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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Refused Antenatal Scans - Help

673 replies

MotherHubbard2020 · 12/02/2021 13:43

NC for this as it is pretty embarrassing.

Anyway, I attended my 12 week scan yesterday at the hospital and was accompanied by my exclusively breastfed baby.

I was refused the scan based on me having a child with me, I asked them to use discretion as my son is exclusively breastfed but the lady was completely dismissive and said it was policy. No children allowed to accompany mum for the unltrasound.

I tried to argue my case asking what the reasoning was, please use discretion and then explained that they had a duty of care and were now refusing my care based on me bringing an exclusively breastfed baby to the appointment. They argued that I had refused my own care as I could’ve left the baby. It got to the point where I asked them to make a note on my record that I had been refused entry to my scan based on me being accompanied by an exclusively breastfed baby. At this point I think the manager panicked and she told a colleague to call security.

As soon as I saw security walking towards me I just left.

Well today I attended my midwifery appointment, the midwife explained they couldn’t do much without the scan information but said the scan department was now refusing to scan me and an incident report had been logged, if I want access to this I need to file a freedom of information request.

I am totally at a loss, I have no idea how far gone I am because I am still breastfeeding and my menstrual cycles have been all over the place plus I’ve started having pain on my lower left side which I explained to my midwife today who advised A and E if it got any worse but explained that the ultrasound department at that hospital are refusing to deal with me so she doesn’t know what would happen.

I am totally at a loss, I have an immediate family member who is a consultant obstetrician but am reluctant to get them involved yet. Any suggestions?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

happytoday73 · 12/02/2021 13:47

I don't understand why your baby couldn't be left with someone else while you went for this appointment... As you were going for a 12 week scan your baby is old enough not to need feeding in that time or you could express..

happytoday73 · 12/02/2021 13:48

And erm... how are you having menstrual problems if you are pregnant?

gypsywater · 12/02/2021 13:48

Of course you cant have a child at a scan!

gypsywater · 12/02/2021 13:48

Good for the standing up to your attempts at emotional blackmail!

springdale1 · 12/02/2021 13:50

You need to call PALS, I will need to take my baby to my scan soon - my husband is deployed and we have no close family that can look after her. Sometimes they have to use some common sense.

WalkingMeAway · 12/02/2021 13:51

It’s very clear from the letters I have received inviting me to scans that children are not allowed. There is no exception to this. Did you receive a letter?

Coolhand2 · 12/02/2021 13:51

Even where I am, I can't even bring my child, they specifically mention to come alone. You can ask someone to watch your child while you go for the scan. Can't your midwife find you another place to scan you?

user1493413286 · 12/02/2021 13:52

Is that a covid policy or a normal one? I always understood that they preferred you not to but you could if really necessary.
Anyway I’m surprised the midwife didn’t have any better suggestions in particular getting you scanned at a different hospital as I think that’s your only option at this stage. If you have the money to do it then I’d pay for a private scan to at least work out your dates.

WindowsSmindows · 12/02/2021 13:53

It's a pity they didn't use discretion as you asked.
It's all sounds like they completely overreacted.
What age is your baby? Could someone else hold them for you while you are having a scan? Do you have anyone to support you?
Maybe the exclusively breastfed thing is almost distracting them from the very understandable scenario of "no one can or will take my baby for me please help"
I would guess with restrictions they need an absolute minimum number of people in any room and maybe that's why they couldn't make an exception?

Sittinbythetree · 12/02/2021 13:53

Just because you are ebf doesn’t mean you can NEVER leave your baby! I’m sure the baby could go without a feed while you were having a scan. How do you have a shower? We’re you intending to hold while you the scan? How did you think that would work? I’m not surprised the ‘lady’ was dismissive, they haven’t got time for this kind of nonsense.

Hoppinggreen · 12/02/2021 13:54

I suggest you apologise, try to rebook your scan and arrange childcare for it - someone can wait elsewhere/ in the car with your baby if necessary
Also, don’t. involve your Consultant family member. I would be surprised if they got involved and if they did you would look like Dicks

tumbleit · 12/02/2021 13:55

It's not that difficult to just leave the baby outside with someone else. They make it very clear you can't take children in.

