"Antenatal care"

I came for my 12 week NT scan on the 10th of July to the ultrasound department. I work in another department in the hospital which does experience delays, so I was actually expecting to have to wait, but I was seen on time and everything was explained well to me. It was nice that the ultrasound room was dimly lit with a separate screen where my husband and I could see what was going on. I am needlephobic but the nurse taking the blood must have been very good as I barely felt the needle. I was immediately booked for my 20 week scan before I left the department which was very reassuring.

Unluckily I had a call from the antenatal screening midwives two days later on Friday 13th to tell me my screening had come back high risk for Down's. The ladies very kindly squeezed me into their clinic that same afternoon to discuss with me in person. Mandy was very compassionate and explained the options for further tests. I chose to have the NIPT test, which unfortunately is not yet available on the NHS so I had this at a private clinic in Stony Stratford. I must say despite having the fancy 3D scanner at the private centre, my experience there was not as nice as on the NHS - the 2D images were not as good quality as on the NHS and the blood test very uncomfortable! Luckily my results came back fine and I am looking forward to my 20 week scan at MKUH.