Private ultrasound scans - Scotland

[teuch]

Hi folks,

Anyone gone private for an early scan? you can't get an early reassurance scan in my area but there is a company - healthcarenow ltd in Edinburgh - that offer early scans from 7-11 weeks for £55.

Anyone been for something similar or know of another route?

I am also having HcG levels done next week but I would like the reassurance of an early scan since I m/c at 8.5 weeks (discovered at 11wks) last time.

[spub]

Teuch,
I found this info on some other board after googling. Hope it helps.

"depends what "kind" of ultrasound you want. Most private hospitals can offer this service (Nuffield and Ross Hall in Glasgow for
instance), but my sister also had a "4D" scan at a place in Livingston which is now on DVD for the future child to see when she grows up. This
is a company called "Babybond" in Livingston village. Their website
address is www.babybond.com and their telephone number is 01506 415215.
This cost about 300 I believe.."

All the best. I go back in tomorrow for my second HcG test. Had my first yesterday after some bleeding last week. I am only 6+6 maximum and my levels were very low so I may have miscarried or have an ectopic. Is a small chance I am just less pregnant than I think but that would be a huge surprise.
Best of luck.

[expatinscotland]

I did the reassurance scan at HealthcareNow in Edinburgh at 7 weeks. Don't know of anywhere else that offers them, but a doctor in Glasgow is now offering 3D scans at a private clinic there for £195. From 22-32 weeks. There's an article in todays' Scotsman about it - and another one from last week that says Edinburgh is losing the 'post code' lottery when it comes to scans b/c they're supposed to offer women two of them - one at or around 12 weeks and another at around 20, but only offer the 12 week one.

[Toothache]

I booked a 20 wk anatomy scan (45mins long)at the Ultrasound Clinic in Edinburgh since the NHS wouldn't give me the standard 20wk anomaly scan! It was £140.... I cancelled it though. After 2 letters to my local MSP I got my NHS 20 wk scan!

[teuch]

expat - how did you find it at healthcarenow? It seems to be registered but just wondering what your experience of it was?

Sonographer good? staff nice? comfortable surroundings?

[expatinscotland]

I liked Healthcare now! I've been to them in the past for flu vaccines and for a varicella vaccine for DD. You get to see a real doctor and they're attentive and competent. It's clean - the one off Shandwick Place is where I went - and easy to get to.

If they offer 20 week anomaly scans, I'd like to go back for one of those.

Think it's bloody ridiculous that we pay the same amount that everyone else does into the NHS, but don't get the same service.

[teuch]

toothache - are you in edinburgh? I am in West Lothian and St John's hospital is just a nightmare...totally oversubscribed and underfunded!

Spub - best of luck for tomorrow...stress can easily delay ov so it could be that you are just less pregnant than you thought. When did you get your BFP?

[expatinscotland]

You should see ERI, teuch. Not much better. It's their practice of sending labouring women to Dundee and Glasgow when they get too busy that gets me. Brand new hospital and they cut the number of maternity beds. Go figure!

[teuch]

here is the info I just received by email.

We offer an early pregnancy scan from 7-10 wks and 6 days – cost £55

An early assessment scan from 11-18 weeks and 6 days – cost £95

A nuchal translucency ultrasound scan from 11-13wks 5 days – cost £190

This is an early screening test for Down’s syndrome which involves measuring the nuchal translucency at the back of baby’s neck plus analyzing a blood sample for a specific protein and hormone level. This provides a risk factor for Down’s Syndrome which is usually available within 48 hours.

A detailed anatomy scan can be performed between 19 – 23wks and 6 days – cost £140 (we examine the baby’s anatomy and major organs in very close detail).

A growth scan is available from 24wks onwards and costs £120.

Scans from 7- 14 weeks gestation, require a full bladder and recommend you drink 1litre or 1 ¾ pints of still water or squash (no fizzy drinks) approximately 1 hour prior to the examination.

We can provide you with pictures of your baby and also for an extra £10 you can have a video recording of your scan. If you would like to know the gender of your baby, from 19 weeks onwards, the ultrasound practitioner will be able to tell you the gender of your baby providing they can get a clear image

Ultrasound scanning at Healthcare Now is done in a relaxed and informal environment, giving you time to enjoy seeing your baby on a specially positioned screen.

If you would like to make an appointment or have any queries please call the clinic on 0131 200 1300 and we will be happy to answer any further questions you may have.

[expatinscotland]

Let me break out the plastic, b/c I'm going to set up an anomaly scan now. Think I might do a Toothache and write to the MSP as well. That's bogus that people have to shell out £140 for a test that others in the UK don't have to pay for.

[spub]

Teuch,
Appalling ignorance - what's a BFP?
I came off the pill in Mid April and my LMP started on April 20th. I kind of worked on a guesstimate of a 28 day cycle and so we ttc (ooer) Monday 2, Tues 3 and Weds 4 May. I figured my period was "due" on Friday 20th May (31 days later) and no period arrived. I did a home preg test on Mon 23rd May and it was positive. GP did follow up test on Friday 27 May an it was also positive. Had a bleed last Tues and Weds. Was told couldn't be scanned til Yesterday as wasn't far along enough. Went yesterday - internal scan shows nothing. Blood test shows HcG of 154 so I have a test again tomorrow.
AM totaly confused now about whether this is a miscarriage, ectopic or whether I've been too quick off the mark and am only 5 weeks gone in which case there would be nothing to see (but he hormone levels will tell!)
Yikes. Rollercoaster emotions here.

