20 week scanxiety

[NS1988]

I have my 20 week scan this week all previous scans I have had - private and nhs have shown a healthy baby. I had a MMC last year and found out via a private scan very early on. I just can’t seem to relax and keep thinking the worst. I’m worried they are going to tell me bad news even though I’ve had no signs to show something is wrong. Everyone tells me not to worry - easier said then done, I just feel like they don’t understand. What should I expect at the 20 week scan in terms of what they are checking? I was hoping it would get easier the further on I get but Im constantly anxious and expecting the worst after last time, don’t want to get too excited but really want to try to relax and enjoy it. It’s just so difficult

@NS1988

I have my 20 week scan this week all previous scans I have had - private and nhs have shown a healthy baby. I had a MMC last year and found out via a private scan very early on. I just can’t seem to relax and keep thinking the worst. I’m worried they are going to tell me bad news even though I’ve had no signs to show something is wrong. Everyone tells me not to worry - easier said then done, I just feel like they don’t understand. What should I expect at the 20 week scan in terms of what they are checking? I was hoping it would get easier the further on I get but Im constantly anxious and expecting the worst after last time, don’t want to get too excited but really want to try to relax and enjoy it. It’s just so difficult

Well, it is an important scan, where they check for anomalies. I too had massive anxiety about mine (I had been at a relative's 20 week scan where they received the worst news). I have to say, even after a clear scan, my worries never really went away until ds was safely delivered and in my arms. Although, that's when you actually realise what real worry is 😂😂. Just keep in mind that the possibility of any bad news is still terribly terrible small. I know it's easier said than done. Wishing you all the best for a continued happy and healthy pregnancy

@NS1988 when is your 20 week scan lovely? I have mine tomorrow. So we can be nervous together. Hopefully I will be able to share my experience with you after my appointment xxx

@NS1988 I'm so sorry you're anxious. I just had my 20 week scan, my previous pregnancy also ended in a miscarriage (which I found out about at a scan). I felt increasingly awful and anxious leading up to the scan.

I think accepting that scans are going to be stressful for you considering your past experience is good, and you don't have long to wait now. Chances are so strong that that everything is okay.

I told the sonographer as soon as I went into the scan room that I was really anxious, that I'd had a previous loss (to be honest I was already in tears at this point). I meant to ask her to just tell me what she was doing as she did it, because I knew I'd struggle with pauses, but she immediately started doing that anyway (she was really lovely).

The scan can be quite long, and sometimes they struggle to get the measurements but that's not a sign anything is wrong - in mine it took forever to get one of the pictures of my baby's heart but the sonographer explained that what they're trying to see is so small and specific it can take a while. I've known a few people who've had to get up and walk around (if the baby's in a tricky position) or sometimes come back for another scan. So if they struggle or they can't see something quickly it's likely the baby's position, not something to worry about.

Good luck tomorrow! I know how stressful this is but it will be okay ❤️

@NS1988 apologies I confused your scan date for @Overtherainbow2021 - good luck to both of you for your scans this week ☺️

Good luck, I have mine this week and am anxious too. Fingers crossed all will be fine xx

@Overtherainbow2021 mines on Wednesday. Good luck with yours tomorrow, hope it all goes well!

Thanks for the replies, definitely feels a bit more reassuring to know I’m not the only one feeling like this. I love seeing the baby at the scan wiggling around it’s just the anxiety leading up to it until I see everything’s ok and baby is fine. X

I wrote a similar post before my 20 week scan. I'm now 26 weeks.

I was so nervous and I am a natural worrier so the days leading up to it I was terrible. Once there it was fine and we left feeling happy and relieved. I did ask lots of questions and I'm glad that I did! The man doing the scan was so helpful and reassuring. I explained that I was nervous and he took the time to explain everything to me. If there was something on the screen that I was unsure about I asked him.

Good Luck and once it is over you will feel so happy...we booked our appointment at the pram shop after ours and I started to order some 'must haves'. It just made things feel more real! ☺️

Been there, and I really feel for you! My advice is to take each day as it comes and count one day more. Unfortunately, there's nothing anyone can say to reassure you as nobody knows, however it is more likely to be good news!! Pregnancy after an MMC is awful, but you've gotten further than you did before so that's a very positive sign.

Fingers crossed for you.

Ladies I share your worry! But I had mine yesterday, after a weekend of trying not to think about it, tossing and turning in bed, and it was fine! What made me feel better was knowing that the majority of "anomalies" are issues which can be fixed. Only in very, very rare cases is the news tragically bad.

Stay positive and enjoy it. For me it's the last time I'll see the little one until they're in my arms! So I lapped it up, watching every little movement.

At the end I said "So everything is okay?" and the sonographer giggled and said of course it's all okay! Made me feel so much better!