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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

disappointing 12 week scan

31 replies

seriouslynonames · 20/03/2015 19:22

Just had my scan today. Was in there 5 mins tops. She hardly said anything, didn't tell us much about what she was looking at, didn't tell us whether nuchal measurement ok, or how fast heart beating, or whether dates match up etc.
I gathered that info from the print out she handed us - I think nuchal measurement ok, and dates match, but that's about all it says.

In my first pregnancy (different area / hospital) we had a much longer scan, she told us loads of stuff and what she was measuring and looking at etc and gave us a chance to enjoy watching our baby move. None of that this time!

Is this normal and was I just lucky the first time?

I'm slightly reassured nothing major is wrong, but just underwhelmed by what I thought was going to be an exciting experience!

OP posts:

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Theas18 · 20/03/2015 19:25

Sorry I'm afraid scene on the NHS are intended to fulfil medical goals which yours did. They are not a " bonding experience " the system is just so under pressure.

Book yourself a lovely private 4d scan to fulfil the " lovely experience " need.

Be reassured if your bean was abnormal you would know.

Purpleball · 20/03/2015 19:29

I felt the same way with mine this week. I was told everything is fine but nothing was pointed out to me. I also had to go half empty my bladder as baby wouldn't lie on its back so maybe they didn't have time
I had a private 7 week scan which cost £99 and they were much nicer and more helpful. I suppose that's included in the price

NeedABumChange · 20/03/2015 19:31

Sorry but it's a medical check up. They probably had a huge number of ladies to see. If you want an "experience" then you have to pay for it.

lexyloub · 20/03/2015 19:35

I had a similar experience she basically said it was a single uterine pregnancy (or words to that affect ) and took myself another appointment in 8 weeks time on the way out. My dh had to ask what our due date was to which she replied it'll be on the report and ushered us our the room. I was quite upset by it and considering it was in my notes that during a previous 12wk scan the year before I was told I'd had a mmc I was naturally very anxious about the scan in the 1st place

Rosieliveson · 20/03/2015 19:37

I don't think it's unreasonable to think they might spend a little time explaining things to you. It's not unusual to want to know what's going on. It sounds like you just drew the short sonographer straw.
I'm sorry you didn't get to see much of your baby. I hope you got a picture

gallicgirl · 20/03/2015 19:41

I'm astonished they can check everything accurately in that time.

Did you see a midwife afterwards to go over the report?

Original poster

seriouslynonames · 20/03/2015 19:45

thanks all. yes we just about got a picture, although not very clear, but probably not her fault!

I guess I was just comparing to a much better NHS experience 5 years ago in another Trust area, where the sonographer took her time, explained everything, offered a video of the scan as well as photos...

I guess things have changed! And of course most important thing is to know all ok - it's just that she didn't actually say that all was ok! But I assume she would have said if not...

Thanks for your replies

OP posts:

Original poster

seriouslynonames · 20/03/2015 19:47

Just seen your post Gallic. No didn't see a midwife afterwards.
She only seemed to actually do the nuchal measurements herself, and when I asked about dates she said it will be on the print out - as if she didn't actually measure anything herself.

I didn't get blood results for the combined tests - they will come by post apparently so have to wait until 16 weeks to see a midwife again.

Just so different a process / experience to my experience in London (where they are definitely busier - there was only one other person waiting for a scan after me today!).

OP posts:

yummymango · 20/03/2015 19:55

That's terrible. I am so sorry you all had such a rubbish experience. My 12 week scan lasted for at least 15 minutes, she took A LOT of measurements, showed us all the limbs, feet, hands, pointed out the bowel and the stomach and spent a while trying to get the baby in the right position for a good photo. Surely 5 minutes is not enough time for them to do it properly. I also got my blood and combines results straight away. This was at a large busy London teaching hospital. I would complain if I didn't feel like they had done it properly.

PossumPoo · 20/03/2015 19:59

It's a NHS medical check up so they can be rude/cold to the patient

Sorry about your experience OP. I had my 12 week scan (in London ) where l could hear the sonographer was a bit on autopilot pointing out bits to us but he was inclusive and definitely spent longer than 5 minutes doing my scan

PossumPoo · 20/03/2015 20:00

Meant to say scan was last week

Sparrowlegs248 · 20/03/2015 21:17

What a shame OP, I don't blame you for being disappointed, and i don't think your experience was the norm. I had my 12wk scan in January, and both me and DH were blown away by the whole thing. It was amazing. I think i would pay for a private scan if i had had a disappointing experience.

