Antenatal testing seems really lacksadaisical

[evenhope]

The books stress the importance of early A/N care and early testing but this latest experience shows me that the NHS isn't reading the same books!

My nuchal scan appt came through for the last possible day it can be done- 13+6. I rang the hospital and managed to change the date. Luckily I did- they have brought my dates forward by 3 days, so leaving it to 13+6 would have been too late.

My bloods were done the same day and the mw thinks 2 weeks for the results.. I'm 43, yet there doesn't seem to be any sense of urgency. If there is a problem surely it is better to know earlier than later?

I had my first child 21 years ago and nothing seems to have changed. The scan pictures are just as fuzzy, despite huge changes in technology. Is it in their interests not to let you know there is a problem?

My other gripe is apparently the mw comes to me for my appts. As I have to come home from work especially I would just as soon go to the clinic. She gave me no warning last time, turned up her nose at my messy house (well I wasn't expecting visitors and I work fulltime) and moaned that my pet birds were making too much noise! ( I nearly told her that I hadn't asked her to come round). Then she expected me to have bathroom scales, which we don't.

Anyone else finding this?

I found this very much the case on my first pregnancy eighteen months ago, which ended in a missed mc. I knew I was going to be away in Australia and South Africa (business trip and then my own wedding) between 10 and 13 weeks, so I asked (several times and very clearly) for my first scan/ nuchal to please be done before I left. I heard nothing, and left without anyone contcating me, despite stressing to the hospital that it was vital as I was going away (and I was 41 at that time).

As it turned out, if I had had the scan before I left I would have been saved the hell of miscarrying twins partly in a plane in midair and partly in a hotel in Australia, two days before my own wedding, and having an emergency D&CC in a strange hospital. I was left with scarring from the operation too, which I suppose could have happened anywhere, but I remain very upset that all this could have been avoided. The babies had in fact died at 6 weeks without my knowing, so if I had known before, I would of course have cancelled the Australia trip and had the D&C here, and then been in a far better shape for my wedding than I was (as it was, at the wedding I was bleeding like a stuck pig, feeling sick from the anaesthetic, and very upset, but pretending everything was OK).

I still feel bitter about this. It is for this reason that I am seeing a private obstetrician this time round. It's very upsetting. I myself work in the NHS and hate the fact that it just is not good enough in these very important matters.

God,that's dreadful

Yes it's crap.
I did all the research and organising of my OSCAR 21/2 years ago for same reason.

I think the rapidity of care varies enormously from region to region, sadly.

Your GP should be able to chivvy your bloods along.

For the ultrasound, the scanner girly told me that 2 probes are available and that the higher resolution probe can only be used on slim mums. For anyone who is overweight, the flab obscures the fine detail.

My midwife said they have to do 1 hoome visit for child protection reasons, and she would do more if I preferred. DS prefers running amok in her clinic