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?

Again ladies thankyou all so much for your kind comments and reassurance. It saddens me how poor womens health care can be. I have called my midwife unit to give them a heads up that I have submitted a complaint and my midwife is going to call me back.

You should have challenged the decision of being told to come back in a few weeks immediately after the scan. You should have explained all of the points you just explained to a senior member of staff there and then and I’m sure they would have booked you in for a re-scan within a few days which should have been protocol if they did not get the results needed to ensure your pregnancy is all good.

You shouldn't have to pay £400 for a scan/ tests you can get on the NHS for free because a trainee messed up and gave the wrong advice.

Obviously that's not right. Complain and get what you're entitled to.

She shouldn’t have had to challenge at that point. Its not the job of an anxious patient to guide the medical team on decent practice.

I’m bored with women being told to be grateful because its “free” or “kindly” STFU when we have some of the worst maternity/women’s provision in Europe, especially if you are a black/minority woman.

I expect professionals to behave professionally. I accept that some, especially trainees may make errors but the counterpart to me accepting humans make mistakes is the expectation on them to rectify.

The OP could have been told to try later in the day, the next day or been offered a transvaginal scan to rectify the error. She should not have been told she could pay £400 to get the job done properly or just wait for the next scheduled scan.

It isn’t the job of the patient to guide good medical practice but at the same time she is more anxious now having not done or said anything and paying out of her own pocket for free medical care that she has a right to access promptly.

Sometimes in life you have to fight for what’s right even if that is difficult, it isn’t ideal to do so but that’s life.

Is the nipt free in the nhs ? I don’t live in the uk but I’d to pay for it. I wanted to pay for it anyway for extra reassurance.

It’s only free if you get a higher chance result for downs, Edward’s or Pataus syndrome on the NHS combined screening test, which is what the OP was told couldn’t be done at her 12 week scan.

Hi all,

Just a wee update- NHS told me you get one chance at the NT test so unfortunately nothing will change for me however they are looking at offering NIPT to all women in future so I fedback I felt this should be done. I may be £400 down but my goodness it was worth it to see this.... Just need to wait the NIPT results now which I have also asked to include gender. The private experience was amazing and I am so glad I done it and got to see my beautiful little baby wriggling away.

I’m just amazed that Streeting thinks there needs to be yet another maternity review. After 20 years plus of working as a midwife I have lost count of how many reviews and 10 year plans and 5 year plans and 3 plans there have been. The Midwifery 2020 report commissioned in 2008 to set out what maternity services should look like by 2020. Then Better Births in 2016. We’ve had Kings Fund review, Morcombe Bay report, various Ockenden.

The problem is all they do is throw money at reports and never actually implement it because shock horror or will take money and staff to do so. So everything gets quietly dropped and nothing changes until the next scandal when some govt muppet throws blame at a hospital, etc and says there be an investigation and the cycle starts again.

But no govt will fund the maternity services to the levels needed. Hence all the newly qualified midwives who can’t get jobs! Because the hospitals don’t have the money to recruit them! It’s a disgrace.

The OP is in the situation she’s in because there won’t be enough sonographers and there won’t be enough scan slots. In an ideal world they’d have brought her back next week to try again.

Glad you got your tests and pictures. I think it’s very unfair you’ve had to pay just because you got a trainee who couldn’t do a vaginal scan for some reason?

I have a tilted uterus. When I was having my babies/miscarriages they almost always gave up the traditional way and would give me a vaginal one.

@MoominUnderWater so well said ❤️

But sadly, I feel a lot of people abuse the NHS too and it doesn't help with the spendings 😔

OP, glad you got it done and got to see your baby again 💕

Not a chance. If I wee I wee.

There is no half measures here. I'd have laughed at being told to half empty my bladder! Even pre kids!

So glad you got to see baby op!

Congratulations 😊

Just a further update- the £400 was well worth it in the end. All of my results have come back low risk which is the best news and we have been told 99% baby girl which is the cherry on top💗... After feeling so dissapointed last week. We are feeling on top.of the world this week💗

@Nurse10 that's lovely news 😊

Lovely news 💖