Miscarriage scans

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miscarriage

what is miscarriage?

types of miscarriage

miscarriage at home

miscarriage at hospital (D&C)

why miscarriages happen

scans

medical FAQ

parents rights

things we may not know

infrequent conditions

molar pregnancy

ectopic pregnancy

vanishing twin syndrome

recurrent miscarriage (RPL)

testing for RPL

scans

It is now an acceptable and desirable routine part of the pregnancy for the mother/father/family to see the reality of their baby with an ultrasound scan. It can also be especially important and reassuring for the father to confirm his feelings of involvement (albeit as an observer) in the pregnancy process, so it is seen as a positive experience.

Scans were originally used as ‘intervention for vulnerable and “at-risk” pregnancies’ and there is some controversy about the risk and benefits of using them as its health impacts are still largely unknown - ‘research has not demonstrated that ultrasound imaging is safe, it has only shown a lack of risk has been assumed because no adverse affects have been demonstrated clearly in humans.’ You may wish to follow up with some online research before consenting to a scan. (Women’s Health Action Trust in Auckland NZ, has comprehensive pamphlets on the subject). In New Zealand it is currently your choice (07.09) about pregnancy screenings and all women, irrespective of age, are entitled to a dating scan to confirm their estimated delivery date (EDD) – the earlier this is done, the more accurate the date of delivery. (Written consent is usually not sought.)

Unfortunately, a consequence of this is that a problem may be encountered. No-one is usually prepared to receive the bad news that may show a baby with no heart beat. The radiologist/sonographer is then in the unenviable position of having to break the news to the parents that their baby has died. That may not be done in an empathetic or even clear way (as we have had reports of) as the comment may be ‘There is no heart beat. Please see your Dr. Everyone may be thinking, ‘He/she just can’t find it’ and request them to ‘keep trying’. Whichever way they are told, ultimately the realisation for the woman that she has a dead baby inside her and it may have been like that for some time, is shocking and can be horrifying and traumatic.

A scan should also be offered between 11 and 13.6 weeks to address the ‘nuchal fold’ issue. If a result comes back as a high risk, it will then be placed alongside the age of the mother and the family history and their Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) will probably recommend an amniocentesis test. (There is an accepted risk of 0.5% to 1.0% that this test could cause a late miscarriage as it is an invasive procedure. For the future, a simple blood test may be all that is needed, according to the latest information from Australia.) Couples are presented with the results of all the information and if it is negative, left to decide for themselves whether to continue with the pregnancy. A medical abortion is usually offered. This decision of whether to keep their baby or not, must be one of the most painful, poignant and hurtful ones any couple trying to have a child will ever have to make.