Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

Original poster

My Doctor has cocked up on booking nuchal.

21 replies

argghhh · 03/04/2007 12:10

I am 12 weeks and 42 years - but because he didn't get the letter to the hospital earlier enough I am not entitled to a combined test.

As it is his cock up can I get it private and will the surgery foot the bill?

Any advice welcome - I am unduly stressed.

(name change as this is still early days and bit of a shock really)

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

HoraceWimp · 03/04/2007 12:11

have you rang the ultrasound department or spoken to your midwife? they should be able to squeeze you in, you have 2 weeks left after all before they cannot measure anymore

GooseyLoosey · 03/04/2007 12:12

Not sure, but would arrange a private one asap because of the timing and work out the payment afterwards. I would certainly give them the bill and ask what they intend to do about it.

Original poster

argghhh · 03/04/2007 12:16

the hospital say they can't squeeze me in and it is the Doctors fault for not getting referral letter to them soon enough ( this said on phone not written)

really annoyed because I checked with him that this hospital would def do a nuchal - otherwise I would have booked in with another (further away)

Of course he isn't in today so am awaiting another Doctor from the surgery to call me back.

OP posts:

BetsyBoop · 03/04/2007 14:49

as you probably know you've got to 13w6d to get it done, so I'd ask your m/w to speak to the hospital, she might have more luck.

You are so lucky to have it on the NHS in your area though, the only option where I live is private, grrr postcode lottery........

Original poster

argghhh · 03/04/2007 21:07

well it's definately the Doctors cock up.
Apparently my referral letter didn't get to them until 2 weeks after it was dated - and then, the hospital say they did call
him and told him kmow that I still wouldn't qualify for the 'combined test' (as that is only for bookings in the new financial year)
He should have called me and informed me.

Had I known this info I would have had time to have switched hospital and been booked in for a nuchal.
As it is I will have to go private.

I don't suppose there is much else I can do other than complain about the Doctor's tardiness?

OP posts:

zephyrcat · 03/04/2007 21:09

Is it really up until 13 + 6? I've got mine booked for when I will be 14 + 2!

BandofBunnies · 03/04/2007 21:12

Not sure what a nuchal is, but if it's something you NEED, then surely he is liable or something if you can't get it without paying???

NotQuiteCockney · 03/04/2007 21:14

I think the private clinics generally have an 'emergency' day, for NHS patients who've had a bad result from the NHS and want a private (more reliable) nuchal before having CVS or similar. I know that Nicolides' place has this sort of day, as we went to it ourselves.

Original poster

argghhh · 03/04/2007 21:18

NQC is that the birth centre? I have got a provisional booking with them for next week.

ZC I think the dating is for them to get the best possible view of nuchal fold - not sure how much difference 3 days will make.

OP posts:

NotQuiteCockney · 03/04/2007 21:21

Fetal Medicine Centre - run by the bloke who invented the nuchal fold.

fishie · 03/04/2007 21:23

i didn't get one on nhs (a couple of months too young) and rang fetal medicine centre for advice. they will tell you exactly what dates and what your options for the test are.

didn't go in the end, decided i was being silly. but then had forty fits about triple test instead and wished i had.

Original poster

argghhh · 03/04/2007 21:25

nqc was it just the nuchal scan or did you have the 'combined' which involves blood test as well as nuchal?

(how did it go?)

OP posts:

NotQuiteCockney · 03/04/2007 21:26

I had combined - that's what they do.

It was fine. Well, on the emergency day, you have to hang about a lot, bring a book/knitting and food.

I was 31 for first pg and 34 for second (last) so not that alarmed, anyway. But it's nice to have the best available test if you can.

Oh, wait - we had the 20-week there with DS1, and then nuchal and 20-week with DS2, that's right. We found them much more pleasant/efficient/etc than the NHS scans.

NotQuiteCockney · 03/04/2007 21:26

Oh, yes, and all results were great.

Original poster

argghhh · 03/04/2007 21:35

cheers.
Well I guess that is the way forward. Can't go thro this pregnancy not knowing.

Don't know what I would do if it is confirmed it's a high risk - but one step at a time I guess?

OP posts:

NotQuiteCockney · 03/04/2007 21:37

Hmmm, it's worth think about what you'd do. At least, if you're sure you you wouldn't abort for a trisomy, it might not be worth having the test? (Although, of course, there are worse trisomies than Down's, but they're pretty rare.)

Original poster

argghhh · 03/04/2007 21:39

think I just need to know - so even if I can't terminate I would at least be prepared.

OP posts:

SweetyDarling · 04/04/2007 08:47

The Birth Company is also great (www.birthcompany.com - I think) and they do early morning appointments if that is helpful for you. No waiting at all.
My NHS nuchal was booked for after I was 14 weeks so was totally useless so went private. I have now become a scan junkie though - it's going to cost me a fortune, but I just love seeing the little wriggler!

amidaiwish · 04/04/2007 09:02

my doctor did the same
if you are in london, kick up a big enough stink and they will send you to Kings
they have a massive clinic with hundreds of people there (our appt ran 2 hours late!) but they give each person as much time as they need, have lots of students there (so thorough but slow).

your surgery won't pay, no way. the best you can hope for is that they won't charge you for the referral letter!
nuchal scan isn't seen as an essential and isn't offered at all in many areas.

margo1974 · 04/04/2007 09:11

If you don't get the nuchal, there is something called a Barts test which they do at kings. The nuchal tests were both late for my dds. There are much worse things than having a baby with Downs imo, and they can be picked up with the anomaly scan at 20 weeks.

Don't worry x

Original poster

argghhh · 04/04/2007 12:56

result!
It pays to complain.
The hospital has agreed to the combined test next week. I think because I emailed the head of midwifery and she got onto it.

So big relief - well that is until the next bit.

Thanks all.

OP posts:

Flip