Hi everyone, I chose not to have a scan at 12 weeks and instead opted to wait for the 18week scan. Ive had all the other tests including hearing baby's heartbeat. And I was fine with that until everyone around us starting 'gossiping/questioning' about why I havent had a scan yet. Im 33 years old its our first baby. I chose to go through my GP then the local Midwife Clinic and both my Dr and Midwife seem to think its normal and not a prob. Anyone else who has waited until this time for 1st scan? Im now almost 15 weeks and feel great. I guess you could say I found comfort in the fact that my Dr said if there was something seriously wrong found in the 18 week scan, you could still terminate a pregnancy.
Sugarpie,
I had my first scan at 12 weeks and I still got the same as you. It seemed everyone else was getting scans at 8 weeks or earlier. It made me feel bad and to be honest insecure that I hadn't had an earlier scan yet. But I also felt that I really wanted to wait for the 12 week scan. I was looking forward to the 12 week scan though simply because I felt so great I wanted to make sure there really was a baby in there and when I saw it moving around like a gymnist I couldn't believe it was so active and I couldn't feel a thing. So it actually gave me confidence that just because I couldn't feel it doesn't mean that its going ok in there.
I am 31 and DH is 35 and to be honest we really didn't need to do the NT scan. But I just did it for piece of mind more than anything and it was an excuse to see the baby. Now I cant wait till our 18 week scan, I sort of know what I am in for and can be mentally prepared and of course try and train my bladder to hold more fluid for longer (how mean is that!)
Each to their own and the most important thing for you and your baby right now is that you trust your own instinct and DONT for a second, second guess yourself!
Good luck... your going to love it! I hope you get a dvd to watch at home over and over again!
The only real reason they send you for a scan before 12 weeks is for a dating scan. Because once babies are over 12 weeks they start to grow at different rates dependin on genetics.
It's only since having my DS they seem to do it with every pg. I only had it done with my girls coz of my severe morning sickness & with a pg in between them coz I had no idea of my dates. Didn't find out til I was 8 weeks.
It is not needed & not compulsory. The 18 week scan - morphology is more important.
My 18 week scans were all done closer to 20 wks & with DS I had to have a 2nd one coz he was stubborn & wouldn't move at 24 weeks - it still took about an hour & lots of bending, touching toes & lying on my belly to get him to move!
Scans before 12 weeks are not required unless you experience things like bleeding, have had prior m/c's or you need a dating scan. Increasing numbers of women seem to be getting them done though for to have a look at baby or to reassure them that it's really there, or that all is OK.
I had one at around 7 weeks with my last pregnancy but that was only because of spotting and my m/c history. If that hadn't happened the first would have been at 12 weeks.
I probably wouldn't have had the 12 week scan and BT if I was under 35 but many women do now. It only gives you a risk factor for the trisomies not a result so if you wouldn't have had a CVS or amnio then there wouldn't have been a lot of point to getting it done (other than seeing your baby I guess). Like you said they will normally pick up problems with the morphology scan later on.
I think doctors prefer to have found risky pregnancies earlier on though because if termination is decided upon it's better to do it earlier on as there's less chance you've felt movement by then which can make the decision a lot harder. I had already felt a movement when I had my amnio at 16 weeks but luckily all was well.
I wouldn't worry too much about it. People are always going to give you their opinions during pregnancy (and it gets worse the further you get along). More than likely all will be well. Sometimes having scans can make you worry for no reason, so it could be a good thing to avoid them unless absolutely necessary.
I also waited until my 18-20 week scan for both of my pregnancies. I didn't have the dating scan before the 8 weeks as I knew I was pregnant and approx how far along as my period is very predictable.
I also chose not to have the 12 week scan as I was not going to abort the baby if s/he had any abnormalities (i.e. Down Syndrome etc) unless they were so incredibly severe that they were "incompatible with life" which should show up at the 18 week scan. I just couldn't do it and I knew myself well enough to know that. I also did not want to go through the stress at such a precious time as I knew the 12 week scans can be very inaccurate. TBH, I didn't even ask my DH's opinion about whether he agreed (which thankfully he did when I explained my reasoning).
If you are happy with your decision, then it doesn't matter what others say/think. I believe I made the right choice for ME.
From my experience, friends who haven't had the 12 scan have done so because they will keep the baby no matter what. For me, I have it because to date I haven't been offered a scan beforehand so it was the first real chance for me to see I was pregnant (I dont have blood test to confirm either). It's your choice and I find it odd that people feel they should judge you on that. But everyone seems to have an opinion about everything in pregnancy (usually from people who are not pregnant)!
I do have a family member who was advised NOT to have the 12 week because she was 23 and had a healthy bub, but unfortunately at the 18 week they discovered severe brain damage and the baby died at 38 weeks (would've killed the mother to birth him they later found out). I find that totally neglegent as it wasnt' her choice not to have the 12 week but the Dr's choice. She would've aborted early on too.
Stick to your guns and don't let others questioning deter you xo
Stick to what you are comfortable with. Some people have no scans at all so don't feel pressured. I was content with no scans or just the 18 week one but my husband really wanted the peace of mind from getting the results of the 12 week scan so I decided to do the two. I declined the use of the doppler for my pregnancy too.
Maybe read this article to reassure yourself of the decision you have made (mods I trust this link is okay as it's a media site?). Ultrasound Scans - Cause for Concern?
When did you have your first scan?
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