Refused Antenatal Scans - Help

[MotherHubbard2020]

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?

I can't fathom why anyone would want to take a baby who can't wear a mask into a hospital during a pandemic, I think that alone says a lot, even without the added apparent entitlement.

I'm pregnant and concerned about how to get a baby who can't wear a mask OUT of the hospital safely after giving birth.

The mind boggles!

@katnyps Yes, I’ve been told I can’t bring a child or partner with me to midwife appointments due to Covid - not sure about ‘normal’ times!

@MotherHubbard2020

I rang the ultrasound department again and asked to speak to the superintendent sonographer, apparently she wasn’t there but I was told by the admin lady that they wouldn’t be scanning me anymore at that hospital.

Pain in lower left side getting worse and not sure what to do.

Guess you’ll have to find another hospital then.

@MangoWeetabix

Is anyone else starting to think this is a troll?

Only starting? 😂😂

@MangoWeetabix yep, have my doubts!

Sorry @Lemonandlime123 I meant breastfed age babies (ebf)!

I’m sorry I can’t help but think this full thread is a complete piss take.

OP, you need to seek medical attention.

My hospital had on all scan letters that children were not to be brought to the hospital.

I sat in the waiting room for half an hour waiting for my second scan to confirm the lack of heartbeat before I could have an erpc. There was a couple opposite playing with their year old baby while they waited for their scan doing the usual cooing and ahhing about every cute thing their baby did.

There's a reason for most rules. And the op thought it didn't apply to her. Her posts show a complete lack of regard for anyone else.

Banning her from the sonography department sounds extreme and something id only expect if the person was aggressive. I can only go from what the op has posted here... I don't really blame them.

My argument is that discretion should’ve been utilised

So you wanted the staff to break their rules for you? Sorry OP, but you are being unreasonable. Assuming your baby is at least 4 months old, and that you have childcare for your toddler you could have left the baby with that person.

Its got nothing to do with you being discriminated against for breastfeeding, and everything to do with you being entitled. There could be other women receiving bad news when your baby is there!

@MotherHubbard2020

I rang the ultrasound department again and asked to speak to the superintendent sonographer, apparently she wasn’t there but I was told by the admin lady that they wouldn’t be scanning me anymore at that hospital.

Pain in lower left side getting worse and not sure what to do.

Go to A&E! Or call 111

@MangoWeetabix Probably a Daily Mail reporter to stir up a story.

I’m guessing that you aren’t being completely honest about how this played out. We (NHS) don’t refuse treatment easily, it goes against everything that we stand for.

I’m sorry that you are in pain though. Do you have another hospital near?
You need to be seen.

Listen, this is meant with kindness, but you're not the first person ever to need a scan whilst ebf. The rules are there for a reason, and using ebf as an excuse to get your own way is just not cricket OP. It reads like you implied you were being discriminated against on the grounds of ebf am I right?

🤥

I sympathise OP as I didn't leave my breastfed baby at all until he was 9 months old. But I had no reason to. In your situation I would have fed baby immediately before appointment and left with partner - would that have been an option?

On a practical level, you could contact PALS. You could get a private scan and harmony test. Or transfer to another hospital (but this probably won't get you a scan imminently).

isitsafetocomeoutyet I'm so sorry you had to go through that, that's just awful, a poorly timed cross post on my part, but what selfish people!

@MotherHubbard2020

I rang the ultrasound department again and asked to speak to the superintendent sonographer, apparently she wasn’t there but I was told by the admin lady that they wouldn’t be scanning me anymore at that hospital.

Pain in lower left side getting worse and not sure what to do.

What can you do as you obviously can’t go anywhere for an appointment to see anyone as you can’t bear to be apart from your ebf baby so there is no point really in seeking medical attention, is there?!