16 week appointment - do you get a scan?

[MinesALatte]

Finally got the date for my 16 week appointment and before I got to ask the woman that booked it she’d hung up. Can’t be bothered to call back as it took three days just to get to speak to her so was wondering if you guys can shed any light!

I have a face-to-face 16 week appointment next week, was wondering if you get a scan at that point? Also what else is involved in that appointment? I’ve been told nothing!

I’m Bedfordshire if that makes any difference!

No scan, next scan will be at 20 weeks

My 16 week involved a chat with the midwife, blood pressure taken & heard the heartbeat on the Doppler - although I know that’s not common practice everywhere.

No. NHS scans at 12 & 20 weeks as standard, you only get extras if there are special reasons, and you would be told about this :)

Scans are also typically done separately from appointments because it's a different department altogether.

You might hear the heartbeat, which is lovely

No scan but you should hear the heartbeat - that bit is lovely.

Thanks everyone! Looking forward to hearing the heartbeat if they do that! Such a shame OH can’t come

Take a sample of wee with you as they usually check at every appointment.

You might be given your whooping cough vaccine, it’s worth having but it might make your arm sore for a few days so make sure you have it in the arm you don’t use often!

My area doesn't listen to the heartbeat anymore at 16 weeks it's done at the 28 week appointment for the 1st time. The midwife did my blood pressure and a wee sample and that was it at 16 weeks.

No, no scan. I’m surprised it’s a face to face appointment actually! My 16 week one was just a phone call.

It’s basically “how’s it going? Are you okay? Any problems?” and that’s it.

@RiteAid

No scan but you should hear the heartbeat - that bit is lovely.

NICE guidance changed a few years ago to recommend that there shouldn’t be any attempt to listen to the heartbeat at 16 weeks. It is still quite hit-and-miss at that point and not finding it causes a lot of unnecessary worry and scan referrals.

In reality most midwives do still seem to do it, but mine gave a very clear caveat that she would not refer me for a scan if we didn’t find the heartbeat. Don’t be disappointed if your midwife doesn’t get out the Doppler, OP.

@heartsonacake I was surprised too! Two weeks ago they said they weren’t sure if it was face-to-face or not so things seemed to have moved on quickly In a couple of weeks!

Thanks for the urine tip, think I’ve got a spare pot somewhere! And thank you for the whooping cough heads up!

@Zhampagne when I had my first bloods done I did hear a heartbeat from a lady being looked at behind a screen, but no idea how far along she was! I have a private scan tomorrow and might hear the heartbeat then so won’t be too worried if I don’t next week - Thank you for the advice though

Hi op I had a scan at my 16 week appointment and got to hear heartbeat I'm in northern Ireland xx