[teuch]

BFP - Big Fat Positive!!

Fingers crossed it is just too early, I'll be thinking about you.

Took a spin round to healthcare now as it is just round the corner and it looks fabby - and DH is up for it as well. Going to wait and see what HcG says next week then hopefully book appt.

[expatinscotland]

You won't be disappointed, teuch. I've been there for services other than ultrasound - namely flu vaccines and the like - and the service has always been good.

[Toothache]

Congrats Teuch!

Expat - Shortly after I had my scan a law was passed that every woman in Scotland would be entitled to a 12 and 20 wk scan! So you should get one. Definitely write to your MSP.

[expatinscotland]

A recommendation Lothian NHS has patently ignored.

ultrasoundpostcodelottery

[Toothache]

OMG Expat!

Definitely write to your MP. It's terrible that you have less Antenatal care given than in other areas. I went mental at them, cried in the hospital. Wrote to 2 MP's and my MSP. My next move was the local papers, but it didn't go that far thankfully.

[squir]

eek

I'm 20wks+2 and I would really like my 20wk scan to see the baby bean again, but I'm in West Lothian also....didn't know about the law re: scans for all women at 12 and 20wks...interesting...but can't afford private scan

I can feel a wee bit of letter writing coming on

cheers guys, hope you're all well

squir x

[Seona1973]

The policy is the same in South Lanarkshire - there is only a dating scan and no anomoly scan. When I spoke to the midwife about it she said there was a lack of trained sonographers and no money available to train them despite the recommendation for 2 scans.

I ended up paying for a 4D scan in Glasgow - which doesnt actively look for anomolies but would have liaised with my midwife, etc if they had picked up a problem.

[seb1]

I had my nuchal scan done here nuffield

[squir]

What makes me angry is when I read all the magazines and hear about other mums anomaly scans and think, ' I'm not getting one, is everything ok?' I know it may sound a tad (aherm) neurotic, but being a first time mum and only just realising that a 20wk scan is not just about sexing but is also about checking that everything is growing properly and functioning to its best ability, I do feel slightly cheated by the NHS....this coupled with the major downer I'm on today about everyone and everything....

sorry guys....mood swings seem to be kicking in now...only took them 23 weeks

squir x

[lusciouslynda]

Hi Seona1973, I am also in Sth Lanarks, was really shocked to hear that they dont do 20 wk scan - although luckily I got one at 28 wks cos I had probs in a previous pregnancy. I used to live in North Manchester, 20 wk scan given but no early reassurance scan.
It really is a postcode lottery

[expatinscotland]

The guidelines say they're supposed to do one in the Lothians, but again there's a shortage of ultrasonographers and funds, so we only get one at 13 weeks.

House prices are so ridiculous here compared to wages, if I were an ultrasonographer, I'd fuck off, too.

[Anjo1]

hello!
just joined Im 15 and a half weeks preg.first time and very very happy !!
Im In South Lanakshire as well and I've just come back from giving my booking bloods and there was no mention of the 20 week scan - so I called back to ask about it and i've been told no there won't be one unless there is a problem - Not happy !!
My 12 week scan was rubbish to be honest , I'd drank 3 pints of water but apparently because I was at the clinic within an hour of getting up , there was'nt enough pee in my bladder and we could hardly see anything but sonographer said all was well -Really annoyed about the 20 week scan thing it is totally unfair that we have to pay extra for a service that is offered routinley elsewhere

[geordiemacminx]

Hey.. I'm in S Lanarkshire too.. (uddingston). I'm only 5 weeks, after m/c in June, having friends who have been through the same thing in the area you have two choices... pay for a private one at 4d babyscanning or the place in edinburgh or kick up a fuss, tell them you have pains and get a free one. I know this isnt very ethical and is using resources that are already over-stretched but I really dont understand why we are one of the only health care regions that only gets one scan.

On the plus side though, there seems to be a few of us in this area so a meet up once we have our babies would be good

[Anjo1]

Congrats !!have you known for long ?
about the scan thing - It's rubbish though that we have to resort to 'lying' in order to get a service that we're supposed to get anyway ..hmmm.. I'll have to think of something , seems a bit costly to do it privately though .. realllllly !!! want one though !
I'm in Hamilton , I think a meet after babies are born is a most fantastic idea !

[geordiemacminx]

Er... since 4am on Sunday morning when I decided I couldnt wait any longer to find out!!!

www.babyscanning.co.uk offer the 4d thing with dvd etc but it is £195. I agree it is a complete disgrace. Having said that, when I had the m/c I was at Wishaw General and they were absolutely fantastic. As soon as I started with pains they brought me straight in, had scans etc. So at least that is a little more reassuring. Wishaw should be your hospital too? I just been looking at the healthcare no website that they mentioned earlier in the thread - think I'm gonna have an early scan. After last time it would really put my mind at rest.