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Pregnancy

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

First scan tomorrow what to expect?

21 replies

DandelionWishes88 · 21/04/2015 12:06

Hi ive got my first scan tomorrow I'll be 13+5. I'm quite anxious of what to expect will it hurt? Im also having a combined test so does that mean a blood test. I haven't received any results from my booking in blood tests. Im a larger lady (bmi 41) so worried the lady will say your just to big/fat to see baby.Any advice would be greatful x

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laurenlhthompson · 21/04/2015 12:24

Hi dandelionwishes:)

Sounds very similar to me!

I had my 12 week scan last week and opted for the combined test. Don't want to worry you it I couldn't have the combined because of my weight (bmi35.5) and baby wasn't in the right position. She was rough with me but it didn't really hurt. Also they they offered a vaginal scan to try and get the nuchal measurement but I refused that.

Afterwards I saw a midwife who explained my booking results and arranged for me to have the quad test for downs.

Hopefully yours is more successful! I had a lovely clear pic with NF on show so it's so frustrating but oh well.

Good luck x

laurenlhthompson · 21/04/2015 12:26

Also yes combined is a blood test and scan combined and if they can't get the measurement you're offered the quad which is just bloods x

crapfatbanana · 21/04/2015 12:30

Hello

Your scan will most likely be abdominal and shouldn't hurt, although you may feel uncomfy if you have a full bladder. The full bladder is usually needed to get a clear image. If no clear image can be seen then a transvaginal scan might be suggested. This doesn't hurt either. It's a dildocam with a condom and and some gel/lube on the end.

I'm assuming this is a dating and nuchal translucency scan?

The combined screening is a blood test. This result, combined with the nuchal fold measurement will give you a risk factor for genetic anomalies such as Downs.

Angelto5 · 21/04/2015 12:31

Try & go to your scan with a full bladder.This is supposed to give a clearer picture & in some hospitals they charge for personal copies of scan pics so make sure you take change.

Good luck

DandelionWishes88 · 21/04/2015 12:36

Thank you for the advice im hoping they will be able to see everything they need to. Im not too good with blood tests first one couldnt get any blood second and successful one I was sick and dizzy had to lie down. I really just want conformation that im actually pregnant despite having symptoms silly I know. X

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DandelionWishes88 · 21/04/2015 12:40

Im going to be guzzling down water! They charge £3. Just wish 9am tomorrow would come around a bit faster We've not told many people so im waiting for this scan so I can tell my parents and family. Im so excited one mintue but nervous as hell the next.
But in the back of my mind I think I can only do what I can which is my best. Since this is my first I have no idea

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Rosieliveson · 21/04/2015 12:40

Hi, I also have my 12 week scan this week. I am also larger (bmi 36) and have been referred to the antenatal clinic (extra precautionary care so my midwife tells me). That's starts at 20 weeks.
I wasn't this big with my first pregnancy but I was still overweight. Try not to worry. Many people are larger these days so I'm sure most sonographers are getting used to it!
Last time it was an abdominal scan which was difficult as extreme sickness meant drinking enough to fill my bladder was impossible! They did it though. This was followed by a blood test. Results came some time later. I believe you are called more urgently if you show a higher risk.
I have also had numerous transvaginal scans for a previous condition. If you are offered one please don't worry, they are fine. Not fun but fine. Good luck Grin

Grantaire · 21/04/2015 12:41

You don't generally get results from your booking in bloods so don't worry about that. They will put the results in your file and generally it's just confirmation of your blood group and screening for a few things, a check of iron levels and a couple of other things. Generally, you'd only be told about them if you needed to know. For example if your iron was low and you needed tablets for it.

With your NT test, they'll send you a letter with the results (some places phone or text or have other ways, just ask) and you'll be given an individual risk of the conditions screened for.

The scans do not hurt. They are harder with an increased BMI as you anticipate but if at any point you are uncomfortable, remember you are absolutely allowed to speak up and ask if there's any way they can help you be more comfortable.

DandelionWishes88 · 21/04/2015 13:00

I think I need to take my mind off it. Thinking to much. Fingers crossed I get to see my little smoosh! Happy and healthy
just wish it was Wednesday

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natjayne213 · 21/04/2015 13:33

Hey mine is tomorrow too.. Roll on 10am :)

I'm more scared of the actually appointment rather than the scan. I am sure all will be fine :)

Hope all goes well for you :) x

Skiptonlass · 21/04/2015 13:48

Good luck !! They might press a bit hard and maybe ask you to pull your tummy up a bit if they can't get a good pic. I didn't have a full bladder and I was ok although I think they prefer it if you do ! If they need to do a transvaginal, it's fine, honestly. Not exactly dignified but painless.

