Private Scan Experiences

[CurlyTwirlyTwos]

Hi everyone, posting as I am unsure what to to. Anyone with an positive or negative experiences to help me?

Currently 6 weeks pregnant after a mmc last month. Last time the clearblue indicator (yes, I know) did not go past 1-2 weeks, with bleeding at 6 weeks.

This preg has not budged past 2-3 weeks. I’ve read plenty of threads where everything works out, but it didn’t for me last time, and I’m worried that it won’t this time.

I’ve had no bleeding, no cramps, and very mild nausea which comes and goes. I was sick as a dog with my DD 3 years ago. I am concerned that I don’t feel ‘right’. My booking appointment isn’t for 2 weeks.

I’m considering an early scan to check whether things are progressing as they should. My question is, how do the private clinics ‘handle’ bad news? Or what is the procedure immediately after they realise that the pregnancy isn’t viable?

I feel that if I go for an early private scan, I want to be prepared. Does anyone have any experiences or advice?

I’m also tempted to leave it alone, whatever is going on in there is pre-determined and realistically nothing can be done. BUT if it is an impending miscarriage would I rather know sooner (and pay £90) or gain peace of mind (not guaranteed at this early stage anyway)

I don’t know what to do.......I’m currently pessimistic but desperate for hope!

[Emma198]

I haven't been for a private scan so can't help with any experience, but I didn't book for because I was worried I'd get bad news and didn't want bad news in an environment that wasn't the hospital, don't know why. Just wanted to let you know I was the same. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[RowenaDedalus]

When I had a private scan I had to give my midwife details. So I can only assume that if you get bad news they refer you back to the NHS so that you can be seen at the EPAU. I hope everything is fine at your scan.

[Nichola2310]

I had a brief experience with a private scan company and I felt they weren’t the place for bad news. I also read an account from a lady on this forum who had a private 12 week scan and found out she had a missed miscarriage. She then received an automated text inviting her back for a scan to find out the sex. So that also put me off.

[pastabest]

I was told about a mmc at a private scan. They were as nice as they could be about it but ultimately you are only paying them for your slot to have a scan they aren't really set up to provide any aftercare.

What happened at mine was they did the scan, told us the bad news in a bit of a woolly way, (although I aready knew from the massive projector screen they show you on that it didn't look right, there wasn't anything baby shaped there) and told us they would pass the information on to my GP.

We were then ushered out to another room, given a few minutes and someone came to confirm that the scans showed a miscarriage and then basically we were told to go and pay the balance left for the scan. That was the horrible bit having to go into the waiting room where there were lots of excited families with children waiting for their gender scans and things and having to get my card out to pay. I can't remember if we were asked if we wanted them or not but we were given the empty scan pictures in a photo envelope.

We then just went and sat in the car and cried.

A few hours later I got a text message from the company saying they hoped we had enjoyed meeting our baby today and would we like to book a 16 week gender scan. Needless to say I got quite cross with them via email.

I then rang my midwife who I assume cancelled all future appointments etc on my behalf and booked me in to the EPU for an appointment a week later for another scan (I physically miscarried before it happened so they just checked everything was clear).

The GP never got in touch with me so I don't know if the private clinic ever did send the information through to them.

I would say though that from people I've spoken to it's really really common to have a miscarriage with your first and then go on to have successful pregnancies after that. I'm onto DC2 now.

Also the clear blue tests are notoriously inaccurate and aren't actuall that great for dating a pregnancy

[pastabest]

nichola that was probably me!

The one thing I would say though is that I'm glad I did find out when I did at the private scan rather than physically miscarrying suddenly and it coming as a shock. I had already mentally prepared myself for it when it happened.

To be fair as well I'm not sure the aftercare would have been any better from the NHS either. The only information they gave me was a dog eared version of the leaflet in Gujarati (I'm not a Gujarati speaker, it was the only one they had left in any language )

[Pupol2018]

I went for a private scan at what I thought was 8 weeks. They only do TA scans.

The lady measured my pregnancy sack at 5 weeks 4 days and said she couldn’t see a fetal pole etc. She was lovely about it but obviously we were very upset. She didn’t use the words MC but basically implied if I was sure of my dates it didn’t look good.

She offered to ring the EPAU for me but to be honest I just wanted to leave so I rang them myself after. I then went for a TV scan with EPAU and found a heartbeat. We are still having a few issues but I do regret going for a private scan because I was so devestated and then we found a HB so it was a total rollercoaster of emotions.

Also while we were waiting for our scan another couple came out and a woman with them (I assume granny!) was asking if we wanted a boy/girl etc and as we didn’t know our baby was even healthy it made me feel so crap! As did walking out onto the high street afterwards trying to hold myself together while everyone walked past. I felt like they all knew we had bad news because we looked so miserable coming out of somewhere that’s meant to be something lovely (probably paranoia on my part but still not nice!)

All in all I would not have a private scan again even though like you I did not think things felt ‘right’

[Darkstar4855]

OP is it worth seeing if your GP could refer you to EPU in view of your previous miscarriage? You don’t have to have booked with a midwife to be seen there.

