they usually give two ultra sounds.
the one at 12 weeks, along with other tests can check for down syndrome.
the scan at 20 weeks is to check all the measurements and development and takes a lot longer.
i was wondering why you only want one scan? in the public system, they only cost $60-100 and it is amazing to see how your baby is developing.
i was lucky, when i was pregnant with my first, i was asked to take part in a study. i got a 3D scan every month for 6 months. i thought it was great! i could see that the baby was developing normally and i thought the technology was awesome.
i've read some other of your posts and i really wonder if going public is the best thing for you. i have a feeling you are going to be very unhappy with the system and the care. (nothing against you, just judging by other things you've said and knowing the public system....)
good luck!
Ah. I thought you only got one. I got some weird looks at the MCHC today when I was trying to tell them that I wanted to move the appointment until later.
I am a very "crunchy" person. It's just that I'm into more natural ways of doing things. Although most people think that ultrasounds have no side effects they really can effect cell development and the long term effects aren't known. I'm young and healthy and so long as my pregnancy continues along with no problems I don't think it is medically necessary.
I totally think it would be cool to see my baby developing, but I try and limit my risks as much as possible. Including unnecessary medical procedures...of which I consider the ultrasound.
I know some people will be horrified...What if something is wrong and an ultrasound would catch it? Or what if....? But NO pregnancy is without risks and I do a great deal of research about what I think is the best for me and my baby. Stuff happens. Life and death happen all around us. But over-medicating perfectly healthy pregnancies does not make all the risk go away.
And public/private, I don't think it really matters here in HK. In fact, the private hospitals sound more rigid with their rules than the public ones. I don't have maternity coverage and I can't afford to go to Matilda and pay out of pocket.
My concerns with hospitals are not the usual ones. I don't need a great deal of privacy, I don't mind sharing bathrooms, and who cares about the food. I find dealing with all doctors and nurses to be a frustrating experience. They don't actually listen to me, give me antibiotics and send me on my way. Like the nurse today who marked that I was unsure of the date of my period on my chart. I mean I told her I wrote it in my day timer and she still wrote that I was unsure. Then I told her I could give her my date of ovulation. She didn't even acknowledge that statement.
And then doctors and nurses in HK can be so inflexible. I don't think it is a public/private thing. So I will go public and be assertive. That is my only choice.
