20 week scan....what happens?

[finallypregnant]

What do they look for at this scan? I seem to be totally un-prepared for it and not sure what will happen. We turned down the blood and nuchal scan as my midwife said that the tests are not conclusive and we'd need to have an amnio, if necessary (which I refused to do).

Edwards Syndrome and other disabilities were never mentioned to us and now I am a bit freaked - scan on Wedensday.

I am 38 and it has taken 3.5 years to get pregnant hece the reason why I refused an amnio but now wondering if I have had the best advice from my midwife or if reading on the internet has just made me worry unecessarily!

It depends where you go really - I went and had a private scan at the London Ultrasound centre who are brilliant and very thorough. I heard from a friend that her NHS scan only lasted 5 minutes or so. We got all the measurements done and plotted on a graph to show growth versus average. They looked at the heart had all 4 valves and arteries and ran colour through the scan to check the blood flow, they checked the brain and again the bloodflow and all the major organs. They also check the face to see if there are any abnormalities (like a cleft palate) and then a general 5 fingers and toes check. It's really good actually. We got some lovely pictures and a 3D pic and were told the sex (we wanted to know). Don't worry (saying that I did!!) as it's better that they pick up anything early so that the baby can be given any treatment that's needed as early as possible. Good luck!!

Hi im on another thread asking about nuchals... i researched it thoroughly and they say that nuchals combined with bloods are 90% accurate in detecting downs and other complications, perhaps you havent rec'd the best advice from your midwife (nor did i hence my own research). However your 20 wk scan will be very detailed and reassuring so i wouldnt panic. Good luck xxx

Had my 20 week scan yesterday - on NHS in a west london hospital - and had exactly what Amberc describes. It lasted roughly 20 mins - half an hour. Very thorough. Was nervous beforehand - just because there's always that 'what if?' in your mind. But glad to have it done and get all the information we can. It's totally normal to feel nervous beforehand, I did too. Just stay strong til Wednesday and take it from there.

This is my first posting by the way - been lurking up and until now, but having just had my 20 wk yesterday i felt compelled to reply! First timer due June 08.

Thank you. We're having a private 3d one too in a few weeks so fingers crossed everything is clear.

thanks bouviergirl. welcome too!

Hi finallypregnant. congratulations on your bump

i had a 20 week scan with my first pregnancy (not normally done in scotland) and the consultant was very thorough. It lasted about 45mins and she literally started at the head and worked her way down.

I was 32 when i had ds and like you, refused any abnormality testing since you can get false positives and well as false negatives and i didnt want to spend the next 25 weeks worrying incase there was a problem. Also i would never have considered a termination.

All i can suggest is have your 20 week scan - its a fabulous milestone to see the baby. if you are still wanting more, then book a private scan but the details scans cost £200+

hope this helps and good luck

We couldn't afford the nuchal scan and had to turn down the bloods, as due to a blood complication (from last labour's blood tranfusion) it wouldn't be safe to have an amnio, if the results came up high risk and I also didn't want to worry all though the pregnancy.

But I will be going for the 20 weeks scan as they can look at all the organs and brain etc and check everything is looking alright. Plus it is just lovely to 'meet' your baby mid-way though the pregnancy.

Dear BabiesEverywhere, does that mean you don't get a nuchal scan on the NHS where you are? (or are you not UK based?)

Cant speak for BabiesEerywhere but there are lots of places in the UK that still dont do a nuchal scan on the NHS. Like here in Edinburgh (no 20 week scan either) .

I'm always moaning about this though so I wont start again. I have my 20 week scan tomorrow though.

Finallypregnant - the advice from your mw re nuchal scan seems a bit strange and a bit at odds with everything I've ever read up on the subject. Lots of people still dont have them though so wouldn't worry about it too much now.

Bouviergirl - welcome! HAve you joined the thread for people due in June? Current chat is called the 'creme egg appreciation society - membership expires June'.

Dramaqueen, bit shocked about this. The other day some health ministry bod on the radio was boasting about the NHS being 'diverse' - in other words inconsistent and sometimes unfair, is how I'd put it. Diverse is good for arts and culture, not so great for health service.

We don't get nuchal scan's free on the NHS around here, it is around £250 at the local private hospital.

Oh I know, dont get me started. There's lots of inconsistencies in the providsion of maternity care. Other places dont do 12 week scans.

we only get one scan in glasgow - no nuchal or 20 week scan, only a 14week dating scan.

unless there is a problem with the pregnancy you are just left to arrange your own private scan. dont get me started as i know all the government recommendations/guidelines but NHS Lanarkshire say they dont have the funds

My eldest DS and his lovely partner had their 20 week scan this week. It took about half an hour. DS said that they focused on the babys heart (at his request - because his twin died from congenital heart defects) and they really put his mind at rest. He said they checked every part of the baby and then he asked what baby was. My first grandchild is going to be a BOY - having had 4 DS myself I am excited to meet Lewis Daniel xxxx