Very nervous for 20 week scan

[UKinUS]

Next week we have our 20 week scan and I’m suddenly terrified…is that normal?

We haven’t had any screening (apart from bloods initially, that I’m not sure what they were for). Our doctor said because we’re a Black and Caucasian couple we’re very very low risk for things like sickle cell, cystic fibrosis etc but we haven’t done the NIPT test we were offered as it was going to cost $500 and we weren’t really concerned (I’m British living in USA- the costs of healthcare are still a shock to me!!).

I’m now wondering if we should have done it and so scared that they’re going to discover something at this scan. We had perfect 6 week and 9 week scan, and heartbeat sounded great at appt 3 weeks ago. I’m 29 and no “high risk” factors but I can’t shake the anxiety even though I just want to be excited…any advice?

I should add- we didn’t do the NIPT test because it felt we were being sold it rather than it being necessary or recommended it- it felt like a sales conversation which made us feel icky. Of course we would pay for any tests to make sure our baby is healthy, we just felt railroaded into it and ended up leaving it until we’d done more research. Now wondering if that was a mistake!

I think it’s normal to be anxious about the 20 week scan because it’s the first time they’re looking in details for anomalies (and I hate that it’s called the anomaly scan!). I felt like this with both of mine. My first was absolutely perfect and although with my second child, the scan showed up a much smaller than average head which I freaked out about for weeks, a follow up scan several weeks later showed her to be absolutely fine (and her head was also fine when she was born) - sometimes these things can cause more stress than is necessary but the very strong likelihood is that your baby is absolutely fine and you’ll come away having seen him/her dancing all over the screen which is always a magical feeling.
I hate it when people say this to me, but try not to stress too much about it and enjoy seeing your baby when the time comes.

One thing that made me feel better during the weeks between my 20wk scan and the later scan, was that if there was something wrong with the baby I would rather know ahead of time when, generally speaking, they can be treated in utero or immediately upon birth.

Good luck and just remember that the extremely high likelihood is that baby is totally fine and thriving xx

I don't have any advice just wanted to say that I'm in exactly the same position, 20 week scan is next week and I'm so anxious, even though 7 and 12 weeks scans were both were good. I think it is the fact that it seems like such a big deal that's making me more worried. Fingers crossed everything goes well for you OP 🤞

I paid £450 each time for the NIPT tests during both of my pregnancies and it's well worth it, in my opinion. If you can afford it, then I'd hit pay for the test and put your mind at ease.

Thank you for the helpful insight and encouragement @MyBabyBoyBlue ! I really appreciate it. It’s really helped me to learn that even though your scan showed something a little different, everything still worked out fine- again thank you for sharing, I needed to read that x

@TTCSOLO ah it’s good to know neither of us are alone in these feelings! I wish all the best for yours too, thank you for the support x

@buzzandwoodyallday thanks for sharing! Yeah we want to talk with a second doctor at our appt on Monday, as we just really disliked our interaction discussing this test for the first time with the other doctor. It wasn’t the money as such that put us off, but the way she dismissed everything else I asked in that appointment but was heavily pushing on the test without really talking us through it. It felt so salesy and not because it was something we needed. Will see how the discussion with the new doctor goes and the scan goes before we make a decision I think! Thanks again x

I'm right there with you OP. I'm 18 weeks and 21 weeks is when I'll have my scan and I'm bricking it despite no reason, very healthy scans at 7, 10 and 12 weeks.. I've heard this is fairly normal.
Sending you positive vibes !!

@Maighread thanks for the positivity! Sounds like many of us feel the same- good to know we’re not alone. Mines tomorrow, sending positive vibes for yours too! X

An update - it went really well! Everything looked totally healthy, although baby wasn’t in the best position at first so I had to turn on my side to get him moving! It was so magical seeing him and we found out that our guesses were confirmed, we’re having a baby boy.

The doctor was very happy with the results but said they do send all scans for review to a “specialist” doctor for extra review. She said we may be called back if there are any unclear images or tiny markers, but that anything major would have been picked up today and we’re now labeled “low risk” as it all looked great.

I feel so relieved, and the doctor also confirmed that anything the NIPT would have tested for we’d have 99% certainly found out today, so no need to do that now.
Sending all my best wishes and positivity to you other ladies with the upcoming scans x

That's so great to hear OP! Delighted for you 😊❤️

@Maighread thank you so much! Thinking of you and still sending all the positive thoughts for yours - I know how mentally tough this wait is! 💛