Anyone had a scan recently? What protective measures were in place?

[maria2bela]

Just what the title says really, I'm quite paranoid about going for a scan in 2 weeks time, I was wondering if the sonographers wear any protective gear or anything?

Surgical mask, gloves, apron - standard basic PPE. No partners or children permitted in the hospital as an additional precaution.

I second the above. It was quiet, I was the only one in the waiting room, minimum wait, staff in PPE, and no partners/children.

No visitors. Chairs spaced out on waiting room. Hand gel dispensers everywhere. Security on the door ensuring only patients and staff entered.

Midwife/doctor not wearing PPE though (other than gloves). I wore my own mask.

@maria2bela - sounds like we are in for a fun experience.
I have my first NHS scan on 22 April (when I will actually be 13 weeks) but my husband has been so upset by missing our first child's first scan that we have pushed the boat out and been able to find a (very small) private clinic that is still currently allowing a husband/ partner to join so we can at least experience one scan together
So this scan is on Saturday but will of course still go to the NHS one.
Is this a possibility for you at all?

I had my 20 week scan 2 weeks ago, waiting room spaced out and being told to sit away from others, sonagrapher wore a basic mask, gloves and apron, also no husband/partners allowed in

All as above, I was also made to wash my hands in every new room I entered (waiting room, scan room etc)

Wash hands, go alone, enforced distancing in waiting room, sonographer in PPE. The sonographer didn't touch me at any time (except using the wand) and we sat two metres apart whilst talking. It was my first scan and I was 9 weeks; sadly there was no heartbeat and the sonographer said she would usually hug me but she wasn't allowed.

Sonographer and midwife in full PPE. Receptionists etc in masks and gloves. Minimal appointments. Chairs 2 metres apart. No partners, children or family members. Wash hands upon entering reception area, waiting area, and each new room and afterwards.

@Lurker so sorry to hear your sad news. I went for my 36 week scan last week and there was a lady looking not very pregnant crying quietly in the waiting room and my heart ached for her.

OP my sonographer was in PPE, chairs were at a distance in the waiting room and no partners allowed. Plus they took my temperature on the door and they didn’t handle any of my notes. I wore my own mask.

Slightly different question, but rather than start a new thread is it ok if I ask here?

How has it been for midwife appointments? Are midwives fully PPE'd? I've got my 36 week appointment (late, but I've not been able to go for a few weeks due to "symptoms", so I'm a bit out of sync) soon, and haven't been to an appointment since before all this started.

I'm slightly freaking out about going to the surgery, touching doors, being in waiting room, being close to midwife in little consultation rooms etc...not knowing who has been in before and how careful they have been (I'm assuming the midwife is at least sticking to guidelines and not hanging out with all her mates etc, but what if the several patients before me have all been flouting the rules and carrying on as normal??!)

It makes me want to cancel my appointments from now til the birth...

@LurkerFinallyPosts I'm so sorry to hear that. I've been through similar and it is so hard. Wishing you the best

@lurker I'm so sorry to hear that! How heartbreaking to have to go through that moment alone too. Xx

Thanks all for your replies, it seems generally they are being very cautious, it's just one of the consultants on the news that sadly passed away contracted the virus at the hospital I'm booked at...Feeling torn

@20wedding19 yes I was thinking to book a private instead as I thought might be less risky, but then I'm guessing at some point I'll have to have the hospital one done too, part of me wants to go and part of me thinks it might be best to hold hospital one off and just have private one for now

I had a private scan at Window to Womb 2 weeks ago . I had to wash my hands upon arrival but no other protective measures . I was the only one there and three other employees. No children allowed at the appointment however you can bring one guest . I had to go alone as my husband had our son . I felt safe there though, mostly because it was quiet .

I had a midwife appointment a week ago and that was a bit different . My midwife wore a suit , gloves and mask . The front desk was blocked off so I couldn’t get within 2 meters of it . Weirdly I didn’t feel as safe. It was busy with so many people coming and going .

@maria2bela - I got a very firm (all beit polite and professional) message saying how important it was to still go to the NHS appointments (I'm nervous too about this!)
Are you having the tests for for Edward's and Downs? (I know some choose not too)
We are only paying for a basic scan privately so I will be going to the NHS one mainly for those tests
Thank you to all the posters letting us know what to expect.
@LurkerFinallyPosts - As previous posters have said, I too am so sorry this happened to you and you had to go through that alone x

I had my 20 week NHS scan last week. I had to wait in the car park when I arrived and they called me when I was able to go in (they also checked on the phone that I hadn’t had any corona symptoms). Inside everyone was wearing masks / gloves etc. There were markers on the floor to keep everyone 2m apart and hand sanitizer everywhere. There were about 6 of us in the waiting room, all spread out and not looking at each other or talking. Was a very weird vibe but they are taking all the protective measures they can. I had to wait around an hour or so, I think the delay is because they disinfect the rooms after everyone has been in.

@MichelleOR84 Quite surprised they weren't wearing any masks etc!

@20wedding19 Yes I've emailed them and am expecting a similar response 🙄

@Melbs6 well if at my hospital they carry out the same type of protocols I'd probably feel quite safe going in, I think I need to order a full body suit and gask mask 😂, one with a bit that unzips at the belly!

@maria2bela - I had my first scan yesterday, the private one and I would hugely reccomend it. Worth every single penny if you can at all do that.
I'm 13 weeks and 4 days and they did a much more detailed scan than we paid for including a 4D image which, okay at this stage looks like an alien but its definitely human and you can see all the baby's features, now just needs a lot of meat on those bones
A very calm, reassuring atmosphere

@20wedding19 That sounds fab! I really would much rather go for a private one, the only thing that's getting in the way is wanting to have my urine tested which my hospital are doing when you go for your scan. I'm slightly further along (20 weeks) and they cancelled my 16 week appointment so I'm feel a little conflicted. If I do end up going to hospital one, I will be spraying myself too to bottom with antibac spray and wearing bloody bin bags!

I had to wait outside and they phoned me when they were nearly ready, to limit numbers in the waiting room. Marks on the floor to keep distance from receptionist. Ppe worn by all staff. Face mask available to all mums if requested. No partners. Felt wonderfully controlled and thought through. Good luck. You will be fine

Not a scan but I visited the midwife and also a nurse for my whooping cough vaccine this week, both were wearing PPE.

I had a scan on Friday and it was fine.

The hospital was empty, parking was free (nothing to do with keeping safe but an added bonus), there was hand sanitizer everywhere (and they kept reminding you to use it), only max 2 people allowed in a lift together, a barrier around the reception desk so you didn't get too close, staff and sonographers wearing PPE, quiet waiting area of women all on their own with plenty of room to socially distance, appointments all running to schedule, in and out in record time!