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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Taking time off for first scan vs private scan

25 replies

reb2g08 · 08/03/2015 06:28

So I was wondering what everyone else did when going to first scan- did you tell your boss even if you hadn't told anyone else yet that you were pregnant or did you pull a sickie?

In a tricky situation as me and hubby work at same place so don't want it to be obvious we were lying a few months down road if all goes well and we announce it!

Was considering paying for private scan so we could do it on weekend but unsure how that works- would we still need to have NHS one or do they send the notes to your midwife?

Any advice appreciated!

Xxxx

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Sanch1 · 08/03/2015 06:53

A private scan is completely separate to the NHS ones so it would just be an added bonus. Tough with you both working at the same place. I'd get a private one at the weekend if you can, and for NHS one can you just both take a half day off or say you need a couple hours off for say a solicitor appointment? You are legally entitled to time for yours so you'd get this time back IYSWIM?

Iggly · 08/03/2015 06:58

Just say you have a medical appointment and book the time off. Surely you don't need to explain the details.

BikeRunSki · 08/03/2015 07:06

Just tell your line manager(s) on a strict "need to know" basis.

Zahrah5 · 08/03/2015 07:09

Yes, say you have doctor appt.

I also said I am having some medical testing done so will have several appts to come.
I had 2 private scans plus one NHS before I told work.

I dont think you need to lie, just use vague and general terms.

S2b16 · 08/03/2015 08:23

Our private scan we literally got a piece of paper which had a tick by heartbeat saw and movements seen. They didn't write anything in my notes. Try make app for fri or mon with nhs and tell work your away for ?eekend if you don't want to say you've a drs appointment. Nhs have been great with me as hubby works away so we get appointments on a Friday

Original poster

reb2g08 · 08/03/2015 08:48

That's good to know about the private scan, thanks.

Can't take any time off outside of the holidays as we are teachers so it really is quite difficult to do without saying why.

I could just say medical appointment but they will want to know why both of us have to go and really didn't want to tell anyone until after that first scan!

It's so difficult as when you book a day off the paperwork goes through a chain of 5 people (who are likely to gossip) and they email everyone in the school to say who is out each day so everyone will know we are absent and ask why!

OP posts:

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 08/03/2015 08:53

Why both of you have to go?

Original poster

reb2g08 · 08/03/2015 09:00

We don't have to both go but it's our first baby so we want to.

OP posts:

LittleGreyCatwithapinkcollar · 08/03/2015 09:08

As a teacher I was given the time off for a medical appt no problem, and also have taken a couple of hours off here and there to accompany my husband to hospital appts without any issues. Just apply for the leave of absence saying 'hospital appt' and dp can say he needs to accompany you for medical reasons?

sianihedgehog · 08/03/2015 09:10

I told my boss on a need to know basis, and asked him not to tell anyone. He was an ABSOLUTE STAR and completely denied knowledge, even when my coworker directly asked him. There were no hurt feelings from my coworkers when they found out, either, they entirely understood that I didn't want to tell until after the scan, and were just delighted to hear.

TakingTheStairs · 08/03/2015 09:14

Maybe go for the private scan on a weekend so that you both can go and your DH gets to participate, and then just you go for the NHS scan so you don't flag up anything with work yet.

Iggi999 · 08/03/2015 09:14

You need to bypass this paper chain. Speak to the most influential one, it will be confidential if you ask it to be. I imagine you are going to say if the scan is good, so only pre-empting by a day or two? If there were, heaven forbid and unlikely, any problems you would need time off anyway. I would never ask anyone at work why they were off, it could be an interview for fertility treatment, a cancer scare, appointment with divorce lawyer - people are entitled to privacy. Realistically though, in a school people will have been staring at your tiny bulge for some time now!

DoctorDonnaNoble · 08/03/2015 09:19

I went straight to the head to ask. We have to ask the head for 'personal reasons' absence anyway. So the usual long list were unaware. But I suspect I have been the subject of staff room gossip.

soontobemumofthree · 08/03/2015 09:22

I couldn't make the NHS appointment due to work (and couldn't tell "boss" at the time or contract wouldn't have been made permanent) so got a private scan and posted the piece of paper to antenatal secretary and they were happy (accepted it no problem). DH didn't go tho, he only to any of the scans if happened to be off work that day.

HannahB86 · 08/03/2015 09:27

I am also a teacher and luckily my first scan fell during Feb half term but I did need to leave early for my first midwife appt. I told my boss and the head out of courtesy as lying about something is just not in my nature. They completely understood and agreed to keep it confidential. Since then I've had to book further time off for additional appts. and the head has been great about it all.

Pigriver · 08/03/2015 11:49

I told my head a few weeks ago as I was really suffering from morning sickness. Popped in a few weeks ago to tell her scan date and she told be who to organise cover with. No admin at all and still no one else knows. Told the cover person 'I have an appointment, you are needed to cover' no questions asked, no paperwork.
Good luck.

Original poster

reb2g08 · 08/03/2015 12:26

Thanks for your replies. I think everyone is right, honesty is the best policy. I will just be straight and tell him and ask for confidentiality. If all goes well we can tell everyone afterwards!

OP posts:

MissTwister · 08/03/2015 12:42

I had a private scan, it was incredibly detailed - spent about 40 mins checking many thing NHS don't. I didn't go to NHS one (I did tell them!) but just passed paperwork on - the midwife didnt bat an eyelid.

My friend who had both said NHS was cursory compared to private

For the poster who mentioned tick boxes that sounds like an early viability scan not a proper 12week one?

MissTwister · 08/03/2015 12:43

Also at work just say 'hospital appointment' I have these for reasons other than pregnancy and my husband often comes with me for support so shouldn't be a big deal

TouchPauseEngage · 08/03/2015 12:57

If You do want to keep it secret op then you could say appointment is to do with your eyes and that you will need someone to drive you home afterwards. I had to see a consultant when I had recurring irritation in one eye and the drops meant I couldn't drive for 12 hours afterwards.

S2b16 · 08/03/2015 17:55

Mine was a reassurance scan at 16 weeks so could be different, my apologises if this is so. X

Original poster

reb2g08 · 09/03/2015 13:17

So has anyone else had private scan then given notes to midwife instead of first NHS scan?

OP posts:

BalancingStick · 09/03/2015 13:23

You could ask your hospital for a Saturday appointment. Some hospitals (particularly in London) offer Saturday appointments. All of mine have been Sat appointments which has been very convenient.

MissTwister · 09/03/2015 20:16

Yes, I just gave them the notes. They were absolutely fine, didn't even mention it and just changed the EDD.

eurochick · 09/03/2015 20:20

I had very detailed private scans at the FMC.

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