Just had my first midwife appointment, I’m currently just over 11 weeks. She’s given me a date for the 29th May for my first scan, meaning I’ll be 15 weeks and 3 days. Is there no way they could speed this up to get seen earlier on?
Also been told I need to take aspirin everyday too and when I hit 28/30 weeks, I’d need to be scanned weekly to measure baby’s growth. Is his normal? Because my friend didn’t have this - what makes her say this?
I’m very nervous and just hope everything’s okay. Feel abit overwhelmed with everything she was saying and worried I haven’t took all the information in - well I know I haven’t there was so much being said!
I think I’m just panicking.
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There's noway to speed them up for the dating scan unfortunately there's usually a back log! At 15 weeks it will be a good scan though more defined features, you can always have a private scan done anytime from 6 weeks. I had to take aspirin form 28 weeks as I had a high BMI, not sure on the weekly growth scans but I had 4 weekly from 28 weeks to measure growth but this was because I had a medical condition. No harm as its extra care. Congrats anyway, things get so exciting after the first appointment everything becomes real! The weeks fly in!
Yeah, I was trying to think positive about it being when I’m around 15 weeks, it just feels like forever away! I have to take aspirin because of my BMi being high too, but I’ve heard it can sometimes harm the baby? And thank you! Hopefully it goes fast til my scan x
We found out the gender at 16 weeks so it will be a good scan! I know it can be harmful if taken before 12 weeks while baby is still rapidly developing but at 28 weeks it should be fine but if in doubt ask your local pharmacist they are really good! I took it from 13 weeks as I was high risk for blood clots! X
I don’t think I want to find out the sex. My partner really wants to but I don’t - am I being unfair?😂 and okay thank you so much! Yeah that’s why they want me to take it as soon as possible as I’m high risk for preeclampsia I think she said? Not sure why tho! Aha x
I was the other way around I wanted to find out the gender and he didn't 🤣 I think it's that high BMI have a generally high risk of pre-eclampsia, in the end I was border line for my blood pressure and had all the signs of pre e but he held on till the end and was a tiny but healthy 4lbs 12oz baby at 39 weeks! X
Aw bless 😂 and oh my goodness he was small wasn’t he! I was 2lbs 4oz when I was born but I was super early, born 24th November. Was due on the 28th Feb 🤦🏻♀️😂x
Oh wow you were tiny! But super early! Bless you x
You usually have your dating scan between 8-14 weeks. I’ve never known someone to have it at 15 but maybe your hospital has a back log. You could try phoning and say you’ll accept a cancellation if one comes available.
I never had aspirin or growth scans do you have a medical history or family history that may suggest you need this? I would be happy with the extra scans though. Always nice to see baby xx
I found out when I was already 8 weeks pregnant, when I phoned the doctors it took forever to get the midwife appointment so I think this is why. She did say if the hospital (heartlands) don’t accept the scan date then she’ll send me to Solihull hospital for a scan instead but I have to wait 2 weeks for them to confirm the date.
I don’t have a family history of anything but my BMI is above 30, so this is why I need to take aspirin but not too sure why I’d need weekly scans as I hit 28/30 weeks! Strange but I am thinking it’s a positive as more scans and see the baby more xxx
She said I’ll be offered them tests regardless and if I’m interested. I said yes and she jotted that down online so that they can see if allow for it at the scan? So I’m not sure! Xx
I think before 14 weeks it’s a combined test so the scan and blood tests but after 14 weeks it’s just a blood test and not as accurate and I don’t think it tests for the Edwards and Patau syndromes. It’s on the NHS website.
If you are worried or unsure just give the antenatal clinic a ring xx
I couldn't have all the measurements taken at my 12 week scan as baby would not stay still. Was told everything looked normal but they couldn't get the exact measurements needed so I had a quad test done at my 16 week appointment which was basically just a blood test, they may offer you this if you can't have it done after 14 weeks xx
It's a blood test that tests for defects and can be done between 15-22 weeks. I would def chase up your scan tho as you shouldn't have to wait so long and I don't think a quad test is as accurate as the measurements they take at the scan xx
They are just taking percussion because of your BMI.
I’m the same I have to have growth scans and I never did with my other 2 pregnancies. It’s quite a new thing they are putting into place if you’ve had previous history or have a concern so yours is probably because of your BMI. I’m trying to think of it as positive that I get to see baby more and not a worry. Strange your scan a bit late but might just be availability gets very busy xx
I would ring up and ask for an earlier scan as if you want the tests for downs etc it has to be done before 14w so you would miss out on them tests it’s a wonder they didn’t mention it.
Unless you’ve got some kind of medical history that’s flagged it’s not usual for extra scans or aspirin. Aspirin is sometimes used for preeclampsia I think. Best to ask questions at your next appointment which I think is 16w. Nice to get more scans tho 🤗
She said I can still have the tests and they’ll offer then at the scan? I didn’t know that it could only be done before 14w! She never said that she said I could still definitely have them tests... and yeah aspirin is due to having a BMI above 30, which I understand now, she said it’s to reduce the risk of preeclampsia. Definitely nice to get more scans towards the end though x
She asked how far along I was which is 11w 4d and she said I’d be 15 weeks by the time of my appointment so she knew how far gone I’d be for my first appointment :/ maybe she just didn’t realise, definitely phone! Problem is she only works Wednesdays all day and Thursday morning 🤦🏻♀️x
We had our booking appointment at 10+5 and that was from advising them early on about the pregnancy.
For us, it was a disappointing appointment as it was very disorganised, she wasn’t listening to us and didn’t convince us with her answers.
