Poor experience at 12 week nhs scan

[Nurse10]

I have just come from my 12 week nhs scan with my first baby feeling dissapointed and more worried. I went with a full bladder but was told my bladder was too full by the trainee sonographer and to empty it which then resulted in the images being even worse and her then going to seek assistance from her qualified colleague. The baby was in an awkward position however with a full bladder images were much clearer. I was told no measurements could be done and I would be scanned again in 3 weeks by which point only 1 out of 3 chromosome tests could be carried out. I was quick however to be told I could pay for this privately and get an NIPT test. I have now booked this as I am extremely worried and feel I could not risk getting all tests especially being a first time mum. This test is costing me and my partner £400. I understand nothing can be done about the baby being in an awkward position however I feel that I should of been offered a scan again in days not weeks instead of being encouraged to seek private healthcare. I also feel that I should have not been told to empty my bladder by the trainee which resulted in very poor quality images hence why you are told to attend with a full bladder. I have actually submitted a complaint. Has anyone had similar experiences?

I assume you clarified whether then even your to empty your bladder or half empty it?

I took the 'full bladder' advice too seriously and was asked to let some of it out, which I did and we then did the scan.

Yep she told me to empty my bladder then after said oh I maybe should have said half empty it

Kindly, I think you're being a bit unrealistic. They are very busy clinics and they're not there to provide you with 'an experience'. They've presumably done enough to be assured baby is ok and have booked you in for a reassessment.

There's absolutely no way I'd have been able to do a half wee. Couldn't they do an internal scan,is that a thing when you're pregnant?

I think I'd have checked, especially with her being a trainee. But what's done is done.

They likely can't offer you a scan in days because they will be full. I imagine the date you got is the earliest they can fit you in.

Really?
Can you not just let a little bit out?
Maybe I'm the weird one! Who knows 😂

I actually filled it so much they suggested I let a bit out before my scan (I was virtually hopping) and then a second partial pee when they tried to scan.

I don't think this is very fair. OP had a trainee who told her to empty her bladder and then couldn't see anything. We all have to learn somehow, sure, but OP's entitled to be disappointed especially as it also means she's going to have to pay for an NIPT blood test instead of having the normal NHS assessment.

Sorry can I just add... I work in the NHS and I am fully aware of the pressures. I hope I never offer my patients the experience I was offered today. To ask someone to come back in 3 weeks when full screening cannot be done is awful. I feel very fortunate I can afford to pay private even tho I contribute daily to the NHS by working in it.

Thankyou so much for this. I appreciate the kind comment.

God,no way, once I've started that's it 😂

I think you were right to complain especially as it was only a trainee rather than an experienced sonographer, and she should have checked with someone experienced if she was not sure what she is doing/asking you to do. I agree, the wait time for a repeat scan is unacceptable. You did the right thing to complain!

I don't think Nurse10 was looking for ‘an experience’ and she wasn’t looking for a bad experience either, which is what she got, and came away worried and facing a £400 bill she wasn’t expecting. Very badly handled by the trainee sonographer, and I don’t blame her for now feeling anxious and disappointed.

I think you were justified in complaining Nurse10 - it may result in an improvement for others attending for scans.

Thankyou so much. I think too seeing all the other ladies walk out with their scan photos and be sent away for their bloods it was really hard to see. Hopefully my experience on thurs at the private clinic will be better albeit at a very expensive cost

I wouldn’t be happy with this. I would ring the maternity ward and ask for the most senior midwife you call you back (PMA or matron of midwives), explain the situation and that you want all the abnormality test and are happy to travel to another NHS site to get it.

Thankyou very much. I hope so as I would not want any other lady leaving feeling how I did. I already think womens healthcare in general is poor and this certainly has not helped matters

I might ring my midwife tomorrow as I feel I built a good therapeutic rapport with her so dont want to ruin that but just to express my unhappiness and let her know I have issued a complaint

My daughter had a similar experience in that her scan technician was unable to get the right measurements but as her dates had not been known her scan was a bit later on and because they didn’t get measurements that day she was unable to have some of the tests done. She chose not to bother, but as your test was not as accurate due to the poor advice given, you should definitely ask for Another scan sooner.

It’s not a complaint. It’s asking for a solution to a problem.

I think they should be providing another scan and full screening ASAP. Even if someone has to work late.

In your shoes I'd write to the Director of women's and children's services and copy to PALs.

No way could I ever have done half a wee, let alone when pregnant.

I’m sorry you have had a bad experience, I know anxiety around is very high around during your 1st pregnancy and you want to feel you’re getting the best care.
I just wanted to reassure you that the whole bladder scenario is very common. I have always been scanned by a very senior amazing member of staff and she’s always sent me off to empty my bladder (not partially empty - because I agree who can actually manage that?! Half a wee?!) and said she doesn’t understand why they don’t mention something in the letter about not having it too full because it happens alllll the time. She said realistically it’s harder to get a good scan with an overly full bladder versus an empty bladder. So long as far enough along in pregnancy etc she said usually you can see what you need to despite empty bladder anyways. So I don’t think the advice you received was wrong or unusual at all. Hopefully that reduces frustration a little. Also it’s not uncommon for the baby to be in an awkward position and to find they just can’t get the measurements they need. Without the measurements they can’t run the tests.
and the tests can only be run in a very small window of time, beyond that they stop being accurate and they need to use a different method of different but similar tests. It’s all quite standard what has happened.
I think if you call up and politely express your unhappiness with the situation there’s a small chance they might offer you a cancellation slot sooner, or agree to keep you in mind for cancellation slots. Or they might agree to let you hang about the department for a couple of days to allow a quick scan if someone is late for example. But depends how busy they are and how accommodating. And will depend how you ask of course too.
That’s a long shot so failing that have you considered getting a private 12 week which includes the testing? Quick google suggests these are more like £200 so that’s a saving..
of course the NIPT is more thorough and you might end up wanting that anyways if you get something back as high risk… so could just bite bullet and get that. And see it as money well spent for really decent reassurance throughout the pregnancy? The tests they did on NHS are not that accurate. NIPT is much more so.

Just some ideas for you!

I wouldn’t go in guns blazing with a complaint as you will be back along in the department at least 1-2 more times this pregnancy and any subsequent pregnancies and presumably want to have a nice enough atmosphere and experience next time …

OP speak to your midwife and she’ll call in for an extra scan for you. They can magic that stuff. Tell her about what happened and the impact of not being able to do the combined screening.

Yes this is very unfair. Are you particularly at risk? I think I would contact the Matron /manager and explain the situation. I assume they still couldn't see with a transvaginal scan either. I really would bring this up at a higher level. I know staff have to learn but it's very upsetting..my DD had several antenatal appointments with trainee midwives who could rarely find baby's heartbeat. Upsetting and not good for the blood pressure.

Hi OP. Agree that you should ask for the scan to be done somewhere else. My 12 week scan was cancelled due to severe storms and rescheduled for weeks later, beyond the limit for testing. I spoke to my midwife who arranged for me to be seen at another hospital before the deadline so she obviously felt it important enough and said I absolutely shouldn't be needing to pay privately. This isn't a fault of your making so hopefully if they can resolve it they will.

Did they not offer a transvaginal scan? Those are usually much clearer than abdominals especially in the first trimester.
I don't think you're wrong to complain, hopefully the trainee will get some feedback and take it on board.