When do you usually get scans?

They quite often offer a scan at 12-14 weeks to do the nuchal fold test (which gives you a risk factor for downs) some docs/midwifes don't refer you though if they think you are already low risk. Normally the younger you are the less risk there is.
Did they ever talk to you about that scan? You could ring them and ask to be referred for it, or alternatively you can just pay to have the scan done privately, in CHCH they cost around $120. They do check a few other things at that scan but most things are checked at the anatomy scan which is a lot more in depth and is done between 18-22 weeks.

Also you shouldn't be feeling intimidated by your OB, if that is the case you need to see someone else, it's really important that you are comfortable with your LMC.

I think you should just ring your OB & or MW if you have one and ask for a refferal form. It is your right to request to have one done for your own piece of mind. Like cuppatea said dont feel intimidated by anyone.  Me personally I dont think it is right for a OB or MW to just assume you are Low risk for what ever reason. Call your OB or MW and ask if they can fax thru a referral to where ever you will go for a scan....Otherwise your next scan wont be until between 18-20 weeks....Good Luck

I was offered the 12wk scan but I wouldn't terminate for any reason, so I'm stuck with only the 20wk scan unless there is some complication later on. 20wks is a good time for showing around though, the baby looks like a baby and is big enough to get face pics etc.

when i was pregnant with C six years ago , they didnt scan until 18 weeks unless there was a problem, at 12 weeks i heard the heartbeat (and was on cloud nine the rest of the day )

Personally ,i think since you have quite a big personal reason for wanting a scan , maybe you could explain the situation to your MW or gynaecologist ? or just book one yourself like some of the other girls have suggested.
And as for your OB , he is there to listen to your worries, etc, its what hes paid for , so dont let him intimidate you

Edited by caitlynsmygirl

It does depend on where you are and th fundingthey have for the scans. Did you ask for a scan?? if you didn't I would ring and ask for one and state why you want it (for you dad as he is so sick), you may have to pay for it but you will still get it.

I had major abdominal cramping at 6wks (ended up in hospital overnight). I ended up making a doctor's appointment the following day (even though by then I already had a mw), and told my GP how stressed and worried I was (I'd miscarried last year) so he organised me a 6wk scan just for my peace of mind. From there they recommended a follow up 8wk scan, again for our peace of mind.

We also knew we wouldn't terminate for any reason, so when my mw asked if we wanted the nuchal scan my response was "well, no... but i'd love to have a scan anyway to see bubs!" It didn't happen though. Then at 14wsk my mw couldn't find bub's heartbeat on the doppler, so I had a scan to check everything was ok. It was, and that was the BEST scan I've had - bubs was far more obliging then than at my 18-20wk scan.

The reason I say all this is because:
1) you're at the perfect stage to get some great scan pics because bubs is now the size where you can get full body shots and profiles - and they're SO cute!
2) maybe you could phone them first to see if you can get a referral form. But if for some reason that doesn't work, maybe you could go to your GP, explain the situation, and if they're anything like mine, they might give you the referral form to get a scan?

All the best - hope it all works out for you. Hugs
Kristy.

Edited by kmarie