Not having a 12 week scan

[mommysharkdodo]

So I went for my scan on Friday not knowing how many weeks I was and found out I was 9+2. I now don't have another scan until I am 20 weeks! I asked if I would not need one at 12 weeks and she said no because I am not having the screening for downs.

I was in and out of my scan in 5 minutes she showed me the heart beating, took a few pictures and that was it! Didn't tell me if the baby is looking ok or anything. I didn't really want to tell everyone until I was 12 weeks so was hoping to have a scan picture that didn't just look like a white blob (which is what mine looks like at 9 weeks) will I have to pay for a private scan or should I be having one at 12 weeks?

Is there no other tests that should be done before 20 weeks?

Did you say you didn’t want Downs screening? Because normally you would have this between 12 & 13&6 weeks.

Hhmmm you've got two choices I guess, 1 opt in for the Downs test if you opted out originally, and to be honest, whether it makes a difference or not, it's best to be prepared
2 pay for a private test

I’d contact your midwife op, that doesn’t sound right - have you had a booking in appointment yet? Is there any particular reason you’re not having the Downs screening?

Did you say you didn't want the Down' s screening? How come you had the scan before 12 weeks? Or were you earlier than what you thought?

That's interesting because I had one at 10+2 weeks thinking it was my 12 week and it wasn't. They then booked me into for an actually 12 week one. I would call my midwife and ask for it! Otherwise you can't get the testing done (if you wanted to get it done)

I was too early (irregular cycles) to have my NT done so they did rebook me another scan to have that done but if you don't want the NT you only get a dating scan which they have done so you probably won't get another scan

Yep unless you have NT screening it's just a dating scan which you've already had

My first scan is going to be at 20 weeks. My insurance won’t pay for a earlier one.

I had this with my first pregnancy, they sent me for a dating scan just after 9 weeks and I was a day late to be eligible for a 12 week scan as well.

I would opt in for the Down syndrome test just to get the 12 weeks scan to be honest, it's not an actual yes or no it's just a ratio of your odds and they ask you a few lifestyle questions it's all very vague and not like an amnio at all.

If you don’t want the Downs screening then there is no need for another scan.

You’ve seen the heartbeat that’s all they need to check at 12 weeks

We've no scan between 12 weeks and 32. It seems too long. Can you opt into the downs screening for the scan.

Is this in the Uk?
This isn't right. Dating a pregnancy is most accurate between 11 and 13 weeks or thereabouts. So you should be called back for dating in 2-4 weeks regardless of whether you were going for screening or not.
Contact your antenatal clinic manager or community midwife and query this.

I had two scans with eldest. Mainly because of a cock up over my LMP by the midwife who wouldn't believe me that I'd not had a period for 3 months but hadn't been pregnant in that time. So I went for a scan at what midwife believed was 16 weeks and turned out was actually only a few weeks! I was brought back in at 13 weeks for another scan.

I had this with my eldest. I had bleeding at 9 weeks so they scanned me to see if baby had died of not and they dated me at the same time. They said I couldn't have another scan until 20 weeks. I'd had a missed miscarriage previously which made it even harder.

We don't routinely get the NT in NI but with DS I was scanned at booking in for viability then had the dating scan with a consultant at 13+2. It was a low risk pregnancy but FTM. This time at booking in the midwife did date the scan amending EDD at 10+2 but baby was like a kidney bean and difficult to measure. Then at 13+6 I seen a consultant who scanned me and amended the EDD again. I am shared consultant led this time so maybe that's why. But it does seem rather strange for you esp that early!

When I had mine, they only screened at 18 weeks, not sure when the 12 week scan became common, I thought it was just to confirm dates?

We had a dating scan at roughly 9+3, we didn’t want the down syndrome screenings but were still invited back for another scan to check the dates at around 13 weeks (we were away from the day after the first scan until the day before the 2nd).

As it turned out baby then misbehaved for the 20 week so we got 2 of them and then due to problems with the pregnancy had another 10 scans before she was born at 34 weeks.

Call your community midwife, she may be able to get you in!

I didn’t have the downs screening with my DC and as a result my first scans were at 11 and 8 weeks with DC1&2. It didn’t make a difference to the pregnancy whatsoever, just obviously meant I went longer between scans.

If you really want another at 12 weeks, ask for the screening or have a private scan.

Thank you all for your replies!
It was my decision not to have the screening after reading up about it I didn't want it.
I have found a private scan near me that's only £39 from 13 weeks so I will wait till then

The "downs" screening screens for a lot more than downs - have you made a fully informed decision that you don't want to be screened for conditions like Edwards syndrome that are incompatible with life? Fine if you have but lots of people don't

@Hanuman, I think most people who decline screenings will have read up about what they are declining. I know for certain we had and got challenged to a degree by the person performing the scan. I guess it's just personal preference though...

@thetimehascometo I am sure some people do their research. The OP refers to it as the "Downs screening" which might be just for ease but also might suggest that she is not aware that the nuchal measurement can indicate a number of different issues, including some much more serious than Downs. I have seen a lot of posters on here unaware of the other syndromes screened for.

Of course it is a personal decision - I am not here to argue about It, just to flag up that it is not just about Downs

The bloods from that screening also throw up things like low papp-A which is associated with IUGR and pre-eclampsia in some pregnancies - which puts you on a different pathway with extra growth scans and midwife visits. Plus daily mini aspirin.

Fortunately my "high risk" downs result was cancelled out by a NIPT screening but would rather be aware and prepared for problems - plan to give birth in big regional hospital rather than generic town hospital to give the child the best chance...

I had a scan at 10 weeks to date them 12 week even though I said no to screening. I would ask again.