Advice about mmc at 20 week scan

[Beeseeinya]

I'm having a little bit of anxiety at the moment waiting for my 20 week scan, I'm 16 weeks. There is nothing to say there will be anything wrong, but I was about to book a holiday abroad starting 2 days after the scan appointment and wondered what would happen if I found out I'd lost it.

So if the baby is found not to have survived, what would happen next? Would they intervene medically in some way pretty quickly? Would I be sent away for things to end naturally? In either of these circumstances will i be able to go abroad 2 days later? A week later? Or how long?

Since that's the only week I can go, I'm considering a private scan before, just want to work out how much time I should give it before the holiday?

Sorry if this seems a bit cold. Maybe I should just postpone the holiday until further after the 20 week scan or not go at all.

I think you're having a bit of a panic - if everything went well at your 12 week scan there is absolutely nothing to suggest that it won't be fine at 20 weeks. Of course tragedies do happen but it's a very very small percentage of women

(If the worst happened you wouldn't be sent away for it to happen naturally - you would be induced and give birth in a hospital)

Oh yes it's definitely a panic thing. I'm somewhat in control of that and I feel it also is a logical thing to work out whether to book an expensive holiday that I can't go on. I know there are more important things than money but the thought of it is making me more anxious. I think if the holiday didn't exist I would happily hold out to 20 weeks, just like I did with 12.

So they would induce you on the same day as your scan appointment?

Surely if you book the holiday you would buy travel insurance which would cover you in the unlikely eventuality there is a problem at the 20 week scan?

I really don't think you need to worry about your holiday. Your panic seems a bit worrying. Have you spoken to someone in real life about it? Try to calm yourself down, you need to be relaxed for your baby. Hope you have a nice holiday! Look forward to it xx

The chance of a MMC at that stage is incredibly slim. I had two MMC’s but both were discovered at the 12 week scan. I had an ERPC the next day with the first one but it was around 4 days later with the second one, just depends when they have slots. A friend of mine recently lost a baby at 20 weeks and she had to give birth. I don’t think they offer ERPC’s past a certain point in pregnancy.

ANYWAY, the chance of a MMC is very slim in itself but to happen when you’ve already had the 12 week scan is almost unheard of. I really wouldn’t worry about this, all will be ok.

I can’t relate to this type of anxiety! I have my 20 week scan on Monday next week and it’s bad but I’ve already planned what I’m doing with my life after if it’s bad news 😢 it’s awful! I hope your okay you have ana amazing scan! Odds are in your favour xxx

Thanks for the advice everyone. I have anxiety anyway and am usually quite successful at coping and bringing myself back to earth. I am not feeling that stressed about it, I think a few things going wrong are overwhelming me slightly and maybe a few hormones in the mix! I heard baby heartbeat today which has helped put my mind at ease a lot.

Sorry my post was meant to say I can relate!! Glad you feel better after hearing the heartbeat is amazing isn’t it! I heard ours couple weeks back it instantly relaxed me at the time 😘 let us know how your scan goes xxx

Do you know what, I never even thought travel insurance could cover such a thing! I will look into it. May be exactly what I need to feel confident about booking. Thank you

If your pregnancy has been straightforward so far I think travel insurance should cover you for complications. Though obviously check the small print. I realise this is really more about the anxiety but I can relate in that I manage anxiety in pregnancy by overplanning the practicalities even though that wouldn't change the emotional impact of something going wrong!