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Pregnancy

20 week scan and older children

24 replies

jenjen88 · 21/04/2014 21:37

Hi everyone,
I have my 20 week scan tomorrow (excited!!!!) and I would like my 2 year old and 9 year old sons to come with me and my husband. does anyone know if Russell Hall Hospital in particular allow children to do this? Thanks

OP posts:

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hotcrosshunny · 21/04/2014 21:38

Give them a ring to check. Our hospital didn't.

Clargo55 · 21/04/2014 21:39

Our hospital only allows one adult companion. Make sure you give them a ring before you set off.

Bluestocking · 21/04/2014 21:56

I hate to be a fun-buster, but isn't the 20-week scan is specifically to look for anomalies? It isn't a fun outing for all the family, it's a medical appointment with a serious purpose. Obviously, I sincerely hope that all is well with your growing baby, but if that wasn't the case, would you want your kids there?

Foxeym · 21/04/2014 21:58

My 2DCs came with but sat in the waiting room, when I knew everything was ok I asked the sonographer of they could come in. She was ok with it as they were 15 and 13 but said if they had been young children they wouldn't have been allowed

MarthasHarbour · 21/04/2014 22:02

My apologies but i came on to say the exact same as bluestocking. We took DS then age 3 to ours a couple of years ago. It was a big mistake for reasons i dont want to go into as i dont want to burst your bubble.

Just consider that the scan is not just to see the baby (which we thought at the time).

We are expecting DC2 and didnt take DS this time round - it was fine but we were glad he didnt come with us as we were too anxious after the last experience.

Good luck

Pregnantagain7 · 21/04/2014 22:06

My hospital doesn't. I wouldn't want mine there as bluestocking said it's an anomaly scan if god forbid anything was wrong I wouldn't want them there. If finances permit I would arrange a 4d scan in a couple of weeks and take them to that, they probably be able to see it better.

Bluestocking · 21/04/2014 22:06

I'm so sorry, MarthasHarbour. I have no experience of taking a DC to a scan but I was overwhelmingly anxious at my 20-week appt and was all ready to hear the worst - I consider myself to have been very lucky to have had the all-clear. You have all my sympathies.

eurochick · 21/04/2014 22:11

I really wouldn't. Mine did raise a concern and I wanted to be able to ask questions about it and digest the news. Plus my baby was a wriggler so the scan went on for ages. By the end of it, as she went for the same measurement for the umpteenth time, I was starting to get bored so I'm not sure how little ones would cope

Armadale · 21/04/2014 22:15

Do not take them. I really hope all is well, and is statistically likely to be, but if not, you would not want children there.

If all is well, why not take them to a 4d scanning place so they can see the baby.

Only1scoop · 21/04/2014 22:16

I wouldn't ....all goes well at 20 wk anomaly scan then maybe treat yourself to a private one and take dc to that.

Not sure about specific hospital but you could ring to find out.

Buttercup27 · 21/04/2014 22:17

My hospital had big signs up stating the scan was a medical procedure and so only 1 adult for support could attend. Maybe make a big deal over the photos- put them in a frame for them instead of taking the children along.

Keenoonvino · 21/04/2014 22:21

What do people do if they have no one to leave their children with? We took our 2.9 year old to our 12 week scan (and all early scans) as we didn't have luxury of family or friends to help out....

grobagsforever · 21/04/2014 22:22

I have taken DD aged 3.5 to my 24 and 28 week growth scans but only because I had no childcare and because I knew the baby was structurally ok. NO way would I take her to a 12 or 20 week scan fpr reasons others have posted. I'm sure your scan will be fine but I wouldn't risk it.

Keenoonvino · 21/04/2014 22:22

And have never used a babysitter (apart from grandparents when they are staying with us) as it's ridiculously expensive in London, I don't know anyone and it costs a monthly charge to join sitters.co.uk.....

MarthasHarbour · 21/04/2014 22:23

Thank you bluestocking it was awful made worse by the fact that we had a lot to take in and arrangements to make whilst trying to entertain DS.

Very stressful experience all round. Much nicer this time

HumphreyCobbler · 21/04/2014 22:23

If you don't have anyone to leave your older children with then your DH should wait outside with them - this is what we had to do at a scan.

Keenoonvino · 21/04/2014 22:28

Good idea - I didn't even think of that. I guess selfishly I wanted my DH with me...

That's what we will do for the 20 week scan. (Although I'm hoping my mum will be around to help).

HumphreyCobbler · 21/04/2014 22:30

I know, I wanted my DH in with me too, I don't think that is selfish at all. But unfortunately we couldn't manage it. Hope your mum can babysit.

Heatherbell1978 · 21/04/2014 22:33

My hospital doesn't and it specifically said on the appointment letter. It said the reason is that the sonographer has to concentrate pretty hard so doesn't need any distractions in the room.....I remember being too scared to even speak during ours as she looked like she was really working hard. So I'd keep that in mind.

3DcAndMe · 21/04/2014 22:35

We took ds1 aged 1 to ds2s 20 wk scan. He had no idea what was going on. Oh and ds1 had to wait outside until all was seen to be ok and then they were allowed in

We also took 3 yr old ds2 to dds 12 week scan again he and oh had to wait outside, and he was also oblivious to what was going on

He also managed to poo himself at the hospital. Which was nice

katandkits · 22/04/2014 09:56

My hospital has a no children under any circumstances policy. The scan rooms are quite small anyway. A private 4d scan is much better if you want the family experience, once you have had the all clear from your NHS scan. Groupon often have deals for 4d scans.

ilovemonstersInc · 22/04/2014 10:08

I took both my dc (9months and 4years) no one said anything and baby fell asleep and eldest sat and held my hand.

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EdithWeston · 22/04/2014 10:21

I really wouldn't take a child. If you have recently had an all clear on a full anomaly scan, you could then take them to a further (private) one as that is unlikely to include anything potentially distressing if done shortly after an 'all looks OK right now'.

squizita · 22/04/2014 11:45

I would avoid taking a 2 year old and a 9 year old.

If an curable anomoly is found, you'll be there for a while sorting out scary medical appointments, maybe planning hospital stays etc'.
If the (rare) very worst happens and there is something that will end the pregnancy, you will be very upset and have to make arrangements too. A 9 year old would understand enough to be traumatised and a 2 year old would definitely pick up on your distress: it could be extremely traumatic for them.

I've had bad scans in the past (before 20 weeks, which is a small mercy) - I have mine tomorrow and am a wreck with nerves. I read up on them even to reassure myself that anomalies are very rare and even given that most anomalies are not life threatening (e.g. cleft lip, hernia, foreshortened limb) thank goodness. Still dreading it though, even though well over 90% are OK.

I agree with PP who say book a private scan for later and print them copies of the scan photos.

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