Private scan causing more anxiety

[Lotsofanxiety]

Hi, sorry if I posted in the wrong place.

I had a private scan three days ago for reassurance at what I thought was 11+2. It’s left me with more anxiety than before.

The sonographer measured baby at 11+5 but when I asked if the placenta was okay she said it’s far too early for it to form. That surely isn’t right?

Secondly, the NT looks enormous to me. I couldn’t afford to pay for an NT scan there and my NHS scan is due on Thursday but I can’t stop worrying. I can barely eat or sleep. I wish I’d asked if the nasal bone was visible but I doubt the sonographer would have answered since I couldn’t afford the full test. She asked me when my nt was due and seemed to be looking around a lot which made me think it was obviously bad, but wouldn’t tell me if that was why or not.

I understand, but I’m really, really scared. I guess I’m just looking for some reassurance since the scan didn’t give me much.

Thanks.

OP was there something else worrying you that made you book a private scan so close to the NHS one?

If something was wrong they have a duty of care to inform you there and then for you then to speak to your midwife. Most places would also write a letter, or inform your midwife / gp of any abnormal findings.

@peachypetite, My symptoms had eased hugely and I suffer with anxiety to a ridiculous extent. When I told the sonographer she said that’s normal, but if she doesn’t believe the placenta should be formed yet how is that possible? It can’t take over if it’s not there.

Hi OP.

I just wanted to say that I've had two private scans (third tomorrow...'I have an addiction)

I had one at 8 weeks and one at 16 and on both of those scans they scribbled through the placenta box on the form and said they don't comment on this until after 20 weeks.

At my 12 week NHS scan placenta was not mentioned.
At my 20 week scan the sonographer discussed my placenta with me.

I honestly wouldn't worry. Don't other think it.
🌟😘

I'm not sure a private scan will tell your much about the NT measurement cause I'm pretty sure that is something you have to opt for as part of the NHS screening. However I'd like to think morally they'd tell you if they seen any issues.

They're dead funny though, I was worried about my low Papp-A results, so at my private scan at 16 weeks I asked about it and they said just wait until my 20 week NHS scan. They didn't want to give me any info.

I know easier said than done but try not to worry!! That's a lovely scan photo btw xxx

You poor thing. My placenta was not commented on at my first scan either. There’s nothing you can do now but wait until Thursday. Can you try and make some plans to keep yourself busy until then?

I had my NHS scan slightly early at 11 and something weeks (by accident because my dates were a bit out). They said it was too early to check the placenta location/couldn't tell properly yet.

As above poster, my placenta wasn't mentioned at all until my 20 week scan.

I've also seen enough previous threads on MN about issues picked up at private scans to know that they tend to mention something if they see it.

@happygolucky6 Thank you, I will try to be calm. It makes much more sense that they just don’t comment on it than that it doesn’t exist (maybe she just misspoke?). Thanks for the reassurance

Thank you, wish I could just take the good from it instead of worrying. The sonographer did say that if I was willing to pay the extra she could comment on the NT but I’d have to have the bloods done too. Which is fair enough but my mind works overtime sometimes.

The placenta develops gradually from around 10 weeks onwards so it's normal for symptoms to start to ease. It's not usually fully formed until 14 weeks at which point is usually visible on a scan and the location can be determined.

You should though mention to your midwife about your anxiety as it is overwhelming you and you have a long way to go before baby is here, and afterwards you want to reduce your risk of PND. They will help ease you if they understand your feelings.

@peachypetite Thank you, I will try to think of something! Lockdown is making it worse, I think.

Yes placenta wasn't even mentioned until 20 week scan. Sonographers see babies all the time I would have thought she would have said if there was an issue. I've never had a private scan so don't know the ins and outs

Try not to attempt to read their expressions or body language!
The lady who did my 12 week scan had a face like thunder the whole way through and I was so sure that something was wrong. And then she just told me everything was fine, and it was.

You have my complete sympathy for the anxiety, I also suffer with anxiety and I know how persistent the thoughts can be.
Just try and remember that everyone who does the scans also wants you to have the best outcome possible and they would tell you if something was wrong.

@yukka Thank you, that makes more sense. I have contacted my midwife but with COVID everything seems to take longer.

@Mumoblue Thank you, everyone here is being very helpful. I think because she sonographer was so insistent she couldn’t comment on certain things it made it look like she really wanted to!

Midwife sonographer here. Hard to say for certain when it’s not your hand on the probe but I think what you are looking at when you say the NT is enormous may actually be the amnion not the NT. if you follow it round the back of the head it seems to join the membrane going up vertically from there if that makes sense. If the NT had looked enlarged to the sonographer they should really have measured and reported it as a suspected abnormality and referred you so I’m sure they must have thought it looked fine.

As others have said we don’t comment on the placenta this early so that’s probably what they meant but just misspoke/used the wrong turn of phrase.

Hope that helps, all the best for your official scan on Thursday

@mojojojo71 Thank you so much! That’s the trouble with trying to interpret things yourself, which I’m always trying to do. Need to stop it and let the the experts do their thing. Fingers crossed

When I went to a private scan ( included in harmony testing) quite close to my nhs 12 week one I asked about NT and the 'sonographer' said she wasn't trained in that. Some of these private companies really just want to show you the baby and can't offer any more detail than that. I can't see a large NT on your scan for what it's worth. I think you're looking at the wrong thing m

@chubbyhotchoc I agree, I think I’m confusing myself. No matter how many scans I look at I’m not sure what I’m seeing. I see the huge gap between the uterus and then a dark gap between two white lines which I assumed was the NT (the second gap, if that makes sense). It looks a bit long to be the NT though so now I’m hoping it’s the amnion.

Don’t think I’ll go to that company again regardless as I left the scan in tears and the sonographer scolded me for getting upset.

@Lotsofanxiety try and focus on the fact you saw your little baby and they had a good heartbeat and you're gonna see them all over again in a very short while at the NHS scan! It's going to be a very, very long and stressful pregnancy if you keep overthinking and self diagnosing and googling every little thing.

If you feel like your anxiety is taking over and causing a problem, then definitely speak to your midwife as they may be able to put you in tough with someone who can help.

I had a private scan yesterday at 10+2 and asked about the placenta because Iwanted to know if it was anterior. She said there was no placenta yet, and that the baby was still living off the yolk sac which she showed me. She said they cant really see/comment on the placenta until more like 14 weeks. She also said to me that the nuchal fold looked ok, and if there were any anomolies she had noted she would have referred me back to NHS. I think you need to find a different private chinic as your sonographer sounds like she needs a lesson in bedside manner!

@Lotsofanxiety out of interest which company was it? Some of them are definitely more medical than others. I've had poor experiences with ultrasound direct a few times but unfortunately it's the only place local to me.

Hi @Lotsofanxiety I wondered how you got on? I hope all went okay.

Hi @MojoJojo71 wouldn’t the amnion be the white horizontal line at the very bottom of the photo? I know this post is a few years old but my scan photo is almost identical.