How late can dating scan be done for screenings?

[Bubblemonkey]

Just as the title says. How late can it be done? I’m 12wks on Wednesday & not heard anything & getting slightly concerned it’ll be too late for screenings

What screenings are you referring to, OP?

If you're talking about Nuchal Translucency, standard bloods and PAPP-A, these are normally checked at your first NHS scan, i.e. around 12 weeks and no later than 14 weeks.

Do you mean you've not been invited for a scan yet? I'd be chasing up with your midwife and the hospital now if so, also because you'll be on a cut off point over Christmas and this might delay things. Have you had your booking appointment with the midwife?

Is it worth ringing midwife on Wednesday @PurplePansy05? She only works Wednesday & Thursday so limited on when I can try catch her. Had 2 appts with her so far. If I knew which bit of radiography did scans, I’d ring them myself but don’t know if it’s somewhere different for maternity.

Yes, definitely request that she books you in for a scan asap and ask for a direct number too. What do you mean she only works 2 days? You should have been given a number to contact a different midwife on other days if you have any concerns if so, has she just left you with nothing? That's ridiculous if so.

And also it would be best if you had the scan sooner than later in case your dates are a bit off, NT measurements can only ne relied on up to 14 weeks, so ideally you'd want to have the scan a bit earlier just in case you're slightly further along.

I’ve been measuring slightly behind so not overly concerned. It’s a bit of a mess, I’m waiting to get passed onto the perinatal team which seems to be complicating things a little.

I would definitely contact your midwife or the outpatient appointments at your hospital directly as soon as possible. You have until 14 weeks plus 1 day but you may have slipped through the net.
That’s what happened to me when I phoned in my 11th week to find a request for screening wasn’t on the system. I then spent the next two and a bit weeks phoning them saying I still hadn’t received a letter and they just kept saying they were aware of me and would get in touch. They never did. After a long bank holiday weekend I phoned again on week 13+2 and they fitted me in two days later 13+4. Much later than I wanted but I thought it’s ok because I’m certain on dates and it was physically impossible for me to have gotten pregnant any earlier. Went to the appointment and baby must have had a growth spurt (plus inaccuracy of ultrasounds) as he measured 14+2 and I couldn’t get the screening. It caused a lot of extra stress and anxiety having to wait another month to receive the results of the less accurate quad test instead.
So if I was you I would keep phoning until they listen. If you’re midwife isn’t great for replying (mine was the same as she was part time plus they are very busy) then I’d keep ringing the hospital and whoever you phone, even if it’s the front desk they should be able to put you through to the right department.

My named community midwife only works 2 days a week but you can call 7 days and either someone will answer or listen in to the answering machine quite regularly, I had a response the same day. Hopefully it would be a similar set up? I measured 'behind' in earlier scans but pregnancy was dated 6 days ahead when I had the 12 week scan so best to chase them up if the screening is something you want.

What 'perinatal team' do you mean, OP? You're under midwife care until your 12 week scan, then midwife/GP until around 17 weeks (or later, depends on the area) and then you move under hospital care to your local Obstetric Assessment Unit. Is this your first pregnancy?

Specialist mental health midwife team @PurplePansy05.. first pregnancy, yes. Can we I tell by how truly clueless I am? 😂

I’ve done some digging & antenatal clinic does obstetric scans. I thought it was just normal radiography. I’m gonna give em a call tomorrow, see if I can get any answers.

I would ring your hospital op and ask.
Otherwise there's a whole team of MWs available it doesn't have to be your own so worth giving them a ring tomorrow too if nothing from hosp.

Ok, I asked because I went through to a specialist team following my third miscarriage and then scans and the whole process were a bit different. If it's a MH team, I'd anticipate they do not arrange your scans so as suggested earlier, you need to get on th case with your current midwife, if not her then look up who manages the community midwives in the area and contact them as well, and get on the case with the Antenatal Clinic at your hospital directly. I wouldn't wait longer. xx

We have an appt booked for next Thursday 🥳

My last early pregnancy assemmtn unit scan to check for bleeds (which are now ok!) guessed me at 10-11 weeks. This was on 17 March so as of today I’m officially 14 weeks. Im so very upset because I have been chasing for a few weeks now for a dating scan and no one has listened. Im waiting for a call back from the doctor but I already know it may be too late for the testing and they may have to reply on just bloods which aren’t accurate. This is unfair.

@PurpleTia077 push for nipt testing which would be more accurate than the scan

@purpletia077 Complain to your PALS. There was one lady on here who didn't get her dating scan until nearly 18 weeks, it just isn't good enough.