Early scan worth it?

[SpecialStains]

Hi,

Has anyone booked themselves a private early scan, and did you think it was worth it? I think I'd like one and round here they are 99gbp. Is that average?

Thanks. :-)

[ValancyJane]

We had one at eight weeks for reassurance, it cost about £70. I would do it again, we got to hear the heartbeat and see our baby shaped little blob and it definitely set my mind at rest (for about a week!). Was all very positive for us!

[jusdepamplemousse]

I had early scans for medical reasons on NHS so haven't had to pay for them.

However. If I wasn't offered free early scan next time I would book one and pay rather than wait to 12 weeks as I think I'd want reassurance of viability before then - it's a long time to wait. Especially as with waiting times you could be left waiting even longer still. But I'd wait until 8 weeks or later as before then the miscarriage risk remains relatively high. Also at 8 weeks you should absolutely be able to see a heartbeat.

It's a reassurance thing though. Medically totally unnecessary.

[jamhot]

We had a few extra scans, including one at 7 weeks. They were all worthwhile to us. I found them reassuring, and it made the baby more real to me.

[Nousername2015]

How far along will you be when you go? If too early there is a chance that they cannot yet find a heartbeat, not because anything is wrong but simply because it is too early. I believe places don't really recommend them before 8 weeks.
Also, do you have a specific reason for wanting an early scan? A lot of people have them to calm down feelings of anxiety, particularly if they have had a previous negative experience.
Congratulations on your pregnancy OP, hope all goes well

[YouBastardSockBalls]

I had one last week on the nhs. 6+3 and could see the heartbeat!

[SpecialStains]

Thanks for the replies. I'll be just over 8 weeks next week when there is a free appointment.

I know I don't need one. As everyone keeps reminding me bad morning sickness is often a good sign, and I'm young, healthy, not in any kind of risk category, etc ... but I want to meet baby! I'd like to see him/her (and maybe put a copy of the scan picture next to the loo so I'm reminded what the all day morning sickness is for!).

Also, daft question, but what do they do at a scan? On telly you only ever see them scanning over the bump, but this warns that they may have to scan transvaginally?

Thanks for the replies.

[Hedgeh0g]

TV scans give them a better image, so if they can't see enough scanning the bump they may ask if you would have a TV scan. I think it's relatively uncommon. All my scans had to be TV as I have a tilted uterus and they couldn't get a clear enough picture otherwise.

[DinoSnores]

I have a titled uterus also and have all early scans for various reasons in all five of my pregnancies, and have only ever have abdominal scans with good views at 8 weeks.

[Saphwoodman]

Mine was as I thought I was 5 weeks, didn't believe the pregnancy tests (even though I knew deep down they where right lol) so I booked a private scan for £65 and found out I was 13 weeks! Well worth it in my case as if I hadn't have booked it by the time I got to the nhs for my "12 week scan" I would have been 20 weeks! I did find though that the private clinic I went to where more relaxing and personal than the nhs, I suppose because it's a service your actually paying them for rather than just out of your tax. They seem to be happier and more enthastic. However I don't know if it was just that place I went to but all my nhs scans are much higher quality than the private ones, I thought it would be the other way round.

[Champagneformyrealfriends]

Ours was £80 at a place called Thisismy in Leeds. It was worth it to know that baby was all in the right place and developing at the expected rate however we saw very little at 7/8 weeks and it really was just a blob! So in terms of meeting baby it felt a bit more like meeting blob

[Luckystar1]

OP without trying to frighten you, I was 27, healthy, no risk factors etc - had a scan at 8 weeks saw heartbeat, had a scan at 10 weeks, no heartbeat.

I'm sure it is all good for you, but wait for as long as you can is my advice.

[SpecialStains]

It's a very cute blob, champagne! Right, I'll book one. I want to meet my blob!

[SpecialStains]

Lucky - sorry to hear that.

[Luckystar1]

Oh no it's ok, I have since had DS and am pregnant again. We just wish we'd waited that first time, but one never does know!!

Very, very best of luck!!

[ButtfaceMiscreant]

I had early private scans at 8/9 weeks for both my pregnancies. We saw wiggling little kidney bean-shaped blobs with heartbeats (and discovered twins in my second pregnancy! Gave us longer for that to sink in stop hysterically laughing having the early scan). Cost around £75 per scan but we got lots of pictures and a DVD.