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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

11+ weeks and still no scan date.

31 replies

mimili · 27/08/2013 15:06

Is anyone else in the same position? I am getting really frustrated.

Midwife is 'very sorry' as she cannot do anything as it is down to the ultrasound dept.

Ultrasound Dept say they are busy, they have my details and to hold my horses! (their words!) Apparently there are people more pregnant than me who have been waiting longer

I'm not pushing for a scan tomorrow. I just want a date so I can relax!

Is this normal?

OP posts:

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MummyJetsetter · 27/08/2013 15:14

Not normal in my experience! You must be in a really busy area! Is there any way you can afford a private scan? I feel for you, I had spotting for weeks until just before my 12 weeks scan (well I had it at 13 weeks) so I was desperate to see my baby was really there and ok! Hope you get appointment soon! x

TwickyWoo · 27/08/2013 15:17

I had a similar frustration getting an appointment. Not sure whether it was down to a really busy dept or incompetence of the staff and the processing of the paperwork. They managed to find an appt for me when I told them my dates - the scan was done at 13+4 and they usually want to do it by 13+6 at the latest due to getting the Nuchal measurements etc. If you're approaching the 13+6 date I would speak to your midwife to see if they can help apply some pressure - else I'm sure they'll make sure you're seen as soon as they can! :S Good luck!

Writerwannabe83 · 27/08/2013 15:19

That's awful. When I had my booking in appointment the midwife rang my local hospital to get my scan date and it was given to me there and then. I was only just over 6 weeks pregnant. The downside is that it feels like I've been waiting for ages! It is still another 3 weeks away!

Me and hubby have already had a private scan (when I was 7+5) and then we had to have another 3 days later due to some bleeding too, so thankfully we have seen our little jellybean twice.

I would definitely get chasing - I thought that in order to do the NT test it had to be done my 13 weeks gestation maximum??

BuggedByJake · 27/08/2013 15:28

Not usual on my experience although I did find out I was 15 wks when I had my first scan so it was too late for the nuchal scan. If this is something you definitely want I would keep on the hospital for a date.

EmB1715 · 27/08/2013 16:30

This happened to me but for my 20 week scan which I ended up having at 21+6 with two days notice. The hospital had a computer system problem at the time. All I can recommend is that you keep chasing them. Phone the dept every day and explain the situation...need nuchal done etc etc. Do remember that you can have the quadruple bloods done if nuchal can't be done in time. Good luck!

thecakeisalie · 27/08/2013 16:45

I don't think its normal either. We've moved areas since I had my ds1 & ds2 and I don't remember it being an issue getting scan dates from my previous hospital. However this time its been 4 weeks since I initially saw the midwife for a short booking appt and I have my full booking appt tomorrow. They said I should have a date sometime after the first appt. I'm on my way to 11wks now and had no date! Its really annoying because I'm actually going to be 200 miles away from week 13-14 so they've got the next 2 and a bit weeks to get me scanned. I chased it with the community midwife and she sounded a bit concerned that I don't have a date and said they'd chase it. I really just want to know everything is ok as it'll be the first time we've seen baby.

Sorry ended up having my own little rant there but I do feel your pain. Hope you get a date soon but defiantly keep chasing them!

Original poster

mimili · 28/08/2013 14:50

Thanks all. I called again to chase it, its like talking to Robots! I know they are busy but surely if I have an appointment within the next two weeks I should know by now!!

Their answer was 'just wait'

grr

OP posts:

trikken · 28/08/2013 14:56

Not normal here. Had mine the next day after my midwife appt as they phoned up and got me in after Id left seeing them.

Xenadog · 28/08/2013 15:06

I think you need to ring up and speak to the organ grinder and not a monkey! I would look on line for who is in charge of the scanning department and then contact them explaining your concerns. If you do want a nuchal scan they should be doing everything to push you through earlier too.

It may be worth also going back to your midwife and asking if there is a neighbouring hospital you could go to for your scan as well? I know I had a choice of 2, possibly 3, hospitals to use but my nearest one (luckily) has been fine.

Original poster

mimili · 28/08/2013 15:29

Thanks Trikken and Xena.

I do want the Nuchal and have re-iterated this on each call to them. Their answer is repeatedly that there are more people more pregnant than me.

I get this and dont want a scan tomorrow although that would be nice I just would expect that if it is next week or early the week after I should know by now! Surely they won't send out a letter two or three days before and then when I miss it because the letter does not arrive in time blame me

I've done a google search and found nothing about who is charge of the ultrasound/scanning depts. i assume this info is hidden for a reason!!

The midwife is next on my list, although she keeps telling me she cannot do anything. (she has been paticularly helpful and responsive with a few other issues/scares so I believe her).

Anyway thanks for listening to my rant. I'll keep pushing them - I am conscious of being labelled a difficult 'customer' though!

OP posts:

TobyLerone · 28/08/2013 15:31

You're not in Kent are you?

