Stop been so cheap!

[lushious09]

The NHS should get their hand out their pockets ...

My point?

well in some countrys you get a scan every 4 weeks... here you get 2 or 3 max and thats your lot (unless they have concerns) instead what do they do here...use such a stupid inacurate device of measuring your fundal height and relying on that for babys growth... well im sorry but half the midwifes ive come across either measure diff/wrong to one another... or just did it briefly and ended up with a meh itl be reet attitude then the others turn around and go "ooooh we will keep an eye on that" majority of the time there is nothing wrong with babys size!!! how can they possibly rely on this!?!?!? if baby has his bum stuck up then obvs the fundal height is going to be higher!!! it just seems to me instead of been so cheap they should be offering a scan to check growth etc every 4 weeks!!! not just that but to make sure there is no further problems with placenta/cord or baby! and to check fluid!...

anyone else agree?

 

[JynxPhD]

I don't know how women deal with only 2 scans during the whole pregnancy. Here in the states 2 scans are the norm for regular pregnancies too. It's all insurance companies will pay for too.

I'm lucky because I get weekly and now two scans a week during the whole pregnancy. I don't think I could go more than that long without worrying but it's only because it's what is normal for someone like me.

I'm sure you are young, healthy, and growing a healthy baby so everything is fine.

 

[mommy2baby2]

I think every practice in the US is different. I've had 6 scans now and have a normal pregnancy. It was like that during my last pregnancy too. My first pregnancy, I only had 4 or 5 and saw a midwife. Not sure if that made any difference but now that I see a doctor I get more ultrasounds (3D ultrasounds!!)

I get one more scan at 34 weeks and then possibly at 39 or 40

 

[misscream]

In Canada you only are supposed to get ONE scan at 18-20 weeks, unless they are concerned about dates or something! I'm actually happy with that because no one knows how ultrasounds effect the baby other then heating up its cells!

 

[I<3paul]

It's just been on the news that they are going to turn off the street lights to save money as if they are ever gonna give pregnant women more scans. I would love it if they did but Realistically if wer to get out of a recession it's never gonna happen. There are fetal heart monitors and the mother checking for any changes in movements to go by. Xx

 

[gingerbaby4us]

wow! I wish I got more scans too! I just had my third at 31 weeks. My doctor would have had me get just one between 20-24 weeks, but I had a few episodes of bleeding early on and those required extra scans, the most recent was for measuring small for dates. I think a monthly scan would be fair!

 

[RileysMummy]

Over here in Germany you have a 12, 20 and 32 week scan, its only because of my previous loss at 25 weeks that ive had about 8 now. xx

 

[forgodssake]

The NHS should get their hand out their pockets ...

My point?

well in some countrys you get a scan every 4 weeks... here you get 2 or 3 max and thats your lot (unless they have concerns) instead what do they do here...use such a stupid inacurate device of measuring your fundal height and relying on that for babys growth... well im sorry but half the midwifes ive come across either measure diff/wrong to one another... or just did it briefly and ended up with a meh itl be reet attitude then the others turn around and go "ooooh we will keep an eye on that" majority of the time there is nothing wrong with babys size!!! how can they possibly rely on this!?!?!? if baby has his bum stuck up then obvs the fundal height is going to be higher!!! it just seems to me instead of been so cheap they should be offering a scan to check growth etc every 4 weeks!!! not just that but to make sure there is no further problems with placenta/cord or baby! and to check fluid!...

anyone else agree?

Sorry but no, I dont - you have ALL your healthcare needs taken care off for either free or a small deduction from your wages - how many "other countries" can say that?

Point us in the direction that says the fundal measrements / doppler tests / usual checks put babies at risk and I may be inclined to think again.

Ok, the NHS isnt infallible but I would take it over many, if not most other systems any day of the week and too many "Brits" arent thankful for what is available to us.

 

[Kirsty-louise]

Althought more scans would be nice, I dont think we should get them unless they were necessary, i.e. there were any health concerns. Looking at the bigger picture then the NHS would spend that money on patients who need treatment because they are ill. Luckily we're not, you can pay for scans you know private? Im sorry if this isnt a popular view, I suppose just training to be a nurse I can see other areas where they would be best spent than giving pregnant women scans whenever they please, for no other reason that to feel happy and reassured. Thats not saying that I dont think women should be offered scans when there are concerns about the baby's health, and to my knowledge that is offered?
We are very lucky that we have a free healthcare service
Forgodssake I totally agree with you x

 

[trumpetbum]

I think people should put their own hands in their own pockets for scans which aren't clinically indicated. NHS funds are finite and seeing what the NHS provides for the sick and needy on a daily basis I wouldn't want any money needlessly redirected into extra ultrasound scans for 'peace of mind'. Just because we have universal healthcare does not mean that you can't take advantage of the private options available.

 

[Farie]

I think considering people in the UK get free healthcare it's not unreasonable to expect the minimum number if scans for a healthy pregnancy. If your m/w or Dr has concerns then yeah, you'll have more.

I get more over here (probably 4 over all) but I pay a small cost for each as they are subsadised, not free. And even here most normal pregnancies only get 2 may be 3 as that's all that really needed in most cases. M/w are damn good at working out size etc

I'm not saying the NHS is perfect, cos it's very definitley not, but is a good enough system, look what you DO get for free, I think it's great they provide free appts, scans, free dental care etc.