Due to age, previous miscarriages, IVF, we were marked as high risk and she said due to previous miscarriages I should start the aspirin then. When I got home and read the part that mentions aspirin, it referred to pre-eclampsia as being the reason and not the miscarriages! It also said to start at 12 weeks, not then..
She marked us as out of area and said this was due to being consultant lead, but it turns out it was due to the GP surgery being out of area..she hadn’t even asked us if we were in the process of changing (which we were!).
We were quite lucky that the 12 week scan was dead on 12w and that’s when we had the screening tests too..from what I’ve read, the scan should be before 14 weeks. I would give the hospital appointments number a call to see if you can change it to earlier and if they can’t, give your community midwife number a call and discuss your concerns with them.
I feel quite lost sometimes, as I don’t feel like I can pick the phone up and discuss any concerns/questions that I have..when I did, I don’t think it was a midwife who answered and if she was her answers were not very helpful 🙁
Oh gosh, you went through a lot then! My community midwife is really nice and friendly, so I could talk to her but she’s the one who said the earliest appointment is the 29th, she rang them up in front of me! She said if they don’t accept the 29th for my scan appointment, then she would send me to another hospital for the scan instead but regarding the date if they decline this one, I don’t have a clue!xx
I guess she is trying, but it’s still frustrating...try the booking appointments anyway as they must get others changing their appointments received in the post? x
Aspirin is now prescribed to women who may be at higher risk of certain conditions so high BMI may be one of them.
I was part of a trial a few years ago that tested if the use of aspirin during and upto 36 weeks helped manage certain conditions for me it was Pre eclampsia. 3 years after my 3rd child I am pregnant again at the age of 46 so high risk for everything and I have been prescribed Aspirin.
As for the extra scans and monitoring if your not sure why they are doing that then call the maternity unit or a midwife and ask them to explain why.
You don’t need the stress of worrying about things that will not do you any good.
Mustnt be the same rule to different practices I was 38 my last pregnancy booking in in Nov 18 I had 2 prev mc I was already taking baby aspirin I didn’t tell the midwife she didn’t tell me to take it only folic acid or a prenatal my bmi is a bit higher too.
I’m not even going to book in next time until after we know it would be viable waste of time for me.
I have to have growth scans due to my high BMI, I haven’t been told to take aspirin, and aside from the fact I am suffering from hyperemesis, my pregnancy has been textbook, I don’t have gestational diabetes and baby is sticking to his growth curve (he’s in the 90th percentile and is weighing approximately 4lb12oz at 32 weeks). Chances are you’ll be given loads of appointments as a precaution but so long as everything is fine they’ll probably cancel some of the consultant appointments, but they’ll keep the scans, it’s always nice to see how baby is growing. Good Luck x
They won’t speed it up my first midwife was pretty funny when I asked this question.
I’m 32 weeks pregnant and iv been to growth scans at 28 weeks and 32 they just want to monitor the growth of baby mine was because I’m classed as high risk. Also because my little man is abit on the bigger side I’m going for another at 34&36 weeks and then they could induce me.
Having the extra scans could be a number of reasons apparently it can because of your BMI being to high, polisistic ovaries (which is my reason) and something to do with like health conditions. But if your worried I’d double check with her she should tell you!
The extra scans are because of your BMI being high- it’s just to make sure baby is growing as it should but it’s nothing to worry about just an extra precaution on there end- I have been given the same.Try not to worry too much- although I know that’s easier said than done x
If you’ve been advised to take the aspirin take it. I was advised to take it as my mum had preeclampsia and I was premature. Due to the genetic risk they said I should start at 10 weeks. I didn’t as I too was worried about risks to the baby. I ended up with acute fatty liver of pregnancy and had an emergency c section at 35 weeks, and then baby was in NICU for 3 weeks.
Hello hun, firstly, congratulations! I told my GP I was pregnant at around 4 weeks, then had my booking in appointment with my midwife yesterday and she was wonderful. She didn’t prescribe me anything but as I’m a week further along than I thought my scan likely will be around 13 weeks instead of 12. Anyway, we don’t want to wait that long (I’m 10 weeks currently) so we’re getting a private scan done next week (I’ll be 11 + 3 days). It’s only £79 and means our minds will be at rest and will also get 2 scans around the 12 week mark. My point is, if possible for you then a private scan is the easy solution for you. It’ll put your mind at rest and you can relax a bit. After all, baby needs a nice and relaxed mummy! ☺️ Xxxx
There's no way to speed up scans unfortunately. I had to take aspirin and have weekly growth scans because I had ivf and have lupus so I was classed as a high risk pregnancy. Is there anything in your family history that would suggest why you need closer monitoring? Hope it all goes well.
Thank you everyone for you advice and experiences! I’m going to pick up my prescription today and if I can’t wait til my a scan, I think I’m gonna book a private one! But there’s so many messages to reply to so I’ve wrote an overall one! Thank you ever so much everyone xxx
First scan can be done between 8-14 weeks, there probably was not any slots available until that date.
As for the aspirin is to help thin the blood, it helps the blood flow to the placenta. They usually prescribe it if you've had previous miscarriage or any health issues that would require you to have your blood thinned.
I'm on aspirin until 34 weeks (started as soon as I got that positive) as well as blood thinning injections.
Also with the weekly scans it will be growth scans to measure your babys growth, the amniotic fluid and sometimes the blood flow to the placenta. Your reasons for growth scans you would need to ask your midwife.
I had scans every 2 weeks after 20 weeks coz of my 5 miscarriages and one stillbirth but since I hit 26 weeks the consultant said I need to have scans every 4 weeks since baby is good but his stomach is measuring big.
Thank you for the advice hun! And oh gosh I’m so sorry to hear all the awful things you had to go through, little miracle baby! Good luck! I hope all goes well x
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