Original poster

mimili · 28/08/2013 15:34

Hi - nope, West London/Surrey Borders! Why is Kent the same?!

OP posts:

ovenbun · 28/08/2013 15:35

I'm further than you with no date, I had a private scan to reassure me, its frustrating but they can only do what they can do,huge cuts to maternity services by our lovely government im afraid...not much the hosp can do if they are over run xx

TobyLerone · 28/08/2013 15:45

All Kent NHS Trusts have installed new computer software for their x-ray/radiology/sonography depts and it's causing terrible problems like this.

Xenadog · 28/08/2013 15:47

Seriously I would be on the phone to the hospital switchboard and demanding to know who is in charge. According to the NHS website you have until 14+1 for the nuchal screening to be completed so it's not unreasonable for have a date given to you anytime soon for a week or two's time.

HumptyDumptyBumpty · 28/08/2013 15:49

How bloody annoying! Are you working FT? Can you use this as a reason? My boss wouldn't be happy with me taking time off with no notice, and I'd be using that as a v strong reason to get a date.
Hope you get it sorted, wish I could say something more useful!

LisaMWill · 28/08/2013 15:53

Same situation. I'm 12 weeks today with no scan date, rang the hospital who said they haven't received a scan request, spoke to my midwife who said she's busy and will try and send another request off, getting really impatient now!

Original poster

mimili · 28/08/2013 15:55

Hi Overbun,

Sorry to hear that. I do appreciate they are overworked and at capacity, its the rudeness when I am polite and their refusal to understand that people cannot receive a date one day and attend the next.

I'm looking at private options now. If anyone has any reasonably priced recommendations in West London/Richmond/Twickenham etc I'd appreciate the suggestions.

OP posts:

DorisIsWaiting · 28/08/2013 16:23

Have you spoken to the hospital PALS service they may be able to act on your behalf?

Original poster

mimili · 28/08/2013 16:23

Oh Lisa, that is awful. The one plus is that each time I phone they do check I am in system and my midwife did confirm she had done her bit.

Is there a 'head' midwife / matron you can speak with? Otherwise maybe you need to also look at doing it privately. I dont want to pay but I am getting to the point where I need the reassurance, I also am struggling with hiding tiredness/sickness/growing bump at work so I just want to make sure everything is generally okay before going public.

OP posts:

EmB1715 · 28/08/2013 16:45

Toby... that's the problem I had!

CrispyFB · 28/08/2013 18:56

I'm 10 weeks by their records and I haven't even been referred to the midwives yet, let alone any scan despite telling my GP three weeks ago. I rang up last week and they said the referral had gone through, so I hoped I'd hear soon, but nothing so far. Will be pestering them again tomorrow I think as I don't even have a contact number for the midwives in order to hassle them.

Luckily for me I am getting my NT privately at the Fetal Medicine Centre anyway after I screened positive with my last pregnancy, and waited it out, so I wanted Harmony this time round and they offer it.

If I wasn't though, it's probably already left it too late for me to organise childcare so I will probably not be able to make any NHS NT scan. Pretty annoyed. Not entirely sure these midwives will be much use given they can't even get in touch after three weeks.. thank goodness I am high risk so I am seeing a consultant too. Well, if anything ever happens on that front as I've heard nothing about that either

I love the NHS but they're doing a shitty job with me right now! Yet again. Their constant bureaucracy fail does my head in.

CrispyFB · 28/08/2013 18:58

I'd recommend the Fetal Medicine Centre on Harley Street for an NT scan, for what it's worth. It's £180 but you'd get the very best in the world scanning you, and so much more in depth than the NHS scan. Worth it for that reason alone. You get your bloodwork back before you've even finished your scan so they give you your results then and there. Amazing place.

OrangeBlossom2 · 28/08/2013 20:19

Hi mimili, we live in a similar area to you, near kingston where there is apparently a big baby boom at the moment and it is very hard to get an appointment. My 12 week scan wasn't until 13+6 and I was worried that it would be too late to do all the tests, particularly if my dates were out.

I had a private scan at 11+4 in Wimbledon. link here At £99 it was the best value I found around here. The sonographer took a lot longer and was nicer than the three I have had on the nhs since, my photos from that scan are the best I have and we got a free 4d scan which we didn't ask for.

We didn't get the nuchal fold scan as we discovered that my dates were just in time for the nhs one to be ok, but you can do that for £189.

I would keep chasing for an nhs scan but just in case it is too late going private might be the best option.

CrispyFB · 29/08/2013 14:05

I chased up my scan today only to be told I wasn't on any system at all, that the referral they mentioned last time was just for my hospital scan. The earliest I can get a booking appointment is when I'll be 13 weeks (at a particular time when I have zero childcare, so three small children in tow) and also probably too late for any NHS NT scan they might try and book as a result of that appointment.

Thank goodness I already booked a private NT scan and this is my fourth time round so I know to be proactive and not just assume people are capable of doing their jobs properly.

Idiots

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