Very basic 12 week scan..

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Furmummy · 17/11/2021 21:25

Helloo, I am waiting on my scan, but when I got booked in the nurse offered me a standard scan or the NT scan. Maybe worth contacting your midwife?

SweetBabyCheeses99 · 17/11/2021 21:36

Why didn’t you ask them at the time rather than ask a bunch of strangers who aren’t going to be able to help?! You clearly did have a very good idea of what to expect.

mummyh2016 · 17/11/2021 21:42

They wouldn't normally discuss the NT measurement unless there was something wrong. Your midwife should've asked at your booking appointment if you wanted the screening, did she?
You mentioned clinic, are you under NHS?

mummyh2016 · 17/11/2021 21:43

Oh and 12 week scans are normally short, it's only a dating scan, 10 minutes is about right.

Strangevipers · 17/11/2021 21:44

@SweetBabyCheeses99

Why didn’t you ask them at the time rather than ask a bunch of strangers who aren’t going to be able to help?! You clearly did have a very good idea of what to expect.

Helpful

Strangevipers · 17/11/2021 21:45

Any concerns have a chat with your midwife

This is your first pregnancy

Everything is new but don't be afraid to speak up next time but if something does slip your mind or you don't feel comfortable to speak up then again have a chat with your midwife

If anything a quick scan is a positive thing if that's any help to you

sjxoxo · 17/11/2021 21:46

I would ask your midwife; I thought downs tests were incorporated around the 12wk scan. Mine was but with a blood test that I had to take to the scan. I’m not in the UK so might be different. Possible in the UK that it’s later? Deffo ask your midwife and also ask midwife about the dates or the clinic if you have another contact there. You could always ring thr clinic and ask for clarity from the sonographer directly I would think xo

dg93 · 17/11/2021 21:48

I honestly thought the same with my 12 week scan, and even worse for my 20 week scan!

Both times no one really spoke to me. My 20 week scan the lady said she doesn't have authority to discuss anything about the scan, and just gave me a report at the end of the scan, which I then had to read at home and figure out what it all means 😣

My 12 week scan was very quick, but my 20 week was about 30/40 minutes.

I do remember my 12 week scan I had blood tests and urine tests taken, did they take yours ? If not I would definately as your midwife or the midwife helpline x

TaVeryMuchLove · 17/11/2021 21:50

@SweetBabyCheeses99

Why didn’t you ask them at the time rather than ask a bunch of strangers who aren’t going to be able to help?! You clearly did have a very good idea of what to expect.

Wow. Super helpful. Thanks for your input.

jolota · 17/11/2021 22:12

Did you definitely book in for the scan that includes measuring NT & taking bloods after? As they don't measure for this as 'standard', it's actually just a dating scan as standard.
Did your midwife book the scan for you? If she did then she should have specifically asked if you wanted the testing done as it's a longer scan so they have to make sure they schedule extra time for it. (She said if I wasn't sure then to book the NT scan because it's easier for them to reschedule for a shorter scan than trying to fit the NT scan in later when they've only budgeted time for a dating scan)
If it was just a dating scan then I imagine it would have been very quick, it's getting the right measurement for the NT that takes time.
I had my bloods taken straight after the scan at the hospital & they sent them away with my scan results to be evaluated.
It's a little difficult to compare experiences directly because care & standard expectations definitely differ between areas & trusts but it was very clear during & after my scan what was going to happen.
Before the scan the sonographer confirmed that I was having the NT measurements done and then directed me to the nurse who was expecting me & ready to take my bloods for the testing.
It's not unusual for your due date to change, the point of the dating scan is to confirm how far along you are using the babies measurements as the initial due date is just an estimation based on when you might have ovulated. The sonographer told me I was further along too but it wasn't 'discussed' as such, it was just now my new due date in my notes.
It is definitely nerve wracking being pregnant the first time, I am too but I've already learnt that speaking up & advocating for yourself is really necessary. Don't be afraid to ask questions if things don't seem right or what you were expecting.

Original poster

Tors91 · 18/11/2021 10:00

@SweetBabyCheeses99

Why didn’t you ask them at the time rather than ask a bunch of strangers who aren’t going to be able to help?! You clearly did have a very good idea of what to expect.

I did say this was my first pregnancy so yes I ‘clearly’ didn’t have any idea of what to expect!!

I was never offered different scans and wasn’t aware there was different ones. At my booking appointment the midwife gave me a leaflet about the screening for downs but just brushed over it and said I don’t really need to worry about it and that they were the last hospital in the country (I’m in N.Ireland) that we’re even offering the screening anymore and no one ever really opts to get the screening. I got my bloods taken at my booking appointment and they all came back clear but no more bloods or urine sample at my 12 week scan. I was just scanned then the consultant told me I was a very low risk pregnancy and that was it!