Fleurchamp · 20/03/2015 21:57

My NHS 12 week scan was just the same. The sonographer was mute she literally said nothing at all until the end - did not talk through what she was doing/ what she was checking etc. completely silent.
At the end, she gave me a print out told me to make my next appointment at reception and that was that.

We had a scan at FMC a few days before that, thankfully, which was so much better and worth every penny. I am sure the same checks were done but we felt part of the process. I don't think I would have felt very reassured if I had only had the NHS scan.

In fairness our 20 week scan at the same hospital was really very good, I am not sure if more senior staff do them but the lady we had was keen to involve us and explained what she was looking for etc.

shitebag · 20/03/2015 22:02

Both my 12 week scans have been a quick thing just to check all is well but both 20 week scans were much more detailed and the Sonographer explained everything in depth.

I do remember feeling a bit bewildered with my first scan but in all honesty I don't think there's much to tell us at that stage although I do think they could've at least said that dates matched up and heartbeat sounded well.

madreloco · 20/03/2015 22:31

In the nicest possible way, you're being silly. For some of us, a disappointing 12 week scan is when there is no heartbeat, or viable foetus, possibly for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th time.

It is a medical test, which was adequately performed. You can book private scans in many places to have your exciting experience. I'm not being mean but you really need to put it into perspective.

itsnotmeitsyou1 · 20/03/2015 23:17

I found mine to be a bit 'cold' as well, I was more suprised not to hear the heartbeat as I had been looking forward to that. But she said everything was fine, measuring as it should and didn't raise any concerns. All that mattered to me was that everything was ok. I was a bit numb after the scan, so just keep looking at the picture to remind myself it is all OK. I understand the NHS have to get on with things, it's a magical moment for us, it's just another day for them.

MrsPopple29 · 21/03/2015 06:45

Not all NHS scans are like that. We arrived about 20 mins early for our 12 week scan, which was the first appt of the day. The sonographer had just arrived but ushered us straight through, and I reckon spent about 30 minutes with us pointing out everything and letting us watch. I think it partly depends on how behind they are time wise, and partly just luck- our sonographer was really lovely. Hopefully your next one will be a much better experience!

Gemerama · 21/03/2015 06:49

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Gemerama · 21/03/2015 06:53

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Whatabout · 21/03/2015 07:27

The 12 week scan is a fairly short scan and most places do not do a listen to the heartbeat bit. The due date is calculated afterwards from the lengths they have measured hence it is in the report.

Poppytime · 21/03/2015 07:56

Sorry to hear that you had a disappointing experience. I've just had my 12 week scan, second pregnancy, and both times they were well over 30 mins, very detailed, and although sonographer was quiet checking things at times she did point out different parts of the baby, let us listen to the heartbeat etc, then after my bloods she sat down with us and went through the results. This is a very busy Central London teaching hospital too, so from my experience I also surprised to hear of people only having 5 min scans! Take comfort though that they must have satisfied the basic checks and seen nothing for concern. I agree with other posters, if you can go for a private scan, they will dedicate more time to you as you are paying!

madreloco · 21/03/2015 19:44

I didn't say it was trivial, but I do think people forget that an ultrasound is a medical test, nothing more. The nhs simply doesn't have the time or resources to make it a fun and exciting experience, there are facilities available privately to make up for that.
It is important to remember how lucky we are compared the the majority of women around the world, and we can sometimes expect too much.

sparing · 21/03/2015 19:49

How sad that this is what many have come to expect from the NHS.

It's a shitty system where patients are statistics, no more.

insurance based systems all the way...!

DirtyDancing · 21/03/2015 20:00

I don't agree that it's just a functional thing- our scan took 20mins, everything was carefully measured they allowed us our 'wow it's our baby' hear the heart beat etc. some NHS trust are just shit let's be honest here

Jackieharris · 21/03/2015 20:05

My scan was pretty rubbish too.

Confirmed 1 baby, told is edd.

I found it quite uncomfortable.

I hope the next one is better!

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