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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Booking appointment and First scan. At 14wks 4days!

40 replies

Momma22 · 06/10/2018 12:22

I'm currently almost 11 weeks pregnant. Have seen the midwife at my gp surgery about 2 weeks ago. Not for my booking in, basically just for a chat and to be given a few leaflets. Was told I'd get a letter from the hospital and my scan and booking apt would be on same day.

Had a letter through from the hospital this morning, my booking in appointment will be when I'm 14wks plus 4! Said nothing about my scan? Called to find out why so late? Of course it's a Saturday so the maternity dept midwives aren't in, but spoke to a midwife on postnatal who was lovely and able to shed a little light on the situation. She said that even though it's not specifically stated in the letter I would be being scanned that day, and also they dont count your first scan as the official dating scan, they actually date your pregnancy at the 20 week scan. I was concerned that 14wks4 would be too late to check nuchal translucency, so asked about that, she said they don't routinely carry out NT tests at that hospital, however if you're in the right time frame they will check it, If not it's just the blood test and that's that? She said I'd have to call back Monday when the maternity dept midwives are in and see what they could do for me, so I'm going to do that ...

So different to when I had my first baby? I had my first DD in England and I'm now in Northern Ireland, so either they do things differently over here or a lot has changed in the 3 years since my last baby ...

If that's the only app they have available and they're just really busy then there's little i can really do about it, but I'm gonna push for at least the week before so I can get the NT looked at at-least.

Do you ladies not think 14wks plus 4days seems very late for booking in/first scan?

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TinyMarie · 06/10/2018 12:25

To be honest, I've not heard of being dated at 20 weeks as the first scan is often called the dating scan for that very reason. I also thought checking the NT was routinely done everywhere as they can tell a lot from it. Is it an option for you to book a private scan earlier?

MadamePeony · 06/10/2018 12:27

This does not sound like standard practice in England. I had booking at 8 weeks, scan at 12W where everyone has NT measurement plus bloods then 20W is your anomaly. 12W is the dating scan. I'm 30W now and have a routine growth scan at 36W.

They do things very differently where you are now so must seem very confusing!

Original poster

Momma22 · 06/10/2018 12:38

I thought exactly the same as you ladies @TinyMarie @MadamePeony it doesn't seem like standard practice to date your pregnancy at the 20 week scan and to not carry out the NT test? I'm currently looking at prices for a private scan, however I feel I shouldn't have to pay out of my own pocket for vital tests that should be carried out at the hospital anyway? OH thinks I'm making a fuss over nothing and he hospital 'obviously know what they're doing' 🙄 And I should just go along with 14wks plus 4. Interestingly the midwife I spoke to told me other hospitals in the area do carry out the NT test and date your pregnancy from 12 weeks? So it's not just a thing in NI, just that hospital? I'll call again on Monday see if I get more answers before I book a private scan.

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TinyMarie · 06/10/2018 12:42

Is there anyone you know there who has gone through a pregnancy who could shed some light? I don't think it's fair that things are done differently depressant on the hospital and agree you shouldn't have to pay if it's standard practice elsewhere. I was a wreck having to wait 12 weeks and my other half thought I was overreacting too. I don't think they always understand the stress and worry we feel from the moment we get the positive line as it's our body.

LiquoricePickle · 06/10/2018 12:43

You're completely right. In fact, the dating scan is at twelve ish weeks because as you get forget on it's much more difficult to accurately date the baby because they grow at differently rates. I would also insist on the NT measurement if at all possible.

TinyMarie · 06/10/2018 12:43

*Dependant, not depressive. Bloody auto-correct

Original poster

Momma22 · 06/10/2018 12:50

I totally agree! @TinyMarie they just don't understand the worry! I went through a MC in April so underatandly im anxious to know that baby is healthy and everything's as it should be. I don't know anyone who's had a baby at my chosen hospital? My SIL had her two children at a different hospital in the area, however I wasn't keen on that hospital as there's no midwife led unit only a labour ward, plus i did some research online into my chosen hospital and it seemed the best fit for me and had glowing reviews! To be fair I didn't look too much into their maternity services only the actual birth centre, postnatal services etc. Wish I had now, as I might have reconsidered ...

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Original poster

Momma22 · 06/10/2018 12:53

I'm going to call on Monday and push for thenm to see me earlier. If you don't ask you don't get! I think you're well within your rights to question things that don't seem quite right, so that's what I'm going to do!

