Two scans at different hospitals?!?

[goldenhen]

I'm 11 weeks so my first scan is coming up. I'm in the catchment area for two different hospitals. I originally referred to Hospital A (closer but disorganised and less well-resourced) but they took an age (>2 weeks!) to acknowledge me and it was nigh-on impossible to get through to them, so I contacted Hospital B instead. Hospital B booked me in immediately and gave me appointment dates straight away, was really impressed. So I told Hospital A on the phone not to worry about it and I'd changed my mind.

The only catch with Hospital B is my booking in isn't until 12+5 and my scan will be 13+5. Apart from that I'm really happy with Hospital B.

A couple of days later, I recieved a scan date through from Hospital A regardless! Scan would be on 12+3.

I do want nuchal screening so an earlier appointment is appealing, but I'd rather stick with Hospital B. Can I go for this Hospital A scan anyway and then book in at the second hospital? Would that confuse them? Or should I go for both scans? This feels naughty, is this unethical? Would going for both scans cause other problems? Or would they not even know since ultrasound seems to be its own department? Confused!

Where did you have your booking-in appointment? Surely not in both?

You could have your first scan in hospital A and then transfer your care to hospital B, that shouldn't cause any problem and i can understand you wanting to do that if you want combined screening as 13+5 may be cutting it a bit fine. I would be honest when you go for your booking with hospital B though so they can cancel your scan appt and give it to somebody else who needs it

Don't you need a booking in appointment before the scan?

Are they in the same health authority (or whatever they are called) ? I would go for the earlier one then transfer to the other if you want. I ended up having 4 scans at three hospitals, changed my mind about where to give birth about mid way through, no problem with information being shared as same area.

Thanks all! I haven't had a booking appointment anywhere yet! Hospital A just sent me this scan date through the post. I know it's unusual and I realise most people do have their booking appt before the scan but I don't know if they insist on it.

Hospital B is the only one that's offered me a booking appt - and that's two days after the scan from Hospital A.

If you want screening then go for the earlier date. The NT measurement can only be taken up to 13+6. Any movement in dating your pg could well put you out of the screening windows at the later scan.

Be.careful that you scan at hospital a hasn't already been cancelled and the letter has crossed in the post. They can be printed, sent to the post room and then cancelled on the computer. You don't want to turn up and find that you don't have the scan booked in. I know this because I had a miscarriage at 9 weeks, the midwife said all my appointments wounded automatically cancelled and I didn't need to do anything. 10 days later I got a letter for my 12 week scan. Apart from being upset I rang up to cancel it and the lady that answered looked on the computer and said that it was cancelled, then told me to take care, so she must have been able to see why. So if you still want the earlier scan check it's still on the system.

Also check that if you don't attend the scan at hospital b they don't cancel your booking in appointment. My scan letter said if I didn't turn up my care would be transferred back to my gp, ie you go to the beginning and have to be referred again.