Wear something you can slip down easily and take water to drink while you wait (that way you're not travelling with a full bladder.)

Elledouble · 21/04/2015 13:58

If I could offer a tip, it would be not to go with too full a bladder - drink half a litre of water or so before you go. At my 12wk scan I'd drunk about 1 1/2 litres or more (took the instruction a bit too literally!) and had to be sent out three times for a wee because my bladder was too full Blush

Micah · 21/04/2015 13:58

Depends on the scanning equipment. I didn't need a full bladder with any of my scans. Your letter should say if you do.

I was also offered a transvaginal scan to measure cervix length- a short cervix can indicate a premature baby, so ours offered it so they could help prevent premature birth/late miscarriage.

I wasn't offered a blood test. The NT measurement, together with other indicators the sonographer pointed out like 4 heart chambers, nasal bone etc, meant no one was worried by the numbers. Bear in mind it's statistics though! It's only a risk assessment, not an indication something's wrong.

Skeppers · 21/04/2015 14:07

Don't let the high BMI freak you out; my BMI was 36 at booking but managed to have regular scan/bloods done without a hitch at my 12 week appointment. OK, I needed to shift and roll around a bit for the sonographer to get the right angle (at one point I had to stand up and jump up and down to get baby to move!) but we got there.

Having a full bladder does help, but it's a fine balance between drinking enough for the scan and not having to have a pee 2 mins beforehand...

The only thing you will notice is that the quality of any scan photos you get won't be as clear and 'crisp' as some others because of the extra layers of fat they need to get through to get the images. Was still more than happy with mine though! Grin My 20wk scan was also fine. Despite my BMI we got to see an incredible level of detail this time.

I've also been referred for a consultant appointment in June, however the midwife has reassured me that it's purely a precautionary measure and she's absolutely confident (because I've had such a straightforward pregnancy thus far, touch wood!) that the consultant will say that I'm fine to continue under MW led care.

You may find that, later on down the line, you need to do a glucose tolerance test for gestational diabetes. I'm looking on this as a positive thing because a) it's better that they catch it sooner rather than later rather than go through pregnancy with it undiagnosed so you can get the medical support you need (has happened to two people I know as they weren't in 'high risk' categories to start with so it wasn't picked up until v. late) and b) if you do have GD you get extra growth scans to make sure you're not having a humungobaby, so you get to peek in and wave at your baby more often than anyone else does before the birth! Wink

DandelionWishes88 · 21/04/2015 14:18

Feeling more positive now. Yeah my letter says full bladder drink 1litres. I have a consultant appointment in may and next midwife then too. Smile

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Toothfairy87 · 21/04/2015 15:07

Hello to you dandelion wishes :)

Very exciting times!
The abdominal ultrasound scan is not painful or anything like that so do not worry about that... I had my scan around the 12+4 mark... They will just have a press around... However they do definitely expect you to have a fairly full bladder so that it pushes the uterus up and they are able to see the baby more clearly. To be honest, I dont think my bladder was really even full enough and we all still saw the little bean clearly enough and measured etc.. ..so my tip is don't put too much pressure on yourself to be so full of water because that's uncomfortable in itself when you're bursting for a wee!!
Then I had my combined bloods too which they use in conjunction with the nuchal scan of course.
I had a transvaginal scan at 7 wks by the way and I really don't like vaginal examinations but even that was absolutely fine and exciting to see baby!
You will manage just fine :)
All the best xx

DandelionWishes88 · 21/04/2015 15:54

Thank you toothfairy im feeling much less nervous now just wish it was tomorrow already.
I'll let you all know how I get on Smile

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Toothfairy87 · 21/04/2015 16:02

Yay! That's great news! You're going to be super.. It's a great time..
Ps... I am a wuss with blood tests and they couldn't do my booking bloods at the time either because I was nervous too... I got all sweaty and my veins kept disappearing ( eugh veins) So they did them the same time as my combined bloods after the scan... My trick that day was to tell them exactly how I felt and that I'm very nervous with blood tests and actually the midwife ( who was lovely) said ok and that she would get another nurse to do it who was really good, and I didn't feel a single thing I was over the moon, properly proud of myself ! Haha! Definitely say how you feel and they should act on that xx

DandelionWishes88 · 22/04/2015 11:19

Well had the scan and my baby is doing fine a viable fetus midwife said. Couldnt do downs screening because baby was facing wrong way plus high bmi. So having quad test next time. I still cant believe it I seen a little baby on the screen

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Rosieliveson · 22/04/2015 13:18

Glad it went well Smile

Toothfairy7 · 22/04/2015 14:56

Fantastic news :) glad all went well :)

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