Is it right for hospital to charge to tell us sex of baby

[heartmoonshadow]

I went for a very early scan a couple of weeks ago (I am 8 weeks now) and there was a notice in the waiting room that said if you want to know the sex of the baby they could do a scan at 26 weeks for a fee. Has anyone else had this? I had a baby there 2 years ago and they told us at the 20 week scan - do you think this means they wont now and that we will have to go back and pay?

Anyone had this?

[ToxicMoxie]

I'm completely guessing here: perhaps the 20 week doesn't always give them a clear shot of the sex, and a 26w scan, which won't be covered by insurance, they can deffo do it? Or if parent change their minds about not knowing, they'll do this one extra?

I'm sure if they can tell they will let you know at the regular scan.

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

Our hospital has started doing this. They were happy to tell us the sex at the 20 week scan, I just think they've cottoned onto the fact that people are willing to pay for private scans so why not offer them themselves and have some of the money come to them instead of private companies. Seems quite sensible to me, asuming it's not impacting on the patients.

[Finallygotaroundtoit]

Why not? It's not a necessary/ medical scan - so only those who want it and are prepared to pay for it will get it. Good way to make money,

[TheRealMBJ]

I don't see how the NHS can justify the time taken away from the necessary screening scans tbh. Will those who have booked for and are paying for a scan take precedence over an unforseen urgent scan when all other slots are full? Or will an unnecessary scan at 26 weeks be done preferentially to a dating scan? And if the baby is lyingn in the wrong position for them to see clearly, are they going to get you to come back and take upmyet another slot?

I can't see them employing extra staff to cover these new 'private' scans so surely they will be using slots that already exist, which in my experience are already overbooked in most trusts

And anyway, knowing the sex is (in most cases) nota medical necessity and it is quite easy to tell at 20 weeks if the baby is in the right position.

[jenniec79]

I'm sure the extra scan slots are the first to be pulled if staff shortages etc, may not be extra staff, but possibly a couple doing some overtime.

Might it be to avoid people finding out before the 24 week point? I know there are increasing problems with some families wanting only a DS (or DD) and coming up with "reasons" not to continue a wrong gender pregnancy - certainly in other parts of the world, but increasingly here too - I know it's but it does go on

[TheRealMBJ]

Well, I can't see paying customers being very happy with their spot being cancelled. After all they're paying, unlike all those other people getting theirs for free.

Anyway, the case for not knowing before 24 weeks is pretty much a moot point as they can just refuse to tell anyone at all (as some trusts do do) and if someone is desperate too know, desperate enough to paupy, the'll just do it somewhere privately that will tell them before. In any case, an experienced professional with a high quality scanner and vaginal probe can give an relatively accurate sex diagnosis at 12 weeks.

[toodles]

Yes that happened to me with dd3. With ds they had no problem telling me the sex, but 4 years later, they changed policy and would not tell me at the 20 week scan with dd3. Another money making scheme.

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

When I was around 6 weeks pg, following a mc, I was scouting around the local hospitals looking for an EPU and nearly all of them were advertising private scans. They weren't taking the place of the usual scans but looked to be running a service the same as what you'd get at somewhere like Babybond, just at the hospital. From the advertising etc it looks like they're just adding a little private clinic to what they have already rather than taking away from patients.

[Northernlurker]

I expect the private slots will be on Saturday morning with staff working extra. Good for the staff and will generate extra income for the hospital. Good for the parents too as they will be getting an excellent service. A lot of people do now pay for gender scans - why shouldn't the NHS benefit from that. Equally when they are carrying out a DIAGNOSTIC procedure - which is what a 20 week scan is - why should they spend time looking for what is non-essential information.

[coccyx]

Can abort at 20 weeks , less likely to get one at 26 weeks.
yes you should pay

[DilysPrice]

I think it's quite a good compromise - people who simply want to know the sex can, people who might abort can't.
I'd be pretty pissed off if my hospital refused to tell me the sex at 20 weeks just because some other people might abuse that information, but OTOH I can understand their motivation.

[m1nn1em0u5e]

They offer this at my local hospital & still tell you the sex at the 20 week scan. These 'private' scans are done in the evening by a Consultant & they bring in extra funds which help towards SCBU etc....I think it is a good idea, routine scans are not done at night & its a good income generator for the hospital. I wanted a gender scan & would rather my money go towards a good cause!....Our hospital offers this service from 16 weeks gestation :)