Sittinbythetree · 12/02/2021 13:56

Quite - the ebf thing isn’t a reason, no one to look after the baby is! How old is your baby?

jackieweaverforpm · 12/02/2021 13:56

Could your partner/dh not have sat in the car with the baby? How old is this baby anyway? Surely not a newborn since you're pregnant enough to be having a scan and having irregular cycles (plural)?

gypsywater · 12/02/2021 13:57

People can have the most terrible news at scans. How on earth could you attend to the needs to a crying baby if given such horrific news? Also sonographers need to be concentrating 100% with no distractions. This isnt a fluffy gender scan but a serious medical appointment. Take some responsibility.

MsHedgehog · 12/02/2021 13:58

It sounds OTT for them to call security and then refuse to see you at all over a simple disagreement, so it does sounds like there is more to the story.

Your first option is to complain to PALs so it can be reconsidered. In the meantime, all you can do is have your scans privately or transfer to a different hospital and make sure you leave your child at home when you go for a scan.

Evey43 · 12/02/2021 13:59

I see issues in both sides here. If I was worried I would have probably rang ahead to discuss it first. They make an exception for you, where does it stop? Another mum will think her reason is good enough and so on.

When mine was 4 months old, exclusively breast fed also, I was called back into work to be a witness on a court case. I had no option and even got advice from my union. There was nothing I could do. Do you think I was allowed my baby in court? No, I just had to plan and deal with it. The court house was also a two hour drive away.

troisieme · 12/02/2021 13:59

I also think the EBF thing is detracting from the actual issue of you not having childcare. I think best apologise, explain nicely, and see if the department will see you again. And this time you must try to find someone to look after DC.

ChonkyChook · 12/02/2021 14:00

Gubbed yourself a good one there.

Midwife probably called security as you wouldn't leave and we're arguing, nowt to do with her "panicking". She's right, you're wrong. They don't have to help people like you who think nothing applies to you and argue. There's women in there getting bad news, or waiting for outcomes, they shouldn't have to listen to you have a barney with staff.

Gonna have to pay private.

ScottishStottie · 12/02/2021 14:00

There is obviously waay more to this than you're letting on...

How forcefully were you trying to convince them to let you in...?

Itsjustaride8w737 · 12/02/2021 14:01

Is there more to this story op?

If they called security they may of felt you were becoming aggressive. A decision to refuse to scan you wouldn't of been made lightly.

They also need to consider other women, some may be receiving bad news at their scan.

Lalapurple · 12/02/2021 14:01

How old is the baby? Is there someone who can go with you and hold the baby outside while you go for a scan?
I think there should be discretion as there will be women who literally have no options for childcare. How old is the baby?

Does seem unreasonable if they have barred you from coming back...

brunetteonthebus · 12/02/2021 14:02

I'm glad they're sticking to policy! You can leave an ebf baby for short periods, your baby can't be so young it needs feeding even hourly if you're pregnant again surely! How old is your baby?

Everyone knows you can't take children to scans, couldn't you have left it with its father/another care giver, even if it waited outside/in the car whilst you were being scanned?

If I were you I'd apologise and arrange childcare. There are going to be things that as a parent you can't take your child to, ebf or not. If a child isn't allowed then they aren't allowed. In the midst of a global pandemic they can't make exceptions.

RoseAndRose · 12/02/2021 14:02

It sounds like it is a gynae scan, not a pregnancy one, and you are unlikely to get results of those on the spot.

You were completely unreasonable, OP. You can leave babies, including EBF babies, for the time it takes to get the scan done. I know it's harder to arrange for someone to do thus during a pandemic, but is there no-one in your household/bubble who could make themselves available for this?

Onedropbeat · 12/02/2021 14:03

More to this story based on them calling security alone and the refusal to scan you in future
That’s pretty serious stuff

I’m ebf my baby but still manage to leave baby at home with the father on the occasion I’ve had to attend appointments alone.

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