How long does the NHS 12 wk scan take?

[Luz192]

Hi all,

Curious how long the NHS 12 week (or thereabouts) ultrasound takes? Are we talking a few minutes, or does it take significantly longer, e.g. 15-20 mins?
If you opt for the additional Down's Syndrome check, how long additional does it take for them to check baby's neck on ultrasound?

Thanks!

Normally about 10 minutes unless they can't get the NT measurement.
Mine took about 20 minutes because they couldn't get the measurement so had me bouncing around to get baby to move. They had to do transvaginal to try and get the measurement in the end but they still couldn't get it.

Hello!

Mine took about 20 minutes too with a 10 minute break in the middle for me to walk round the hospital in the hopes to get the baby to move to get the NT measurement.. they tried but baby was stubborn and they couldn’t get the measurement in the end so ended up having a quad blood test at 15 weeks 🙂

I was physically being scanned for about 20 mins

I found the wait in the waiting room longer than the scan, as they had booked multiple appointments for the same time. Don't forget it may take longer for some people as the baby may not be in the right place.

I was there for around 2 hours in total and scanned in 3 x 20 minute sessions.

I have a retroverted uterus and they found it really hard to get the measurements. I was sent on 2 walks and once to get a sugary hot drink to see if it would help.

Had to then go back a week later to see if they could get the measurements again! Luckily they did as I was 13w 6days at that point so last day they could do the combined testing!
I mean I was happy to get so much time seeing the baby and lucky everything was fine. Xxx

My 12 weeks actual scan time lasted 5 min max, including neck measurement. I think it varies depending on the hospital, e.g. at both my 12 and 20 week scans they didn't listen to the heart rate, while my fridn at another hospital had the hear rate listened as well as few more things that they showed her.

Ten mins or so if baby is playing ball. Hate scans glad to get in and out

Actual scan took about 10 mins incl neck measurement. You go for bloods first whilst you're waiting at my hospital. Was there about 2 hours total as they're always running late!

The total time I was there was about an hour. 10mins waiting because it was coming off lunch. Then about 20mins doing the scans. Then I had a 10min wait, then had my blood taken for the test (max 5mins). We had to go back in after for another scan because they forgot to save images of my ovaries. So it could have been 45mins with no waiting or second scan.

Honestly about 5 minutes including neck measurement. No heart beat listen

Mine was about 45 minutes, into waiting room for a bit then to get weighed and paperwork done, then back to waiting room, then scan which was about 10 minutes. Then back to waiting room then bloods taken. It was all very efficient thought so not too much waiting.