I will ask my midwife at my next appointment

OP posts:

AllSinging · 18/11/2021 10:05

Just a note OP; if you are wanting the screening done, get in touch with your midwife ASAP as it should/needs no be done before 14 weeks (and a couple of days)- so don’t wait for your next midwife appt x

jolota · 18/11/2021 10:19

@tors91
From your message it sounds that your midwife did mention the screening and you do always have to 'opt in' to have the screening done. So if you didn't specifically opt in then you would have had the standard dating scan only. That is standard procedure as far as I'm aware but it does sound a little like your midwife was trying to put you off opting in for the screening and might not have clearly communicated how you could have the screening if you wanted it.
Bloods at your booking appointment wouldn't have been used for screening.
As pp poster said, if you do want the screening done you need to contact your midwife ASAP and see if you can be booked in for another scan in the next week at 14+1 is the cut off for this screening scan & blood test. Don't wait for you next midwife appointment.
There is another type of screening test that can be done after 14 weeks but it's less accurate. You could also look into private screening.

Flutterby8 · 18/11/2021 10:37

At my 12 week scan I had the NT measurements taken as well as a general measure of the baby. I also had bloods to rule in or out the risks of the different genetic conditions but I had to opt in to having this done. I opted in at my first booking appointment around 9 weeks.
If youre based in N.Ireland things may be different?
You can always request these tests but they need to be done before 14 weeks for accuracy.

Orarewedancer · 18/11/2021 10:54

From your update it sounds as though because you never specifically said you wanted the screening you didn't get it. However, I'm on my third pregnancy and all times the midwife specifically asks, after explaining what the tests are for, if I want the screening or not. And then again at the scans the sonographer confirms I want the screening. Sounds like NI is different from here in Scotland in that I think most people take up the extra measurements and tests.
Definitely ask about the due date and if it changed as that's pretty significant going forward.
I've had 6 NHS now and most of them the sonographer has been very friendly and informative, explaining what they are doing through the scan. For this pregnancy the 12 week scan was much like yours and I had to ask for measurements and if they were normal as she wasn't chatty at all. Hopefully your 20 week scan is a better experience!

1ce1cebaby · 18/11/2021 12:06

Hi OP, I’m in NI and this all sounds normal. We aren’t offered the screening or tests that most are on these boards. I didn’t even know there was one hospital in NI that did - but suspect it’s if the scan shows anything. If you had bloods done prior to the scan then they wouldn’t do more - you should get the results around 16 weeks - again nothing specific in these. All sounds normal for NI and I think low risk pregnancy is as much info as you’ll get. And sounds positive. With regards to due date - they will use the one from the scan - again they won’t necessarily say they’ve changed it - but anything up to then is just an estimation.

Original poster

Tors91 · 18/11/2021 12:37

@1ce1cebaby

Hi OP, I’m in NI and this all sounds normal. We aren’t offered the screening or tests that most are on these boards. I didn’t even know there was one hospital in NI that did - but suspect it’s if the scan shows anything. If you had bloods done prior to the scan then they wouldn’t do more - you should get the results around 16 weeks - again nothing specific in these. All sounds normal for NI and I think low risk pregnancy is as much info as you’ll get. And sounds positive. With regards to due date - they will use the one from the scan - again they won’t necessarily say they’ve changed it - but anything up to then is just an estimation.

This makes me feel so much better - thanks! 😁

OP posts:

Ruibies · 18/11/2021 14:53

I just had my 12 week scan last week and though I opted into the screening baby wasn't cooperating position-wise and they couldn't get a clear shot, so I've been booked in for a blood test at 16 weeks instead - this could be an option for you. My scan was also relatively swift, 10 mins max. Strange they didn't confirm your due date though. Did they give you a number to ring for the midwife unit when you had your booking in? I'd be giving them a call if I were you.

JourneyToParenthood · 19/11/2021 21:44

@Tors91

Hi! I have just got home from my 12 week scan and I’m a bit confused as I feel it was very basic! I thought I was 12+2 but during my scan when the sonographer was taking the baby’s measurements it was measuring as 12+6 and this is what it says on the scan pictures I received. However the sonographer or consultant never mentioned this to me or changed my due date etc. so now I’m confused as to how far along I actually am. Also I thought that they measured the nuchal translucency at this scan but this was never discussed and I didn’t notice the sonographer measuring anything else other than the length of the baby and I can’t see anything about nuchal translucency on my notes. I also wasn’t offered any blood tests for the screening for downs etc.

I was the last appointment of the day and could tell the clinic was overbooked as I had to wait 1.5 hours over my appointment time. I just feel like they rushed through my appointment as they wanted to get home, I was in and out in about 10 mins, if even. This is my first pregnancy so don’t know if any of this is normal!

Hi, I am in NI too and it is slightly different here. No DS screening done either, I asked about it at 20 weeks appt and the midwife said I shouldn't worry about having it unless I am high risk - due to family history or age. I have had one set of full bloods done at 12 weeks (during my booking scan) and I am due to get my bloods done again at 28 weeks & I'm told that's when they start measuring growth. Blood pressure and urine tested at every appointment - 12, 16, 20, 25 weeks so far 😊