12 weeks scan

A

Aquarian

Registered User
Hi I've been scheduled to have a Downs Syndrome screening scan at United Christian hospital next Friday (12 weeks 2 days). The midwife said it would take 2-3 weeks to get the results, which would leave it too late to get a second opinion (I think).

I tried to make an appointment with Dr Lam but he's in holiday till 6th August.

Can anyone recommend any other specialists that would be able to give me a quick result? Or is it possible to have screening scans after 13 weeks?
 
I understand that most of the private doctors do the test themselves - although I had two different experiences with two different doctors. With my first, I had Dr Dawkins and he did the 12 and 20 week tests himself although we opted to go for Dr Lam for the 20 week scan as his scanning equipment was apparently better. For my second, I had Dr Grace at Central Health as my obstetrician and they have a scanning expert in-house who did all the 12 and 20 week scans although we still went back to Dr Lam for these scans as we liked him. I thought Dr Lam had another doctor he shared the clinic with. Have you tried him to see if he could do it instead? Otherwise would suggest ringing around a few of the other obs drs to see if the clinics will fit you in. I am assuming you are not seeing a private specialist currently and are planning to deliver at public? You could try Central Health - they are busy but might fit you in for a 12 weeks scan only. Otherwise I have heard some other names mentioned on this forum including: Dr Doo, Dr Ghosh, Dr Patrick Chan and Dr Sally Ferguson. You could try calling them to see if they do the scans in-house and can fit you in. Can't recall how long it took to get the results back. Good luck.
 
Last edited:
Thank you. When I called dr lam's office I was told 'the person who does the scan is on holiday' so I assumed there was only one person there who could do it. I am seeing a private dr, and she's nice but I'm not confident enough in her to do the scan - plus her us machine isn't that detailed.

I saw a gov report online saying at least half the private drs who do these type of scans in hk aren't actually qualified to do them, so I'm nervous about getting someone who really shouldn't be doing it.
 
Hi, I can understand. Dr Lam personally did our scan - not a separate sonographer. Perhaps Dr Lam is the only one who does it.

Try Central Health as I am sure if the sonographer there is good enough for Dr Lucy Lord then she must be ok!
 
Why would you want a second opinion though? If you are under 35, the likelihood of a negative outcome on the Down's test is rare. Also, the doctors who do the scan in the public system are generally very experienced. Half of the OSCAR test is a blood screening the results of which are objective.

Normally, when you get a negative outcome on the OSCAR test, the next step is a different kind of test - amniocentisis if I'm not mistaken.

However, if you really want to book someone for a second opinion just in case, and you can't get any of the usual suspects on HK Island, try Dr. Shell Wong at Femina Health Centre in TST (can google for the contact). I've heard good things about him from friends.
 
Agree with what charade said, one part of the nucal scan is dependent on the blood test and mostly if your under 35 years it is rare to get detrimental results unless there is history. I just had my scan with the in-house sonographer at central medical as I go to dr.grace and we are quite happy with the sonographer. We've not thought about a second opinion. Also we got the scan results immediately and the clinic got back with the complete results (i.e. Everything included after blood test results were plugged in) in two days, just FYI. Not sure why it should take 2-3weeks????
 
Sushieroo, the 2-3 weeks is just the government thing since they are offering that scan free to all their patients now (before it was only free for those over 35). For my first baby in 2010, I paid for the test at Prince of Wales and I go the results on the same day...I guess they are just playing safe because of their increased workload.
 
Thanks everyone. I'm not under 35 (I am currently 35) so my risk is higher. I just really don't like the idea of having to wait for such a long time wondering what the results are - especially if I don't then have time to get a second opinion afterwards because I'll be 15+ weeks.

I'm still not sure whether to book a second scan or not. Difficult.
 
Actually, I chose to go private for the scan (and skip the free public one) for that reason... I didn't want to wait for the result, though in hindsight regret that because it was not exactly cheap (1300hkd) and waiting for a couple of weeks wouldn't have been that bad. But I'm 31 and had already had a clear scan for my first child; think I would have waited had it been my first also though.

I think something to think about is whether in the case of an adverse result (which I still think is quite rare even given your age) you'd want to do a second OSCAR or the more advanced test which is amniocentisis. OSCAR only tells you probabilities but amnio gives a more confirmed results (there are some risks which is why they don't do it for everyone).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top