Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Fetal Medicine Centre - London

38 replies

HarrietTheSpy · 16/11/2007 16:24

Hi there. Am thinking of having my 12wk scan here. Any thoughts on these guys? Previous pregnancy used a private OB - won't return to him following failure to diagnose my subsequent ectopic in 2nd preg.

It's not that I don't have confidence in the NHS, it's the waiting times for results. I really like knowing straightaway what the story is.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

hana · 16/11/2007 16:26

I've had 2 12 week and 1 20 week scan there - they were fab. long long long waiting times esp if emergencies arise (which they always do) so be prepared to wait

Original poster

HarrietTheSpy · 16/11/2007 16:29

Hana - what do you mean? Did your appts take like three hours? or was it getting in to an appt? Part of the reason I'm paying is also so DH can come - a teacher and he can't really take 3 hrs off to wait in a waiting room.

OP posts:

hana · 16/11/2007 16:31

I'd suggest you try and get an afternoon appointment then so that if it goes late, it won't matter. Sometimes the consultants are called away to see emergency scans or do other procedures at short notice, so it can take a long time. The longest we waited was about 5 hours start to finish (really)

Original poster

HarrietTheSpy · 16/11/2007 16:33

Oh dear. That is really not good. If I could bear it I would sneak back to old OB, who was quick. But I can't face him again!

OP posts:

hana · 16/11/2007 16:35

it is THE specialist clinic in Europe I'm pretty sure, so it's a good one despite the wait

Original poster

HarrietTheSpy · 16/11/2007 16:41

I know, maybe just won't tell DH about the wait....!

OP posts:

seaside72 · 16/11/2007 16:55

Hi there - I have had 12 and 20 week scans there and they are brilliant but the waiting can be an issue. Last time they advised me to book the first appt of the morning as they have had no time to get behind etc. Mostly the reason they get delayed is cos bubs are not co-operating (as mine did not both times and both times I had to go away and get a drink and some choc and then come back 30 mins later !) Whatever you do avoid lunchtime at all costs - so plump for either early morn or late afternoon like hana says.

With the 12 week you have to have a blood test as well so that takes about 30mins to do and analyse before the scan.

All that said they are the best and the equipment and results/analysis were excellent. Also, I know it is not important really but my 12 weeks pics were amazing I thought (they are in my profile if you want a squiz )

Good luck!

orangina · 16/11/2007 17:05

I have had all my scans done there and can't rate them highly enough..... and didn't have a problem with waiting at all... the luck of the draw perhaps?

NotQuiteCockney · 16/11/2007 17:07

As of a few years back, they had one day for 'emergency' appointments (mostly people who've had bad 12-week or 20-week scans elsewhere, and want a more detailed scan before considering CVS/amnio) - as long as you don't end up on that day, you're fine.

I had one 'emergency' 20-week scan (scheduling issues), and a normal 12-week and 20-week one. I don't remember significant waiting times for the normal appointments.

Original poster

HarrietTheSpy · 16/11/2007 17:08

seaside your photos ARE fab, I agree. A few hours wait is much better than a five week wait for the results...I reckon. Will try to convince DH.

OP posts:

Sam100 · 16/11/2007 17:12

Had 12 week nuchal scan there and thought they were fab. Again did not have any issue about waiting - our appointment was on time - and the scan lasted nearly 30 mins. We had 11 ish apptmt if I remember correctly!

cece · 16/11/2007 17:15

why is there a five week wait for results? I had an NHS 12 week scan a couple of weeks ago. This was combined with a blood test on the same day. NTS was done. We were there for about 2 hours but that was mainly waiting for the blood test to be done. I had the scan/blood tests on the Tuesday and the results were phoned to me on the Thursday.

Original poster

HarrietTheSpy · 16/11/2007 17:18

I don't know actually, what the reason for the wait is or if it really is always that long. Could explore this. But even losing a week wouldn't be good, really, if the results aren't great. I would rather just KNOW then and there and start dealing.

OP posts:

MrsFogi · 16/11/2007 17:19

I had all my scans in my last pg there and thought they were very good. I always went for the first appt of the day and although they were never on time the wait was never more than about 1/2 an hour. Other person you could try is Donald Gibbs (in the same building on Harley Street) - I went to him in the pg before and thought he was very good too.

Original poster

HarrietTheSpy · 16/11/2007 17:23

Cece - are you in London?

OP posts:

ruty · 16/11/2007 17:27

I had my nuchal scan a few weeks ago on the NHS - but you still have to pay for it. Or at least for the blood test. Was about 80 quid if IIRC. You have to send off blood test a couple of weeks before scan to get same day result. bu we barely waited on the day and they were brilliant.

pobletsmum · 16/11/2007 17:45

Well worth the wait in my opinion. One of only a handful of clinics in uK where you can have results at same appt (including bloods) for a combined 'on-the-spot' result.

Wednesday is the busiest day and most likely to have delays because the Professor is there (he discovered some of the latest Down's Syndrome markers and really is the expert!). He scans 'difficult' and multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets etc) and performs CVS at the same time if required, hence inevitable delays. However I knew this and took a fairly early appointment, and was fortunate enough to meet him. I had my scan with another lady, then he came in and scanned a bit more (just for interest, there weren't any problems at all). He's quite a character, and I felt privileged to meet him!

Hope all goes well for you.

Heathcliffscathy · 16/11/2007 17:47

fantastic place. nikoliedes (sp?) owns it, he developed the nuchal scan. really really rigorous.

NotQuiteCockney · 16/11/2007 17:48

Yeah, we had him for one scan. He's slightly mad, tbh.

Original poster

HarrietTheSpy · 16/11/2007 17:56

I appreciate the feedback. I think i'm going to go for it.

OP posts:

poppy34 · 17/11/2007 20:34

FMC - absolutely great (and I'm speaking as someone who was diagnosed with problems in my last pregnancy there). Staff lovely and very knowledgeable (Their diagnosis was spot on). Definitely go for it

phanie · 18/11/2007 11:42

they're one of the best teams in europe. It's the second time we go there, they're lovely and they know their stuff.
it's worth the wait really.

slim22 · 18/11/2007 13:08

Had all my first pg scans there. Very thorough and same day results.
The most reputable private ob-gyns in London refer their patients there.
Their reputation reaches far beyond UK and Europe. They pioneered the nuchal scan procedure.

Agree better take first appointment of the day, or afternoon off then you can go to the "pain quotidien" on Marylebone high street and stuff yourself with chocolate tartines

Hersetta · 18/11/2007 15:12

Had a 7 weeek scan and my 12 week nuchal there. No problems with waiting times and the staff were great. very friendly and reasuring. Definitely reccommend them - the place to go in London for sure.

poppy34 · 18/11/2007 19:49

re waiting - maybe 20/30 mins max late which is nothing compared to my GP (they have a decent selection of mags and papers..)

Flip

1 2