12 week scan

[Katie12346]

Hi everyone,
This is my first pregnancy and I'm due to have my 12 week scan on Tuesday.
Can anyone tell me what to expect as I'm a little nervous about it.
Is there anything I need to take with me, anything I should be prepared for?
How long does it usually take as I'm so uncomfortable with the idea that you have to sit with a full bladder 🙈😂

12 week scan is relatively quick - mine took about 5-10 minutes. They'll confirm whether you want the screening for Down's, Edward's and Pateau's and then they'll do an external scan. They should tell you pretty quickly that the heartbeat is OK and my sonographer told me that the nuchal measurement looked good (although they can't confirm until after the blood test).

It is a bit uncomfortable sitting and being prodded with a full bladder but it is bearable and it helps them see more clearly so do make sure you have enough to drink.

If you have the screening they will take bloods as well. If I did it again I would tell the receptionist and go to the loo straight after the scan as I waited an extra 45 minutes for them to call me in for bloods and was bursting by then!

The only thing you need to take with you (other than a face mask of course!) is your notes.

You don't need to take anything apart from your notes (if you've been told to take to each appointment, don't know if it's different in different areas). It's not a long appointment. You go in and go up on the reclined seat, pull down your trousers a little. They put gel on you and use the device. It's not uncomfortable. In the room I was in there was a monitor in front of me where I could see the scan. Then you see the baby. They move the device around to get different angles on the baby. Then they do some checks on their screen like measurements. That's about it. If their measurements show a difference in due date they'll tell you. Then they'll give you some pictures to take away.
I guess I was lucky as I did follow the guidelines about drinking water an hour before but didn't actually need to go until after the appointment.

I also had to wait and have blood taken by a nurse then I was free to go.

I had my scan yesterday and It was easy and very straightforward. I drank 1.5 litres of water before going to the hospital and I already had to empty my bladder twice while waiting for the scan. But when It was my time to go in for the scan my bladder was already full 3rd time. They do provide you water there in the waiting area so don't drink too much at home especially if you struggle with full bladder like me. My scan was fine and I could clearly see my baby. The person who will do the scan will usually ask you to empty the bladder as soon the scan is done and there are plenty of toilets around as they are aware of the problem. After my scan I was told to go for a blood test for Down's syndrome and Was given results of my previous blood tests ( taken on bookin in appointment) by the midwife. and then they booked me in for my next appointment and that was it. My husband was with allowed with me all the time during the scan and during the blood test as well. As we were more nervous being in a hospital due to covid, the person who was doing the scan assured us that they sanitize everything in the room including door handle after each patient leaves.

You only need to take your notes with you

I made my bladder too full, and nearly wet myself waiting but once I was laid down and watching baby it was bearable. She scanned me for 20 minutes, told me to go for a wee and then a student scanned me for another 20 mins.

After I waited over an hour for my 12 week bloods, and flu jab so I was at the hospital for 2 hours total

Someone above has described the process well, and they do make sure to tell you asap that there's a heartbeat, that the pregnancy is in the right place and how many are in there

Good luck

A couple of years ago for me now and not sure if things are different in current climate, but cash to pay for scan photos!

Good point, on the scan photos - the machine to pay and get a receipt wasn't in use because of covid so I expect you get them free like we did

Was given free photos at 7, 9, 12 and 20 wk NHS scans during covid - although was told that was because DH wasn't allowed in.

What is cash? I think I vaguely remember carrying bits of metal around with me some time in 2019....