Dating scan - what happens?

[Nessie3]

Hi all, I have my dating scan booked for 21st January - at it I’ll be 13 weeks and 5 days. They said the cut of for tests etc is 13 weeks 6 days and I know they’ve been busy trying to squeeze everyone in.

Can anyone tell me what happens? I know there will be an ultrasound, blood taken and I have to take urine sample with me but unsure what else may happen.

Do they give you any clues to test results on the day? My partner is working so I’m going myself and a little worried.

Any advice would be great xxx

[Naddy1]

Hey nessie, i think mine will be delayed too so following to see what others say x

[Nessie3 in reply to Naddy1]

Hope it all goes well. Let me know when you hear xx

[Zebedee1971]

We had ours privately but its pretty similar to NHS (and we have NHS one next Monday). They're similar (I'd assume) but main thing to know is they just look at baby and how it's growing-- if it's growing at the correct rate, if the heart is beating normally, if hands and feet are correctly formed etc, basically just a baby MOT! One thing they do do is look at facial features and key to this is the thickness of the neck- this can tell them whether the child has downs syndrome. For ours, they told us at the end that the test results came back normal, (we had our bloods done the week before) indicating no risk of trisomy 21, 18, 19 (I think those are the three chromosomal abnormalities, might have got the numbers wrong, but all other abnormalities miscarry before 12 weeks). They then use the scan and test results to calculate risk of downs etc. But if you're having bloods on the day they'll probably just be able to tell you from the scan whether there's any concerns about baby. We really enjoyed our scan, it really reassured us. It was private so VERY indepth, but I know the NHS follows pretty much the same format. Our little one was bouncing around and scratching their nose ❤️ it's so cute. I hope yours goes as well, it really is so special x

[Nessie3 in reply to Zebedee1971]

Thank you, sounds like a lovely experience If they’re going to tell me information there and then I may see if my partner can come along with me also. I’m pretty sure he’s allowed at present but I know things may change due to Covid so fingers crossed.

Thanks again for the information. Xx

[Hidden]

They did the ultrasound first checked baby and give u a due date then if your having the screening they weighed me and took blood no urine testing and they added the booking-in documents to your folder. You then either get a phone call or letter with the results nurse said usually if it’s a high result they’ll ring in a couple of days but a letter otherwise.

[Nessie3 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. I’ve had a scan pretty much every week from weeks 6.5-10 as I had some spotting - so this one being 4 weeks after last one is a bit strange take care xx

[London_Lady1]

Mine was separate. I had bloods and urine taken at one appointment and the scan at a different appointment and my midwife went through everything with me. So guess its different at every hospital.

At the scan itself they talked through everything with me, they told me 'results' in the room of neck space etc so if I was low, medium or high risk for down syndrome and if they would recommend further tests (all fine). She also gave me a full tour of baby. Pointed out everything and let us listen to the heartbeat.

If your partner can attend then do. It's one not to miss its magical as they actually look like a baby. Even with covid there are recommendations that women should be allowed a partner with them at every maternity appointment and that this partner should be seen as just as crucial from a support perspective as the rest of the maternity team. Hubby has been to all of my appointments.

If you're IVF then my hospital doesn't change due date regardless of babies size, but I've heard other people on here have had their dates changed.

Wishing you all the luck and hope all goes really well. Xxx

[Nessie3 in reply to London_Lady1]

Thank you so much. You’re right all hospitals will do it differently. I’m looking forward to it but also really nervous. Take care xx