12 week scan - unable to get measurements

[xem87]

Hi there

I had my 12 week scan today. Previously had private scan at 7 weeks for reassurance due to previous miscarriage and then 9 weeks for bleeding. Baby was very active and in awkward position meaning sonographer couldn't get NT measurement and the CRL she said was difficult but did her best...

I've been told now I cannot have screening tests due to baby not cooperating and my dates have moved back a day.

I feel really anxious and upset. I am just wondering if anyone has had this before? They said don't do rescans.

Thanks xx

That sucks. I'm in Scotland and it took them over an hour to do my dating scan but they were persistent. Even sending me for a walk and a cup of tea ( guaranteed way to get any of my babies to jiggle).

I think normal procedure would have been to send me home and try again but my midwife forgot to refer me for my scan so I was already 13 weeks and the initial measurement suggested 14 weeks so they were really good.

If it helps in anyway, my first baby was in Ireland where they dont do any screening at 12 weeks, just dating. I had the NIPT test (it is a blood test that can take babies DNA from your blood) and it checks for a lot more chromosomal issues than the NHS. It isn't cheap but will also tell you gender, so if you were thinking about paying for that? If you are already 12 weeks then you could get it ASAP. It is also infinitely more accurate than the NT measurement anyway which gives plenty of false positives and negatives.

Other options... push for 2nd scan, tell them your periods are itregular and your dates are unreliable. I normally wouldn't encourage this but since they insist on using due dates like they are written in stone for induction etc it does seem to be important. And dating later in pregnancy is far less accurate because babies start to vary in size much more.

Or if you are more worried about the screening than the dates then tell them they can either rescan you or do the NIPT. It is now available on the NHS but only if your initial screening indicates it (an interim option between the NT and the amnio).

I'm not expecting an answer to this but unless you think you would terminate if there is something picked up in screening then they do look for all sorts of indicators at the 20 week scan too, which would allow you to be prepared.

I do understand hwo frustrated you must be.

@Muststopeating

That sucks. I'm in Scotland and it took them over an hour to do my dating scan but they were persistent. Even sending me for a walk and a cup of tea ( guaranteed way to get any of my babies to jiggle).

I think normal procedure would have been to send me home and try again but my midwife forgot to refer me for my scan so I was already 13 weeks and the initial measurement suggested 14 weeks so they were really good.

If it helps in anyway, my first baby was in Ireland where they dont do any screening at 12 weeks, just dating. I had the NIPT test (it is a blood test that can take babies DNA from your blood) and it checks for a lot more chromosomal issues than the NHS. It isn't cheap but will also tell you gender, so if you were thinking about paying for that? If you are already 12 weeks then you could get it ASAP. It is also infinitely more accurate than the NT measurement anyway which gives plenty of false positives and negatives.

Other options... push for 2nd scan, tell them your periods are itregular and your dates are unreliable. I normally wouldn't encourage this but since they insist on using due dates like they are written in stone for induction etc it does seem to be important. And dating later in pregnancy is far less accurate because babies start to vary in size much more.

Or if you are more worried about the screening than the dates then tell them they can either rescan you or do the NIPT. It is now available on the NHS but only if your initial screening indicates it (an interim option between the NT and the amnio).

I'm not expecting an answer to this but unless you think you would terminate if there is something picked up in screening then they do look for all sorts of indicators at the 20 week scan too, which would allow you to be prepared.

I do understand hwo frustrated you must be.

The OP only said she scan put her back one day which is totally normal so the dating was done and seemingly correct! I understand it’s frustrating they couldn’t complete the scan but I feel like sometimes everyone needs to keep in mind how stretched the scan services are. If every woman pushed for another scan as thhe baby didn’t cooperate then their would be no appointments, it’s not your fault the baby didn’t cooperate but also polices are there for a reason. I only say this as someone who at 3 days overdue couldn’t get a scan appointment for an urgent growth scan as there simply was no appointments, I had to wait and luckily they called me with a last minute cancellation but I had already breached the 72 hour urgent scan policy! I knew they were doing all they could, maybe go private for some reassurance if you can

Sorry @Muststopeating didn’t mean to quote you there!

