CM. The Scan Experience

Routine dating or anomaly scans can be a time when a problem with a pregnancy is discovered. It can therefore be challenging for the health professional carrying out the scan, not knowing whether all will be well or not. Even if you are a scan assistant and do not perform pregnancy scans yourself, you may find it useful to think about the issues below.

This film follows a couple as they attend for their dating scan.

• You may have noticed that the sonographer did not adequately introduce herself, or the purpose of the scan.
• Setting the scene at the very beginning with every woman will help if you have to go on to break bad news.
• Women may start to guess something is wrong if you go quiet and they are likely to find that silence very difficult to cope with. At the same time, you need time to assess scan images, especially if they suggest or confirm a problem.
• Good communication, clarity, honesty and sensitivity can help everyone involved.