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Northern Ireland women face 'foetal scan discrimination'
Pregnant women in Northern Ireland face discrimination over not being offered early scans for foetal abnormalities, according to gynaecology experts.
Early scans are routine in the rest of the UK.
Several patients, who contacted BBC News NI, described the trauma they experienced after their "non-viable" pregnancies were not detected until about 20 weeks.
In Scotland, Wales and England antenatal screening which tests for anomalies is offered to all pregnant women in the first trimester – between 11 and 13 weeks.
The Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RCOG) said women in Northern Ireland have foetal abnormalities diagnosed "too late" and should not have to wait until their 20-week scan.
Dr Caitriona Monaghan, a consultant in maternal foetal medicine, said the late diagnosis can limit access to care.
Source: BBC News, 3 October 2024