[jellycat1]

OP are you in or near London? I highly recommend the Fetal Medicine Centre.

[RedRobin7]

I had MMC in March - I found out at my 12 week scan. I had paid for a private 8 week scan where we were told the baby was measuring a week behind but it was probably all okay as there was a heartbeat. I was very anxious but based on everyone's advice I waited patiently for my 12 week scan.

Looking back, I knew my dates and couldn't understand why the baby would be measuring behind. Also the heartbeat was slower than you'd expect by then. I now wish I had paid for a 10 week scan to check if things had progressed. I'd rather have found out then than the way I did.

The private sonographer just tried to reassure me things were fine. I get the impression they try to avoid giving the bad news / put any doubt in your mind where possible if it's not a clear answer. I think they knew though that something might have been wrong.

When I next get pregnant, I will not hesitate to have another 8 week scan and if things aren't looking normal then I will pay for another scan before the 12 week one.

Not sure if this will help as everyone is different but I think for me the anxiety that will follow after a MMC could be reduced if an early scan is looking good!

Fingers crossed for you x

[Mousefunky]

I had two MMC last year. The first one I discovered at 11 weeks at EPAU after some brown spotting but the second was discovered at the 12 week scan. I found the second tougher to deal with as I’d been sitting in a room surrounded by gleeful women with big bumps and signs all around talking about pregnancy and babies. The EPAU was a far easier place to handle bad news.


I had a private scan during my last pregnancy when I was very early on simply to date me because my periods hadn’t returned following the previous miscarriage. It is not the sort of environment I would want to discover bad news. For starters, my local private ultrasound place is inside Mothercare which is completely triggering but also, there’s a big plasma screen in front of you which you can’t avoid looking at. I’m not the sort of person that could face looking at the screen and seeing my lifeless babies so it would kill me to be faced with it.

If you’re worried, I would contact EPAU.

[SophieStripe]

So many local hospitals have EPUs where you don't need any kind of referral, you just walk in, say you are worried because of cramping/bleeding/loss of symptoms etc and they will scan you. Granted you may have to sit in a waiting room a couple of hours but at least they scan you. I know Kings College in London definitely does this.

[DragonMummy1418]

Have a blood test at the doctors first, scans aren't cheap.

[PickettBowtruckles]

My only personal experience of a private scan was a positive one, so I’m not sure about how they handle bad news properly.

Timing wise they ran very late (I wasn’t seen until an hour and a half after my time) which was extremely uncomfortable with a very full bladder! I was 7 weeks and 4 days at mine and they showed me a little heartbeat and confirmed my dates with me. The lady before me had clearly got bad news though and similar to how someone has said above, it wasn’t ideal that she was seen and then made to come into the main waiting room to pay and collect the photos.

[surreygirl1987]

I had a private scan at 10 weeks. For me it was very reassuring because until then I didn't know if everything was okay. Obviously the reassurance was temporary as anything can happen in the following two weeks. It was fine - I pribably would go again for a future baby but probably try and get a Groupon voucher as the scans are expensive!

[Almostthere15]

It's so hard waiting. I would say there are private and private. I had a scan in the Midlands with a presumed chemical which was confirmed in the most thoughtful and sympathetic way and they clearly manage the waiting rooms etc to minimise any hurt or upset. I also had a successful early scan with them.
If you're going to go if look for somewhere that offers a range of gynae options including viability scans, rather than a 'bonding' scan because I just don't think they are, as a rule, set up for bad news. Sadly I don't think most epu's will see you without bleeding or pain, and certainly there are none close to me that you can self access.
I hope things progress.

[PenneyForThem]

I rang up my doctors to book my booking in appointment when I was 5 weeks and asked if there was anyway of having a scan for reassurance as I had miscarried at 6 weeks last November and have been very anxious. The receptionist said she would ask the midwife and call me back. Instead the midwife called me back and said 'if everyone who had miscarried wanted an early scan it would be impossible because miscarriages really are so common aren't they?' .. not overly looking forward to meeting her in 3 weeks time! So instead we have booked a private scan for 8 weeks. Good luck with whatever you decide to do x

[CurlyTwirlyTwos]

Thank you so much mumsnetters for all your kind and really considerate responses!

I never went to a private scan with my first, so the comments are so helpful. Unfortunately I’m not in London or a large city so my options are limited to ‘bonding’ type clinics. After reading stories I’m going to steer clear until I feel more confident about the outcome!

I had no idea you are able to self-refer to the EPU (gp sent me last month for bleeding). So I’ll give my local hospital a call tomorrow to see whether they can see me, you never know.

Otherwise I’ll call the gp and see if she has any sympathy (mine is a dragon though, similar to your midwife @PenneyForThem)!

I’m positive she’ll think I’m wasting time - I’ve no reason to have an early scan apart from non-progressing clearblue tests and a lack of pregnancy symptoms!

If these two options don’t work - I may consider a private scan (at a well researched location) at 8/9 weeks if I get that far! Pregnancy after mmc is tough!

Thanks so much everyone, I feel that I’ve come away with a plan which protects myself a bit.

Good luck to those waiting scans too!