How necessary is the 12 week scan & bllodwork? | ExpatWoman.com
 

How necessary is the 12 week scan & bllodwork?

19
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 22:54
I think that it's only when the scans raise concerns that you realise why they are necessary. I had 2 babies in the uk, with scans at 12 and 20 weeks. We chose not to have any other tests. My third child I had out here. Everything was covered on insurance. The twelve week scan included the nuchal fold test, indicating low risk for Downs and then the 20 week scan showed a double bubble - indicating that the baby's stomach wasn't connected to intestines and that the baby would need surgery, with lots of other potential associated problems. Subsequently, I had loads of scans and we made lots of plans for once the baby was born. We chose to have the baby and she was born totally normal. So - I guess that you have to ask yourself what you would do if you found at the scans that there were problems. If you would be keen to terminate or to have other tests, then it's important to have them. If you would just want to have the baby whatever, then perhaps they are not important for you. I think that the 20 week scan, although misleading for us, can help to prepare you and the obstetrician for the type of birth and after care that may be required, but if you are quite prepared to accept whatever may come, then maybe you don't need the 12 week scan. Good luck. i hope that all goes well.
332
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 19:41
Hi SandraDee I agree with Hello Again Kitty and would also add that the scan tells you the risk factor associated with your pregnancy so that you can make informed decisions about your health and lifestyle for the duration of the pregnancy. If it does come back as high risk, further tests can be done to try to narrow in on the issue. In the end it comes down to having as much information available about your baby as possible so you can make informed decisions about any required treatments or courses of action. I had the 12 week scan done and am about to have the 20 week scan and my insurance also doesn't cover this procedure. Best of luck!
1861
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 17:24
The main purpose of the 12 week scan is to determine if you have a multiple pregnancy. The NT scan and/or the bloodwork is to determine the risk of you having a Downs child. If you don't think either of these issues would be an issue for you, then you don't have to do them, I guess. NT scans have only been available recently (didn't have one 3 years ago), so with my first, I only had the 12 weeks scan and the Triple Test. With DS, I only had the NT scan, and since that'd come back low risk, I passed on the blood tests (with DD, it'd come back with a 1 in 100,000 chance, so I was pretty relaxed anyway). However, the early scans are very helpful in determining other more serious conditions too. I have a friend whose 12 week scan basically showed a baby who had exceptionally severe deformities and she took the brave decision to terminate, which is of course easier to do, the earlier you decide to do it. Oh, and in the UK we only have 2 scans if a pregnancy is normal - one at 12 weeks and the other at 20. <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 31/01/2011</em>
1
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 17:02
This may sound like a strange question but one i've been wondering. I am not covered for maternity under my insurance and am planning to register with Al Wasl and do everything with them. Seeing as they don't start their maternity care until after 16 weeks, how important is the care you receive before then and the 12 week scan? This is my second pregnancy so am a lot more relaxed this time around and not really worried about much at the moment. Looking forward to your knowledgeable input!
 
 

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