Should I go to my anomaly scan?

[Dandani]

Theres 4 confirmed cases of coronavirus at my hospital and now I'm a bit worried about going for my scan. Also because I would have 2 take my two children to it. I'm not sure if it's the best idea to be going? If I could I'd save myself the stress of trying to take them with me but unfortunately I dont have that option. What would you do?

I would go. In the very unlikely event there is something wrong with the baby you want all options open to you

That's why I want to go but I'm also a worrier and the hospital have said to not bring children to the hospital. I'm going to try and sort something out for the kids but it's highly unlikely I will be able to get someone to look after them because we live quite far away from everyone we know

I would definitely go. It's a very important scan and you would want to know if there's anything remotely wrong but also to have reassurance that everything is okay x

Absolutely go. But tell your children to stay seated and not to touch anything while you’re getting your scan.

Yes. Go. Scans are essential. I’ve been back & forth to my hospital for monitoring this weekend - 2 confirmed cases currently at my hospital. My babies well-being is the most important thing. I’m just washing my hands very regularly.

The midwives & doctors have been quick to reassure me the coronavirus patients were isolated upon arrival to the hospital and no doctors treating them have been anywhere near maternity services. There is also no evidence that pregnant woman are more at risk nor that baby is at risk either. In fact babies & children are the ones getting the mildest symptoms & recovering very quickly.

There’s an argument for potentially having your midwife appointments by phone but please don’t miss vital scans.

Ps. My hospital don’t allow children into the 12 or 20 week scans - have you double checked you can?

At the best of times, I don't think taking children to the anomaly scan is the best idea (because what if there is, indeed, an anomaly of some kind?) so if you can come up with any sort of plan B for them then I would. In terms of the scan, though, I would say that it's important and that unless you're someone who a) would want to proceed with the pregnancy no matter the news and b) would not want to access any sort of treatment option or strategy for anything that's observed on the scan but can be treated or avoided by having that information, then you should go.

Look at it this way. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of patients currently admitted to the hospital you'll be going to, and most likely they include people with far more concerning conditions than coronavirus - and you won't be interacting with any of them at all, because they'll all be off in a ward somewhere. Take reasonable care (wash your hands when you have the opportunity, don't go round licking the magazines in the waiting room) but yeah, I'd go of I were you. (And indeed, I am going to a growth scan this morning.)

Yes you should go but you shouldnt take your kids. Both the hospitals I've been to wont allow kids into scans anyway - have you checked they're allowed.

I took them to my 12 week scan and it was fine, I will phone and check. I know I need to go to check everything's okay with the baby and I 100% want to go but I'm sort of stuck if they say absolutely no kids. Thank you for your replies, I appreciate it x

Have you got a partner? The kids need to stay with them if so.

You should most definitely go so that you are in possession of all the facts. Chances are that everything will be fine, but you need to know.
I had mine last week and had to bring my toddler. If you have no help, what else are you supposed to do?
I have to go back next week because they couldn't assess the spine because of the way she was lying. I wouldn't dream of missing it.

Hmm yeah that's true actually! Why didnt I think of that not ideal but I guess that solves my problem

Mine also has 4 confirmed cases (possibly the same hospital?!) but luckily the maternity wing where scans and giving birth happens is a completely separate building to the rest of the hospital which helps to put my mind at ease. They will be keeping the confirmed cases well away from those they deem vulnerable so I would just got to the scan as normal unless told otherwise by the hospital.

North Mid by any chance? That’s my hospital and I have cancelled my mat appointment this morning.

Yes defo go.

Side note - at maternity services in my hospital they only allow one partner per patient, this includes outpatients as well as inpatients. They wont allow children in. All patients are also being phoned prior to their appointment and asked COVID-19 screening questions.

My scan dept usually allows children in for scans however we have just informed patients that this is no longer the case. In fact children are discouraged from going into the hospital at all at present unless the appointment is for them.
However if you don't have childcare we definitely would not turn you away.

Definitely go it's very important but I think it's unlikely your kids will be allowed in now. Most hospitals maternity departments are limiting to one person and no children under any circumstances

Just to add for a scan I wouldn’t miss it. X

So it's looking like I need to go on my own then, in that case would the sonographer write the gender down for me so I can still share the surprise with my oh and kids? Obviously all being well with the baby, I know that's the last thing of importance about this scan but I dont want to find out on my own

It's worth asking. Mine offered to write it down if we wanted

They'll write it down. They do for gender reveals.

Thank you all! Seems like such an obvious answer to my question but I didn't think about it lol

I would prefer to stay away from any hospital or mass setting.

4 confirmed cases, according to a Belgian professor in infectious diseases, is 40 to 55 in real life. Contamination rate is reportedly 2 to 3.

Pregnant women are more vulnerable to infection in general because their immune system is naturally depressed to make sure their bodies don't attack the baby. Babies of up to 6 months are at higher risk of complications.

Personally I would try to get a private anomaly scan in a setting with much fewer people.

Yep, definitely go. Pregnant women are at no greater risk if they contract it and tbh the chance of you getting it is low anyway. You need to have the anomaly to make sure your baby is doing ok whilst there’s still time if, heaven forbid, anything is wrong.

A private anomaly scan is £180 here and I don't have that sitting spare to get one

Had my scan and they weren't allowed to write down the gender so ended up finding out myself and just telling dh after. No under 16s are allowed to appointments at my hospital just now so good job I didn't just take the kids