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TinyMarie · 06/10/2018 12:55

I'm sorry to hear that! The fact you've gone through that is even more reason to make sure you are covering all bases. It's hard to pick somewhere as you assume things are done pretty much the same everywhere which seems to be the case in England. I would definitely call and speak to someone else at that hospital and if need be, book a private scan. It doesn't seem fair but I think the reassurance you would feel after would be worth the money!

shoofly · 06/10/2018 13:01

I'm in Northern Ireland, but as my boys are 12 and 7 it was a while ago. I'm fairly sure DS1 was booked in and scanned close to 12 weeks. I had private antenatal for DS2 so he was scanned all the time. If you didn't mind saying which hospital, someone local might know?

Original poster

Momma22 · 06/10/2018 13:06

Called my local private scan clinic to get an idea on prices for a dating scan. It's twice the price I originally thought it would be! Plus they don't carry out the NT test at the private clinic, so just solely for a 2d scan to date the pregnancy, we just can't justify the price. They also said they do the dating scan only up to 12 weeks so I doubt I'd get an appointment in time, considering I'm already almost 11 weeks. The lady on the phone at the private clinic sounded surprised that they're scanning me so late and not doing the NT test at my hospital? I'm going to keep pushing for an earlier scan if not I'll shop around for a cheaper scan, if they don't do the NT test at least I'll have the reassurance of actually seeing the baby and having a due date

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Original poster

Momma22 · 06/10/2018 13:07

It's the Ulster Hospital @shoofly I was told the royal do carry out all the necessary tests, so confused as to why the Ulster don't?

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Firstbornunicorn · 06/10/2018 13:09

What trust are you in? I've just had an appointment through for my booking in in the Northern trust (NI) and it does say the midwife will perform a scan on the day. I'll be around 13 weeks then. No mention of NT testing, but I had mentioned to my GP I didn't want Downs Syndrome testing, so maybe that's why.

Original poster

Momma22 · 06/10/2018 13:12

My letter says the south eastern health and social care trust @firstbornunicorn so I'm assuming that's it

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Firstbornunicorn · 06/10/2018 13:13

I just looked it up. They only do NT testing if you're "high risk" e.g. over 35. And from what I can see, that applies to all trusts.

TinyMarie · 06/10/2018 13:14

It seems so strange to me that the hospital don't check the measurement when they are scanning you anyway? I hope you manage to get some clarification and an earlier scan!

Firstbornunicorn · 06/10/2018 13:14

Aye that'll be it if you're heading to the Ulster. I know a few people who have gone for private scans in Lisburn and found the prices reasonable.

TinyMarie · 06/10/2018 13:17

Please help! Are combined tests offered on the NHS in Northern Ireland? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/2179468-Please-help-Are-combined-tests-offered-on-the-NHS-in-Northern-Ireland

I've just found this post OP and it seems it's not offered routinely where you are.

Original poster

Momma22 · 06/10/2018 13:19

I called Lisburn @firstbornunicorn we're planning on having the gender scan there as I've heard the Ulster don't tell you the gender at the 20wk scan. I thought for £59 it seemed reasonable as they give you 4 prints a peak in 4D etc, but I thought £69 seemed a bit steep just for a 2d dating scan? I dont know? Never had a private scan before so maybe I'm just not clued up on how much it should cost

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Original poster

Momma22 · 06/10/2018 13:24

thanks for finding that for me @TinyMarie I guess that's that's then. No NT test. I suppose I don't need to worry too much given im still in my 20s and I don't know of any reason that would put the baby at higher risk of Down's syndrome etc. Would have been reassuring to know though, but what can you do?

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Firstbornunicorn · 06/10/2018 13:25

@Momma22 it seems like they're just playing on that first trimester fear! Bit of a rip off maybe. I have already had a scan at 8 weeks, but that was because they suspected an ectopic pregnancy.

If you have any concerns/issues, I'm sure you'll get an early scan on the NHS.

Don't know what to say about the NT testing. I understand some people want to be prepared, but I'm trying to take an attitude of "whatever will be, will be". Easier said than done, tbh.

TinyMarie · 06/10/2018 13:34

I would still ask when you have the scan if they can check it whilst you're there. The person doing it may be able to reassure you so you never know!

Katinkak8 · 06/10/2018 13:52

If it makes you feel reassured at all, my baby couldn't have the nuchal measurement taken at my 12 week scan because it was being a monkey and in the wrong position. I just had a blood test at 16 weeks instead.
It does seem a little strange that they don't date at 12 weeks though.

Meganc559 · 06/10/2018 15:46

I was meant to be 12 weeks at my first scan but ended up being 14 weeks+
The sonographer said they couldn't.do the Nt test as I was too far on and.i was only offered a blood test at 16 weeks

shallichangemyname · 06/10/2018 16:04

Whether you get the nuchal 12w scan depends on the LHA. I moved LHAs in between each pregnancy. 1st 2 DCs I was given nuchal as standard (Westminster then Kingston). Second 2 DCs I wasn't (Northants). With the latter 2, i wanted the scans and therefore paid privately.

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