Due September 2022 (Thread 4)

[IzzyLeigh]

Starting a new one since thread 3 was just about to the limit

This is probably a silly question but first baby here and I am completely and utterly clueless.
What does actually happen at the 12 weeks scan ?
I mean I know there’s the ultrasound and a blood test (for the combined test), but is there anything else ?
Do they weigh you, is there an internal / vaginal examination etc ? Is the ultrasound definitely abdominal ?

@Cluelessbeetroot yes it is normally external. You will need a full bladder. They will check all is well with the baby. Things developing as they should

It might depend a bit on how your area operates - have you already had a face to face booking appointment? I hadn't, so they did some of the stuff they would have done at that at an appointment following the 12 week scan. (So weighing me, taking bloods for blood groups/to check for diseases, taking a urine sample, etc.) If you've already had that at a booking appointment, I would think it's just the scan.

@110APiccadilly I had the booking appointment with a million questions, blood and urine (all good). No weighing though.

I was more concerned whether the scan appt is abdominal and/or if it also involves a vaginal examination, as I’ve had an early trans vaginal scan (private) and I found that really uncomfortable. Not the actual physicality of it, but the fact that I wasn’t expecting it. I mean I’m fine with smear tests, but I know what to expect.

@Cluelessbeetroot went to reply on the FB post, but couldn't find it. Yes, abdominal, if your bladder is too full they may ask you to go and empty it part way through. They'll take all the necessary measurements and then once happy they've got what they need, you'll usually sit in the siting room for five mins whilst they type up your notes and then they'll send you on for your bloods.

@110APiccadilly I've been wondering if I have, but keep telling myself it's too early and can't possibly be, low slight tickle

@annlee3817 thank you, that’s quite reassuring. Do they tell you the NT measurement there and then / do they give you the notes ?

I believe that the NT measurement is an in the notes, it was for me last time on a print out and stuck in my green booklet. This time I didn't have them done as had already had the private NIPT test.

@Cluelessbeetroot Yes, the scan's definitely abdominal!

@annlee3817 Google tells me it's just about possible to feel baby at 13 weeks, though it did say more likely if you're slim and I'm very definitely not! I'm not sure, it did feel sort of fluttery though.

@annlee3817 I also had NIPT/Harmony, just had my results yesterday and thankfully it has come back as low probability (1/10,000).
However the fetal cfDNA was only 5.5%, so much so it wasn’t enough to determine fetal sex. That it in itself doesn’t matter, we were just curious, but I am now paranoid that if there wasn’t enough to determine sex, what if it wasn’t enough for an accurate NIPT result.

I think the minimum fraction needed is 4%, but the ideal / expected ? one is 10%.
For context I was 10+4 when I did the test and my BMI is 31.
Do you know what was your fraction ?

Mine was 10%, where did you have yours done? Can you give them a call and ask about the Fetal Fraction.

I have called, they said 5.5% is on the low side however still enough to pass the lab threshold of 4%, otherwise it would have come back as inconclusive.
They were very reassuring and also did offer a free retest in 10 days time which I accepted, but the wait is a bugger isn’t it

Hi all, I am 14+2 with a very unplanned and unexpected 1st at the age of 39. First scan all looked normal which was a big relief and stats came back surprisingly low risk for my age which was good news.

So far I have had stunning gastric reflux, dysguersia (which has improved) am a bit anaemic... And I'll spare you the rest. I am not glowing yet! I have done some reasonably successful shopping for second hand mat clothes though... So that's another plus :)

I am somewhat apprehensive about being heavily pregnant in the summer and having to do a one hour commute in London for work, but c'est la vie!!

@LaddieCthulu snap with the age, however 2nd pregnancy. I have an 18 month old.
The commute does not sound good! Nearer the time though your doctor might approve no travelling and working from home. That's what I'm hoping for!!! Good luck

@Carebear99 the worrying and symptom
Searching doesn't stop until baby arrives! Once one of your questions is answered there will be a zillion others!! Step away from
Google!! Placenta takes over and from the. Symptoms massively reduce. I barely have anything but the bump to prove there really is a baby in there !!

@LaddieCthulu congratulations! I'm 40, so not far off you, this is my second though. Great that you came back low risk :)

Girls do any of you have/had had red blotches on your boobs? Since Thursday I've noticed 4 round blotches that are red/purple in colour, they don't go away. I don't know if they're sore to touch because my boobs are sore anyway lol but it's only the left one, which is bigger and more sore than the other. Can only describe it as if someone's pressed their finger tips onto you and left that shaped size. I have stretch marks and lots of veins already so it's not that, and Google tells me scary stories lol

13 weeks today and barely feel pregnant anymore. I'm petrified something will be wrong on my dating scan on Thurs 😫

Thanks @ShiningStarz, I hadn't even thought of that! That would be great if I could work from him in the last couple of months!

@annlee3817 Thanks :)

I have my last midwife appt on my 40th birthday!

@Purplerain1144 I feel petrified too, mines on Tues. think it's a natural feeling - I envy these people who get excited through their whole pregnancy, I'm just an anxious, nervous wreck lol

@PrettyTulip and @Purplerain1144 I have my scan on Thursday too. I'm dreading it as I've had bad news at the 12 week scan before. I'm still feeling incredibly tired and weak, thankfully not as nauseous as before!

I totally get the not feeling pregnant. I'm 13+3 and I'm finding the second trimester just weird. Generally feel OK, I would say I'm quite hungry but that's it.

I had a private scan on Thursday and all OK. I might go for another private scan this week.

I'm also symptom free! My tiredness has gone away almost completely but I still occasionally cry for no reason 🤣 I have my scan and blood test today at 3 o'clock so will come back with the news later.

We got the at home Doppler though and we were able to detect the heartbeat on Saturday so it made me feel a lot better. Hopefully all is good!

Hi
Hoping I can join. I am about 12 weeks with a scan this week. Nervous as we lost a baby at about the same time last year. We have 2 boys (6 and 4) but have been hoping for a third.

Feeling fine so far but have gestational diabetes and already injecting insulin which is new to me and taking over a bit -so trying not to get too excited before the scan is not working.. x

Had my 12 week scan this morning. All seemed fine, after days of dreading it and not sleeping well at all last night!

Baby was wriggling all over the place but wouldn't get into the position the sonographer wanted to I had to roll from side-to-side and get up and jump up and down on the spot 🤣 Luckily she managed to get what she needed...we almost got sent out for a walk.

Word of advice....I didn't realise I'd have to pull my leggings right down to my thighs....I would have worn bigger knickers! Could have done without rolling side-to-side in a thong .

@GlitteryGreen so glad your scan went well! I've got mine on Friday and I very much appreciate the heads up about the possibility of having to roll side to side in a thong. so funny! thank you for taking one for the team so that the rest of us can can avoid doing the same