Extremely anxious about 12 week scan

[Lunamoon4]

Does anyone have any reassuring words or insight into what the appointment is like?

This is my first pregnancy, I suffer with GAD and health anxiety and I’m absolutely terrified that something is going to be wrong with baby. I had an early private scan early January, based on that I am currently 13 weeks 1 day.

What actually happens at the NHS scan? I have already had my midwife booking appointment where they went through mine and my partners medical history.

I think I may feel less anxious if I know what to expect at this scan as hospitals also scare me

I completely understand how you feel. I had my 12w scan today, even though I had one 3 weeks ago I was still worried it wouldnt be there. It might vary from hospital to hospital but they were really nice, lied on the bed and there was a screen in front of me. they put gel on your belly and scan away. Mine was in an awkward position so I had do do a little dance to move it. they measure it. Mine was measuring at 11w+3 so have to go back next week where they check for fluid in the neck.

it was very relaxed and the ladies sin there were lovely. Good luck

Hey @Lunamoon4 I am in a similar boat in that it's my first pregnancy and I have been incredibly anxious (which is not usually the case at all) regarding reaching 12 weeks safely and the scan. I believe what will happen is that you'll have your Nuchal Translucency (NT) scan to check fluid on baby's neck, to see if it is a risk for Down Syndrome and other Trisomy conditions. Then you may have a blood test also if you have agreed to that. You'll need all of your paperwork with you that the midwife gave at the booking in appointment. That's my understanding of the process!

Worth noting that I've had 4 early private scans already so far due to worry so I'm not nervous about the actual procedure just health of baby

Mine was the same as above. I had managed to tell myself that they weren't going to find any baby in there but it was there! I also had a blood test after my scan which I opted in for.

Try and relax as much as you can before you go in. If your pregnancy is low risk you will probably not see your baby again until the 20 week scan (unless you get another private one done) and it is a long wait!

I'm going to assume that you're based in Eng/Scot/Wales as you've already had your midwife appointment. I'm in NI so procedures are slightly different.

My 12 week appointment was as follows:

• midwife did blood pressure, took blood, weighed me, went through the medical history, give me my notes and gave me an overview of my appointments/classes to come and what support was available to me.
• next I saw the consultant to discuss my mental health (I also suffer from an anxiety disorder so am shared care between consultant and midwives)
• next was scan. This is the part I struggle to remember as my pregnancy was unplanned and hadn't really sunk in yet. Seeing the baby on the screen was such a surreal experience! I think the sonographer just checked baby over, pointed out different organs, limbs etc, checked placenta and fluid and told us as much about baby as she could. Then she printed off some pictures for us and off we went.

The scan will be over before you know it so try to absorb as much of the experience as you can.