As a mother of a baby born via emergency c-section due to missed foetal compromise I urge the Government to require the NHS to offer a routine third trimester ultrasound scan. I think this could reduce emergency c-sections, stillbirths and lifelong disabilities due to missed foetal complications.
Currently the NHS offers two routine scans, one at 12 weeks and one at 20 weeks. After this the baby's health is relied upon fundal height, parent blood pressure, dipstick urine tests, and a minutes-worth of doppler use every 2-4 weeks. I believe that not only are these methods outdated, but can also miss growth restrictions, reduced foetal heart rate and placental issues. I therefore call for the NHS to offer routine third trimester scans, which could detect issues earlier, medical intervention can be involved sooner and emergency c-sections reduced.
Government response
The Government would consider a routine NHS third trimester ultrasound scan in the event of an evidence-based recommendation from the UK National Screening Committee. A call for new proposals is open.