Missing 12 week scan?

[QuantumPanic]

I'm barely pregnant, so aware I am getting very far ahead of myself. But assuming the pregnancy continues, how flexible are 12 week scan dates? We have booked a holiday and will be away from 9.5-13.5 weeks. Wondering now whether we should cancel/rebook while we can. I assume the NHS just gives you a date and you show up, rather than getting a choice of dates? And obviously I want to do whatever's best for my (knock on wood) baby, so don't want to miss any crucial appointments.

It can be done up to 14 weeks of pregnancy. I've changed my scan before because of childcare so it's not impossible to ask for a different date. Although by 9.5 weeks when you go on holiday you might not have actually had the date through yet.

Hi. I had my first scan at 14 weeks but they couldn’t do the test for Edward’s syndrome anymore. I had to wait I think until 20 weeks for this. They are flexible to move it but some tests may be delayed. Well they were for me.

A 12 week scan is quite an important one.

You could ask them to postpone to 14 weeks and possibly pay and have a private early scan at 8 weeks to check all is ok? That may hopefully put your mind at rest until 14 weeks.

Thanks @Lijay @MumofoneToby @Mullercornerbliss !

I'm right around four weeks, so very aware this could still turn out to be a chemical. I think I'll sit on the decision for another couple of weeks, get in touch with maternity services and go from there.

Yes, good idea. If I make it that far, a private scan before going away sounds sensible.

Sounds sensible! I think you can self-register pregnancies from 6 week onwards?

Wishing you all the best OP!

Enjoy it as much as possible. I hate pregnancy but now wish I had enjoyed it more and worried less. Easier said than done though!

So there’s two issues, one is that the dating scan should happen by 14 weeks, if you have the scan after 14+1 it’s not as accurate and you run the risk of not having an accurate due date.

Second issue comes into play if you want to have antenatal screening for chromosomal conditions. Combined screening can’t be done after 14 weeks, instead you’d be offered the quad test which isn’t quite as accurate as the combined test, and can only screen for Down’s, not Edwards’ and Patau’s. Have a look at the ARC website if you want more info about the screening tests.

So basically if they are able to get you in for a scan +/- screening in that half a week window once you’re back then that’s fine, but if they can’t fit you in during that window for whatever reasons that’s when problems might arise.

@WrittenThatWay is correct.

One way around this again would be to pay privately for a NIPT test. I did this and bypassed the NHS combined test on both pregnancies. Basically if the NHS combined test came back borderline, you would be referred for a (more accurate) NIPT test anyway (but obviously in this case, cost would be covered by the NHS).

I wanted to know as soon as possible for both my pregnancies so decided to pay privately and get the test from 9 weeks.

Harmony and panorama tests can be completed from 9 weeks if memory serves correctly, and cost around £300 - one to look into!

More info here

www.ultrasounddiagnosticservices.co.uk/non-invasive#:~:text=With%20the%20SAFE%20Test%2C%20Panorama,a%20very%20accurate%20screening%20test.

And here!

www.gynae-centre.co.uk/blog/which-non-invasive-prenatal-test-nipt-is-best/

Thanks @WrittenThatWay @Mullercornerbliss
I was not aware of the 14 week cut-off for the combined test. If I make it past six weeks I'll change our booking so that we get back a bit sooner.

It’s their measurements too that they go off. So I knew I was 13+3 at the scan due to tracking ovulation, but they dated me 13+5. At the start they said I was measuring too big and said it was measuring past 14+0 but then tried again and luckily only put me two days ahead instead of 5 days! So going at 13+6 is risky too if the baby is measuring slightly ahead.

It’s not just the 12 week scan though, you should have a booking appointment with the midwife before then. In my area it’s done at 8-10 weeks and it’s only once that’s done that you get a scan date. They also do the first blood tests during it. So you need to check what your area does.

If you have the option to rebook in your second trimester I would - first trimester can be rough!