@JumperooSue sorry I misread it (don't think i know what a CRL measurement is). I agree, if dating was done then I totally take back my point about pushing for a 2nd scan, you'd be better to push for the NIPT as its more accurate and doesn't put added pressure on the scanning services. But again, if its just peace of mind you're looking for (as opposed to something you plan to action) you will get it at your 20 week scan.

And if you are worried about dates being a day out then please don't! Weeks are worth worrying about, days definitely aren't!

CRL is Crown - Rump Length.

Unfortunately, I think that as the dating part is done, which is the purpose of the scan, it's unlikely you'll get a second one for the purpose of the screening tests as they're not mandatory. It truly sucks I know. It also happened to me with DD. Two attempts at getting the NT measurement on the day, which both failed, so I was left with the option of the Quad test, private, or wait for the anomaly scan.

It's harsh, but they need the spare capacity for repeat anomaly scans (I needed 2 repeats) and emergencies far more than 12 week repeat scans.

If you do push for a second scan, make sure they do it before the cut off for measuring, which I think is 14 weeks. Due to a backlog we went in at 14 weeks and were told for the first time it was too late for measuring and we just had to have the blood test, which came back high risk as they only had half the data (the bloods, not the scan). So then we had to pay 385 for the extra blood test which was 1 in 100,000. Fortunately we had had an 11 week private scan which had measured so we knew it was probably ok, but it was very stressful.

Good luck OP - sending you positive vibes 👍

Just bumping this as I am having a similar issue although no attempt made at getting a nuchal measurement as baby too small- my appointment was at 11+0 so not exactly unexpected either! Sonographer said I'd be rebooked but the hospital midwife just offered me the quad test. I'm more concerned about Edwards and Pataus tbh but have no way of knowing about those until my 20 week scan which as I'm in my late 30s I'm not happy with.

NICE says two attempts to get the measurement but clearly couldn't do that due to the size of the baby so surely I should get a re-scan opportunity? I understand the pressures on the system but this has only arisen due to the date they sent for me.

My lovely midwife is going to see if she can get me a rescan but if not is there any point in going to PALS? I'd take a NIPT if scan not possible but I don't think a quad test in a months' time is really adequate, I don't feel I've had the screening offered that I should have received. I'm not one for knocking the NHS normally but this is really bothering me.

@8dpwoah - it's horrible isn't it. So I spoke to my midwife couldn't do nothing. I sent a complaint via PILs at hospital - today got a phone call apologising and rescan booked for 2nd attempt with a doctor this time.

Happy for you to message me direct if need any more help / advice. It's stressful but they told me today can offer rescans and entitled to screening. Xxx

Thank you so much @xem87 I will see if my midwife has any luck this week and then if not I might take you up on your kind offer

Well after another night of waking up and worrying about it I emailed PALS in the wee small hours...having found the actual FASP handbook yesterday that says you should be 11+2 and if you can't be measured because too small you should be rebooked I got quite cross and decided not to wait for the midwife to do her things as I know how busy she is.

I'll probably hear from her or get an appointment letter today, that's always the way isn't it 😂 but I don't want the hospital doing the same to someone else who perhaps isn't as up for the argument as I am.

This happened to me, you can get the Downs test blood test as long as it is before 16 weeks.

NICE doesn't say you should be offered a second scan, I just checked this as I wondered why I wasn't?

Morning xx

When I spoke to them they said 2 attempts should be made. PILs were very good xxx

Yes the FASP handbook says on page 13 "If the ultrasound measurement shows that the CRL is less than 45.0 mm, the woman should be recalled for a further scan to measure the NT" it's a bit more open if they try twice but baby not in good position though. But I was called too early so ever likely to not be able to measure. I think NICE says about 'twice on the couch' which can be the same scan?

I've been offered the quad test but that doesn't help me with Edwards or Pataus which are the two I'd be far more concerned about knowing about early on as I know I would not continue. Downs is the one causing me least worry if I'm honest.

Let me know how you get on 💖 my rescan is today so praying baby cooperating this time xx

Hope your scan goes well I've just had a phone call, scan rebooked for next week. Five hours after making contact, can't fault the PALS process in my trust! Hopefully will never have to use it again, certainly had no need in last pregnancy. So any ladies who come across this in future, it's always worth asking if you feel the guidelines haven't been met!