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Our Birth, Our Voice: NT maternity scan access survey

Our Birth, Our Voice (OBOV) is gathering information from women across the Northern Territory about their experience accessing ultrasound scans during pregnancy, including dating scans, nuchal scans, and morphology scans.

This survey asks about your most recent pregnancy, including pregnancy loss. It should take about 5-10 minutes to complete.

Your responses will help us understand where the gaps are, including cost, wait times, referral pathways, and awareness of publicly funded options so we can advocate for better access to essential pregnancy scans across the Territory.

You can skip any question or stop at any time. If any part of this survey brings up something difficult, that’s completely understandable - there’s no pressure to continue. Look after yourself.

Where in the NT did you give birth or receive care for your most recent pregnancy?

Where in the NT did you give birth or receive care for your most recent pregnancy?
A
B
C
D
E
F

When was your most recent pregnancy (year)?

Was this pregnancy classified as low-risk, high-risk, or did that change during pregnancy?

DATING SCAN (7 - 10 weeks)

Were you told that a publicly funded dating scan was an option (i.e. through the public hospital or bulk-billed, at no cost to you), or were you only told about a private, out-of-pocket option?

Were you told that a publicly funded dating scan was an option (i.e. through the public hospital or bulk-billed, at no cost to you), or were you only told about a private, out-of-pocket option?
A
B
C
D

Who referred you for this scan? (GP, obstetrician, hospital midwife, private midwife etc...)

Were you able to access a dating scan through the public system?

Were you able to access a dating scan through the public system?
A
B

How long did you wait to get your dating scan?

This scan is usually recommended between 7-10 weeks of pregnancy
How long did you wait to get your dating scan?
A
B
C
D
E
F
G

Regardless of whether you ultimately got the scan, how hard was it to access?

1 = very easy; 10 = very difficult
Regardless of whether you ultimately got the scan, how hard was it to access?

NUCHAL TRANSLUCENCY SCAN (11 - 13 weeks 6 days)

Were you told that a publicly funded nuchal scan was an option (i.e. through the public hospital or bulk-billed, at no cost to you), or were you only told about a private, out-of-pocket option?

Were you told that a publicly funded nuchal scan was an option (i.e. through the public hospital or bulk-billed, at no cost to you), or were you only told about a private, out-of-pocket option?
A
B
C
D

Who referred you for this scan? (GP, obstetrician, hospital midwife, private midwife etc...)

Were you able to access a nuchal scan through the public system?

Were you able to access a nuchal scan through the public system?
A
B

How long did you wait to get your nuchal scan?

This scan must be done within a specific window - generally 11-13 weeks 6 days or it can no longer be performed.
How long did you wait to get your nuchal scan?
A
B
C
D
E
F
G

Regardless of whether you ultimately got the scan, how hard was it to access?

1 = very easy; 10 = very difficult
Regardless of whether you ultimately got the scan, how hard was it to access?

MORPHOLOGY SCAN (18 - 20 weeks)

Were you told that a publicly funded morphology scan was an option (i.e. through the public hospital or bulk-billed, at no cost to you), or were you only told about a private, out-of-pocket option?

Were you told that a publicly funded morphology scan was an option (i.e. through the public hospital or bulk-billed, at no cost to you), or were you only told about a private, out-of-pocket option?
A
B
C
D

Who referred you for this scan? (GP, obstetrician, hospital midwife, private midwife etc...)

Were you able to access a morphology scan through the public system?

Were you able to access a morphology scan through the public system?
A
B

Were you given a clear explanation of the eligibility criteria used to decide who receives a publicly funded scan?

How long did you wait to get your morphology scan?

This scan is usually recommended between 18 - 20 weeks, ideally completed by around 22 weeks.
How long did you wait to get your morphology scan?
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H

Regardless of whether you ultimately got the scan, how hard was it to access?

1 = very easy; 10 = very difficult
Regardless of whether you ultimately got the scan, how hard was it to access?

COST

Did cost or distance prevent or delay a scan you felt you needed?

AWARENESS

Did you know that publicly funded pregnancy scans were available in the NT?

Looking back, do you think you were given enough information to make an informed choice between public and private scan options?

IMPACT

If there was a delay in being able to access any scan during your pregnancy, do you feel this impacted negatively upon your pregnancy journey?

What was the biggest gap or frustration in your experience accessing scans during this pregnancy?