Is dating scan with Window to the Womb an adequate replacement of NHS 12 week scan?

[hobsnobs]

I'm freaking myself out a bit that I can book window to the womb dating scan seeing as I'm missing out on an NHS scan, but after reading some things on google I would hate to have full confidence in it, relax, get excited, tell people etc and then when I ever eventually get an NHS scan them finding something WTTW didn't?

Would you trust a scan with window to the womb enough for it to be an adequate replacement of 12 week NHS scan? If not where would you recommend?

I know it won't include combined screening, I unfortunately don't have a choice but to miss that but I mean more in terms of getting excited about baby and being out of that first trimester unknown period

Why are you missing out on an NHS scan? If you're booked for NHS maternity care you will get a scan

Why are you missing out on 12-week NHS one?

Don't know about Window to the Womb but Babybond sonographers are often the same NHS ones doing shifts there. I had same one for private scan and my NHS scan!

Not heard of that provider, but the NHS tests around that time will include the checks by the health professionals during the scan and are more than the scan alone, eg blood tests, so doubt the private scan will be equivalent.

Why are u missing out of the NHS scan? Even if you are a late booker you are still entitled to the scan within the window to include the combined screening if you wish?

My scan has been cancelled twice with the NHS due to sonographer sickness and lack of cover. I'm 13+6 with no date for a NHS scan and been told it'll be atleast another two weeks. So I'm going private so I can atleast know where I stand with this pregnancy

I'm 13+5 sorry

And AFAIK the proper Babybond dating scans are equivalent to the NHS ones in terms of checks (and priced accordingly!). You'll need to book for tomorrow though as NT measurement can't be done after 13+6.

Thank you I'm fighting my corner with my local hospital at the moment to have the NIPT done for free seeing as I'm being forced to miss the combined screening (they are trying to only offer me the quad test despite the fact it doesn't test for everything the combined does)

But scan wise nothing I can do I'm getting turned away by all 3 local hospitals, local friends are going through the same issues with their 20 week scans in same health board, there must be loads of us being screwed over. Will look into baby bond thank you

I had a similar issue to you, both my 12 week scan and 20 week were late and I missed the window for the anomaly scan. I had a harmony blood test at a cost of £450!

AFAIK the scans are the equivalent of, but they can only refer you back to the nhs if there’s any issues and they will tell you they’re not diagnostic.

I just had private scans and went to my NHS ones too.

Thanks hotdog yes they are trying to tell me that if I want the NIPT (think it's same as harmony) that I have to pay or they will do the quad test for free. I'm fighting my case as NIPT seems a fair replacement for missing combined as atleast it screens for the same things and not less. No joy so far but not backing down

Where are you in the country? I had a private 12 week scan & NIPT which was much much better than the NHS scan.

Wales willing to travel to most parts apart from north

Hi I responded to your other thread.

There is no reason why you can’t have your 12 week bloods and screening done even if sonographer is off. Call your GP and get them to put you forwards. If no luck there- call midwife.

Regarding whether the 12 week scan is a replacement just to check in if baby is fine- I would say yes. The NHS 12 week scan is a dating scan.

Private sonographers will know if something ‘isn’t right’. They will be a qualified person is and they will produce a report for you to keep for your records. They will also refer you to maternity if anything needs checking over. You just may want to explain your situation and specify that you need nuchal measurements done as you are missing out on your NHS scans due to staffing.

I have regular private scans and have received the best and most thorough care with private providers.

Thats awful and I hope you put in a complaint. The gp or practice nurse can print off and order all relevant booking bloods and they can be sent/linked to the maternity services. Phone them and say you need a phlebotomy appointment today or tomorrow. If your trust has a walk in phlebotomy service get the forms from the gp or community midwives.
It takes less than 5 mins to order and print booking bloods.

I have never heard of a hospital not being able to offer a dating scan due to sonographer cover/sickness, the timeliness of scans and screening is so important.

What gestation did you book at the hospital at?

A private scan should not be a replacement for the NHS 12 week scan. The equipment used at private scans varies a lot, as does the experience of the sonographers. It says clearly on all private scan terms and conditions that they should not replace your NHS scans.

You definitely need to escalate this at the hospital, they have a duty of care to ensure you are offered the scan/screening in the appropriate timescales for the health and well being of the baby. If you are being told this at your local hospital/s then there is something fundamentally wrong and other women would be experiencing the same. It needs to be escalated higher.

Not to scare you but to give context, if something was found at a scan or screening the options you have on the back of it depend on your gestation so this is why the timeframes exist.

I would continue to escalate, by all means have a private well being scan but please ensure you also have your NHS one.