baby and I already knew I didn't want the screening tests for downs etc., so doesn't matter. Does your scan include the option for nuchal transluceny measurement? If so then you should have your booking appt first to discuss whether you want downs screening (blood tests are done too if so). As it's not your fault and is your first baby I'd definitely kick up more fuss and ask to be seen before the scan. Don't worry about the baby though, nothing at the booking appt affects them, it's information for you really. All the best for the scan!

Also, are you sure of your dates? Some of the additional tests at the dating scan (Michael fold for Down's etc) have to be done within a certain timeframe - 12-15 wks I think.

I don't think it should cause a problem with you appointments being this way round (unless you want the tests, which need informed consent). My booking appointment was just a urine dip and taking history. No bloods (although I have complete pregnancy brain at the mo).

Also, congratulations!