Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Scans during pregnancy

25 replies

JennyAuker · 01/09/2019 17:57

Looking for advice or similar experiences.

Due to prenatal anxiety I have had additional private scans throughout pregnancy. I'm now 30 weeks but had scans at 7, 13 (nhs dating), 17, 18 (nhs anomoly) and 21 weeks.

Most concerning my last was a 40 minute private anomoly where they included a 4d scan at the end (via ultra sound direct).

I had the scans as I'm really anxious but now I've heard/read stuff about too many scans being dangerous.

Would love to hear from anyone whose got kids but who had multiple scans. I'm worried sick. I'm worried all these scans could cause brain damage, cancer etc.

OP posts:
kimlo · 01/09/2019 17:58

it's fine. A high risk pregnancy could easily have more nhs scans than that.

AnneLovesGilbert · 01/09/2019 18:00

I had 16, all under NHS, as I was on several different drugs for the pregnancy and they had to keep monitoring various issues. All fine Smile

Littlebirdie123 · 01/09/2019 18:03

I asked my consultant about this. I'm 20 weeks and have had about 20 NHS scans now. He said its nothing to worry about. It would have to be a very high intensity scan for hours for the levels to get high enough to cause harm.
I also had a similar amount of scans in a previous pregnancy and my baby was fine.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
StarlightCeleste · 01/09/2019 18:15

I'm a sonographer. Please don't worry. If there was any chance of harm to your baby they simply would not be doing these scans. It would be completely unethical. Ultrasound is completely noninvasive and has been used routinely since the 1970's and has been performed on billions of men/women/children/babies/animals worldwide (not just pregnant women, ultrasound has many uses)!
Ultrasound is created using low level sound waves. There is zero chance that at this level they can give your baby brain damage or cancer! It's very dangerous to be reading about these kind of things and putting it out into the public domain for vulnerable mothers to read about. Please ignore any articles/studies you have read about!
Speak with your midwife/consultant/GP about your anxiety and about these concerns you have!

Fivechatchacha · 01/09/2019 18:27

Have you spoken to someone about your anxiety? Flowers

Roozy123 · 01/09/2019 18:38

I suffered with bad anxiety and depression in my first pregnancy because of this I was offered reassurance scans... I think all in all I had 8? (Also they thought I had an ectopic pregnancy and I had a surgery and ended up still pregnant and they were wrong so I had scans from very early on)
But with my anxiety being so bad after I had quite a few scans... It may have even been more than 8 now thinking about it lol.

My son is a very happy healthy boy

Minai · 01/09/2019 18:55

I had many, many scans during my first pregnancy due to reduced movements (paid for a few private ones myself because I was so worried). My little boy is 2 now and he is absolutely perfect. Don’t worry. They wouldn’t let you have them if they weren’t safe.

Original poster
JennyAuker · 01/09/2019 19:02

Thanks #starlightceleste you don't think having two anomoly scans, the private one lasting 45 mins and including 4d imaging (albeit the 4d was for a small amount of time at the end) is harmful? Really appreciate your input. Thank you.

OP posts:
Witsendagain · 01/09/2019 19:04

Oh sweetheart! I hated the pregnancy anxiety!
I had scans at 7,12,14,20 weeks due to complications. Then every 2 weeks towards the end of the pregnancy because baby was measuring really big!
Healthy, happy baby is now healthy happy toddler!
It will be fine ❤️

Original poster
JennyAuker · 01/09/2019 19:05

Thanks @starlightceleste you don't think having two anomoly scans, the private one lasting 45 mins and including 4d imaging (albeit the 4d was for a small amount of time at the end) is harmful? Really appreciate your input. Thank you!

OP posts:
BeanBag7 · 01/09/2019 19:09

Plenty of people have scans every 2 weeks towards the end of pregnancy for whatever reason, with no damage.
It's really really fine

InsertFunnyUsername · 01/09/2019 19:11

You and your baby will be fine Smile thankfully I hadn't heard of the supposed dangers of scans in my last pregnancy, I had around 12 scans. 2 being around 45 minutes long also.

underneaththeash · 01/09/2019 19:27

I had a private consultant as I had problems with my placenta during my first pregnancy (mainly due to NHS letting me go too over due).
I had scans every 4 weeks with both DC2 and DC3 after 20 weeks. My consultant scans all his patients at every visit.

Do you need to get your anxiety under control. You’ll have to look after another person soon.

PrimeraVez · 01/09/2019 19:35

I live in a country where you get scanned at every single appointment so for DC1 I would guess I had around 20 scans and for DC2 it was probably even more than that (transverse lie, excess fluid etc etc) At no stage did anyone flag it as an issue or concern.

findthespanner · 01/09/2019 19:40

I had complications with my last pregnancy. Up to wk30 I’d had 4 or 5 scans but from then on I had weekly scans. DS was born safe and sound at 36 wks none the worse for all the extra attention (or perhaps, thankfully, due to the extra attention).

FairyDust92 · 01/09/2019 19:43

I don't think so

FairyDust92 · 01/09/2019 19:45

Sorry pressed post before I was ready! 🙈
I had extra growth scans. I had about 5 normal scans and 2 4D scans both lasting about an hour each time as baby was not in the right position albeit a week apart but lasted around an hour x

Crunchymum · 01/09/2019 19:58

I think its x-rays that are risky in pregnancy?

OP, will you answer if your anxiety is being treated?

Megan2018 · 01/09/2019 20:06

I’ve had bloody loads!
10, 12, 20, 26, 30, 34, 36, 38 weeks
I have GD and am over 40 so am on a growth Scan pathway plus opted in for some extra detailed scans as part of a research study.
I have seen no credible research about scan risk.

Original poster
JennyAuker · 01/09/2019 20:22

Thanks all. Regards the anxiety, my doctor referred me to our nhs 'wellbeing' service, they've so far cocked up the first appt and they cancelled the second. I'm looking into private therapy but think a pregnancy based type of therapy would be most suitable and I can't seem to find anything sadly, I'll keep trying though xx

OP posts:
FlyingSpaghettiM0nster · 01/09/2019 21:20

No scans are not harmful.

Please please make sure you tell your HV about your anxiety as soon as you see her. Make sure you get treatment ASAP after you give birth. And if you get given medication, for the love of god take it, don't do what I did and just assume you're OK and don't bother (spoiler alert... I wasn't OK).

Gamorasgran · 01/09/2019 21:28

I had scans every 2 weeks from 20 weeks (twins with transverse lie and a consultant who insisted on scanning). Never raised as an issue at all.

I also had pre natal anxiety which I hid then had the mutha of all crashes when the kids were 3 months old and ended up very very ill indeed. Please do keep following up for support. It's incredibly common for pre natal to turn into post natal anxiety/depression so please look after yourself with this.

Original poster
JennyAuker · 01/09/2019 21:31

Thanks all @flyingspagettimonster I hope you're ok now 🤗

OP posts:
manicmij · 02/09/2019 09:01

No problem will arise from the scans. Your anxiety on the other hand? You need to calm down.

FlyingSpaghettiM0nster · 02/09/2019 09:18

Thanks @jennyauker I still have anxiety but most of the time I have it under control Smile

New posts on this thread. Refresh page