I can't believe it... Rant

[MummyBeth]

Oh my goodness!

I wrote a post earlier about finding out about how the Scottish system works - and it would appear that where I live...it doesn't!

I phoned the Dr surgery today as I haven't heard anything about my scan date and I will be 11 weeks on Wednesday.

I was told that my referral letter has been written and is waiting for the midwife to pick it up. She comes in on Wednesdays but they couldn't guarantee it would be this Wednesday - which means that I could potentially be 12 weeks before I am referred for a scan never mind getting one!

That referral letter has been sitting there for 3 weeks!!!

I am so unbelieveably angry! Private scan being booked today.

Feel like crying - feel really let down!!

Sorry for the rant. Just needed to get it out of my system.

That is crap. my referral was lost with dc3 and I was 14 weeks before I had the first scan.

Oh my cupof coffee - it's just terrible. I know it's probably not the individual midwife's fault - she probably has enough work for 3 midwives but knowing that doesn't help my situation.

I have private health insurance and had a hospital stay last year using that - It's terrible that we have to pay taxes for a health care system and then pay for private health care to ensure we get the service we excpect!

Between 12 and 14 weeks is normal now in the south. It was different 12 years ago when I had Ds, but it's(up to iyswim)later now.

Sorry, what I was trying to say is that 14 weeks for the first scan is 'normal' IME.

I thought it was normal for routine first scan to be 12+weeks.
Only earlier than that if there are problems or concerns.

I probably won't get mine untill about 16 weeks at this rate though - if I'm 12 weeks before my referral has been sent (and took 3 weeks to get from Dr to midwife) I'm guessing it'll take a month to get me a scan date.

My doctor forgot to pass to the letter on to the hospital so i just rang the hospital and self refferred myself and they sent me a scan date straight away. Maybe you could try this, i am in london so not sure how it works in scotland. I do sympathise, there seems to be no sense of urgency.

I'm pretty sure that there is a 'cut off' date for viability scans though. I think it's 13+6. I would think they'll get you scanned before then tbh. Or as carolondon says, give the hospital a ring yourself.

Private scan booked - not what I wanted to spend £100 on to be honest but I'm so desperate to know that everything is ok. I really don't think I could wait another month.

Why not call the antenatal dept and ask for a scan? Where is Scotland are you? scans here are 10-14wks.

where in Scotland are you?

I was scanned at 12 weeks with my dd, and have been told 10-14 weeks with this one, only dating scans done at my centre though, so that might make a difference.

If they see you are 12 weeks already then they will probably rush it through to be honest.

i self-referred this time using an internet form - much faster. going via the GP took 3 weks both times (in fact second time i called them up and found they'd lost my papers, and the MW called the hospital direct to get me in for a scan that week) wasn't in Scotland though.

dating scans done 8-12 weeks here, nuchal fold screening needs to be done before 14 weeks...(or earlier)

I'm in south Lanarkshire - East Kilbride.

I'm sure they will rush it through as I say I don't blame individuals - I have yet to meet a dr or nurse who doesn't go above and beyond for their patients.

I'm just new to the country and to pregnancy so I'm desperate to know all is OK.

My friend at home (NI) has had 2 scans one at 10 and another at 13. It's just seems a bit unfair - I'm totally being a winge now!

Must think positive or else my baby will be a neurotic mess! ( just like his mama!)

I'm in south Lanarkshire - East Kilbride.

I'm sure they will rush it through as I say I don't blame individuals - I have yet to meet a dr or nurse who doesn't go above and beyond for their patients.

I'm just new to the country and to pregnancy so I'm desperate to know all is OK.

My friend at home (NI) has had 2 scans one at 10 and another at 13. It's just seems a bit unfair - I'm totally being a winge now!

Must think positive or else my baby will be a neurotic mess! ( just like his mama!)

I moved up to south Lanarkshire from England. Was 10 weeks when I went to doctor and was booked in and had 1st scan at around 14/15 weeks.

10 and 13 weeks would only be done here if there was some concern, so probably better not to be having them, IYSWIM?

mummybeth - have you lived somewhere else before Scotland? You do sound in a very annoying and unfortunate situation and I can understand your frustration especially when you just want to see a picture of a baby with the right number of fingers and toes and a heartbeat.

Where we are we have a fantastic system. I appreciate how good it is when speaking to friends in other parts of England and Scotland - friends in other parts of England that have to pay for nuchal scans even when over 35, friends in Scotland only actually expect one scan.

Anyway, the point of asking if you have lived elswhere is just to check if you have an expectation of what the level of care should be? If I lived somewhere now where I got less care and 'analysis' than I have been used to I would be completeley paranoid. However, the people I know that have minimal think I am totally over the top....and as my dear mum says....I dont how any of you lot survived without all those scans and tests and things (yes, thanks mum.

Anyway, hope the private scan goes well and is the exciting experience it should be

Hey Ladies,

I'm from NI and none of my friends here have had babies - I'm the first eek! I was expecting the same level of care as my SIL received at home.

I'm 27 and normally healthy so I'm hoping all is OK.

Thanks for your support if only to help me realise that I wasn't being a totally neurotic first time mum!

I'll let you know when I have my scan and hope to give good news.

xxxxxx