 

[I<3paul]

I think people should put their own hands in their own pockets for scans which aren't clinically indicated. NHS funds are finite and seeing what the NHS provides for the sick and needy on a daily basis I wouldn't want any money needlessly redirected into extra ultrasound scans for 'peace of mind'. Just because we have universal healthcare does not mean that you can't take advantage of the private options available.

I totally agree x

 

[xemmax]

pregnancy is the most natural thing in the world and should be treated as such - i don't believe if you are healthy and having a "normal" pregnancy that you need regular scans to check on growth. it's not an illness or something which requires constant monitoring, the human body is designed to nurture and birth a child and in most cases this happens without any need for medical intervention. i think in all honesty it would be a huge waste of money to send every pregnant woman for a scan every 4 weeks. x

 

[Ang3l]

I know im not in the third trimester yet but I totally agree 100%!

I for one have not even got my supposed "12 week" scan yet. I won't be getting one till next Monday when I will be 14 weeks!

Its just causing me extra worry as I had a miscarriage in January with my 1st so now I am being even more cautious and worrying. I agree and do not think 2 or 3 scans during the whole pregnancy is enough. I also think that they should be scanning as a more accurate way to measure the baby and check growth as well as keeping a look out for potential problems not to mention keep us from worrying and reassuring us!

Edit: Then again after reading Farie's post, I guess it is good enough as seen as we don't have to pay for anything whilst people in America for example have to pay for everything. I guess maybe we are being a bit selfish :S

 

[MissYorkshire]

It's just been on the news that they are going to turn off the street lights to save money as if they are ever gonna give pregnant women more scans. I would love it if they did but Realistically if wer to get out of a recession it's never gonna happen. There are fetal heart monitors and the mother checking for any changes in movements to go by. Xx

totally off topic but is this true about the street lights?!! LOL



I do think tho that we should get more scans

 

[Hobnob]

Personally I think the 2 scans that the NHS provide are more than adequate and like Trumpetbum I think that if you want more then you should be paying for them.

We're lucky to live in a country where the healthcare system provides us with scans throughout pregnancy, I wonder how ladies in countries that don't have access to ultrasound machines cope ?

 

[xemmax]

I think considering people in the UK get free healthcare it's not unreasonable to expect the minimum number if scans for a healthy pregnancy. If your m/w or Dr has concerns then yeah, you'll have more.

I get more over here (probably 4 over all) but I pay a small cost for each as they are subsadised, not free. And even here most normal pregnancies only get 2 may be 3 as that's all that really needed in most cases. M/w are damn good at working out size etc

I'm not saying the NHS is perfect, cos it's very definitley not, but is a good enough system, look what you DO get for free, I think it's great they provide free appts, scans, free dental care etc.

i am a huge fan of the nhs - i have a great deal of respect for our healthcare system and am grateful to live in a country which provides the level of care which we receive. however, i don't agree when anyone says we receive this for "free" - it's never been free.

OP - would you agree to an increase in tax to fund these additional scans?!

 

[lushious09]

It's just been on the news that they are going to turn off the street lights to save money as if they are ever gonna give pregnant women more scans. I would love it if they did but Realistically if wer to get out of a recession it's never gonna happen. There are fetal heart monitors and the mother checking for any changes in movements to go by. Xx

Yes but just because bubs heartbeat is fine dosnt mean bubs is well... this is why keeping an eye on movement is so important... i just feel that this country spends too much money on the stupid aspects... for eg instead of doing a logical thing like charge a large tax on things like smoking or drinking...they take away free milk for children

 

[lushious09]

I think considering people in the UK get free healthcare it's not unreasonable to expect the minimum number if scans for a healthy pregnancy. If your m/w or Dr has concerns then yeah, you'll have more.

I get more over here (probably 4 over all) but I pay a small cost for each as they are subsadised, not free. And even here most normal pregnancies only get 2 may be 3 as that's all that really needed in most cases. M/w are damn good at working out size etc

I'm not saying the NHS is perfect, cos it's very definitley not, but is a good enough system, look what you DO get for free, I think it's great they provide free appts, scans, free dental care etc.

i am a huge fan of the nhs - i have a great deal of respect for our healthcare system and am grateful to live in a country which provides the level of care which we receive. however, i don't agree when anyone says we receive this for "free" - it's never been free.

OP - would you agree to an increase in tax to fund these additional scans?!

no i wouldnt... i believe we pay enough tax as it is and in my personal experience and opinion i dont think the health care we recieve is worth what we pay! ...

 

[Mizze]

Im afraid I dont agree with the OP and do agree with several ladies on here - pregnancy is normal - its not an illness. We get 2 scans which are deemed necessary. We get access immediately to midwifes, doctors, consultants and other health care professionals and we get it whether we have spent 20 years paying for it through the tax system or if we havent paid a penny yet in our lives.

The NHS is a national health service - its isnt there just to alleviate us because we want to see our babies more or because we get anxious for no good reason. Its there when we need it to be - when we have recurrent miscarriages to help find out whats wrong, to make sure the Mums who need the extra support get the scans they NEED - such as a colleague of mine who is having weekly scans because she has twins on a single placenta and one of them isnt growing properly - she is closely monitored because she needs to be.

The NHS is finite - personally id like the money to be available so that my Dad could have the operation to remove his bladder to get rid of his recurrent cancer rather than to give me unnecessary scans all the way through a healthy pregnancy.

Mizze x