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My 12week scan

Story from nhs.uk

"My 12week scan"

About: Queen Alexandra Hospital

I went along for my 12 week scan, my first child.

Staff at reception and a nurse who took my blood were very friendly.

The member of staff who completed my scan, was miserable, probably been doing the job for 30yrs or so and for them it was just another scan, they didn't really talk me though what I was looking at on the screen, i asked questions and they gave me the shortest answer they could, i suppose as I hadn't had one before I didn't know what to expect but it wasn't until I left the hospital a friend asked if I'd listened to the baby's heartbeat, I was gutted I hadn't thought to ask and not noticed it was such a rush in there that I didn't notice. I would of thought that this member of staff needed to hear it! I don't know but I'll certainly remember it for the next scan.

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Responses

Response from Debra Johns, Patient Experience Officer, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust 8 years ago
Debra Johns
Patient Experience Officer,
Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

Submitted on 09/12/2015 at 14:11
Published on Care Opinion at 16:08

Dear Amy

I am very sorry to read of your experience and of your concerns regarding your scan. We would really appreciate the opportunity to ask a senior member of maternity staff to discuss these issues with you.

If you would like us to do so, then please contact our PALS Team at: PHT.Pals@porthosp.nhs.uk or via the free phone on 0800 9176039 to allow them to discuss this further with you.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you well with your pregnancy and for the future.

Kind regards.

Debbie

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Response from Debra Johns, Patient Experience Officer, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust 8 years ago
Debra Johns
Patient Experience Officer,
Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

Submitted on 14/12/2015 at 10:26
Published on Care Opinion at 13:16

Dear Amy

I understand that a member of staff from the Midwifery Team has already responded to the concerns you raised and provided the following information "we do not “listen In” to baby's heart beat at 12 weeks. For the majority of women it is very difficult for the midwife to locate the fetal heart with the hand held Doppler at 12 weeks, as the baby has not grown sufficiently, and can still be too low down in the pelvis to locate the heartbeat. If a midwife tries to listen in and then cannot find the heartbeat, this causes a lot of distress for both the mother and the midwife. It is therefore policy not to listen in at 12 weeks. The sonographer would not listen in as they can see the heart beating on the scan, and that in itself is reassurance."

I hope that you found this information helpful and reassuring.

Kind regards.

Debbie
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