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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

20 week scan

16 replies

Yorkshirelass251 · 30/07/2020 22:45

I had my 20 week scan on Tuesday. I had been really worried but everything seemed to go OK.

However I've worried since about a few things. It only lasted around 20 minutes whereas I thought it was usually closer to 40. I told the sonographer my leg was numb and asked if it could be because the baby was laying on a nerve and she said she didn't know. Then I realised after I'd left, she'd not even asked me if I wanted to know the sex! She didn't mention it all.

Now I'm worried she might have missed something more serious as she seemed so rushed. Any advice?

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1990shopefulftm · 30/07/2020 22:50

Mine was about 20 minutes, baby just happened to be in the right position throughout the scan, was it definitely a hospital that tells people the sex? It's rare but I believe some refuse to tell people in some areas.

LexiM · 30/07/2020 22:51

Mine wasnt 40 minutes as baby was well behaved and she got all the measurements quite easily. I think they should mention something if there is anything abnormal, did she say anything at all? Like all looks fine?! Do you have notes as you can always discuss it with your midwife later if you have any questions. I'm sure the midwife can help with you query too.

I know some areas of the country do not tell the gender, so wonder if that was why she didn't mention it. If not does seem a bit odd, I can only guess maybe she doesnt unless you ask.

SassyPants87 · 30/07/2020 22:54

Mine took about 15 mins! All was fine

SoundWithoutAName · 30/07/2020 22:59

I have 3 DC and none of my scans were anywhere near 40 minutes. Baby was probably in a good position to get all the measurements though if your worried ask your midwife for reassurance. Your hospital may not reveal the sex of the baby. At the hospital I went to, there was a sign in the waiting room telling people not to ask as they wouldn't be told. Could you pay for a private scan? Ime they're not too expensive, I think my last one was £40.

AnnaSW1 · 30/07/2020 23:03

Have you checked if your NHS trust reveals gender/sex. Not all do.

sel2223 · 30/07/2020 23:07

Mine was longer but only because baby was being awkward so they couldn't get all the necessary measurements (I had to go back for a rescan).
They have a checklist of what they need to measure so, if they get the measurements on 15 or 20 mins then great, other times it might take double that.
It's a medical scan and they will tell you if anything untoward is found. Not all trusts will tell you the sex....at mine, you have to ask at the start.

Lackadaisically · 30/07/2020 23:16

If baby is being helpful and in a good position then I think all the measurements can be taken quite quickly.

My babies were not helpful and with both pregnancies they gave up and rebooked me for a later date to get the final measurements. Even with all the faffing to try to get baby to move (being asked to jiggle around on the table, star jumps, sent to run up and down stairs, sent to pee) my appointment was not 40 minutes. Probably 30ish as I say there was a lot of faffing!

They may have just forgotten about telling you about the sex. It makes no difference to them after all and they don't check for any medical reason. If you didn't ask then I can see how it would be easy for it to just not get mentioned.

Footlooseandfancy · 30/07/2020 23:26

Think with my first we were done in 10 minutes tops! Second is more awkward so took longer. I've asked both times because we wanted to know the sex because otherwise I assumed they would think that we didn't.

Foreverbaffled · 31/07/2020 08:35

Yup mine was about 15 minutes. The sonographer was charmless and disinterested but assume she did all she needed to. The report seemed relatively detailed although did say “not checked” for umbilical cord so not sure if she forgot 🤷🏻‍♀️ The whole thing was a massive anticlimax after weeks of waiting. Ah well, baby seems fine so all good.

110APiccadilly · 31/07/2020 08:47

Mine took ages. Because I had to keep trying to get baby to move into a better position. Baby didn't share this goal! The actual scanning probably took about 20 mins, if that.

I think a lot will not tell you sex unless you ask for it specifically. And as others have said, some have a policy of not telling sex (to avoid sex-specific abortions, generally).

Original poster

Yorkshirelass251 · 31/07/2020 12:24

Thank you, that helps put my mind at rest! I was at Leeds which I think will tell you the sex if required, I was surprised she didn't ask but that doesn't sound out of the ordinary.

I was measuring 19w 2days so slightly small - is that common for the 20 week scan to be a few days out? The sonographer didn't seem concerned

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Yorkshirepudding1987 · 31/07/2020 13:00

Mine was about 20 mins, I asked them if we could check the sex at the end after they had done everything else.

They don't check that as part of the scan so id assume if you don't ask they would assume you don't want to know.

With regards to your dead leg I dont think the sonographer would be able to comment on that. Their job is to scan and look for anomalies with the baby, id privacy direct that question to my midwife.

Thegirlhasnoname · 31/07/2020 13:20

I’m at Leeds and in my last pregnancy they asked at the beginning if we wanted to know the sex or if we’d already had a scan privately. She asked again at the end to double check before checking between the legs so it’s definitely a hospital that lets you know the sex.

110APiccadilly · 31/07/2020 13:24

Mine was a bit small, I'm not worried as surely that must be an average. Newborns aren't all the same size exactly - so presumably they aren't before birth either? I'd imagine they've got an accepted range of sizes and would tell you if it was outside that range. But if you're worried about it, do give your midwife a ring, I'm sure she won't mind.

alphabetti · 31/07/2020 13:32

I had my 20 week scan last Friday. I got asked before she started if would like to know sex and just before she showed me she asked again to check. Think the scan took about 20 mins maybe little longer as baby was in great position until decided not to move to check under the spine. I had to move my hips and change position and nearly had to be brought back to check but in the end baby moved so could check everything.

My baby girl measured slightly smaller than average but I am small so Sonographer said she wasn’t concerned. My oldest 2 their dad is 6ft and they measured small all way through but were born 7lb4oz and 7lb0oz.

HoppingPavlova · 31/07/2020 13:35

I told the sonographer my leg was numb and asked if it could be because the baby was laying on a nerve and she said she didn't know.

Correct. A sonographer can not provide medical advice or give a diagnosis. That’s not within their remit. It would be a problem if they had of answered you, not that they didn’t.

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