Unclear scan at 11+6

[OnNaturesCourse]

So went for a scan today and baby was curled up super tight and really not playing the game.

After wiggling around they straightened out a little and measured roughly 12+3.

The women scanning me was quite cold and offish. She stated that baby was too small to see anything of the anatomy, and she wasn't able to do the down syndrome test. I tried to voice my concern saying according to my dates I'm only 11+6 and therefore measuring bigger than expected, but she stopped me mid sentence and told me off for using my own dates and said baby's skin and or mine could just be too thick. She took my number and said someone would call me with another scan date for next week. I had loads of concerns and questions but I really felt like I wasnt able to ask.

Has anyone else had a unclear scan at roughly 12 weeks?

She spent AGES trying to measure the baby's skin on the neck so I'm super worried about Downs syndrome now... And she certainly seemed to be too.

See picture

I had a similar experience with DD2... actually you're lucky you've been offered a second scan as I was just told they couldn't do the nuchal fold measurement as the baby was too small/wrong position, so we'd have to just have the (less reliable) combined screening and wait for the 20 week scan for everything else.
In our case everything was fine.

Oh I am thankful I got offered another scan in that case... I'd go crazy waiting to 20 weeks. Xx

Hopefully they will be able to get the measurements they need at your next scan but If you are worried about the Down's syndrome risk and it's an option for you, you can have the harmony test done privatively, they basically analyse the baby's DNA in your blood to give you a risk of downs, T13 and T18 and it's supposed to be much more accurate. I had it done and it was about £400.

Also if you have questions you can give your antenatal screening department a ring, I had an anomaly show up on my 20 week scan (turns out it is nothing) but the midwives in that team were amazing and happy to answer any questions/concerns I had.

Happened to us. You couldn't even tell it's a baby on the scan photo.

She's currently sat in my arms at just shy of 6 months old.

I too had to wait for my 20 week scan.

I'm very nervous now that she maybe thinks shes seen something and wants to check / confirm it? Maybe that's why I've to go back...

I would imagine she would have called for a senior sonographer there and then if she had found anything. .
My ds had club feet and she got someone else in at my 12 week scan.

I'm a natural worrier and her people skills failed to reassure me. Even my DP said she spoke to me like a child. She didn't even acknowledge him really. Xx

They'd have told you if they'd seen something wrong, try not to worry :) your scan picture is a little fuzzy so sounds like they just couldn't get a clear enough image to do the measurements. I had an anterior placenta with my son and the picture was much worse quality than my current pregnancy so perhaps it's something like that? I'd imagine not having a full bladder or being a little overweight might have a similar effect too. Sounds to me like she just had a bad attitude sadly.

She actually told me I was 'on the skinny side" then said either me or baby could just have thick skin or muscle... But again she didn't elaborate! Xx

I had an awful experience with a sonographer too. Was being scanned for suspected ectopic and she said "your uterus is empty and you have something outside, consistent with an ectopic. Now put your clothes on and leave the room whilst I write my report. Bye"

I found out at my last scan that the scanning machine itself can play a big part in picture on the screen and the ease of doing the scan. The sonographer and her assistant were discussing between themselves the difference between the machine they were using that day and the one they used recently at a small, rural hospital elsewhere. They were very pleased with the clarity of the picture and noted how quickly they were able to do all the measurements. They likened it to driving a bashed up 20 year old Ford Escort one day and driving a Porsche the next!

I remember it because dp joked that we loved our Ford Escort (we don't have one), but oh how we laughed.

So that could have added to it?

Yeah, my 9 week private scan was super clear... I could even see the baby's nose lol, but this one was so blurry and she kept blaming baby's position but the machine just wasn't as clear as I hoped it would be.

My bladder was certainly full, full to bursting point!!

I just hope all goes OK next week now. Feel like I'm nervous and worried all over again xx

Hi @onnature just wanted to say that I went in for NT scan but she said I was only 10+5 so couldn't do it and booked me in again but by the time they could fit me in I got there and they put me forward a few days so was 14+2 or something and they couldn't do it again as too far but meaning that I was 11 weeks at the first one so she should have been able to do it. The first scan looked like my kids did it on one of those magna doodle boards. They didn't suspect anything, so some places will re book you try not to worry x

Remember that this is your dating scan re. your 11+6/12+3 confusion. If your baby measured 12+3 today then your due date will change based on today's measurements and a 4 day change isn't uncommon at all. 12w scan is the ideal time to correctly date a pregnancy.

I'm sorry she was curt with you and wish you well for your next scan.

That scan does look hazy, hopefully you get more luck next week. I wouldn't worry at all about baby measuring a couple of days ahead.

Surely if she's dating me over 12 weeks though I should be able to a decent scan. I would understand if I was under 12 weeks like i originally thought.

The other thing is 12 + 4 weeks ago i was still on my period so cant possibly have been pg. We were actively trying so i have a log of everything lol. I personally just think baby will be big, both me and DP were big/long

I hope the appointment comes through soon, DP will be in hospital next week plus ill be at work so need to get things organised.

Thank you all xx

Surely if she's dating me over 12 weeks though I should be able to a decent scan. I would understand if I was under 12 weeks like i originally thought

This was almost the exact same scenario as mine. I thought I was around 11+3, she dated me as 12+2 but said the baby was 'too small to measure properly' which panicked me. No explanation at all. Baby was born at 8lbs 8oz and has been 98th centile all her life!

I think it mainly boils down to bad bedside manner.

I sure hope so.

Baby was definitely curled up so can't have made her job easy but I came away worried and stressed as it felt like it was my fault

@thingy That is so awful. I'm so sorry.

They count the pregnancy date from your last period, so you're not even pregnant for the first two weeks. Don't worry too much about dates, it's all estimated anyway. Due dates are estimated too; its common to be 2 weeks early and up to 2 weeks late.

Your sonographer wasn't very kind or professional and I'd write feedback to the hospital. thingy that's horrible. I really feel for you, must have been really hard.

OP never feel it's your fault! There are always healthcare professionals who don't realise how vulnerable their patients are. Take this experience and remember it: don't let anyone make you feel this way (or at least try!) I had a midwife who did a similar thing. Second time round, I was determined not to let any negative or unfeeling comments touch me. Hard, but worth it!

Definitely go for the Harmony if you can afford it. If you're in London, the Fetal Medicine Centre on Harley St does a scan and Harmony package. The sonographers are lovely!

She sounded rude!

Did she even try to get baby to move into a bettter position? I've been told to go for a short walk, empty my bladder, go get some chocolate from the canteen etc when my babies haven't been playing ball.

Hopefully you'll get a nicer sonographer next time.

Also the dates at a scan can be out by up to -/+ 7 days

i would go for a private scan or harmony if you can? i had very similar and the outcome wasn't good although saying that mine was always measuring behind.