12 week scan at Kings

[littleEDfamily]

One thing I don't think anyone else has mentioned about the 'internal' scan is that they put a condom on the probe and loads of lubricant on it. It's juvenile of me, but that bit always makes me giggle. (But it's totally fine - not painful at all, and I think worth it).

I have found the sonographers great (from every corner of the globe), with the exception of one or two, who needed a bit of warming up. I ask loads of questions, and they seem to be very happy to indulge me. The ladies on reception can be a bit scary, so be on time and make sure you fill in your form properly.

[curlykaren]

also, when you get your print out at the end make sure that your details are correct, they had inserted my age incorrectly as 18 rather than 38 which made a considerable difference to prediction of downs. They will probably tell you immediatly that they can see one/two/three heart beats, I hadn't been expecting this at all as the thought of twins/triplets never entered my mind and I would have been floored if they had just blurted out, oh we can see two heart beats. So, just in case, prepare yourself for more than one little one....good luck, enjoy x

[Indiana]

Littleedfamily - that made me laugh!! Forgot about that...

[Smiler]

Oh yes, forgot about the the condom and lube thing, ha ha!

[Smiler]

We are also lucky to have the walk-in early pregnancy unit on the same floor as the Harris Birthright Centre in the Jubilee wing (8.30am to noon Monday to Friday), for anyone with any problems in the first trimester.

Have been there many times and while things can always be improved, the fact that it is possible to self-refer and get seen the same day, and by a specialist with really good scanning equipment and quick blood tests if needed is excellent. All the scans are internal and performed by obstetrics/gynae specialist doctors (most of whom are men, though there are one or two women doctors), with a nurse also present.

It's best to get there as early as possible in the morning as they get really busy (there are very few services like this in London, so women come from all over).

It is a service that one hopes not to have to use but that is worth knowing about.

[Sanne Panne]

How did your scan go, prm?

[jollybaby]

She's probably still there!

[prm]

hanks so much to all of you for the overwhelming response and words of advice! It was really very helpful to know what to expect and I am pleased to say everything went really well!

We had to wait a bit but it didn't seem all that long. My appointment was at 12.30 and we left at 4pm. They first took me into a little room where they weighed me and took some blood samples (which was the worst part, as my veins are really hard to find so they had to stick quite a few needles before it worked). Then a bit later we went into the scan room, and oh-my-god...I am not even showing so it is mesmerising and incredible to see what a fully formed creature is living in there...we could see all the organs, arms & legs moving, the whole shape of the face...amazing!

We were very lucky...the staff were really nice. The guy who was looking after me was a lovely Southamerican guy who has just arrived to Kings 1 month ago, he explained absolutely everything in all detail and I am Spanish so he was pleased he could explain it all in his own language. At the acanning he was there but also another guy who looked more experienced..they were explaining everything quite well all along, but I took your advice and asked lots of questions, I even tried getting any hints on the sex but they were quite reluctant, I don't think they even looked as they said it's not visible and any observations at this stage could easily be wrong...Knowing they would not make a diagnosis too quickly I was patient throughout but at the end I did ask if everything looked good. They said everything looked good but they had to wait for the blood test results as this may affect the risk assessment. When the results were ready they called us into a room and explained...the blood test results were also good and they lowered the risks even more.

So I am very very happy, and I have to say so far the experience has been great at Kings!

Thanks again for all the advice and good luck to all other expectant mothers, I hope your results and experience is as good as mine so far.

[Ann]

Delighted to hear it prm. Let's hope the reat of your pregnancy goes well, nice of you to post back.

[The Nappy Lady]

So pleased for you prm. I too remember being blown away (both times) by seeing such a complete little person in there at 12 weeks, when there is nothing to show for it, and no feelings of kicking etc. yet either.

Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

Molly

[Sanne Panne]

That's great prm! Enhorabuena!

[sunbob]

If there are any tests or information which you do Not want then make sure you make this clear each time you go for a scan. We felt like they presumed everyone would just have everything and that we really needed to remind each member of staff what we Didn't want to know every time.

[linzkg]

P - (just left a voicemail so ignore it now!) but that's fab news - i'm super excited for you! xxx

[anna75]

they will give you a risk factor for chromosmal abnormalities which, from memory, if worse than 1/300 means they will suggest a cvs or amnio. Risk of mc with either is around 1/100 which i found quite high personally. plenty of friends came out at 1/350 for example and didnt have amnio. One friend came out at 1/2500 (aged 40 starting risk 1/70) and she still considered amnio or cvs though didn't in the end.

One thing is good - Kings bascially gives what i consdier the basic level of 12 week scans. I say basic as it is the same as for all private 12 weeks ones. BUT i gather it is unusual for the NHS so take full advantage!

[Sally81]

Hello all...sorry to resurrect an old thread. Just been reading this and though i am feeling massively reassured but thought I would post as you are all so knowledgeable and kind.

I have my 12 week scan a week tomorrow and am really worrying about it. I am quite sure everyone does and many of you reading this will be rolling your eyes...but I don't feel all that pregnant (it's my first as I've said on another thread) and I'm scared I'll get there and something will be wrong.

I'm halfway through week 12. I don't feel sick anymore, my boobs are only very slightly sore (but did hurt A LOT for weeks). I've put on a bit of weight around my middle and have had the odd twinge and ache today. But all in all I just don't feel as if I am pregnant.

I know I am probably being neurotic.....does pregnancy do this to you?? I just thought i'd see if this all sounds familiar and normal?

[KateW]

Sally81, this sounds perfectly normal. My boobs stopped being really sore around 12 weeks too and apart from a slight bulge around my tum, I didn't 'feel' pregnant at all. Don't worry, the scan will reassure you that everything is ok and when you see your little bean, it will make all the difference. There'll be plently of time in the coming months to experience the aches and twinges of pregnancy! Hope all goes well tomorrow.

[Smiler]

Hi Sally,

Not neurotic at all, am sure lots of us have had similar anxieties at the same stage - I know I have. Really hope that it goes well for you tomorrow.

If you can, try to distract yourself today and this evening with whatever works for you (for me it would be trashy TV / novels, my sister-in-law bakes, one friend meditates, another goes on manic cleaning frenzies!) Also, when you actually get there and are waiting (can be a while), don't compare yourself to the other women there, e.g. to see if they look "more pregnant", since there are lots of clinics running and they may well be a lot further on, or just fatter!

In my first pregnancy, I remember feeling upset that my tummy was still flat at 13 weeks and really wanted to put on weight. Those days have long gone, sadly!

Best wishes and hope the time before the scan passes quickly.

[Keef]

Your house is going to be proper tidy by a week tomorrow! >:D<

Said my bit in my PM, but KateW & Smiler seem to be spot on!

[Sally81]

Thanks all...i have calmed down considerably.

I know I am going to drive my poor man mad for the next week.....but yep...will hopefully have a gleaming house and maybe loads of cakes, which he can shut me up with every couple of hours!

I never thought i'd be such a worrier. Sigh.....

[Keef]

It changes everything doesn't it!

[Smiler]

Oh yes, I meant to say it can be good to talk about fears etc. with your man! And tell him if you want him around at key times, e.g. night before the scan, (or not, if you prefer to clean / bake / do yoga / knit / angst alone!) I got all upset with Mr Smiler for arranging a night out before the first scan, but then realised I hadn't actually explained to him how anxious I was and how much I wanted him there before as well as at the scan etc.

[Keef]

Also worth remembering that the blokes may also be sh!tting themselves, and a night out may be their way of taking their minds off it. But, they should be there for you if you want them to be.

[ClareC]

Agree with all above! 12 weeks is such a long time to wait and you do become uncharacteristically paranoid! So much so that at 10 weeks I phoned a private clinic and went for a scan a couple of hours later!! I was then still worried pre 12 week!! I too had no symptoms!

Good luck tomorrow, try not to worry and take a good book! We waited ages for the first scan!! Was booked at 630 and we finally left around 11!!! there was a backlog due to a training week so prob not the norm but it was around this time lEt year !!!

[new mother]

Me too. I was convinced I had had a mmc.

Zero symptoms, no weight gain, no fluid, no boobs, skin normal, everything normal save the HCG stick.

[prdarling]

How did you get on Sally??